All articles tagged with #homelessness
Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez critiques Spencer Pratt’s bid for mayor, arguing that outsider status and reality-TV fame don’t easily overcome LA’s real constraints—like broken sidewalks and limited funding—while warning that big promises require substantive policy understanding and the politics of city governance.
Spencer Pratt, the Hills alumnus who lost his Palisades home in the January 2025 wildfire, has entered Los Angeles’ nonpartisan mayoral race as an outspoken outsider, leaning on his Hollywood notoriety and social-media savvy to highlight crime, homelessness and city accountability. With high-profile donors, an aggressive online presence, and a Trump-style persona, Pratt has surged into polling attention and positioned himself for a top-two finish, though experts question his viability in a blue city’s runoff and his controversial past—Infowars appearances and on-screen persona—continue to shape how voters and analysts view his bid.
Columnist Gustavo Arellano argues Pratt’s Los Angeles mayoral bid relies on a doomsday, Trump-like rhetoric that thrives in an echo chamber, contrasting his bleak vision with LA’s improving crime and homelessness metrics and warning that embracing his nihilistic approach could alienate broad voters unless he offers a constructive reform agenda.
California Governor Gavin Newsom reportedly intervened to clear a homeless encampment outside the home of NFL legend Marshawn Lynch’s family, highlighting ongoing government action on homelessness.
Reality TV personality Spencer Pratt campaigned in Sherman Oaks, courting voters in a district represented by rival Nithya Raman as he runs for Los Angeles mayor. He pushes a tougher-law enforcement stance and a “treatment first” approach to homelessness, argues for expanding LAPD staffing, and criticizes city handling of crime and the Palisades wildfire recovery. The event drew residents frustrated with safety and quality-of-life issues; Pratt remains behind Mayor Karen Bass in polls but has shown fundraising momentum, with some attendees traveling from outside LA who cannot vote in the city.
Former Hills antagonist Spencer Pratt pivots to politics, launching a Los Angeles mayoral bid powered by viral, AI-generated campaign videos that portray him as a reformer ready to tackle homelessness and crime, challenging incumbent Democrat Karen Bass in a race that could go to a runoff despite LA’s Democratic tilt.
The piece argues that Spencer Pratt’s LA mayoral bid has sparked a broader debate about the city’s decline, casting him as an anti-establishment figure who targets homelessness, infrastructure, and the entertainment industry slump; it compares his potential appeal to past Republican leaders while noting demographic shifts and strong union influence that complicate any cross-partisan support, leaving the race outcome uncertain.
After years of homelessness shared with her mother, Ana Duarte built a life in Florida, earned a social-work degree, moved into a two-bedroom apartment, and then invited Anette to move in, giving her the master bedroom and a renewed sense of stability.
Spencer Pratt released a stark LA mayoral campaign video that zooms from an ordinary block to a homeless person and trash, portraying the city as besieged by addiction and fear. Set to Black Hole Sun, the ad has been praised as a 'total gut punch' by supporters and has boosted Pratt’s profile amid the mayoral race after his earlier ad criticizing Bass and Raman.
In a fiery Los Angeles mayoral debate ahead of the primary, incumbent Karen Bass, reality-TV alum Spencer Pratt, and councilmember Nithya Raman sparred over wildfire response, homelessness and housing, and reviving Hollywood production. Bass touted progress on reducing street homelessness and speeding housing development, Raman pressed for aggressive encampment clearance and broader housing plans, and Pratt pitched himself as an anti-incumbent, skewering both sides while criticizing fire funding and reservoirs. The discussion also touched on public safety and LAPD staffing as candidates weighed how to fund and implement their approaches.
In a heated Los Angeles mayoral debate, Karen Bass faced aggressive challenges from Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman on wildfire preparedness, homelessness, policing, and city spending. Pratt criticized reservoir management and argued for stronger wildfire protections and new dip sites; Bass defended her record and noted a drop in street homelessness and housing efforts while blaming staffing gaps on a former fire chief. Raman highlighted district gains on encampment reductions, stressed shelter and services, and called for balanced policing and housing investments. The discussion also touched on needle programs, Olympics policing, funding oversight, and a controversial stance on voting rights for non-citizens, with Pratt pushing for stricter rules and Bass and Raman offering hedged positions.
In the first gubernatorial debate since Eric Swalwell’s campaign collapsed, six candidates — two Republicans and four Democrats — sparred over California’s urgent issues as the field remains wide open ahead of the June primary. The discussion centered on housing costs, homelessness, affordability, and the future of AI; Democrats largely backed Governor Newsom’s approach while Republicans blamed 16 years of Democratic governance. Notable moments included Steve Hilton embracing Trump’s endorsement, Katie Porter challenging Newsom’s homelessness record, and Matt Mahan touting Silicon Valley tech insight. The jungle primary format keeps the race unpredictable and raises the specter of two Republicans advancing to November in a state that leans Democratic.
In the first California gubernatorial debate since Eric Swalwell’s exit amid misconduct allegations, four Democrats and two Republicans sparred over homelessness, taxes, and leadership. Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco pressed against Newsom-era policies, while Democrats Katie Porter, Matt Mahan, Xavier Becerra, and Tom Steyer defended the incumbent framework and argued for or against infrastructure funding. Swalwell’s departure adds uncertainty to a June top-two primary, with ballots going out May 4 and CNN hosting another debate on May 5 as candidates vie to appeal to a broad electorate.
Six candidates debated in San Francisco after Swalwell’s exit, with talks centering on taxes, homelessness and California’s high cost of living; Steyer’s wealth drew repeated questions, Becerra pressed rivals, and Republicans Hilton and Bianco framed the race as a critique of one‑party rule, but no breakout moment emerged as ballots go out May 4 and the top two advance to the general election.
An outside forensic audit of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority found about $13 million in public funds unaccounted for and a negative cash position of roughly $44.7 million, prompting Seattle leaders to call for sweeping changes, including possible dismantling of the agency, tighter financial controls, and a reworked approach to coordinating homelessness services across the county.