In her efforts to address L.A.’s homelessness crisis, Mayor Karen Bass made headlines for securing a landmark $1.3 billion from the L.A. city council in what is a significant and unprecedented investment to confront what has become the city’s most persistent crisis
Bass’ success in securing the funding is a testament to her commitment to addressing the issue of homelessness.
“This budget will make Los Angeles more livable for all. It will aIlow us to confront the emergency of homelessness with the urgency we need and make innovative investments in bold new methods to make our neighborhoods safer. We also take steps towards strengthening our city’s infrastructure, ensuring we continue to combat climate change in a significant way and improve city services to make a Los Angeles that is stronger, healthier, happier and safer,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “This budget process has been a prime example of how working together, we can move LA forward.”
The $1.3 billion in funding that Bass has secured will be used to build new housing units for the homeless, as well as to provide support services such as mental health care, addiction treatment, and job training. This funding will also be used to expand existing programs that provide shelter and support services to the homeless population.
$250 million has been earmarked for Inside Safe – the new citywide program to bring unhoused Angelenos inside. The funding was part of a groundbreaking $13 billion city budget approved to address housing and homelessness for fiscal year 2023 -24.
“This new budget will effectively help address our City’s most pressing needs surrounding homelessness, public safety, pedestrian and traffic safety, climate change, increasing opportunities for growth and reducing poverty,” said Councilmember Curren Price, who serves as Vice Chair of the Budget, Finance and Innovation Committee
“With a shared commitment toward building a more fair and equitable Los Angeles, we have met this moment with great urgency and determination. I am proud to see that the Council was able to make such historic investments across the board, which will surely improve the lives of Angelenos.”
While the impact of this funding cannot be overstated, for Bass it is only the beginning of a sustained effort that she hopes to include and impact all Angelenos.
On May 20, during L.A. Focus’ 25th Annual First Ladies High Tea, she pitched L.A.’s faith community on joining her in a plan to have churches adopt motels housing the homeless to provide essentials to those being temporarily housed.
As part of Bass’ spending plan, motels are being acquired and then converted into transitional housing. Bass also wants to create new substance abuse treatment beds and provide rental assistance to vulnerable seniors.
Says Bass, “We are trying to lay the foundation and set the stage for what I hope will be a very significant reduction, especially in street homelessness.”