The mayor of Los Angeles issued a warning on Monday, expressing concerns that the nation’s homelessness crisis would escalate significantly if there were to be a second Trump administration.
During an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” on Monday afternoon, Karen Bass was questioned about the issue of homelessness.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper highlighted the alarming statistic that almost 50% of individuals facing homelessness in the United States are found in California. Tapper commended the recent initiative in Los Angeles, which has successfully enabled over 1,000 individuals to access new shelters.
This program, in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, has effectively reduced street homelessness by 10%. Tapper questioned whether this approach could serve as a blueprint for other regions to replicate.
According to Bass, she is convinced that this incident serves as a prime illustration of why Vice President Kamala Harris should be elected. She emphasized the Biden administration’s exceptional collaboration with HUD, describing it as “incredible.”
“They have shown a willingness to reduce regulations,” she pointed out, referring to a specific program aimed at assisting homeless veterans.
Bass explained that previously, veterans who received benefits were considered as having income, which resulted in them being deemed ineligible for a housing voucher.
However, waivers were obtained to address this issue, enabling veterans to now access over 3,000 vouchers for housing. This progress exemplifies the positive changes achieved during this administration.
According to Bass, it is impossible to predict Donald Trump’s actions. According to her, “HUD would be completely destroyed. In Project 2025, there is a chapter dedicated to HUD, where they discuss the idea of dismantling it and dispersing its components.”
Bass stated that she believes homelessness would worsen significantly under a Trump administration.
