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Councilwoman Slams LA's $1 Billion Homelessness Crisis

3/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Los Angeles Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez criticized the homelessness system, calling it a "merry-go-round from hell" during a Housing and Homelessness Committee meeting.
The city spends over $1 billion annually on homelessness programs and lacks a clear governance structure as the committee weighs a city-run system or closer county collaboration.
Mayor Karen Bass cautioned that withdrawing from LAHSA could destabilize services, and Rodriguez urged reform, saying, "We’ve wasted precious time."

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Story summary

Los Angeles Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez criticized the homelessness system, calling it a "merry-go-round from hell" during a Housing and Homelessness Committee meeting.
The city spends over $1 billion annually on homelessness programs and lacks a clear governance structure as the committee weighs a city-run system or closer county collaboration.
Mayor Karen Bass cautioned that withdrawing from LAHSA could destabilize services, and Rodriguez urged reform, saying, "We’ve wasted precious time."