HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge has decided to call it a day, retiring from her position, which has sparked a wave of gratitude and acknowledgements from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Fudge has been instrumental in the fight against homelessness, working to provide shelter to thousands of Angelenos in need. Mayor Bass, praising Fudge's track record and swift action, stated, "Secretary Fudge’s contributions to Los Angeles during her time serving as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development helped bring thousands of Angelenos inside and directly impacted our ability to urgently save lives – and for that, our city is grateful," as reported by mayor.lacity.gov.
Bass, who's run into walls trying to house LA's homeless, credits Fudge's help in securing waivers that cut through the bureaucracy, according to information from the mayor's website. This cooperation with the federal department has allowed the city to place people into homes without the usual paperwork proving income, social security numbers, date of birth or disability. In her statement, Bass also highlighted Secretary Fudge's assurance for a smooth transition at the department, saying, "Secretary Fudge understands the country’s housing and homelessness issues do not fit into a one-size-fits-all approach, and the country needs policies and programs that can adapt to meet a community’s unique housing and homelessness challenges."
The relationship between Los Angeles and HUD has been notably close under the Bass administration. The city has utilized over 800 presumptive eligibility waivers to expedite the process of connecting the homeless with available housing units. The pivotal agreement between Mayor Karen Bass and HUD, intended to bring more Angelenos inside faster, acknowledges the common issue that many unhoused individuals lack the documentation traditionally required for housing programs. These individuals will wait until after they have moved into permanent housing before the public housing authorities collect the necessary verification.
Mayor Bass has been proactive in securing federal support for her initiatives. A $60 million investment from HUD, announced just last March, is set to provide housing and supportive services for those facing homelessness across Los Angeles. The funds are a testament to the productive collaboration between the city and the department under Fudge's leadership. The former secretary's work, spanning over three decades, is celebrated for her dedication and tireless advocacy for underrepresented communities, with Mayor Bass reflecting, "From her time as a public servant in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office to thirteen years as the U.S. Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Ohio, Secretary Fudge has proven to be a remarkable and tireless leader for the people of Ohio and for the country," as Bass told mayor.lacity.gov.
