In March 2020, Los Angeles County, like local jurisdictions across the United States, confronted a stark new reality as the COVID-19 pandemic brought swift, devastating and unprecedented hardships to the communities we serve.
The Chief Executive Office and County departments immediately began pivoting resources, programs, and services to address these impacts in real time as this public health crisis accelerated, bringing death, illness, and economic catastrophe to tens of thousands of our residents—especially those in economically disadvantaged communities of color.
An essential resource in funding our urgent response efforts was $1.22 billion in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief funding from the U.S. Treasury. We have used CARES Act funding to support the health and well being of our residents and communities through a wide range of programs—from diagnostic testing and contact tracing to food distribution, rent relief, support for businesses and investments in technology to help bridge the digital divide.