Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: Wednesday, 5/21
Q: Why do we need a new department on homelessness?
Creating a new County department on homelessness increases public accountability, improves care for people experiencing homelessness, and reduces the burden on the providers who serve them every day. Having one department consolidates our countywide response to homelessness, which currently spans across multiple departments. It creates a transparent, efficient system overseen by just one entity.
You can learn more about the decision to form this new department by reviewing the Board motion (“Implementing the Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness Report Recommendation No. 1 [Establish a County Entity Dedicated to Homeless Service Delivery] and No. 3 [Streamlined LAHSA]) and the Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness Governance Report.
Q: Who will hold the new department accountable?
The new department will be directly accountable to the Board of Supervisors (Board). It will be responsible for meeting Board-adopted metrics which were developed by the Leadership Table for Regional Homeless Alignment and recommended by the Executive Committee for Regional Homeless Alignment. These metrics correspond to the five goals mandated by Measure A.
These metrics are not restricted to Measure A-funded efforts. They are meant to guide and measure the collective efforts of all homeless programs and funding in the Los Angeles region.
For more details on these target metrics, please visit the Homeless Initiative website.
Q: What services will be included in the new department?
In Phase I of the Implementation Plan, the department brings together the CEO Homeless Initiative (CEO-HI) and the Department of Health Service’s Housing for Health Program (DHS-HFH).
CEO-HI is the central coordinating body for Los Angeles County’s work to prevent and end homelessness. It currently oversees an overall budget of $1,429,993,000 in FY 2024-25. DHS-HFH is one of the largest homeless service organizations in the country. In 2024, it connected more than 57,000 residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness with comprehensive services and support.
By pulling together the strength and expertise of DHS-HFH and the CEO-HI, this new department puts us in the strongest position we’ve ever been to address homelessness in LA County.
In Phase II, we will integrate elements of County funding, programs, and positions from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).
In Phase III, we will integrate additional County programs and services.
Q: Who will oversee the new department?
A: The LA County Department of Human Resources’ Executive Recruitment Team has been commissioned by the Board of Supervisors to identify a new Director for the new department.
The Executive Recruitment Team is currently conducting a 30-day nationwide search for a new department Director. As part of the search, they have sought insights from a range of stakeholders – including County staff, service providers, and County residents – on the core skills and competencies needed in a Director. You can learn more about this search, and how to apply for this role, here.
The new Director is expected to be in place by July 1, 2025.
Q: What is the transition timeline for the new department?
We are in Phase I of this transition, and DHS-HFH and CEO-HI have already begun aligning and integrating their work among staff as well as through a joint administrative team with other relevant County entities. Specifically, the administrative team is also developing implementation plans for the administration of the new County department.
By January 1, 2026, the County’s new homeless department will be officially established. This includes the complete integration of the CEO-HI, DHS-HFH, and the core administrative infrastructure of the new department.
By July 1, 2026, the new department will complete the integration of specified County-funded programs and services currently administered by LAHSA into the new department.
Q: How will this transition affect service providers currently contracted through CEO-HI or DHS-HFH?
Our priority is to ensure contracts are uninterrupted, so service providers and participants do not experience service gaps. Throughout this transition, we will continue to take a partnership approach to contracting with service providers. We will continue to listen to providers, trust their expertise and on-the-ground knowledge, and support them every step of the way. You can subscribe to our mailing list for providers here.
Q: Will people receiving services see any interruption in service delivery or delay in getting housing?
Our priority is to ensure contracts are uninterrupted, so service providers and participants do not experience service gaps. Throughout this transition, we will work closely with LAHSA and our local jurisdictional partners to review each contract individually to ensure there is no disruption as we transition to executing new contracts through the new department.
Q: How can the public share input about the new department?
You can share feedback, comments, or questions with the Implementation Team through this Microsoft Form.
