Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces reelection challenge as homeless count rises

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released a delayed 2026 homeless count showing the city’s homeless population grew 3.4% from 2025, with the unsheltered segment jumping 7.9%. County‑wide figures also rose, though at a slower pace (1.2% overall, 3.3% unsheltered). Mayor Karen Bass, who previously highlighted back‑to‑back declines in homelessness during her administration, has seen her claim undermined. Bass, who won the mayoral primary with a plurality, is contending with staff turnover, including the resignation of longtime aide Doug Herman and the hiring of Julie Chávez Rodríguez. She has blamed national factors, citing the Trump administration’s impact on gas, grocery and rent costs. Critics note that Los Angeles spends roughly $3 billion annually on homelessness, questioning the effectiveness of the “housing first” approach and the city’s overall strategy.