Mayor Bass questions Rand study on failures of homeless camp cleanups

In an exclusive interview with KNX News, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she’s questioning a study by the Rand Corporation regarding homeless camp cleanups.

The study found that homeless camp cleanups, including Mayor Bass’ Inside Safe program, do not have a long-term effect. The researchers who visited homeless camps in Venice, Hollywood and Skid Row on a monthly basis found that within a month or two after cleanups, the homeless people would return and re-establish the camps.

Mayor Bass told KNX News’ Craig Fiegener she takes issue with the study.

“I actually want to contact them and challenge that because what we have found our experiences is that encampments might repopulate, but it's not the same people and so I really question that,” she said. “So one of the things that we have found is that we clear an encampment, people know that it was cleared and they know very well that if they show up and pitch a tent where an encampment has been cleared, that they will have a high possibility of getting housing.”

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She added that she looks forward to speaking with the people at Rand at City Hall.

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