Homelessness is up in L.A., dealing fresh setback to Mayor Karen Bass

Key Points:

• The unsheltered homeless population in Los Angeles increased by 7.9% this year after two years of decline, with overall homelessness rising by 3.4%, according to data from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).
• Mayor Karen Bass, seeking reelection, faced a setback as these figures contradict her administration’s claims of progress, though she cited funding cuts and inadequate county services as contributing factors.
• Despite the rise, Bass highlighted that the city has reduced unsheltered homelessness by 11% since 2023 and housed over 1,000 homeless veterans, emphasizing ongoing efforts like the Inside Safe program.
• The homelessness increase poses political challenges for Bass amid other issues, including public dissatisfaction from recent crises and controversies, while her main rival, City Councilmember Nithya Raman, has not commented on the new data.
• LAHSA and local officials remain cautious about the numbers’ statistical significance; meanwhile, LAHSA faces federal funding suspensions and legal battles, with calls from some supervisors for more transparent and accountable homelessness management.