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.

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.
FULL STORY: LA’s new homeless money: What Garcetti could learn from Bradley and de Blasio

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie