Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has unveiled her proposed budget for the next fiscal year, a comprehensive plan totaling .8 billion that reflects her priorities for addressing the city’s pressing challenges while investing in vital services.
Addressing Homelessness: Inside Safe Program
Mayor Bass recognizes the urgent need to address homelessness in the city. Her Inside Safe program, which focuses on providing shelter and support to unhoused individuals, has been a cornerstone of her administration. In her budget proposal, she has allocated 5 million to the program, lower than the 0 million requested for the current fiscal year but a significant investment nonetheless. Additionally, the budget sets aside million for programs aimed at helping unhoused individuals transition to permanent housing, ensuring that support extends beyond temporary shelter.
Supporting Families and Preventing Homelessness
Recognizing the growing number of families at risk of losing their homes, Mayor Bass has proposed a substantial allocation of million for Family Source centers, which provide critical services to help families in need. This investment aims to prevent homelessness and stabilize struggling families, a crucial step in combating the broader issue of homelessness.
Investing in Law Enforcement: Expanding LAPD
Public safety remains a top priority for Mayor Bass. Her budget allocates an additional 8 million to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), with the goal of increasing the number of officers from the current 8,832 to 9,084. This increase is seen as an essential measure to address rising crime rates and ensure the safety of residents. The city has been facing a shortage of new recruits, and Mayor Bass’s plan aims to attract more candidates and build up the force’s capacity. To support this effort, the budget also includes funding for a recruitment campaign.
Other Budget Highlights
In addition to these key areas, the proposed budget includes funding for several other important initiatives:
- Fire Department Funding: While the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) will see a slight decrease in funding of approximately million, the budget still provides significant support for their critical services.
- Affordable Job Opportunities: million is allocated to LA Rise, a program that connects unhoused individuals with subsidized job opportunities, providing them with a pathway to self-sufficiency and economic stability.
- Sidewalk Improvements: The budget includes .7 million for sidewalk improvements throughout the city, prioritizing safety and accessibility for pedestrians.
- School Crossing Guards: .2 million is set aside to increase the number of crossing guards in the Los Angeles Unified School District by 128, enhancing the safety of students on their way to and from school.
Next Steps
Mayor Bass’s proposed budget will now be considered by the LA City Council. The new fiscal year begins on July 1, and the council must approve the budget before it can go into effect. The budget reflects Mayor Bass’s commitment to meeting the challenges facing Los Angeles and investing in the well-being of its residents.
Data sourced from: ktla.com
