Mayor Bass Houses Angelenos from Longstanding Encampment Near Westside Businesses and 405 Freeway

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass housed nearly 80 individuals from a long-standing encampment near the 405 Freeway through her Inside Safe program, which emphasizes trust-building with homeless residents. The initiative has contributed to a two-year decline in street homelessness in the city, with Bass affirming that ensuring the safety of Angelenos is a top priority. Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky noted the program's effectiveness in addressing public health and safety challenges in the area. Inside Safe has completed over 100 operations, successfully bringing thousands indoors and monitoring cleared sites to prevent re-encampment. The program's approach has encouraged walk-ups from homeless individuals seeking assistance, showcasing its impact on the community.

Bass has also accelerated the construction of over 30,000 affordable housing units as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat homelessness. Additionally, an anti-eviction program through the Mayor’s Fund aims to prevent Angelenos from falling into homelessness. This combined effort represents a significant shift in Los Angeles' approach to addressing homelessness.