The article examines California’s staggering homelessness crisis that is particularly acute in Los Angeles. Over half of America’s homeless population resides in California, with over 70% living unsheltered in tents and camps. The primary driver, advocates argue, is the severe shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by minimal new home construction and soaring rents. Political responses, including controversial encampment sweeps, often fall short of addressing the root causes. During the past mayoral elections, the candidates proposed contrasting approaches, increased policing and shelter beds versus leveraging city funds and federal resources. A pivotal ballot measure, Measure ULA, seeks to impose a “mansion tax” to fund affordable housing and renter protections, aiming to generate substantial annual revenue. However, critics point to past failures in housing initiatives, underscoring the need for more effective and equitable solutions to address the persistent homelessness crisis, particularly affecting communities of color.

https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/houselessness-in-los-angeles-measure-ULA-mansion-tax