In an effort to enhance regional oversight of homelessness programs, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has agreed to establish an Executive Committee composed of elected officials from across the Southland. This committee will coordinate county and local initiatives aimed at addressing the issue of homelessness.
According to Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who introduced the motion alongside Supervisor Hilda Solis, collaboration is essential for the success of this endeavor. She stated, “This has been a long time in the making, and in order for it to work, we all have to work together.”
The establishment of a regional oversight body was one of the recommendations put forth two years ago by a county Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness. The commission proposed the formation of an “executive-level action team” consisting of leaders from the county, its 88 cities, and state representatives to improve the coordination of homeless programs on a regional level.
Under the board’s recent decision, the Executive Committee will include two members of the Board of Supervisors, the mayor of Los Angeles, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, four mayors or city council members from cities in the county, and a representative chosen by the governor.
This committee will oversee a “Leadership Table” which will serve as an advisory body. The Leadership Table will leverage private funding sources for homelessness programs and include representatives from various sectors, such as business leaders, service providers, educators, and individuals from labor, public housing, veterans, the faith community, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), which has faced criticism over the years regarding the region’s ongoing struggle with homelessness, will also be part of the Leadership Table. However, it is important to note that the Executive Committee is not intended to replace LAHSA but rather work in partnership with it. Discussions regarding potential changes to LAHSA’s governance structure and funding sources will also take place between the county and the city.
Supervisor Hilda Solis emphasized that the new panel, by expanding beyond LAHSA’s representation, will ensure that efforts from all cities and communities in the county are integrated. Solis stated, “Unfortunately, our existing homelessness governance structure does not give local cities a voice in how we address this emergency. That is why we need to move forward with the Executive Committee this motion proposes, as it will bring all 88 cities together with the county of Los Angeles to break long-existing silos. Through this effort, we can come up with strategies, set tangible goals, and hold the system accountable to getting results for our residents. This Executive Committee has the potential to bring the region together and chart a new path forward.”
Initially hesitant about the idea, Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed concerns about the creation of yet another committee to discuss homelessness. However, she ultimately voted in favor of the effort, which received a 4-0 approval in the absence of Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
Mercedes Marquez, the city of Los Angeles’ chief of housing and homelessness solutions, attended the meeting on behalf of Mayor Karen Bass and voiced support for the initiative. Marquez said, “The mayor believes if we all work together, we will have a clearer voice and sturdier platform from which to launch our homelessness solutions. We will have a clearer voice that we can use to speak to the federal government, state government, and others. Unity of effort is needed as we seek to solve the most difficult problem of our generation.”
According to the most recent homelessness count coordinated by LAHSA, there has been a 9% increase in homelessness in the county and a 10% increase in the city compared to the previous year. The count conducted in January revealed that there were 75,518 people experiencing homelessness in the county and 46,260 in the city of Los Angeles.
These figures demonstrate a steady rise in the number of homeless individuals in the Southland region over the past five years. In 2018, the county had 52,765 homeless individuals, while the city had 31,285.
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