OpenCampaign

Homelessness

Homelessness & Housing-First Policy

Homelessness remains one of the most visible and contested issues in Los Angeles County, with tens of thousands of people living unsheltered. The 2026 mayoral race has put homelessness front and center, with candidates debating the pace and strategy of the city's response. The League of Women Voters of California also lists Housing & Homelessness as a key priority, and statewide affordability pressure continues to push more LA residents toward housing instability.

What approach should Los Angeles County take to address homelessness?

How important is this to you?

Sources

Nithya Raman — https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_Los_Angeles,_California_(2026)
I'm running for Mayor because Los Angeles simply isn't working the way it should, and we need more urgency to address our city's biggest crises. My goal is to deliver a city that works again, where people can afford to live, can feel safe.
League of Women Voters of California — https://lwvc.org
Housing & Homelessness — Read More
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Massively expand Housing First — provide permanent supportive housing with wraparound services, no conditions.
  2. Scale up shelter capacity and mental health services while fast-tracking permanent housing construction.
  3. Combine Housing First with accountability measures, mental health mandates, and enforcement of encampment rules.
  4. Prioritize clearing encampments and enforce anti-camping laws while building more shelter beds.
  5. End Housing First policies; require sobriety and participation in treatment before providing public housing.

Los Angeles mayoral race: housing, safety, and city performance

In the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Karen Bass faces Councilmember Nithya Raman in a runoff. Raman argues the city isn’t working, citing urgency on crises so people can afford to live, feel safe, and trust government to deliver results, while criticizing status-quo and special-interest politics.

What should be the top priority for Los Angeles city leadership coming out of the 2026 mayor’s race?

How important is this to you?

Sources

Nithya Raman — https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_Los_Angeles,_California_(2026)
I’m running for Mayor because Los Angeles simply isn’t working the way it should, and we need more urgency to address our city’s biggest crises. My goal is to deliver a city that works again, where people can afford to live, can feel safe, and can trust that their government is delivering results.
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Treat homelessness as a housing and services-first crisis with major public investment and fewer sweeps
  2. Expand affordable housing and mental-health services while improving encampment response coordination
  3. Balance housing/services growth with clearer enforcement and accountability for results
  4. Prioritize public safety and encampment clearance alongside targeted shelter and treatment
  5. Emphasize strict enforcement, reduced spending on ineffective programs, and restoring basic order first