Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman are publicly clashing over the city’s worsening homelessness crisis after newly released data showed the number of people living on the streets increased across Los Angeles, turning the issue into one of the defining battles in this year’s mayoral race.
The latest homeless count found that street homelessness rose citywide despite billions of dollars spent on programs aimed at addressing the crisis. Bass has defended her administration’s “Inside Safe” initiative, arguing it has moved thousands of people indoors while accusing Raman of opposing enforcement tools needed to keep encampments from returning. Raman, who chairs the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee and is challenging Bass for mayor, countered that the city’s current approach is too expensive and has failed to produce lasting results.
Bass specifically criticized Raman for opposing anti-camping ordinances and other measures designed to clear homeless encampments from public spaces. The mayor argued that Los Angeles needs stronger enforcement alongside outreach services, saying the city cannot allow sidewalks and parks to remain occupied indefinitely.
Raman responded by pointing to conditions within her own council district, where street homelessness reportedly declined significantly over the past year even as the citywide total increased. She argued the broader numbers demonstrate that Bass’s homelessness strategy has not delivered the promised results and called for reforms focused on expanding permanent housing while reducing the costs associated with temporary shelter programs.
The dispute comes as homelessness remains one of the top concerns among Los Angeles voters heading into the November mayoral runoff. With public frustration continuing to grow over encampments, public safety, and the cost of homelessness programs, both candidates are making the issue a centerpiece of their campaigns as they seek to convince voters they have the better plan to address one of the city’s most persistent challenges.
The post Karen Bass, Nithya Raman Trade Blame As Los Angeles Homeless Crisis Becomes Election Flashpoint appeared first on Real News Now.
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