“LA’s homelessness policy is broken”

Katy Yaroslavsky, a Los Angeles City Council member who represents part of Koreatown in District 5, said addressing homelessness and strengthening public safety will be top priorities of her legislative agenda, pledging to focus on improving quality of life in Koreatown and across Los Angeles.

Speaking at a press conference for Korean-language media hosted by the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles on January 29, Yaroslavsky outlined five key policy priorities: protecting immigrants, addressing homelessness, strengthening tenant protections, improving core city services, and enhancing public safety.

Los Angeles City Council District 5 includes parts of western Koreatown west of Western Avenue. The district also encompasses key Korean American institutions such as the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles residence, the Korean Cultural Center, Korean Resource Center, and the Park La Brea apartment complex, home to many Korean American residents.

On immigrant protections, Yaroslavsky highlighted efforts to distribute Korean-language “know your rights” cards in partnership with the Korean American Federation, explaining residents’ rights when interacting with federal immigration agents. She added that her office continues to closely monitor tensions in the community to ensure residents receive timely and accurate information.

Turning to homelessness, Yaroslavsky said, “Los Angeles’ response to homelessness is broken at the city, state, and federal levels.” She argued that massive spending to move unhoused individuals into housing has reduced funds available for basic services such as road repairs and hiring additional police and firefighters.

She also noted that under a 2022 legal settlement, the city must secure 12,915 interim shelter beds by next year. “I want the city to comply with the settlement as quickly as possible and then move on to more efficient and cost-effective solutions,” she said, stressing the need to expand mental health facilities and rehabilitation centers, as well as to pursue changes to California law.

As chair of the Los Angeles City Council Budget and Finance Committee, Yaroslavsky addressed fiscal challenges, saying her focus is on finding ways to secure additional resources and generate revenue without raising taxes on residents.

“Closing the gap between what residents expect and the services the city actually delivers is the core challenge,” she said. As an example, she cited the City Council’s recent decision to send back to committee a proposed parking occupancy tax increase—one of three tax hikes introduced on the 27th—for further discussion, noting it would have had a direct impact on residents.

Yaroslavsky also serves on the board of LA Metro. She outlined ideas to activate new stations on the Metro D Line connecting Koreatown with West Los Angeles, including the Wilshire–La Brea, Wilshire–Fairfax, and Wilshire–La Cienega stations set to open in March.

“The best way to increase ridership is to make public transit feel safe and welcoming,” she said. Plans under consideration include placing staffed coffee carts and other amenities underground, while hosting farmers markets, craft fairs, and museum partnership programs above ground.

BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun@koreadaily.com]