The City of LA does not have a single entity composed of unhoused people to provide feedback and recommendations on policies and programs. This is reflected in the dysfunctional bureaucracy of homelessness services and laws and practices that actively harm people while working against the goal of housing. As City Controller, we will create the city’s first lived experience department within the Controller’s office to assist in providing recommendations and analysis of homelessness services.
The City Controller does not typically provide direct services to unhoused people, but there are situations in which providing financial assistance and education can materially improve people’s lives. For example, our campaign for City Controller trained over 500 advocates on how to help unhoused people file their taxes to obtain their missed stimulus payments. The campaign has personally assisted over 50 people file for their stimulus payments. As Controller, we will continue offering and expanding on these services.