Los Angeles Council Leadership Changes Amid Mayoral Race

Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson plans to restructure the council’s committee on homelessness. Sources indicate the committee will be split into two separate groups: one focused on housing and the other on homelessness. Nithya Raman, the current chair and mayoral candidate, will not lead either new committee.

This decision comes as Harris-Dawson aligns with Mayor Karen Bass in an ongoing political contest. Raman is challenging Bass for re-election, adding political tension to the restructuring. Harris-Dawson, a political ally of Bass, has not commented on the matter.

Zev Yaroslavsky, a former Los Angeles City Councilmember, highlighted the political implications, calling the timing suspicious. Raman’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment.

Alex Stack, spokesperson for Bass’ campaign, criticized Raman’s leadership of the former committee. Stack claimed Raman’s initiative to house homeless individuals with time-limited subsidies failed significantly, costing over $60 million to house just three individuals.

The decision occurs during a crucial phase in the mayoral race, where homelessness is a key issue. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported a recent increase in the unsheltered homeless population. Despite this, Raman notes a significant 49% decrease in homelessness within her district, a point emphasized in her campaign against Bass.

Disagreements over the success of initiatives continue. Bass has credited her program, Inside Safe, for the reduction in Raman’s district, and attributed broader increases to federal and state budget reductions. Stack additionally criticized Raman’s overall performance as chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee.

Raman, however, maintains her district has seen fewer Inside Safe interventions and blames inaction from the mayor’s office for broader issues. She insists that while the council may pass legislation, implementation remains under mayoral control.

The changes and criticism mark an intense period in the Los Angeles mayoral race, with both candidates presenting differing narratives on addressing homelessness citywide and within Raman’s district specifically.