The Los Angeles Continuum of Care (CoC) general membership is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon to vote on a proposal that would designate Los Angeles County as the lead agency for regional homelessness response.
Regional Control of Homelessness Programs
The CoC is the entity responsible for coordinating homelessness programs and federal funding across the region. If the membership approves the transition, Los Angeles County would assume responsibility for managing homelessness data, coordinating housing placements, and overseeing applications for federal grants. This move is part of a broader effort by the county to consolidate homelessness services under its new Department of Homeless Services and Housing.
LAHSA, a joint city-county agency established in 1993, has faced years of scrutiny regarding its effectiveness. Supporters of the transition argue that consolidating these functions under the county will unify the region’s response to the crisis.
Mayor Bass and City Council Objections
Mayor Karen Bass and four members of the Los Angeles City Council—Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and council members Ysabel Jurado, Tim McOsker, and Imelda Padilla—have publicly opposed the plan for county-only administration. In a joint statement, they argued that the current proposal leaves no room for the city’s voice, despite Los Angeles providing substantial financial contributions to homelessness programs and housing.
The city officials expressed concern that while the city spends hundreds of millions of dollars on housing, the proposed governance structure would limit its authority to determine who occupies the units it funds. "The city must be able to help the people on our own streets by placing them into the housing that we build and fund in order to solve the homelessness crisis," the officials stated.
Los Angeles County’s Stance on the Transition
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath stated Saturday that the county is prepared to lead the CoC and unite the region’s response. Horvath emphasized the necessity of moving forward quickly to avoid eroding public trust, noting that "people experiencing homelessness cannot afford more delays in getting the housing and services they deserve."
Regarding city concerns, Horvath stated that the county remains committed to ensuring the city maintains access to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Coordinated Entry System (CES). She added that the county intends to partner with every municipality to address specific concerns and improve the effectiveness of the Continuum of Care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary administrative functions currently handled by LAHSA?
The Continuum of Care’s administrative functions include the management of homelessness data, the coordination of housing placements for unhoused individuals, and the oversight of applications for federal grants.
Why was the original vote on this transition delayed?
The vote was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed because organizers were not prepared to accommodate the large number of people who intended to attend and weigh in on the issue.
Will the city of Los Angeles still have access to key homelessness data systems if the county takes over?
Supervisor Lindsey Horvath stated that the county has committed to ensuring the city retains the access to HMIS and CES that it currently utilizes while working with LAHSA.