During her State of the City address, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged the city's most fortunate residents to contribute to funding housing for the homeless as part of a new strategy to address the crisis. With over 40,000 homeless individuals in the city, Mayor Bass emphasized the urgency of the situation, referring to it as a disaster.
The Mayor highlighted the success of the Inside Safe program, which has already relocated more than 21,000 homeless individuals to temporary shelters. She expressed confidence that this strategy of moving the homeless into temporary housing would ultimately help end the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles.
Recognizing the financial challenges involved, Mayor Bass called upon the wealthy residents of Los Angeles to assist in accelerating the process of acquiring housing for the homeless. She emphasized the need for personal, private sector, and philanthropic funds to acquire more properties, reduce capital costs, and expedite the housing process.
Referring to the new capital campaign, LA4LA, Mayor Bass stressed the importance of collective efforts to combat the homelessness crisis. She emphasized the impact of homelessness on the city, including economic repercussions, strain on city resources, and safety concerns.
The Mayor underscored the significance of the private sector's involvement in the new program, stating that LA4LA could bring about a transformative change in Los Angeles by establishing a partnership to address the emergency effectively.
Despite significant investments in homelessness programs and initiatives, the number of homeless individuals in Los Angeles continues to rise, partly due to evictions and the conclusion of COVID-19 aid for low-income households. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the city witnessed a 10% increase in homelessness from the previous year, with over 46,200 individuals considered homeless.
Recent developments include a lawsuit filed by a coalition against the city for failing to fulfill promises made in a settlement agreement to build shelters and address homeless encampments. Additionally, the Los Angeles City Council approved a $2.2 million audit of its homelessness programs following a federal judge's request.
