LA officials testify in high-profile federal court hearing on city’s homelessness spending

A pair of Los Angeles officials have testified in an ongoing federal hearing being held to determine whether the city failed to meet its obligations to create more shelter for unhoused people.

Matt Szabo, the city administrative officer, and Etsemaye Agonafer, deputy mayor for Homelessness and Community Health, each started their testimony last week. Szabo finished testifying Monday.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, as well as councilmembers Traci Park and Monica Rodriguez, will not have to take the stand at the hearing, which began last week. Subpoenas for the elected officials had been issued but were later withdrawn.

Both Szabo and Agonafer were asked about a court-overseen assessment of the city’s homelessness spending that found problems with how money and data are tracked — largely through the regional agency that manages homeless services for the city and other entities.

The assessment also found that the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, or LAHSA, failed to confirm whether many of the services that were paid for were actually provided.

Szabo testified he was confident the city would meet its requirements under a settlement with the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights, a downtown business group, to create nearly 13,000 new shelter and housing beds for unhoused Angelenos by 2027.

“I have no doubt whatsoever in working with every [council] member and the mayor on a daily basis of their commitment to meeting the objectives and obligations of the settlement and beyond,” Szabo said.

Agonafer agreed, adding that she saw problems with the time frame, the comparisons, the data sources and the conclusions noted in the assessment. She testified it was “comparing apples to oranges to potato chips.”

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter is expected to determine after the hearing whether control of L.A.’s homelessness spending should be transferred to an independent third party.

The testimony

Some key takeaways from Szabo’s testimony:

• He said the city has continued its commitment to homeless services, even in the face of severe budget challenges.
  
• He said he stands behind the numbers — specifically anything that came through his office. 
  
• He noted that elected officials have an important role in meeting these requirements, but acknowledged there could be new leaders after the midterm elections next year. “I don't know that I'll be CAO tomorrow,” Szabo said.

Some key takeaways from Agonafer’s testimony:

• Agonafer said she helps implement the mayor’s priorities on homelessness but doesn’t set policy. That’s the job of the mayor and other elected officials. 
  
• She talked about Inside Safe, the mayor’s signature program to get unhoused people into housing, and that it has evolved since its inception nearly three ago.
  
• She said it’s important that all city interim housing or homeless services data is accurate — adding that it’s only good as what's collected.
  
• She reaffirmed her commitment to serving vulnerable people and those living on the streets “in a way that is centered in love and making sure that we recognize each of those individuals are someone's loved one and child.”

What’s next?

The hearing is expected to continue at least through today.

Once testimony wraps up, both sides will likely submit written arguments.

Carter is expected to make a decision by the end of June.