Mayor-elect Nithya Raman vows to cut street homelessness in half by 2028 Olympics

According to LAist, Los Angeles mayor-elect Nithya Raman has pledged to reduce the number of tents and homeless encampments on city streets by half before the 2028 Summer Olympics. Raman aims to achieve this goal by the summer of 2028, shortly after she takes office next month.

Raman's plan marks a shift from the previous approach under Mayor Karen Bass, which focused on moving people from encampments into motels through the Inside Safe model. Instead, Raman intends to prioritize rapid placement of homeless individuals into rental subsidies and more permanent housing solutions.

The homelessness crisis remains a significant challenge for Los Angeles, with over 29,000 people counted as unsheltered in the latest point-in-time count. While homelessness decreased by about 11% under Bass since 2023, the number rose again this year.

This promise echoes a similar pledge made by former Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2018, who aimed to nearly eliminate street homelessness before the Olympics. However, homelessness has persisted as a visible issue in the city for more than eight years.

If successful, Raman's plan could represent a notable change in how Los Angeles addresses homelessness ahead of the international spotlight of the 2028 Games.

LAist continues to track the city's preparations for the Olympics, including efforts to tackle housing and homelessness challenges.