The mayor of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency Monday following the skyrocketing number of homeless people and said she wants “radical change” to address this thorny problem for America’s second-largest city.
Tens of thousands of people sleep on the streets of Los Angeles, their tents scattered throughout the city amaze tourists who come to visit one of the richest urban areas on the planet.
A population that is also more affected by mental health or addiction problems.
Karen Bass, the city’s first woman elected mayor in November, took office on Sunday and declared a state of emergency the next day.
“I will not tolerate a homelessness crisis that affects more than 40,000 people and affects all of us,” he explained.
“My mission is to take Los Angeles in a new direction with a quick and strategic approach to solving one of the toughest challenges facing our city.”
“Recourse to the state of alarm allows us to speed things up,” said Karen Bass, announcing a “radical change” in the way it works.
A series of decrees to come
In the coming days, the councilor has indicated that she will sign a series of decrees that address this problem, for example by providing temporary accommodation through the rental of apartments and hotel rooms.
Previously elected to the House of Representatives, Karen Bass was very involved in community life in Los Angeles, the city where she is from.
She was elected mayor over wealthy real estate developer Rick Caruso after a campaign dominated by the issue of homelessness, which has become pervasive in local public debate.
Some of the most expensive rent in the country, the high cost of living and taxes well above the national average further complicate the situation.
With Los Angeles gearing up to host the 2028 Olympics, many observers believe the city will be even more motivated to remove the multiple tents, sometimes set up just yards from high-end stores or towering villas.
Source: BFM TV
