Black People Experiencing
Homelessness (BPEH)
Implementation
Steering Committee
The Black People Experiencing Homelessness (BPEH) Implementation Steering Committee is working to develop and implement a comprehensive action plan for advancing a transformative, anti-racist homelessness system that reduces the number of Black people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.
The County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors’ July 2020 motion establishing the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative comprises of eight core directives, including developing an action plan to implement the 67 recommendations developed by the Ad-Hoc Committee on Black People Experiencing Homelessness.
BPEH Progress
2017
- LAHSA Commission establishes the Ad Hoc Committee on Black People Experiencing Homelessness (BPEH)
2018
- The “Report and Recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee on Black People Experiencing Homelessness” is released
2020
- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a motion creating the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative and an Executive Director of Racial Equity is hired
2022
- BPEH Implementation Steering Committee (ISC) launches after an administration shift from LAHSA to ARDI
2023
- BPEH ISC hosts an Action Plan Kick-Off event to prioritize the implementation of the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendations
- ARDI releases “The Road May Be Long, But the Journey is Just”, containing the 2023 update and implementation roadmap on the recommendations of the BPEH Ad Hoc Committee
2024
- BPEH Data Dashboard released
2025
- ARDI develops an accountability framework to track the implementation progress of the BPEH ISC’s prioritized recommendations
- BPEH ISC is restructured into a new workgroup
BPEH Data Dashboard
In 2021, ARDI established the BPEH Implementation Steering Committee (BPEH ISC) to build upon the Ad Hoc Committee’s efforts to guide, track, coordinate on, and monitor the implementation of the 2018 Report recommendations. Since then, the BPEH ISC, which is comprised of government agencies, community and faith-based organizations, subject matter experts, members of our community with lived experience, has focused its efforts on prioritizing the recommendations and developing an implementation strategy and action plan. Prioritization of the recommendations took place against the backdrop of the County’s declaration of “State of Emergency on Homelessness.” Recommendations that directly relate to the missions of the homeless emergency were prioritized along with other efforts currently underway to achieve those missions.
After identifying the 20 Prioritized Recommendations, the BPEH ISC developed a set of metrics to track outcomes related to each of the factors and systems identified in the Ad Hoc Committee’s report that contribute to the disproportionality of Black people experiencing homelessness. The aforementioned factors and systems fall into the following categories:
- Cost of Living and Employment
- Foster care and Child Welfare System Involvement
- Criminal Justice System Involvement and Reentry
- Coordinated Entry System (CES)
- Permanent Housing and Retention
This dashboard presents County-level data on several metrics within these categories, with an emphasis on Black outcomes.
Steering Committee Objectives
1
Prioritize provisions in the 2018 Report and Recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee for immediate, mid-term, and long-term implementation
2
Develop a detailed action plan with metrics and target outcomes to operationalize 2018 Report recommendation over the next ten years
3
Increase coordination and alignment across agencies, County departments, organizations, and systems to implement recommendations with a focus on prevention, culturally relevant approaches, and equitable CES access
4
Monitor progress and evaluate our efforts to assess impact and report on progress annually
Committee Structure
The BPEH Implementation Steering Committee will consist of volunteers representing a cross-section of stakeholders from the County of Los Angeles, LAHSA, City of Los Angeles, service providers, community advocates, and individuals with lived experience. The Los Angeles County Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative will provide backbone support and technical assistance. St. Joseph Center will provide logistical support, including managing stipends for individuals and community-based organizations (CBOs) serving on the Committee.
The Steering Committee will serve as the core leadership group for a broader Black People Experiencing Homelessness Work Group, slated to launch in 2022. The Work Group will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the action plan developed by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will inform the Work Group’s composition, guide the Work Group’s strategy, and support leading issue-specific sub-groups of the Work Group, as needed.
Committee Events
Reports
The report, The Road May Be Long, But the Journey is Just, contains the 2023 update and implementation roadmap on the recommendations of the BPEH Ad Hoc Committee which includes an update on the efforts to prioritize a set of recommendations focused on reducing racial disparities in homelessness. Click here to view the report.
Case Studies
This case study highlights the collaborative efforts of Los Angeles County and community organizations to address racial disparities in homelessness, with a focus on Black residents, through systemic reforms and equity-driven strategies. Click here to learn more.
This case study, Healing Through Art: How Black Artists and Cultural Workers Are Transforming Homeless Services in Los Angeles, shares how Los Angeles County is integrating Black artists and cultural workers into care teams to create transformative, culturally relevant interventions that address racial disparities in homelessness services. Click here to learn more.
This case study, Rebuilding Families, Restoring Futures: How Housing Support Helps Black Families Reunite in Los Angeles, highlights how housing-centered strategies are reshaping family reunification for Black families disproportionately impacted by homelessness and child welfare involvement. Click here to learn more.
Steering Committee Members
Member Name
Affiliation
Rev. Eddie Anderson
LA Voice / McCarty Memorial Christian Church
Dr. Jack Barbour
Southern California Health and Rehabilitation Program (SCHARP)
Leticia Colchado
Los Angeles County, Homeless Initiative
Vanessa Guillen
Los Angeles County, Homeless Initiative
Ronnell Hampton
City of Los Angeles
Janet Kelly
Sanctuary of Hope
Veronica Lewis
Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS)
Saba Mwine-Chang
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
Jonathan Nomachi
Los Angeles County, Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative
Ni Kal S. Price
Los Angeles County, Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative
Almas Sayeed
Los Angeles County, Homeless Initiative
Dr. D’Artagnan Scorza
Los Angeles County, Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative
Suzette Shaw
Community advocate
Reba Stevens
Community advocate
Alexis Tanner
St. Joseph Center
Dr. Tolu Wuraola
Los Angeles County, Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative
Previous Steering Committee Members
Dr. Va Lecia Adams-Kellum
St. Joseph Center
Tracy Malbrough
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
Alice Okali
Los Angeles County, Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative
Alisa Orduna
Florence Aliese Advancement Network
Gerardo Ramirez
Los Angeles County, Homeless Initiative
Clifton Trotter
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
Partners
