In wake of the crisis of homeless people sleeping on the streets in Los Angeles, its City Council declared a "state of emergency" on Tuesday, calling for $100 million to tackle the issue.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a statement about the City Council's proposal to devote $100 million to cleaning up the streets of L.A. He also unveiled his own plans to help the city's derelict population.

"We all understand the urgency that this situation requires, and what is at stake," Garcetti said. "I applaud the Los Angeles City Council for their action today in earmarking a necessary initial investment that helps launch my comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness."

There are reportedly about 25,000 homeless residents in Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the epidemic has grown by 12 percent since Garcetti took office in 2013. To address the issue, the Garcetti is asking for an annual $100 million to fund a foundation to fight homelessness and establish permanent housing options, in addition to the immediate one-time $100 million funding proposed by the council.

"In the short term, he [Garcetti] wants $13 million in emergency funding to grow homeless services and housing, most of which would be allocated in the form of subsidies," CNN reports.

The mayor also stated that the "main pillars" of his plan include expanding a tracking system for homeless people, creating new centers for street dwellers to store their belongings and use social services; and implementing measures that could prevent people from losing their homes.

"The proposal is more than just words. It calls for the fast-tracking of and a special, streamlined process for affordable housing," Council member Mike Bonin explained in the statement. "It also makes it easier for nonprofits and faith institutions to operate shelters and safe parking programs, and opens up the possibility for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to use city facilities for the same purpose."

The state of emergency motion lists some of the factors fueling the growth of the homelessness as a shortage of affordable housing and the lack of emergency shelter.

Despite the announcement, critics point out that council members have yet to outline an plan to fund the initiative.

"This is all simply words," said Mark Ryavec, president of the Venice Stakeholders Assn., reports The Los Angeles Times. "Again, it shows an ongoing lack of leadership on behalf of the city."