Los Angeles County Approves Year-Round Emergency Homeless Shelters to Combat Climate Crisis

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the establishment of year-round emergency homelessness shelters that will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This decision marks a significant step in addressing the growing homeless crisis in Los Angeles County.

Under a motion proposed by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath, the board has directed the county CEO to develop a strategy for creating eight round-the-clock shelters, one in each of the county’s Service Planning Areas. Barger and Horvath emphasized the urgency of providing shelter and emergency care for unhoused individuals amid an ongoing climate crisis.

“The vision is straightforward: keep those who are most vulnerable safe from the extreme weather that is battering Los Angeles County year-round,” Barger stated following the vote. “This is another step to enhance our emergency sheltering capabilities to help those in need find a safe place that offers relief.”

The motion highlighted findings from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s 2024 Point in Time Count, reporting that over 75,000 individuals are experiencing homelessness in the county, with 52,365 unsheltered and 22,947 residing in shelters.

The new emergency shelters are expected to offer “core support” for the homeless, which includes three meals a day, showers, bathrooms, clothing, and other essential needs, as outlined by Barger’s office.

In a month, the CEO’s report is anticipated to detail the provision of vital services such as medical care, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, housing navigation, and legal document retrieval and record clearing. Additionally, the report will identify potential funding sources and locations for these emergency shelters.

“Los Angeles County is expanding its emergency resources to ensure our most vulnerable community members can access safe shelter and services during inclement weather events,” Horvath remarked. “With lives on the line, the new normal of extreme weather calls on us to more readily open shelters and share resources widely.”

This initiative reflects a commitment to enhance emergency response capabilities and provide critical support to those in need in Los Angeles County, particularly as extreme weather conditions become increasingly frequent.