The head of a downtown-based business group entered the race for Los Angeles mayor on Monday, making the fight against homelessness the central message of her campaign. And she promised that, if elected, she would start the process of creating a city health department to serve those who need substance abuse and mental health services. Wilson said the city needs a mayor with business experience to tackle homelessness, housing affordability and the region’s economic recovery in the wake of COVID-19. Lall has spent nearly five years as the head of the Central City Assn., which focuses heavily on housing production, transportation and other major issues facing the region. She also was communications director for the brief mayoral campaign of Austin Beutner, an investment banker who later became superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Source: Los Angeles Times September 20, 2021 19:07 UTC