LOS ANGELES (KNX) - Karen Bass has been Los Angeles' mayor for 75 days. Since Bass took office, her spokesperson says Inside Safe has conducted eight operations at Los Angeles homeless encampments and has successfully housed at least 350 people.
The most recent operation was near the Miracle Mile, on 6th Street, behind the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Council member Katy Yaroslavsky tells KNX more than 40 people were housed, and she made it clear it's just the beginning of efforts to deal with encampments in her district.
"The last homeless count had about 1,500 people, but we know the number is going to be much higher," she said.
The Los Angeles City Controller confirms the mayor's Inside Safe bank account, which was created to handle payments for her housing initiative, has received its first $50 million dollars in pilot phase funding. The mayor and her team can spend the money as needed without seeking advance approval. The mayor's homelessness czar has said the council will soon begin receiving bi-weekly updates on how money has been been spent.
Mayor Bass has said Inside Safe will need far more money than the current $50 million, but she's been unable to put an exact cost on how much money will be needed to keep her campaign promise to house 17,000 during her first year in office.
Former LA City Controller Laura Chick says she's uncomfortable with the lack of advance oversight for Inside Safe spending. "We need the red tape of having oversight to make sure the money is being spent effectively and properly,' says Chick. "There are fraudsters out there, it's human nature."
Speaking from City Hall, on Tuesday, Los Angeles council woman Katy Yaroslavsky told KNX she shares those concerns. "Is it going to be perfect? No. But perfection can't be the enemy of good."
Every Friday, during the first 100 days of the Bass administration, listen for our KNX Original Series— "Tracking The First 100 Days" of the Bass administration. Reporter Craig Fiegener is keeping tabs on Mayor Bass, her campaign promises, and her efforts to house the LA's homeless.
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