‘Zero progress’ on LA homelessness influencing voters

Los Angeles voters are sounding off on the city’s homelessness crisis ahead of the upcoming mayoral and gubernatorial races, with many saying they’ve lost faith in local leaders after years of promises and billions in spending.

“Zero progress,” one woman bluntly told The California Post when asked whether LA has improved its handling of homelessness. “It feels worse than it did.”

Several residents described frustration over visible encampments, open drug use, and mental health issues they say have overtaken parts of the city.

One mother said her children regularly witnessed “deeply disturbing homeless behavior” near their Hollywood school, adding that students were forced to walk past tents, drugs and people in crisis.

“It was dangerous and disgusting,” she said. “It’s really not that much better.”

A local restaurant owner said homeless individuals have harassed customers and thrown objects at diners outside her business.

“I’ve had homeless people come and throw things at my customers, harass my customers, break dishes,” she said.

Others argued the crisis is more complicated than politics alone, pointing to addiction, mental illness and rising costs of living as key drivers behind homelessness in California.

“It’s a nuanced issue,” one resident said. “There are people homeless because of financial circumstances. There are people homeless because of mental health issues.”

Still, many voters questioned whether current policies are working at all.

“Throwing money at a problem doesn’t solve it,” another Angeleno said, criticizing city leaders over what he called ineffective homelessness programs.

Watch the video above for more on this important topic.

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