Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has declined a request to testify before a House subcommittee investigating alleged waste, fraud, and abuse at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). The Sept. 15 hearing by the House subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency aimed to probe $1 billion in potential mismanagement at the agency. Attorneys for Bass stated that LAHSA has its own executive leadership responsible for daily operations, and that the mayor does not control the agency's administration or budget.
However, critics argue that the mayor holds significant influence and oversight responsibilities. Bass is responsible for appointing five of LAHSA's 10 commissioners, subject to City Council approval. She has appointed three of the five city-selected commissioners, including the commission's chair, Stephanie Graves. The mayor herself is also listed as one of the appointees. This connection leads to questions about her level of responsibility for the agency's performance.
LAHSA has been described as an "epic failure" by some, with reports of federal investigations into alleged financial mismanagement. The agency, tasked with addressing homelessness in Los Angeles, operates from a high-end office building. Approximately 73% of LAHSA's funding comes from city taxpayers, even as the city has yet to study alternative approaches to homelessness services.
The article suggests that Bass's decision to avoid testifying stems from a challenging reelection campaign and a desire to sidestep difficult questions about her record on homelessness. The latest official count indicates a 4.3% increase in homelessness in LA over the past year. Bass's signature program, "Inside Safe," which involves placing individuals in hotel rooms without requiring sobriety, has also been criticized as ineffective in addressing the root causes of homelessness.
Councilwoman Nithya Raman, Bass's challenger in the upcoming Nov. 3 election, also faces scrutiny for her own record on homelessness. Raman chaired the city's Housing and Homelessness Committee for approximately three years, and critics contend she shares responsibility for the ongoing crisis. Both candidates are described as adhering to a "housing first" approach, which critics argue does not adequately address issues such as chronic substance abuse.
The author asserts that as the city's chief executive, Bass should accept responsibility for the homelessness crisis and develop a new policy direction, rather than avoiding accountability. Homeless encampments and closed storefronts have become a visible issue along streets such as Van Nuys Boulevard in Los Angeles.
