LA County declares housing insecurity a public health crisis 

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to declare housing insecurity a public health crisis and to develop a policy that gives residents in unincorporated areas priority access to some affordable housing built in their neighborhoods.

The crisis declaration is not an official emergency declaration and does not trigger any emergency powers. But according to Supervisor Hilda Solis, the resolution directs county agencies to get on the same page.

"Unstable housing is not just an economic issue. It is a driver of chronic illness, trauma, family instability and preventable health disparities," Solis said.

The motion instructs the county’s Department of Homeless Services and Housing, the Los Angeles County Development Authority and other departments to develop coordinated plans to preserve existing affordable housing units, keep people in their homes and prioritize the health impacts of housing instability.

Supervisors also approved a separate motion directing departments leaders to develop a local preference policy for L.A. County-funded housing in unincorporated areas.

When county funding is used to build affordable housing in communities like East Los Angeles, Willowbrook or Altadena, residents of those neighborhoods would get priority access to them.

According to the motion, 59% of renters in unincorporated areas spend more than a third of their income on rent.

Housing insecurity

The county uses the term “housing insecure” to describe anyone lacking stable, safe and affordable housing.

That means unhoused Angelenos, as well as tenants who spend more than half of their income on rent, people living in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, and those at risk for eviction or displacement.

Various studies show that housing instability contributes to chronic disease, emergency room visits and premature death.

The county's Department of Homeless Services and Housing, which launched this year, grew directly out of the Housing for Health program, a health-centered homelessness program formerly within the Department of Health Services.

Budget concerns

The supervisors voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve both motions. Supervisor Kathryn Barger was absent for the vote because she attended the funeral of an L.A. County sheriff's deputy.

Officials warned of major federal cuts coming to Medi-Cal, CalFresh and other services because of the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law last year.