LA County Plans $843M Budget for Homelessness Support, Reduces Outreach Funding by Half
Los Angeles County Prepares for Significant Homelessness Funding Cuts
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County leaders are poised to implement major changes to homelessness funding as the Chief Executive Office presents a recommended budget for the upcoming fiscal year at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
The proposed $843 million spending plan, rooted in Measure A—a voter-approved initiative—marks a shift in focus from street outreach efforts to interim housing solutions. Notably, funding for outreach will be reduced from $54 million to $26 million, resulting in a reduction of multi-disciplinary outreach teams, which will decrease from 36 to 28. The plan also eliminates several key initiatives, including Safe Parking and specific programs aimed at youth and family reconnection.
County officials attribute these drastic budget cuts to a $300 million funding gap and the expiration of temporary state and federal grants. They emphasize that the latest financial strategy aims to accelerate the process of moving individuals indoors and prioritizing permanent housing solutions.
Eli Veitzer, CEO of Jewish Family Service LA, expressed deep concerns regarding the potential impact of these cuts. “Without outreach workers, many people experiencing homelessness cannot access the housing and support resources that already exist,” he stated.
Matthew Tecle, Executive Director of Safe Parking LA, echoed these concerns, warning that reductions in programs like safe parking could force vulnerable individuals back into precarious living conditions. “When funding is pulled with little notice and no backup plan, sites close and people are forced back onto the street,” he said. “Voters were promised real solutions to homelessness.”
Measure A, approved by county voters in November 2020, was designed to fund a diverse range of homelessness services, including outreach and prevention programs. The current proposal signals a significant redirection of resources, prioritizing swift housing placements over outreach efforts.
As part of the overall budget review process conducted by the Board of Supervisors, this presentation represents a critical moment in deliberations that will influence the county’s approach to homelessness in the coming year. Supervisors will continue discussions and may propose alterations before finalizing a budget by June 30.
