Rise in LA homelessness sparks feud between mayoral candidates
The count showed the first citywide increase in two years, and Bass and Raman blamed each other over strategy, spending and results.
- On Friday, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released the 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, showing the unhoused population rose 3.4% to 45,194, with unsheltered homelessness increasing nearly 8% for the first time in two years.
- Mayor Karen Bass defended her administration's record, citing an 11% reduction in unsheltered homelessness since 2023, while attributing the recent uptick to federal funding cuts and inadequate county services hampering the city's response.
- City Councilmember Nithya Raman criticized the results as "a failure of leadership," pointing to a 49% decrease in unsheltered homelessness within her Fourth Council District as a potential citywide model.
- A Los Angeles Times analysis found about 41% of Inside Safe participants returned to homelessness in the nearly four years since the program began, fueling criticism that the city's $250 million investment lacks long-term results.
- Competing for voter support in the November election, Bass and Raman are framing the data to their political advantage, making homelessness a central issue in the mayoral runoff.
21 Articles
21 Articles
LA mayor candidate Nithya Raman criticizes Bass' leadership on Boyle Heights fire, homelessness
Nithya Raman criticizes L.A. Mayor Karen Bass' response to homelessness and the Boyle Heights fire, emphasizing a need for effective interventions and urgent leadership.
Bass, Ryman exchange campaign jabs over homeless count - Los Angeles Wave Newspaper Group
Wave Wire Services LOS ANGELES — Mayor Karen Bass and her challenger in the Nov. 3 election, City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, traded jabs July 24 as they criticized one another over the increase in homelessness in Los Angeles. Homelessness increased by 3.4% in the city to an estimated 45,194 people, and unsheltered homelessness also rose by nearly 8%, according to figures from the 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. The data showed the first…
Bass Fails to Address LA Homelessness Crisis
Many Angelenos say they have been left with broken promises after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has yet to deliver on her signature campaign pledge to tackle the city’s homelessness crisis. New data released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)—the agency responsible for coordinating homeless services across Los Angeles—found homelessness increased 3.3% in LA...
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