Los Angeles is bracing for a sharp increase in its Point-in-Time homeless count, a development expected to be detailed in a report due Friday. This projected rise in homelessness challenges Mayor Karen Bass's campaign narrative, which emphasized a decrease in the homeless population during her tenure. The city and county together reportedly spend $3 billion annually on homelessness initiatives.
Mayor Bass and the City Council are now working to address the growing number of individuals experiencing homelessness, a situation that arises after two years of modest declines that the mayor had highlighted. Critics contend that despite substantial financial investment, the city's homeless population is increasing.
One area of concern is the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), which continues to receive millions of dollars annually, even as the county has distanced itself from the agency. The Trump administration previously withdrew $200 million in federal funding due to an investigation into alleged financial mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and inadequate contract oversight.
Bass has promoted her "Inside Safe" program as a key initiative for temporarily housing thousands of people. However, the anticipated increase in street homelessness, potentially as high as 8%, is seen by some as evidence of the limitations of this approach. The critique suggests that a significant portion of Los Angeles's spending on homelessness benefits what is described as a "homeless industrial complex," comprising government agencies and non-profit organizations that allegedly have a financial incentive to maintain the status quo rather than achieve lasting solutions.
Further questions have been raised regarding the accuracy of the Point-in-Time count, an annual snapshot conducted by volunteers. Studies have indicated potential undercounts in areas such as Hollywood, Skid Row, and Venice. The "Housing First" model, which prioritizes housing without preconditions, is also criticized for not adequately addressing underlying issues like substance abuse and mental health disorders, leading to a cycle of homelessness for some individuals.
Bass has faced criticism for attributing the rise in homelessness to external factors, including the Trump administration, rising costs of living, and federal funding issues. This strategy is characterized by some as a progressive tactic of externalizing blame when results falter. The argument is that blaming external entities distracts from the city's own policy failures and the need for accountability and fiscal discipline in addressing the crisis.