Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson addressed comments from Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt this week, acknowledging that drug addiction plays a significant role in homelessness even as she argued that housing costs remain the primary cause of the crisis, as reported by The New York Post.

The exchange began after Pratt, who is running in Los Angeles' mayoral race, discussed homelessness during an interview several weeks ago. Pratt argued that many individuals living on the streets in Los Angeles are not originally from the city and suggested that changes to local funding policies would encourage many to leave.

“People have been bused in by scam rehabs, scam NGOs, scam homeless nonprofits,” Pratt said. “These people, when I unplug them and say, ‘We’re not taking our taxpayer money anymore,’ they’re all going to Seattle, where the mayor will welcome them.”

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Pratt also challenged common descriptions of the homeless population.

“Well, they’re not homeless. They’re drug addicts,” he said.

Wilson's office did not respond to a request for comment from The California Post, but the Seattle mayor was asked about Pratt's remarks during a Wednesday interview with FOX13 Seattle.

The exchange began with a light moment as the reporter referenced Pratt and noted that he may survive California's primary election. An audience member could be heard cheering when Pratt's name was mentioned.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

“Yeah, golly, was that a cheer?” Wilson asked before laughing.

While declining to directly engage with Pratt's criticism, Wilson responded to the broader issues raised by the discussion.

“I’m not going to respond to him, but I will respond to you all,” Wilson said.

The mayor reiterated her view that housing affordability remains the central factor behind homelessness.

“What is driving homelessness is housing costs. There is a very, very clear correlation between housing costs and homelessness,” she said.

Later in the interview, however, Wilson acknowledged that substance abuse cannot be separated from the conversation. Seattle has faced ongoing challenges involving open-air drug use and addiction issues in several parts of the city, and the topic was raised again by the interviewer.

“That does not mean that drugs are not a factor. They absolutely are a factor,” Wilson said.

She expanded on that point by describing how addiction and homelessness can reinforce one another.

“Drugs make everything worse. If you fall into homelessness, very often people become addicted to drugs once they’ve become homeless. There are a lot of reasons for that. Or if they have a light substance use disorder, that becomes a severe substance use disorder.”

Wilson also discussed Seattle's approach to addressing homelessness, saying the city is focused on connecting shelter services with behavioral health programs, substance abuse treatment, and other support services designed to help people leave the streets.

SPENCER PRATT Seattle's mayor stuns audience by saying she agrees with LA mayoral hopeful Spencer Pratt on issue pic.twitter.com/GFXCvLAqF6

— Simo Saadi (@Simo7809957085) June 5, 2026

Despite acknowledging the role of addiction, Wilson maintained that rising housing costs remain what she described as the underlying driver of homelessness.

Notably, Wilson did not directly address Pratt's claim that Seattle would welcome homeless individuals leaving Los Angeles, nor did she respond to his suggestion that many homeless residents in Los Angeles originate from outside the area.

Pratt has pointed to findings cited by City Journal indicating that approximately 64 percent of people living on Los Angeles streets reported being from outside the City of Los Angeles. According to the report, 53 percent said they were from outside Los Angeles County, while nearly 40 percent reported coming from outside California.

The Los Angeles candidate has also proposed establishing rehabilitation facilities on federal land as part of his homelessness strategy. Pratt previously told CNN that the concept is already “in the works” and said he has met with 30 “literal billionaires” regarding funding for the project.

Pratt remains one of three major candidates seeking to advance from California's primary election as vote counting continues.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.