L.A City Council Votes To Fund Karen Bass’ Multi-Million Homeless Initiative

The Los Angeles City Council has voted to approve $50 million in emergency funding, to support Mayor Karen Bass’ emergency plans to address the homeless crisis in Los Angeles.

The funding passed by an unanimous vote and will go toward Bass’ Inside Safe Initiative. The focus of the initiative aims to bring individuals living inside encampments indoors.

The City Council also approved Bass’ emergency declaration over homelessness last month.

The money will help immediately pay for hotels, increase in staffing and providers who are conducting outreach. Without access to the immediate funding, the city lacks the capacity to pay providers in a timely manner.

The Inside Safe Initiative will be evaluated monthly by several indicators of progress, including the number of encampments and housing placements.

Of the $50 million, $26.5 million would come from a general fund account for homelessness services and the remaining $23.5 million from funding previously set aside for COVID-19 response.