Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, challenging incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race, on Friday criticized the city's approach to addressing homelessness and proposed moving homeless residents out of California, suggesting Seattle would accept them.
"They're all going to Seattle, where the mayor will welcome them," Pratt said during an interview with ABC 7 Los Angeles reporter Josh Haskell, referring to Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, a democratic socialist. The comment drew immediate attention as Pratt outlined his plans for addressing the city's homelessness crisis, which has seen more than 43,000 people without housing according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates and Bass supporters criticized Pratt's remarks as dehumanizing and disconnected from the complexity of homelessness. "This idea that they're forced on the street right now is a lie," Pratt told Haskell, claiming homeless residents are "not homeless, they're drug addicts" who choose to remain on the streets rather than accept shelter.
Bass has pointed to concrete progress during her tenure. According to the city's official website, Los Angeles has lowered its homeless count by almost 18 percent since she entered office. The mayor has accelerated construction of more than 42,000 affordable housing units and moved over 20,000 homeless people into temporary shelters. Last month, she secured more than $300 million in funding for affordable housing.
"For decades, Angelenos have been forced to bear the burden of rising rents and eviction notices because City Hall failed to deliver housing and support for tenants. We are changing that broken system," Bass said in a statement announcing the investment. Housing advocates aligned with the mayor's office argue that addressing homelessness requires comprehensive approaches including affordable housing construction, mental health services, and addiction treatment rather than relocation.
What the Right Is Saying
Some conservative commentators and residents frustrated with street conditions expressed sympathy for Pratt's frustration, even while acknowledging his blunt rhetoric. "Literally I went to Washington and I saw miles of the most insane, prefabricated housing and building," Pratt said, describing meetings he held with officials from FEMA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Pratt claimed that after meeting with federal agencies, he was told construction on a treatment facility could take three days and would be cheaper than taking over existing buildings. He proposed establishing a treatment facility on federal land outside California rather than in Los Angeles County. "They are choosing to be on the street because they want to do drugs, they don't want rules," Pratt continued.
Critics aligned with Pratt's perspective argue that progressive cities have failed homeless residents by prioritizing housing-first approaches over mandatory treatment for those struggling with addiction. Some point to historical precedents where municipalities attempted similar relocation strategies during the late 20th century, though such efforts faced legal and ethical challenges.
What the Numbers Show
According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, more than 43,000 people experienced homelessness in Los Angeles as of 2025, making it one of the largest homeless populations in the United States. The city has reduced its count by nearly 18 percent since Bass took office through expanded shelter capacity and outreach programs.
Bass's administration points to construction of over 42,000 affordable housing units currently being developed across the city. More than 20,000 homeless individuals have been moved into temporary shelters under her leadership. The $300 million in funding secured last month represents one of the largest single investments in affordable housing during her tenure.
Homelessness surged significantly under former Mayor Eric Garcetti before Bass's administration, driven by rising rents and housing prices that outpaced wage growth across Southern California. Comparable cities including San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle have reported similar struggles with homelessness despite varying political approaches.
The Bottom Line
Pratt's remarks highlight the deep frustration many Los Angeles residents feel toward the city's ongoing homelessness crisis, even as his proposed solutions of relocation and mandatory treatment draw criticism from housing advocates. Bass points to measurable progress through her administration's expanded shelter system and unprecedented affordable housing investment.
The mayoral race will test whether voters prioritize incremental improvements under the current approach or seek more aggressive interventions, including those involving involuntary treatment and out-of-state facilities. Both candidates agree the status quo is unacceptable, but differ fundamentally on causation and solutions. Polling in competitive mayoral races typically shows homelessness ranks among top voter concerns alongside public safety and cost of living.