The Los Angeles City Council has voted to advance a homelessness plan aimed at tackling the crisis ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The strategy emphasizes government outreach, housing placements, and expanded subsidies.
The council's motion, introduced by Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, directs city officials to develop a comprehensive plan within 90 days. This plan must detail how the city will address encampments near Olympic venues, transit hubs, and major corridors, alongside timelines for outreach and anticipated housing placements.
This initiative comes as Los Angeles County reported an estimated 73,040 homeless residents in 2026, a slight increase from previous years. The city of Los Angeles itself saw its homeless population rise to 45,194, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, chair of the Health and Homelessness Committee, stated that the goal is to implement "meaningful, proactive measures to confront the crisis with newfound urgency, accountability and coordination." The proposal also seeks to explore funding through state encampment resolution funds, philanthropic donations, and Measure ULA, among other government resources. Additionally, it calls for studying expanded housing subsidies and bringing uninhabitable housing units up to code to expedite placements.
The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games are projected to generate significant economic output and jobs for the region, according to a recent analysis for the LA28 Organizing Committee. However, the city's approach to its homelessness crisis ahead of the international event has drawn scrutiny over its reliance on existing governmental programs and the clarity of its funding mechanisms for street cleanup.