Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has unveiled her proposed budget for the next fiscal year, totaling $12.8 billion. This represents a 2.3% decrease from the current fiscal year’s budget.
The proposed budget reflects Mayor Bass’s priorities, including addressing homelessness, enhancing public safety, and supporting families. The Inside Safe program, which aims to provide shelter for the city’s estimated 46,000 unhoused individuals, receives $185 million in funding, a decrease from the $250 million requested in the current fiscal year. Additionally, $28 million is allocated to assist unhoused individuals in securing permanent housing through the Inside Safe plan.
Recognizing the importance of family stability, the budget sets aside $17 million for Family Source centers, which provide support to families at risk of homelessness. This represents a significant increase from the $3.2 million allocated for the current fiscal year.
In terms of public safety, the budget proposes $138 million in additional funding for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to recruit more officers, aiming to increase their number from 8,832 to 9,084. The goal is to reach 9,500 officers by 2028.
Other notable budget highlights include:
– A reduction of $23 million for the Los Angeles Fire Department
– $3 million for L.A. Rise, a program that provides job opportunities for unhoused individuals
– $35.7 million for sidewalk improvements
– $2.2 million to increase the number of crossing guards in the Los Angeles Unified School District
The proposed budget will now be submitted to the L.A. City Council for approval, with the new fiscal year commencing on July 1st.
