There has been a lot of debate about whether the government shutdown really amounts to much for all you people with jobs, cars and health insurance out there. If it doesn't affect you, then it's just a slowdown, right?

See also: U.S. Earthquake Experts in L.A. Abandon Ship For Government Shutdown.

But soon you could be seeing thousands more homeless people on the streets of Los Angeles as a result of congressional gridlock. For real:

The Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACoLA) says that if the shutdown continues payments to 13,000 landlords will stop and 13,000 23,000 households could end up on the street:

The Authority says federal funding is likely good through the end of the month but if the quagmire continues to that point it will be unable to make those “Housing Assistance Payments” for needy folks by Halloween.

Boo.

A total of 23,000 L.A. households touched in some way or another by federally backed housing benefits, including the Section 8 program, could be impacted, an Authority spokeswoman told us. That would include 3,158 public or affordable residences the county manages.

Credit: Sterling Davis Photo / LA Weekly Flickr pool

Credit: Sterling Davis Photo / LA Weekly Flickr pool

Sean Rogan, HACoLA's executive director:

This shutdown and continued uncertainty will result in households losing their vouchers and puts our most vulnerable populations at further risk, such as the homeless, senior and mentally ill. I call on Congress to take action to pass a continuing resolution and stop the shutdown before thousands of families in Los Angeles County face homelessness.

County housing officials are urging you to call those House of Representatives politicians (202-225-3121) who have held up government funding in a bid to block implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Give them a piece of your mind and let them know that the curb in front of your place is not a home.

As if they care.

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