FILE - People ride their bikes past a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 29, 2021. Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, who was elected in November 2023 after promising to take on the citys out-of-control homeless crisis, announced Monday, April 17, she would recommend spending what she called a record $1.3 billion next year to get unhoused people into shelter and treatment programs.
Meanwhile, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has promised to deliver 500 units of temporary housing to the city, while the Biden administration has sent the city and county more than $200 million for homeless programs, she added. Bass’ overall optimism would be expected for a mayor in the early months of a first term, but it also belies looming challenges that could reshape her time in office.