State of emergency over Los Angeles’ homeless

A state of emergency over spiralling levels of homelessness has been declared in Los Angeles.

The homeless and their tents are scattered throughout Los Angeles. Picture: AFP

A state of emergency over spiralling levels of homelessness has been declared in Los Angeles as the new mayor pledged a “seismic shift” for one of the most intractable problems in America’s second biggest city.

Tens of thousands of people sleep rough on Los Angeles streets every night, in an epidemic that shocks many visitors to one of the wealthiest urban areas on the planet.

Mental health problems and substance abuse issues are rife among the population, whose tents and rusting RVs scar the city.

Mayor Karen Bass, who was sworn into office on Sunday, used her first full day in the job to ­declare a state of emergency.

“I will not accept a homelessness crisis that afflicts more than 40,000 individuals and affects every one of us,” she said.

“My mandate is to move Los Angeles in a new direction with an urgent and strategic approach to solving one of our city’s toughest challenges.”

Ms Bass, the first woman to lead the city, signed the declaration, saying it would unlock tools and powers to “make sure we are using every resource possible”.

Over the coming days, she said she would be signing a series of executive orders targeting homelessness, promising an ­aggressive approach to providing temporary housing by leasing apartments and motel rooms.

Ms Bass, a former congresswoman, won the mayoral job in a straight fight with wealthy property developer Rick Caruso.

The campaign was dominated by the issue of homelessness. The subject dominates civic discourse in a city where grubby figures beg at intersections, or rage at their unseen demons as traffic swerves around them.

Health and addiction problems are compounded by some of the most expensive housing in the US, in a state and a city where the cost of living is high and taxes are above the national average.

With Los Angeles set to host to the Olympic Games in 2028, observers say city officials will be extra keen to rid footpaths of the rows of tattered tents that sprawl just metres from swanky boutiques or multimillion-dollar homes.

AFP