Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed L.A. budget reduces spending on homelessness

Jas Kang
·2 min read
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass revealed her proposed budget for the next fiscal year. The total allocated in her proposal is $12.8 billion, which is a 2.3% decrease from the current fiscal year.

Bass’ new financial budget would reduce spending by the city on the key issue of homelessness.

Bass’ program — Inside Safe — focuses on helping to provide shelter for some of the estimated 46,000 unhoused individuals in L.A.

In her newest proposal, Bass earmarked $185 million for the Inside Safe program, down from the $250 million she requested for the current fiscal year.

The budget proposal also sets aside $28 million for programs to help unhoused individuals who are part of the Inside Side plan find permanent housing.

Bass’ newest plan would also provide more resources to aid local families who may be in danger of losing their homes. For this fiscal year, the budget set aside $3.2 million for Family Source centers, which is a fraction of the $17 million Bass hopes to secure for families that are on the verge of experiencing homelessness in the next fiscal year.

Another part of Bass’ proposed budget is to increase funding to recruit more officers to the Los Angeles Police Department. The plan is to put $138 million more into law enforcement and increase the number of officers from the current count of 8,832 to 9,084.

City officials have seen dwindling numbers of new recruits who want to join the LAPD. Bass’ goal is to have 9,500 officers on staff by 2028.

Some of the other highlights of Bass’ proposed budget for the next fiscal year include:

  • Decreasing funding by roughly $23 million for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

  • An estimated $3 million for L.A. Rise, a program that aims to provide subsidized job opportunities to unhoused individuals.

  • $35.7 million for sidewalk improvements around the city.

  • $2.2 million to increase the number of crossing guards in the Los Angeles Unified School District by 128.

Bass’s proposed budget will now go to L.A. City Council for approval. The new fiscal year begins on July 1.

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