SUPERVISOR HORVATH ADVANCES PLAN TO CONSOLIDATE HOMELESS SERVICES IN COUNTY DEPARTMENT BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025

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LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath submitted a motion to create change that is long overdue across the County’s homeless services system. The proposal to consolidate homeless service investments and accountability under the authority of one County department will be heard by the County’s Operations Cluster on March 19, 2025, followed by the Board of Supervisors on April 1, 2025.

The recommendation to consolidate homelessness functions in one County department is not new. Exactly three years ago, the Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness recommended both establishing a County entity dedicated to homeless service delivery and streamlining the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). With Measure A investments replacing Measure H, there is a moment of opportunity to eliminate layers of bureaucracy.

“To end the madness of the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, we must streamline and consolidate our services and resources, and be driven by measurable outcomes,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “This proposal isn’t MORE government; it’s smarter, more effective government. With recent audits underscoring the urgent need for reform and stronger accountability, now is the time to implement long overdue change.”

The motion outlines actions, including:

  • Creating the consolidated County department beginning July 1, 2025.
  • Merging the County’s Housing for Health program in the Department of Health Services with the Homeless Initiative in the Chief Executive Office by April 28, 2025. The two entities will serve as the foundation of the department.
  • Transferring LAHSA funding and related staff to the new department by July 1, 2026. LAHSA will continue to administer programs as the lead for the Greater Los Angeles Continuum of Care (efforts like the Homeless Count required by the federal government).
  • Extensive outreach to inform the new department’s design and contracting protocols to ensure best practices from the outset, as outlined in the Auditor-Controller’s audit released last November.
  • Immediately begins a national search for a department director.

On November 26, 2024, Supervisor Horvath and Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced a motion to begin this process. The CEO issued a report on February 28, which serves as the foundation for Supervisor Horvath’s motion to move forward with the consolidated County Department.