LA Real Estate Developer Challenges Bass Over Rising Homelessness, Cites Unmet Promises

New homelessness figures released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority have reignited criticism of Mayor Karen Bass’s approach to addressing the crisis. The 2026 annual count, released Friday, showed overall homelessness increased 3.4% in Los Angeles and 1.2% across the Los Angeles Continuum of Care following two consecutive years of declines, though LAHSA noted the changes were not statistically significant.

The data revealed 45,194 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles and 73,040 across the Continuum of Care, excluding Long Beach, Pasadena and Glendale. Street homelessness rose more sharply, climbing 7.9% in the city and 3.3% countywide, with approximately 29,115 people living on the streets in Los Angeles proper.

John Alle, a Santa Monica business owner and co-founder of the Santa Monica Coalition who holds properties throughout Los Angeles, expressed frustration with Bass’s engagement on the issue. Alle said the mayor has repeatedly declined invitations to observe conditions firsthand in neighborhoods including Alvarado, Third Street, Park View, MacArthur Park and Westlake, claiming she lacks direct understanding of the problem.

Bass attributed the rising numbers to funding cuts at federal and state levels, pointing to Trump administration policies that she said increased living costs and reduced safety net resources. She acknowledged in a May CNN interview that she failed to meet her promise to end street homelessness by 2026, citing unexpected bureaucratic obstacles her administration encountered.

Alle documented deteriorating conditions in areas he called “Little Bangladesh,” citing drug use, crime and unconscious individuals on streets. He described how tenants in his apartment buildings experience overdoses, violence and prolonged police response times, sometimes waiting up to two hours for emergency service.

Beyond individual hardship, Alle emphasized the economic toll on small businesses forced to close early due to safety concerns, limiting their competitiveness and ability to maintain operations in the city. He noted that basic city services including street lighting maintenance and trash collection have declined in affected neighborhoods.

The Santa Monica Coalition has partnered with an artificial intelligence company to operate a hotline helping homeless individuals return to their home states. Over the past year, the program has assisted more than 40 people in voluntarily returning home through bus, plane or train tickets, enabling family reunification and treatment program access.

Bass faces a reelection challenge from progressive City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who chairs the Los Angeles City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee, in November’s mayoral contest. The contrasting records on homelessness policy are expected to feature prominently in the campaign.