Karen Bass’ latest homeless excuse: ‘bureaucratic – Latest News
Who would have thought authorities was full of “bureaucratic barriers?”
Not longtime politician Karen Bass.
Asked this week why she’d failed to satisfy her own aim of ending the scourge of homelessness in her first time period, she replied:
“I didn’t anticipate some of the bureaucratic barriers that I would experience, but I am prepared to take those on now.”
Ringo Chiu
Well.
Bass, a former state assemblywoman and member of Congress, had served in elected authorities for 18 years previous to taking the mayor’s seat.
Yet she didn’t anticipate paperwork in a sprawling metropolis like LA?
That’s odd.
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But even when she flubbed or exaggerated her expectations, isn’t it the job of elected officers to navigate –– and, one would possibly dare hope, scale back –– the hurdles of paperwork?
Per the city-led annual rely required by the US authorities, 43,695 people stay homeless in LA as of the 2025 rely (the newest accessible) –– together with 26,972 residing on the streets.
Per the city-led annual rely required by the US authorities, 43,695 people stay homeless in LA as of the 2025 rely (the newest accessible) –– together with 26,972 residing on the streets. Apu Gomes for California Post
That’s nicely north of zero, the aim Bass shared when when she took workplace in 2023.
The drawback, of course, will not be paperwork however metropolis coverage, set by the mayor and 15-member City Council.
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That coverage –– an epic fail –– facilities on revolving-door applications reminiscent of rolling out laundry vans for the homeless, “supervising” areas the place people sleep in automobiles, and stashing some in resort rooms at a price of $226 per room per evening.
Last 12 months, LA taxpayers spent more than $400 million on homelessness.
That’s nicely north of zero, the aim Bass shared when when she took workplace in 2023. Apu Gomes for California Post
But simply 10% of that went towards getting people off the streets for good, The California Post has reported.
Instead: Bass & Co. offer a doom loop that entrenches homelessness whereas enriching nonprofits, lodges, builders, and different stakeholders within the homeless industrial complicated.
To make significant change, the town will need to course-correct and deal with the first causes of homelessness: habit and mental sickness.
Blaming paperwork –– whereas ignoring laborious actuality –– presents a case examine in how to look weak.
Bass did guarantee voters that she’s now ready to confront the dual scourges of homelessness and paperwork.
Should they imagine her this time, or are her expectations amiss again?
