Hundreds of people swarmed the Mayfair Hotel in downtown Los Angeles following viral social media posts that promised an opportunity to find free housing. The crowd, drawn by posts hyping the chance to "score an apartment," arrived only to discover the event was not open to the general public.
The housing opportunity was actually intended for approximately 300 individuals already enrolled in a Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) program, who were accompanied by their case managers. However, social media accounts widely shared flyers and posts that emphasized the possibility of "APPROVED ON THE SPOT!" without clearly stating the pre-registration and case manager requirements.
One flyer shared on Instagram stated that attendees "will have the opportunity to view available units, submit housing applications, and potentially GET APPROVED ON THE SPOT!" Another post repeated the same message, highlighting the potential for immediate approval. These posts failed to adequately convey that participation was restricted to pre-enrolled individuals accompanied by a case manager.
The Mayfair Hotel itself was purchased by the city in August 2023 as part of Mayor Karen Bass's initiative to provide interim housing for those experiencing homelessness.