Los Angeles Declares Homelessness Emergency
The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday unanimously ratified newly sworn-in Mayor Karen Bass’ declaration of an emergency in regard to homelessness.
Bass began her first day in office by declaring a state of emergency, vowing to move swiftly to help thousands of homeless people off the streets.
Among other things, Bass has said she plans to place 17,000 homeless people into housing in her first year through a mix of interim and permanent facilities, a move she said represented “a sea change in how the city tackles homelessness.”
Following the city council vote, Bass declared Tuesday “a monumental day for the city of Los Angeles,” and thanked the city council for their swift action and unanimous ratification of her declaration.
“The people of our city have demanded that we urgently and immediately take every possible action to bring unhoused Angelenos indoors, and this declaration will enable us to move faster and unlock every tool possible,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to lock arms with the city council to advance a unified, citywide approach to our homelessness crisis. Together, we are moving Los Angeles in a new direction.”
The order immediately gives Bass the power to lift rules and regulations that slow or prevent the building of permanent and temporary housing for the unhoused; to expedite contracts that prioritize bringing unhoused Angelenos inside; and to allow the city to acquire rooms, properties and land for housing for Angelenos in need. Details and full text of the emergency declaration is available here.
