Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass campaigned on bringing leadership, accountability, and action in dealing with the homelessness crisis. Bass said she would take immediate actions to dramatically reduce homelessness by housing 15,000 Angelenos by the end of year one, and end street encampments.
Reflecting on her first 100 days in office, the mayor released a statement which said in part:
My top priority from day one to day 100 of my Administration has been confronting the homelessness crisis with the urgency it requires, and that won’t stop. Together, we will work to make Los Angeles safer and more livable in every neighborhood. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together so far, and we will continue to deliver action that makes life better in every one of L.A.’s neighborhoods.-Karen Bass
Some of the mayor’s actions in the first 100 days include:
· Launching the “Inside Safe” initiative to move unhoused people into temporary shelters at motels.
· Dedicating state and federal funds to build multi-family housing while fast-tracking projects already in progress.
· Added additional city staff to assist with providing vouchers and coordinating other services.
· Signed multiple Executive Directives including Executive Directive 3 which requires City agencies to comprehensively review and identify City-owned land that can be used to develop permanent affordable housing or interim shelter for those experiencing homelessness.
The rollout of these programs have not been without bumps. The L.A Times has reported In recent weeks the Mayor has come under criticism from homeless advocates as some unhoused previously moved into motels are being shuffled in and out of multiple locations when they thought they were to receive a one year residency in one location.
According to a CBS News there are approximately 69,000 homeless residents in L.A. County, a 4.1% increase from 2020. Of which, roughly 42,000 are in the city of L.A.
An estimated 3,873 Angelenos have been housed thus far.
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