Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is scheduled to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a community project in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, the same day a U.S. House subcommittee is holding a hearing to investigate alleged waste, fraud, and abuse concerning more than $1 billion in federal homelessness funding.
The House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) had requested Bass's testimony regarding the funds allocated to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). However, Bass's attorney informed the panel that the mayor would be unavailable on that date.
The hearing, titled “Fixing Fraud and Failure in Federally Funded Homelessness Services,” aims to scrutinize the management of federal funds disbursed to LAHSA since 2021. The committee has reportedly requested records dating back to 2020 related to LAHSA's internal controls, federal funding, and communications among Bass's office, LAHSA, the City Council, and the LA County Board of Supervisors.
Bass's office stated that an initial production of documents has been made to the Oversight Committee, but a source familiar with the matter indicated that these materials primarily consist of public budgets and may not include all requested non-public documents and communications. The committee intends to follow up for the remaining materials.
Subcommittee Chairman Tim Burchett expressed disappointment with Bass's absence, stating, “It’s a shame that Mayor Karen Bass refuses to show up to testify about her role in all this. Homelessness has risen in Los Angeles on her watch, and she has overseen a culture of corruption among the nonprofits provided public dollars to address the issue.”
While Bass is attending the Pacific Palisades event, the hearing will proceed with testimony from Paul Webster, a senior fellow at the Cicero Institute, and journalist Jonathan Choe, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute.
The event Bass is attending involves the rebuilding of the Pacific Palisades Park and Recreation Center, which was significantly damaged by wildfires in January 2025. This project is a collaboration between Caruso’s Steadfast LA and LA Strong Sports, an organization founded by Lakers coach J.J. Redick.
Mayor Bass recently announced her departure from LAHSA’s governing commission, stating she would appoint a replacement as the agency faces increased scrutiny. Her office has not provided specific details regarding prior commitments that led to her unavailability for the congressional hearing.