LOS ANGELES (KNX) — The race to fill Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s seat is heating up, with one candidate outlining how, on day one, she would immediately take action to address homelessness in the city.
Candidate Jessica Lall shared her plans in a press conference Wednesday, saying “the status quo must go” and outlining the five actions she believes will “create accountability and specific metrics for ending suffering on our streets."
“This is not just aspirational, it is tactical and practical. It is based on my decade-plus experience working both inside and leading outside City Hall,” Lall said in a statement.
“It is a roadmap for how I will structurally instill accountability and transparency to addressing homelessness…no longer will we hide behind the face of bureaucracy.”
If elected, Lall said her first step would be to create a Department of Homelessnesses, which would be responsible for addressing affordable housing and permanent supportive housing — along with mental health and community services.
“Out of 45 [existing] departments and bureaus, not one is set up to address homelessness and all the many complexities and challenges it presents to each unhoused individual and our city overall," Lall continued.
In addition to creating the homelessness department, Lall said she would do the following:
Appoint herself to the Los Angeles Housing Authority Commission: Lall said doing so would shift accountability and understanding of the problem to the elected decision makers.
Initiate audits of taxpayer-funded programs: To “have actual facts” on where tax dollars have been spent and what outcomes they have yielded, Lall would call for the audits.
Declare a state of emergency: Lall believes the symbolism behind such a declaration would help in addressing the crisis.
Begin monthly mayoral status updates to the public: The mayoral candidate said she would use several metrics, including reduction of street encampments and reduction of the rate of people becoming homeless to measure monthly success.
To read Lall’s full plan to combat homelessness, click here.
In sharing her “day one” plan, Lall also said she’s received support from Mike Arnold, the former and longest-serving executive director of the LAHSA.
“The pragmatic steps laid out in Lall's implementation plan show that she clearly understands how to structurally break down bureaucracy to bring about meaningful results," Arnold said.
"Her willingness to step up and appoint herself directly to the LAHSA Commission - removing the 'middle-man' - demonstrates her focus and readiness to be held, and to hold others, accountable.”
Lall is one of 10 candidates vying for the role of L.A. Mayor, which current Mayor Eric Garcetti is unable to run for after serving two terms. She joins the likes of Rep. Karen Bass, L.A. Councilmembers Kevin de León and Joe Buscaino and L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer in the race.
The primary election will be held on June 7, with a runoff to be held on Nov. 8 if no single candidate gets a majority.
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