Bass Lays Out Ambitious Agenda as LA Prepares for World Stage

Mayor highlights housing gains, homelessness progress, public safety improvements, and global events in State of the City Address

By PACE NEWS Staff

LOS ANGELES —   Standing before thousands of Angelenos at the Expo Center — a deliberate choice over City Hall — Mayor Karen Bass delivered a sweeping State of the City Address that blended reflection, policy achievements, and a forward-looking agenda as Los Angeles prepares to host some of the world’s largest sporting events. Bass framed her remarks around unity, resilience, and action, repeatedly emphasizing that Los Angeles must be ready not only to welcome the world, but to protect and uplift its most vulnerable residents.

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Housing and Affordability

• Bass highlighted what she described as major progress in addressing Los Angeles’ housing crisis, a central pillar of her administration.
• She credited her first Executive Directive with accelerating the construction of 33,000 housing units, with 6,000 currently under construction.
• She noted that the City Council has made the directive permanent law, ensuring continued fast-tracking of affordable housing projects.
• She announced $14 million in new rental assistance for seniors and people with disabilities.

“The greatest test of LA is whether people can afford to live here,” Bass said, pledging to keep housing affordable for working families and young residents.

Homelessness and Veterans

With more than 44,000 unhoused Angelenos, Bass acknowledged that homelessness remains one of the city’s most pressing challenges. She pointed to the Inside Safe program, which has resolved nearly 120 encampments and moved thousands into permanent housing with an 85 percent retention rate. She also announced the relaunch of House Our Vets, committing to eliminate unused housing vouchers for veterans and calling on landlords to accept them. “No one who served this nation should ever be left behind,” Bass said.

Public Safety

Bass reported that homicides fell by 19 percent last year — the lowest in nearly 60 years — while retail theft also declined. She stressed a dual approach to safety that combines traditional policing with community-based, unarmed intervention teams, including mental health crisis response programs.

Preparing for Global Events

A major theme of Bass’s address was Los Angeles’ readiness for a series of  high-profile international events:

¨ U.S. Women’s Open (June) at Riviera Country Club

¨ FIFA World Cup matches, including free public watch parties in all 15 City Council districts

¨ 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Bass said the city will launch “Golf for Girls,” offering free clinics across public golf courses, and highlighted a $3 million investment by Angel City Football Club to support girls’ sports over three years. She also announced a renewed Clean Corridors  Initiative, expanded solar street lighting, and increased beautification efforts ahead of the World Cup.

Confronting Federal Tensions

Bass devoted part of her speech to condemning federal immigration raids in Los Angeles, describing them as unlawful, chaotic, and harmful to families. She said local leaders have become “the last line of defense for democracy in people’s daily lives.” She invoked Nelson  Mandela’s historic visit to Los Angeles, recalling his words about the city’s “great and noble spirit” as a reminder of LA’s legacy of resistance and inclusion.

Economic Growth

Bass pointed to Downtown revitalization, expanded convention business, and streamlined film permitting as evidence that Los Angeles remains an economic engine. She cited new conventions booking in the city and the rapid development of East End Studios as examples of job creation and investment.

A City United

Closing her address, Bass struck an optimistic tone, urging Angelenos to prepare for both celebration and resistance in the years ahead. “Nothing can stop us when we stand together,” she said. “Let’s show the nation and the world we are the greatest city on Earth.”