Mayor Karen Bass resigns from LAHSA board amid federal funding probe
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass left the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority commission on Sept. 9 as a House subcommittee investigates alleged misuse of more than $1 billion in federal homelessness funds.
On Sept. 9, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced her exit from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) commission, pledging to appoint a new member. The decision arrives as a House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency plans a Sept. 15 hearing to probe alleged waste, fraud and abuse involving over $1 billion in federal homelessness funding. Bass’s office indicated she is unavailable for that hearing but may appear at a future date.
Critics, including Subcommittee Chairman Tim Burchett, argued the resignation signals a failure to address the city’s homelessness crisis. Records on LAHSA’s internal controls and communications are due to the committee by Sept. 14. Bass had missed 25 of 47 commission meetings since her appointment, citing one outlet constraints. The agency has also faced internal turmoil, with audit-committee chair Justin Szlasa recently removed after exposing irregularities in nonprofit contracts.
Why it matters
The mayor's departure highlights political pressure over how billions in federal homelessness aid are managed in Los Angeles.
In this story
