LA socialist mayor’s bold homelessness promise ahead of 2028 Olympics faces a reality check from an optimistic critic?

Raman’s Olympic deadline

Raman has said she intends to expand shelter and housing options while making public funds go further. Homelessness was a major issue in her campaign in the blue city.

Activist questions the plan

John Alle, co-founder of the Santa Monica Coalition, told Fox News Digital he worries the approach could amount to a short-term fix for the Olympics. He said he does not expect the city to conceal the problem from visitors.

Alle argued that people moved elsewhere during the three-week Olympic and Paralympic events could return afterward. He also cited concerns about tourism, retail sales tax revenue and police morale.

Homelessness count rises

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s 2026 annual count found homelessness increased 3.4% in Los Angeles and 1.2% across the broader LA area. The increases reversed two consecutive years of declines under outgoing Mayor Karen Bass.

The figures provide a challenging backdrop for Raman’s target. Alle said the proposed approach was not substantially different from Bass’s plan.