The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Announces Layoffs of 284 Workers The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) will lay off 284 workers as Los Angeles County withdraws funding to establish its own homeless services department, effective July 1, 2026. The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort following years of criticism over LAHSA’s oversight and financial controls. According to official announcements, LAHSA issued layoff notices to nearly 300 employees in compliance with state law, including notification to SEIU Local 721, the union representing its workforce. The agency confirmed that the layoffs will reduce its staff from 600 to 320 employees, with an additional 53 vacant positions remaining after the cuts. Of the 414 positions targeted for elimination in the restructuring, 130 are currently vacant. Interim LAHSA CEO Gita O’Neill acknowledged the contributions of affected staff, stating that their function had been instrumental in housing nearly 80,000 people over three years and driving historic reductions in street homelessness across the county. She emphasized that while the agency’s structure is changing, the impact of their efforts remains significant. The county’s decision to create an internal homeless services department follows sustained scrutiny of LAHSA’s management practices. Although county officials have expressed commitment to hiring LAHSA workers now funded through county programs, it remains unclear how many of the 284 affected employees will qualify for such transfers. City officials in Los Angeles are likewise evaluating whether to reduce reliance on LAHSA, citing similar concerns about oversight and financial accountability. LAHSA officials noted that some positions could potentially be preserved after June 30, depending on the final outcome of the city’s budget deliberations. The layoffs are set to seize effect on June 30, the last day of the fiscal year, with June 30 marking the final day of work for affected employees. LAHSA continues to operate as a joint city-county agency established in 1993, receiving funding from municipal, county, state, and federal sources to administer shelters, outreach programs, and other homeless services throughout Los Angeles County.
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