Socialist LA mayor's bold homelessness promise ahead of 2028 Olympics hit with reality check: 'Not optimistic'

Raman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, won the midterm elections and will take office in December. Her campaign focused on the city's growing homeless population, which became a central issue in the race.

The mayor-elect has pledged to expand housing, shelter capacity, and rental assistance to eliminate long-term encampments by the end of her first term. She has also called the city's "desensitization to homelessness" a "moral failing."

Her plan includes sending medical teams directly into encampments to provide mental health and addiction treatment, with the goal of transitioning people into long-term housing or care within 90 days.

A 'Third-World Country'

John Alle, a business owner and co-founder of the Santa Monica Coalition, told Fox News Digital that he is not optimistic about Raman's ability to solve the crisis. He warned that the city has become a "third-world country" with a deteriorating quality of life.

Alle, who manages roughly 1 million square feet of commercial property, said the crisis is impacting local businesses and workers. He noted that tourism, retail sales taxes, and police morale are all down.

He believes Raman's plan will be a temporary solution, with homeless people moved off the streets ahead of the Olympics and returning once the Games are over. "When the Olympics come, they'll be picked up, they'll be bused, they'll be sent elsewhere, and they'll wander right back after the three-week Olympic and Paralympic events."

Critique of Policy Details

Alle criticized Raman's approach, arguing it is not "aggressive enough" and lacks the necessary restrictions. He pointed to her past opposition to restrictions on camping in public spaces and near schools.

He expressed concerns about the proximity of supportive housing to families and children, noting that some facilities do not require residents to remain sober. "There is no commitment for anyone not to use drugs while they're there," he said.

Alle also criticized the Inside Safe program led by former Mayor Karen Bass, which often places homeless people in costly hotels and motels. Raman wants to shift funding toward less expensive alternatives, like rental vouchers.

A Billion-Dollar Problem

Raman has promised to audit every single non-profit and agency that has spent city funds on homelessness programs. She will have to explain where more than $1 billion in previous funding went.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's 2026 annual count showed homelessness rose 3.4% in LA and 1.2% across the broader area, undoing two consecutive years of declines under Bass.

Alle urged Raman to find a more practical solution by moving outreach services off the streets and ending LA's sanctuary city status. He believes the city needs to stop making life on the streets more comfortable for those who refuse help.

Next Steps

Raman will take office in December as the mayor of Los Angeles, a city of roughly 4 million residents. Her team and the LA28 organizing committee have been contacted for comment.

The city will host the Summer Olympics in 2028, the first time it has done so since 1984. The event is expected to bring a massive influx of tourists and global attention to the city's ongoing social challenges.