Mayor Bass We Will Continue Urgently Confronting the Crisis of Homelessness

Mayor Karen Bass lifted the State of Emergency on homelessness in Los Angeles, citing the establishment of effective tools to combat the crisis. On her first day in office, Bass declared the emergency, enabling the city to expedite contracting and launch the Inside Safe initiative, which has successfully brought thousands of individuals indoors with dignity. The city reported a historic 17-percent reduction in street homelessness over the last two years, marking a significant turning point in a long-standing issue. Additionally, more than 30,000 units of housing are currently moving through the Executive Directive 1 pipeline, designed to streamline the process for affordable housing development. Bass emphasized that while the emergency declaration is lifted, the urgency to address homelessness remains a priority.

The city will continue engaging with individuals living in encampments and RVs to provide support and restore neighborhoods. She assured city council members of her readiness to reinstate the emergency declaration if extraordinary authority is needed to sustain progress. This proactive approach signals a shift in Los Angeles' response to homelessness, aiming for long-term solutions.