Mayor Garcetti believes voters will approve billion dollar homeless bond measure

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti says he believes voters can be convinced to pass the billion dollar bond measure for homeless housing that the City Council put on the November ballot. It will need two-thirds approval.

Speaking on Eyewitness Newsmakers "Ask the Mayor," Garcetti said the city has stretched the budget to fund $138 million for the homeless this year, but permanent, supportive housing will cost more.

The state of California and the county of Los Angeles may add homeless funding measures in the ballot as well.

One viewer asked about squatters in campers living in Manchester Square near Los Angeles International Airport.

The mayor revealed that this week, the Manchester Square Task Force will reach out to the squatters to get them help and move them to housing.

He said the Manchester Square area will become the LAX consolidated car rental facility. The task force was put together by the mayor and the area's Councilman Mike Bonin.

When asked when the L.A. Convention Center will be upgraded and expanded, Garcetti said the city is looking for a new partner in the redo now that AEG is no longer in the picture to build an adjacent football stadium.

"It's actually probably better without," the mayor admitted, saying he loved the idea of a stadium, but "now we have the opportunity to make it work better for conventions."

One viewer said the new Expo Line is dangerously overcrowded. The mayor said the city is looking at adding more rail cars.

Garcetti demurred when viewers asked about his aspirations for higher office; governor or U.S. vice president. He said he is running for reelection to his job as mayor.

Eyewitness Newsmakers airs Sunday at 11 a.m. on ABC7.