L.A. Now Has Real Money for Homelessness but No Real Plan

L.A. has a new bond issue and a new sales tax for homelessness. But Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City Council actions to alleviate homelessness have been tepid and slow. Affordable housing developer and Michael Russell has some suggestions.

2 minute read

July 7, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By wadams92101


Homeless Encampment

Daniel Arauz / Flickr

Los Angeles passed a $1.2 billion bond measure in November to fund homeless housing. Then in March, it was a quarter-cent sales tax for homelessness, which is estimated to raise as much as $355 million annually. Unimpressed with the initial plans of Mayor Garcetti and the City Council in the wake of the new found money, affordable housing consultant Michael Russell suggests they start by following the lead of a couple of other Mayors—one present (Bill de Blasio in New York City) and one past (Tom Bradley in Los Angeles). Contrasting the city's current tepid actions, Russell suggests how Tom Bradley would have done it: 

"On the day after the November election, Mayor Bradley would have filled council chambers with his advisory committee, each of the council members, homeless advocates, homeless service providers.  This gathering would be comparable to the announcement of the 1984 Olympics.  The meeting would have been led by John Argue, the articulate leader of the Olympics effort (Today, I would recommend Rick Caruso).  It would be a day for each of the council members and the homeless in that district.  (Yes, they would have been bused to City Hall.)  All the media would be there.  The Mayor’s message: “We are going to solve this HUMAN issue.”

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the Mayor would have hosted 20 “block parties” for the homeless.  With the help of United Way, Red Cross, Union Rescue Mission and major caters, music and other events would have lifted the spirits of all these people.

Of course, none of this happened.  Mayor Garcetti and the City Council do not think this way, but this is how problems get solved."

In addition to expanding on how Bradley would put the money into action, Russell also contrasts New York City's actions on homelessness, then concludes with nine essential changes that must be made "to change the trajectory of the homeless population." For details, please see the source article.  

Thursday, June 29, 2017 in UrbDeZine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today