Nov. 7, 2025 6 AM PT
To the editor: I used to be shocked to find out about Mayor Karen Bass’ withdrawal of the state of emergency associated to homelessness (“Mayor Bass lifts state of emergency on homelessness. But ‘the crisis remains,’” Nov. 4). Vital existential threats to sustaining our progress in reductions are moments from realization.
L.A. County stands to lose 1000’s of housing vouchers over the following two years. The funding for greater than 6,000 pandemic-era emergency vouchers will expire in 2026. Hundreds extra vouchers shall be misplaced to Division of Housing and City Improvement policy changes that reject many years of researched finest practices.
Additional, the county faces a $300-million shortfall for homeless companies subsequent fiscal 12 months stemming primarily from decreased tax revenues and the cessation of time-limited state funding. Town’s finances continues to be precariously perched.
The federal authorities is shut down and all of the individuals who depend on SNAP to make ends meet are having much more hassle doing so, all whereas looming adjustments to Medicaid stand to strip 1000’s of Angelenos of healthcare protection subsequent 12 months.
Emergency or not, fixing homelessness takes assets and we’re dropping some large ones proper now. I hope to see extra protection of those threats in The Los Angeles Instances, as I consider the article in regards to the emergency declaration may have benefited from this context.
Robert Morrison, Los Angeles
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To the editor: The mayor will not be unsuitable — there was progress on homelessness, particularly in Hollywood, the place years of coordinated work have decreased unsheltered homelessness by half.
Hollywood has definitely benefited from the mayor’s Inside Secure initiative and the county’s Hollywood 2.0 program. But when we need to hold shifting ahead, we should perceive precisely how and why this progress has occurred. Our momentum can’t lull us into considering the issue is solved.
The subsequent few years should be about doing extra of what works and fewer of what doesn’t — and that requires a clear-eyed take a look at what’s pushed enchancment earlier than we act prefer it’s all sorted.
We want assets and insurance policies that reinforce neighborhood-level collaboration, together with clear knowledge and progress monitoring to information technique.
The lead-up to the Olympics is an important window to maintain programs shifting towards inexpensive housing, livability and dignity — not towards last-minute “clean-ups” that merely conceal seen homelessness.
If we keep aligned, targeted and grounded in what works, we are going to hold shifting ahead, collectively.
Brittney Weissman, Los Angeles
This author is government director of the Hollywood 4WRD Homelessness Coalition.
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To the editor: Los Angeles is true to have fun the 2 years of reported decline in homelessness. Nonetheless, The Times has also reported that Rand discovered L.A.’s annual depend is lacking individuals who sleep with out tents or automobiles. These individuals are the toughest to succeed in. If that inhabitants from Los Angeles isn’t being counted, the “decline” is smaller than it appears and companies could also be redirected.
At any time when Metropolis Corridor cites progress, the general public also needs to see a second quantity: how many individuals had been doubtless missed, and through which neighborhoods. This transparency is essential and related as a result of outreach groups and group organizations are those who want to concentrate on the folks they don’t seem to be reaching.
We will’t say the emergency is over for individuals who by no means made it into the information.
Kendall Lyons, Los Angeles
