Los Angeles Homeless Count of 44,000 Sets Stage for New Mayor's Housing Plan

Los Angeles had approximately 44,000 homeless people in 2025, a figure that now defines the central challenge for Nithya Raman, who has been declared the winner of the city's mayoral race. The 45-year-old urban planner aims to reduce that number by half by 2028, the year of the Olympic Games.

Raman, a democratic socialist and the first Asian-American elected to lead the city, campaigned on a platform focused on expanding affordable housing and deploying medical teams to street encampments. She described the election as a moving moment in American history, noting that her family, which moved from India to the United States when she was six, has been given much by the city.

The race concluded during a midterm election cycle in which Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress. Raman received the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America, a group that benefited from strong showings for its endorsed candidates nationwide. Zahra Hajee, president of the Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County, stated that voters are demanding real solutions and a government that works for them.

Raman's path to the mayor's office began in 2013 when she relocated to Los Angeles and co-founded the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition. The nonprofit focuses on supporting unhoused individuals with dignity. Before entering politics, she earned a degree from Harvard University and a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She also worked on urban governance in Chennai, India, and served as the entertainment director for Time's Up.

In 2019, Raman defeated incumbent David Ryu to become the first DSA-backed candidate elected to the Los Angeles City Council. Her decision to run for mayor this year surprised many in the local political establishment. She reversed her earlier endorsement of incumbent Karen Bass, arguing that the city had reached a breaking point and was no longer a place of opportunity for many residents.

Her campaign framed the housing crisis as a moral failing, arguing that residents have become desensitized to people living on the streets. Beyond housing, Raman pledged to replace the city's police chief. She cited a loss of confidence among residents regarding the handling of federal immigration raids by ICE. Her campaign stated that these raids have left many Angelenos afraid to live in the city where they work and raise families.

The DSA debated the inclusion of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement in her platform before ultimately celebrating her victory. Raman expressed the belief that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and supports non-violent protest and diplomatic pressure as ways to show solidarity with Palestinians.

Her rise has drawn comparisons to Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York, who also has Indian roots and is a member of the DSA. Leaders such as Sadiq Khan in London and Olivia Chow in Toronto have also served as points of reference for immigrant-led urban governance. Raman stated in an interview that she is simply herself, maintaining that she is distinct in her own right.

In her victory speech, Raman promised to restore an ambitious and entrepreneurial spirit to Los Angeles. She acknowledged that the status quo had convinced many residents that the city's current state was the best it could be. She aims to change that narrative through creative and decisive leadership.

New York, London, and Los Angeles will now all be led by individuals of South Asian descent. Raman's election strengthens the progressive movement in major US cities, following similar outcomes in New York and Washington, DC. She will begin her tenure as mayor after the official transition period concludes.