A 49% drop in homelessness is only half the story
By Jon Regardie
Nithya Raman touts an astounding decline in unsheltered homelessness in her council district. What’s behind the single biggest number in L.A.’s mayoral race?
Shortly after the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released the results of the 2026 Homeless Count in July, mayoral challenger Nithya Raman held a Studio City press conference. She blasted the 7.9% year-over-year increase in unsheltered people citywide as evidence of Mayor Karen Bass’ failed approach—and then contrasted it with the eye-popping 49% drop in the Fourth District, which the second-term councilmember represents.
Raman hit the point again in an Aug. 10 video after she was removed from chairing the City Council’s Housing & Homelessness Committee, and repeated it at the Aug. 19 debate against Mayor Karen Bass. “We can use our scarce resources to actually end street homelessness,” Raman declared at the testy event hosted by the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association. “In my district last year, we reduced street homelessness by 49%.”
