Council approves modification to homelessness emergency item after debate over Insight Safe motel contracts

The Los Angeles City Council on May 20, 2025, approved a modification to Item 36, a homelessness emergency measure tied to motel-based sheltering and the Insight Safe program, by a 12-1 vote after a lengthy discussion among councilmembers, staff and public commenters.

The modification, as circulated to the council, was presented for a vote following public comment and council questions about how motel agreements and short-term reserves count toward the city’s obligations under a settlement agreement (the “alliance”) and how related service invoices are tracked and reimbursed. The council voted 12 to 1 to adopt the circulated modification.

Councilmember Nithya Romen, who introduced the modification, said the change was intended to align emergency funds and program decisions with the city’s broader budget process. “Esta modificación hoy está diseñada para asegurar de que nuestros fondos de todos estos esfuerzos moviendo adelante queden en alineación con todo lo que…