Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

LA County Creates New Homeless Services Department

LA County Launches New Homeless Services Department

On Tuesday, April 1, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to create a new county department focused entirely on homelessness. The vote passed 4 to 0, with Supervisor Holly Mitchell abstaining.

This major change shifts funding and control away from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), a joint agency between the City and County of Los Angeles. The new department will handle about $1 billion in funding and employ around 1,000 people. It is scheduled to launch on January 1, 2026, with a full transition from LAHSA programs by July 1, 2026.

The move follows years of criticism that LAHSA was slow to act and lacked accountability. A November 2023 audit from the County Auditor-Controller’s Office listed several issues. These included a lack of repayment agreements with partners, delays in reimbursing nonprofits, weak contract oversight, and inappropriate use of funds.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who co-authored the motion with Supervisor Kathryn Barger, said, “The status quo is not serving anyone. The possibilities are endless if we are unafraid to say yes to a new beginning.”

Supervisor Janice Hahn added, “We need to treat homelessness like the crisis it is. But problems with LAHSA, including contract delays and unaccounted funds, have been roadblocks. It’s time to make a change.”

Some Los Angeles City Councilmembers disagreed with the decision, especially the shift of Measure A funds from LAHSA to the new department. Councilmember Nithya Raman said, “I am disappointed to see the county moving Measure A dollars from LAHSA. I fear we are moving from one said bureaucracy to another.”

Despite the concerns, the board voted to move forward. The new department will report directly to the Board of Supervisors and oversee all homeless services funding. LAHSA will still conduct the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count and provide some contracted services.

The vote happened on the same day Measure A went into effect. The voter-approved measure raises the sales tax by one-quarter cent and is expected to generate about $1 billion per year. It replaces Measure H and will support homeless prevention programs, services for people currently unhoused, and affordable housing development.

Los Angeles County’s latest homeless count found 75,312 people without stable housing.

The city of West Hollywood expressed support. Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers wrote:

“The streamlining of systems and the consolidation of human and other needed resources under the oversight of one County Department will maximize operational efficiencies, increase transparency and bolster accountability by having dedicated, experienced leadership at the Department’s helm.”

The newly approved department will:

  • Begin a 30-day national search for a department director

  • Form a transition team to plan and budget with Measure A and unspent LAHSA funds

  • Offer LAHSA employees first consideration for new positions

  • Make sure no services are disrupted during the transition

In total, the board approved $656 million from Measure A, $209 million in unspent Measure H funds, and $42.6 million in state grants.

“This is a chance for the county to learn from past mistakes and build a system of care that is set up to succeed and better serve those in need,” read the motion.

Translate »