Overview
- City council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee discussed shifting management of homelessness funds to the county or bringing it in house, then postponed action to seek transition analyses.
- Supervisor Lindsey Horvath rebuked Bass after the mayor criticized the county’s new department, highlighting deepening tensions over who should control homelessness spending.
- Staff told council members the city lacks dedicated homelessness policy staff and estimated it could take about 18 months to assume direct oversight if the city pulls funds from LAHSA.
- Audits found LAHSA failed to properly track spending, its CEO described the agency as in crisis, and providers have reported long reimbursement delays.
- County supervisors voted last April to withdraw their LAHSA funding starting July 1, and city members signaled interest in limited county administration of some programs if overhead costs stay low; a follow-up committee discussion is expected March 18.