Team Members: Jeremy Abbott, Morgan Jacobs, Joaquin Peres, Xiuwen Qi

This thick map charts a homelessness crisis literally bursting into flames in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. As multiple fires break out among tent communities throughout Venice, Los Angeles city officials and local media engage in human suppression of people experiencing homelessness, rather than fire suppression. Since the pandemic began, hundreds of new homeless encampments have been popping up. Records showed that fires related to homelessness are up 82% this year compared to last, and Venice is one of the epicenters of the fire problem. By mapping data from local journalism, fire departments, LAHSA’s Homeless Count, and city documents onto the space of Venice, the map highlights the differences in response between the burning of the homes of the unhoused versus the homes of the wealthier housed in other parts of the city.