LA Council Removes Nithya Raman From Homelessness Chair as 100-Plus Issues Pile Up in Mayoral Race
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 23
LA Council Removes Nithya Raman From Homelessness Chair as 100-Plus Issues Pile Up in Mayoral Race
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 23
Summary
Marqueece Harris-Dawson split Los Angeles’ housing and homelessness panel in two and removed mayoral candidate Nithya Raman as chair, effective Sept. 1, replacing her on the homelessness side with Councilmember Ysabel Jurado.
Harris-Dawson and several colleagues said Raman failed to show urgency and let more than 100 items backlog, with critics citing canceled meetings and weak consensus-building; Raman called the move political retaliation for challenging Mayor Karen Bass.
The clash also spotlights a policy fight: Bass’ Inside Safe costs about $82,000 a year per person, while Raman argues rental vouchers at roughly $30,000 can house more people more cheaply.
That voucher program has become a vulnerability for Raman after only 3 households were housed by July 1 against a 600-household goal, though the total rose to 54 by Aug. 13.
The dispute lands as Los Angeles’ unsheltered homeless population rose 7.9% last month and the city faces funding strain, LAHSA turmoil and pressure to expand shelter under a federal settlement.