In the face of rising crime and burgeoning homelessness, the Los Angeles City Council is evaluating the creation of a dedicated Department of Homelessness.
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion Tuesday to explore the establishment of a Department of Homelessness. This move comes amidst an escalating crime wave and a persistent homelessness crisis that has plagued the city.
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, who introduced the motion in March, cited concerns over unaccounted-for millions of dollars in homelessness programs, highlighting the need for a centralized department to oversee efforts effectively.
"We've seen repeated headlines reflecting millions of dollars unaccounted for born out of programs being managed by political offices or across multiple departments," Rodriguez said.
The motion directs staff to prepare a report outlining the proposed structure and functions of a Department of Homelessness. It will include data on homelessness, funding allocation, and strategies for identifying and developing housing sites.
The vote follows criticism from Governor Gavin Newsom's council on homelessness, which faulted local governments for failing to track billions of dollars in state spending on homelessness. The Los Angeles City Council has already allocated $2.2 million to an external firm to audit its own programs.
Rodriguez emphasized the urgency of addressing the homelessness crisis, calling for transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer dollars. "Working with urgency shouldn't equate to an abandonment of transparency," she said.
The motion argues that the current system of homelessness providers is often fragmented and inefficient, leading to difficulties in evaluating the effectiveness of city-funded programs.
"Within this system, determined efforts to evaluate city-funded homelessness programs often run aground, as the providers of services produce irregular and imprecise reporting on contractually-obligated metrics and outcomes," it reads.
Mayor Karen Bass has also called on the city's wealthiest residents to contribute to funding homeless housing, recognizing the severity of the crisis.
Several factors have contributed to the rise in crime and homelessness in Los Angeles, including economic inequality, mental health issues, and drug addiction. The city has struggled to find effective solutions, and the creation of a Department of Homelessness is seen as a step towards addressing these challenges.
The City Council's decision to consider this department reflects the growing recognition that homelessness and crime are pressing issues that require dedicated resources and a comprehensive approach. The report on the proposed department is expected to provide further insights and recommendations for tackling these complexities.
