A homeless services site located in Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood has drawn scrutiny for its implementation of harm reduction policies designed to address substance use disorder among the homeless population. Established in 2025, the Skid Row Care Campus operates under nonprofit sponsorship and receives federal, state, and local funding totaling approximately $26 million annually.
The campus provides a range of services aimed at harm reduction for individuals who use substances, including distribution of drug paraphernalia such as syringes, glass pipes, and drug testing strips. Rather than mandating treatment or abstinence, staff members at the site supply these materials to users without requiring questions or conditions. While on-site drug use is officially prohibited, employees have acknowledged that people often consume drugs just outside the campus boundaries with little interference unless an overdose occurs.
In addition to harm reduction services, the facility offers various basic supports common to homeless shelters, such as food, laundry, limited medical care, and amenities including dog daycare, outdoor meditation spaces, and cart parking for residents. Observers noted the presence of individuals using hard drugs openly in common areas and lining up for modest meals inside the campus café.
The nonprofits operating Skid Row Care Campus have experienced substantial revenue growth in recent years, with some organizations doubling their income since 2020. One group, Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, reported revenues of $27 million last year, while Wesley Health Centers (JWCH Institute) now sees annual revenue around $200 million. These organizations promote harm reduction as a compassionate approach to substance use, emphasizing support over criminalization.
However, local stakeholders have voiced concerns about the campus’ impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Estela Lopez, executive director of the L.A. Downtown Industrial District, described the site as a hub that provides “everything needed to get high, stay high, no questions asked,” attributing increased disorder in the area to its policies. Local law enforcement sources reported over 1,200 calls for service and four murders near the campus in the current year; some staff have indicated conflicts among drug dealers targeting site visitors.
Questions have been raised regarding continued federal funding of such services, particularly in light of an executive order signed in 2025 instructing federal agencies to review harm reduction and safe consumption programs that may facilitate illegal drug use. While the campus receives funding from public health plans such as L.A. Care Health Plan and Health Net, officials from the nonprofits, the Los Angeles mayor’s office, and the governor’s office declined to provide comment on the site’s operations.
Critics argue that harm reduction at Skid Row enables persistent drug use without encouraging recovery or treatment, potentially exacerbating the cycle of addiction and homelessness. Supporters maintain that such programs reduce the health risks associated with substance use and create pathways to eventual treatment. The debate over the effectiveness and consequences of harm reduction strategies continues to play out against the backdrop of California’s ongoing homelessness and addiction crises.