One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Judge pauses Trump administration’s suspension of LA homelessness funds
A cyclist rides past a Skid Row sign in Los Angeles.
(
Frederic J. Brown
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Topline:
A federal judge on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction on the federal government’s suspension of granting funds to the L.A. region’s lead homelessness agency.
Why it matters: The order from U.S. District Judge David O. Carter means the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority can apply for federal homelessness funds used to provide services and housing to 11,000 people in the area. Carter ordered the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to distribute about $241 million anticipated to the L.A. region in this year’s homelessness funding competition. HUD was also ordered to pay out grants already awarded last year within 45 days, which LAHSA told LAist amounts to about $66.5 million.
What the judge says: The judge acknowledged that LAHSA “may be dysfunctional,” but said thousands of people experiencing homelessness rely on those services. He said HUD “abruptly” pulled the rug from under providers and the unhoused people they serve.
“Inevitably, this suspension will result in deaths among the homeless and the displacement of over 11,000 unhoused individuals onto the streets and into the neighborhoods of Los Angeles,” Carter wrote in his order. “It is much easier to destroy a dysfunctional homelessness system than to take the time and care necessary to make the system function properly,” he continued.
How we got here: HUD suspended LAHSA from federal grant activity in June, citing alleged mismanagement by the agency. LAHSA filed a lawsuit to overturn or pause the suspension, which is what led to last week’s hearing in downtown L.A. where officials with the agency and Trump administration faced off in court.
LA officials weigh in: L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the ruling is fair, measured and strikes an appropriate balance by preserving short-term stability while creating a clear path toward accountability.
Sponsored message
"The Court's approach aligns with our County's longstanding position that reform should be deliberate and responsible," Barger said in a statement. "Change is necessary, but it must be implemented in a way that does not pull the rug out from under vulnerable individuals who depend on these services today."
What's next: All parties have been ordered to appear in court on Oct. 27 for a status conference, which is when the preliminary injunction expires. A trial is scheduled to start next February.
Go deeper: Court weighs options as LA and Trump administration face off over homelessness funding
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
