Mayor Karen Bass’ first day in office didn’t start at City Hall but down the street at the Emergency Operations Center where, flanked by elected officials, she declared the homeless crisis a state of emergency.
That move, which will require approval of the City Council, gives her the ability to expedite the process of creating new interim housing and making a plan to get the most vulnerable Angelenos off the streets as winter weather sets in. Bass met with the general managers of city departments and challenged them to bring her solutions to make the government more efficient and responsive when addressing homelessness.