LOS ANGELES, CA — In her last meeting as Chair of the Board of Supervisors for 2024, Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, introduced a motion to accelerate progress and accountability under Los Angeles County’s homelessness emergency. The Board approved the motion, co-authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, to begin the steps to create a centralized County department focused on homelessness solutions–a recommendation made two years ago by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness, which the Board approved. The action follows an audit of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) released last week by the LA County Auditor-Controller, which found weaknesses in the agency’s fiscal operations.

“Homelessness is the most urgent crisis we face, and we can’t afford to let bureaucracy and silos hold us back any longer,” said Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “The recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness are clear: creating a centralized County department focused on homelessness solutions and streamlining LAHSA’s role must go hand in hand. A centralized department will ensure coordination and accountability, while LAHSA can focus on its core functions effectively. These aren’t new ideas—they’re common sense. With Measure A, voters showed their belief in a better future. Now, it’s our responsibility to cut through red tape, set clear goals, and ensure every public dollar gets our unhoused neighbors into the housing and care they deserve.”

“Make no mistake–this is not an effort to point accountability away from our Board of Supervisors,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “I believe a County department focused on homelessness will help us create more unity of effort and will also help end a blame game. Ultimately, our Board is responsible and accountable for addressing the homelessness crisis. We are the entity that must make thoughtful, informed decisions and direct resources accordingly. The forthcoming analysis will further fuel our work and efforts to be introspective.”

Over time, the role of LAHSA has expanded beyond the original Joint Powers Authority agreement. Now, two years into the County’s emergency on homelessness, and with the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness report and recent audit, it is time to restructure funding and programs in a way that creates alignment and makes the best and greatest use of public dollars invested in the homeless services system.

By centralizing funding and program oversight within a County department, the County will strengthen internal controls, ensure regular reporting, and align services with measurable outcomes.

With the motion approved, report backs will return to the Board with the following information:

• Funding and staffing within the County’s Homeless Initiative and Housing for Health as well as a preliminary evaluation of LAHSA’s staffing levels, vacancies, rates of attrition, memoranda of understanding with labor organizations, and other key information to inform a transition plan.
• A high-level schedule for the creation of the new department and the transition of programs and funding, with a focus on “critical path” milestones to ensure the public can stay engaged.
• A summary of County and LAHSA programs and functions that will transition to the new County department, including a functional “end-state” organizational chart.
• A description of programs that will operate out of the new department, describing any proposed phasing of department operations, funding transfers, department’s projected staffing needs, necessary classifications, and job duties.
• Requirements that LAHSA staff have priority in the application process for positions in the new department.

Once the reports are received, the Board will consider the creation of the department.

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