The city of Los Angeles has officially declared a housing emergency as rent prices continue to surge and homelessness reaches record levels. The city council approved an emergency plan to fast-track affordable housing construction and expand rental subsidies.
Mayor Karen Bass stated that nearly 50,000 people are living without shelter in LA County, marking a 9% increase over the past year. The emergency declaration unlocks special funding and federal support.
Urban planners in South Asian metros like Dhaka and Kathmandu are studying LA’s response to consider similar housing strategies, especially as their own cities face rapid population growth and income disparity.