Mayor Karen Bass declines congressional summons on LA homelessness funding

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declined a summons to appear before a U.S. House subcommittee regarding the management of federal funds by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). The subcommittee, titled ‘Fixing Fraud and Failure in Federally Funded Homelessness Services,’ sought questioning and records dating back to 2020 to investigate alleged ‘waste, fraud and abuse’ of federal funding.

Bass’s legal representative stated the mayor was unavailable for the hearing, which was held on September 15. The mayor’s office indicated they would work on providing requested documentation and communications. Bass recently stepped down from her position on the LAHSA Commission, citing scheduling conflicts and a desire to develop a city-led homelessness response system.

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Tim Burchett criticized the refusal to testify, alleging that homelessness has increased during Bass’s tenure and that she has overseen a culture of corruption among nonprofits receiving public funds. The investigation focuses on the oversight of approximately $1 billion in federal funding funneled through the agency.