Los Angeles to End Homelessness State of Emergency After Three Years, Declining Numbers
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced on Tuesday that the city’s state of emergency regarding homelessness will be lifted on November 18, marking a notable shift in the city’s approach to the ongoing crisis. The decision comes nearly three years after Bass initially declared the emergency, granting the city expanded powers to address the issue and launch her signature Inside Safe program.
A turning Point in Los Angeles’ Homelessness Crisis
The mayor’s announcement follows two consecutive years of declining homelessness figures – a trend unseen in decades.”We have begun a real shift in our city’s decades-long trend of rising homelessness,” Bass stated in a memorandum to the city Council.However,she cautioned that the work is far from over,emphasizing that “the crisis remains,and so does our urgency.”
The initial declaration allowed the city to bypass customary bureaucratic processes, including the implementation of no-bid contracts, to expedite solutions. Inside Safe focused on moving individuals experiencing homelessness off the streets and into temporary housing. As of September, the program had successfully placed over 5,000 people in interim housing since its launch at the end of 2022, with more than 1,243 transitioning into permanent housing and another 1,636 remaining in temporary accommodations.
City Council Pushback and Calls for Transparency
The decision to end the state of emergency wasn’t without its challenges. For months, members of the Los Angeles City Council voiced concerns about the length of the emergency declaration and the lack of public oversight. Some argued that the expanded mayoral powers operated outside of public view, hindering transparency in contracting and leasing decisions.
Councilmember Tim McOsker has been a leading voice advocating for a return to standard procedures. “Emergency powers are designed to allow the government to suspend rules and respond rapidly when the situation demands it, but at some point those powers must conclude,” McOsker said in a statement. He believes lifting the emergency will allow the council to “formalize” triumphant programs while increasing accountability.
A key concern for council members was ensuring the codification of Executive Directive 1, which streamlines approvals for homeless shelters and 100% affordable housing developments. On October 28, the council voted to have the city attorney draft an ordinance to enshrine the directive into law.
Data Shows Progress, But Challenges Remain
Recent data indicates a positive trajectory. The annual count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority revealed a 3.4% decrease in the overall homeless population this year. Notably, the number of unsheltered individuals dropped by a more substantial 7.9%.
However, the accuracy of these counts has been questioned. A Rand Corporation study found that the annual survey missed nearly a third of homeless individuals in areas like Hollywood, Venice, and Skid Row – notably those without tents or vehicles. Furthermore, in June, a federal judge declined to place Los Angeles’ homelessness programs into receivership, but acknowledged the city had not fully met the terms of a settlement agreement with the LA Alliance for Human rights.
A Shift to Sustainable Solutions
Councilmember Nithya Raman, chair of the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee, emphasized that ending the state of emergency doesn’t signify the end of the crisis. “It only means that we must build fiscally sustainable systems that can respond effectively,” she said.”By transitioning from emergency measures to long-term, institutional frameworks, we’re ensuring consistent, accountable support for people experiencing homelessness.”
The lifting of the state of emergency represents a pivotal moment for Los Angeles, signaling a move from crisis response to a more sustainable, transparent, and accountable approach to addressing homelessness..
