Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing renewed political pressure after newly released data showed homelessness increased across the city in 2025, making one of the city’s most pressing issues a central focus of her reelection campaign.
The latest figures come as Bass prepares for a closely watched November runoff election against Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, with both candidates offering different approaches to addressing the city’s homelessness crisis.
New Report Shows Homeless Population Increased
According to newly released data, 45,194 people were experiencing homelessness within the City of Los Angeles during the 2025 annual point-in-time count.
The report found that overall homelessness increased by 3.4% compared with the previous year.
The increase included individuals staying in emergency shelters as well as those living without permanent housing.
The report also found that the number of people living outdoors or inside vehicles rose by 7.9% over the past year.
The annual count is widely used by policymakers and service providers to measure the scope of homelessness and guide funding decisions.
Homelessness Becomes Central Election Issue
The latest figures have intensified debate during the mayoral race, where homelessness has become one of the defining campaign issues.
Mayor Karen Bass has previously highlighted reductions in certain homelessness indicators as evidence that her administration’s efforts were producing results.
However, after the release of the new report showing an overall increase, Bass acknowledged the setback while arguing that outside factors have made the crisis more difficult to address.
Bass Blames Federal and State Policies
In response to the report, Bass said local efforts to reduce homelessness have been undermined by policy decisions and funding reductions at both the federal and state levels.
She argued that cuts to homelessness programs and broader economic pressures have pushed more residents into unstable housing situations.
Among the issues she identified were:
- Policies implemented during President Donald Trump’s administration that she said placed additional financial strain on families.
- A 50% reduction in funding for California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program.
- What she described as insufficient support and services provided by Los Angeles County.
Bass said city leaders are working to reverse decades of neglect surrounding homelessness and pledged to continue pursuing solutions until street homelessness is eliminated.
She stated that no resident should have to sleep on city streets.
Challenger Calls Results Disappointing
Councilmember Nithya Raman said the latest report demonstrates that the city’s current strategy has not been effective enough.
Reacting to the new figures, Raman described the results as disappointing but not unexpected.
She argued that City Hall has not shifted strongly enough toward policies focused on moving people into permanent housing rather than relying on temporary solutions.
According to Raman, the latest data indicate that Los Angeles needs a different strategy to address the homelessness crisis more effectively.
November Runoff Set After June Primary
Bass and Raman advanced to the November mayoral runoff after neither candidate received a majority of votes during the June primary election.
Although the race is officially nonpartisan, both candidates are Democrats.
Raman is generally viewed as representing the more progressive wing of the party.
Independent candidate and former reality television personality Spencer Pratt also participated in the primary but did not qualify for the runoff election.
Polling and Election Outlook
The only publicly released head-to-head poll conducted before the primary showed Raman holding a narrow advantage over Bass.
According to that survey:
- 32% of voters supported Nithya Raman.
- 28% supported Karen Bass.
- Approximately 25% said they supported neither candidate.
- 15% remained undecided.
Despite those polling numbers, political prediction markets currently view Bass as the favorite to win reelection.
Recent forecasting models estimate that the incumbent mayor has roughly a two-thirds chance of retaining her office in the November election.
Homelessness Expected to Remain Key Campaign Issue
With more than 45,000 people experiencing homelessness across Los Angeles and the latest report showing the problem has grown rather than declined, the issue is expected to remain at the center of the mayoral campaign.
Bass continues to argue that external funding cuts and broader policy decisions have limited the city’s progress, while Raman contends that a different local strategy is needed to move more people into permanent housing.
As voters prepare to choose between the two candidates in November, homelessness is likely to remain one of the most closely scrutinized issues shaping the future leadership of Los Angeles.
