Homelessness Politics in Los Angeles: Raman’s Challenges Against Mayor Bass

Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman has made addressing homelessness a central issue in her mayoral campaign. However, her removal from the head of the City Council committee dealing with homelessness solutions has raised concerns about her own record. Mayor Karen Bass leads the city’s efforts against homelessness, but Raman had significant influence as chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee until recently.

Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, an ally of Mayor Bass, reorganized the committee and removed Raman as chair, effective September 1. Raman argues her removal is politically motivated due to her challenge to Bass, but Harris-Dawson cites Raman’s lack of urgency in addressing homelessness.

“The committee is behind on over 100 issues,” Harris-Dawson stated. “We needed someone who could focus on homelessness and show consensus-building ability.”

Disagreements exist between Raman and Bass regarding policy approaches. Raman criticizes Bass’s program ‘Inside Safe,’ which relocates individuals from encampments to temporary housing, as costly and unsustainable, averaging $82,000 per year per individual.

Raman supports time-limited rental vouchers, estimating a cost of $30,000 per year for housing homeless residents in private dwellings. She claims this approach could house more people effectively.

The voucher program Raman championed faces criticism for delays, with goals unmet. By July, only 54 households transitioned to private housing, though expansions are expected.

Bass’s representative, Alex Stack, downplays vouchers as a comprehensive solution.

Critics argue Raman’s past approval of ‘Inside Safe’ is contradictory.

“She rubber-stamped Inside Safe,” Councilmember Monica Rodriguez stated.

Raman initiated monitoring of city homelessness spending and established a Bureau of Homelessness Oversight within the Housing Department. Her proposals for a departmental shift from LAHSA faced delays.

Rodriguez accused Raman of stalling a motion for the city to separate from LAHSA, which lost crucial county funding.

“She wouldn’t lead our conversation,” Rodriguez said.

Raman proposed the oversight bureau as a step towards a formal department, deemed costly but efficient in tracking investment.

Mayor Bass’s team calls the bureaucratic approach excessive. Raman defends her efforts as responsible oversight.

The council now studies alternatives to LAHSA and an independent homelessness department.

Raman’s committee leadership faced criticism for canceled meetings and unresolved motions.

“It felt less like policymaking,” Councilmember Imelda Padilla noted.

Raman argues her focus on data ensures oversight and accountability.

Following the committee’s restructuring, Raman won’t chair the homelessness committee. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado assumes the role. Raman’s last meeting as chair was scheduled recently, but she was absent.