Los Angeles County to take over key homelessness administrative roles

The Los Angeles Continuum of Care has voted 331-9 to designate Los Angeles County as the lead applicant for regional homelessness federal grants and to oversee the annual point-in-time homelessness count. This decision transfers two major administrative functions from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), which has faced scrutiny over alleged mismanagement and fraud.

Despite this vote, a jurisdictional dispute remains between the City of Los Angeles and the County regarding other critical duties. The City submitted competing bids to manage the database used for recording homeless contacts and the system for matching individuals to housing. No decision has been reached on which entity will control these specific systems.

The transition occurs amid a period of significant instability for LAHSA, which was suspended by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A federal court status conference is scheduled for October 27 to determine further transition plans and address the expiration of a preliminary injunction regarding LAHSA’s access to federal funding.