Inside Safe clears encampments and moves people into leased hotels and motels on the way to permanent housing. By December 2025 the city had spent more than $300 million and moved about 5,800 people indoors; about one in four had reached permanent housing, the Los Angeles Times found. [1] [2]
The share returning to the street rose every year, to about 40% — 2,300 of 5,800 — by December 2025. Average stays were 362 days against a six-month limit. City figures cited by the New York Post put spending at about $391 million for 5,932 people, 1,571 permanently housed. NBC Los Angeles calculated about $263,000 per permanent placement in year one. [1] [3] [4]
Bass credits the program with a 17.5% drop in unsheltered homelessness over two counts and with saving lives. Critics, including UCLA’s Gary Blasi, say the motel model costs too much for what it delivers. [1]
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