Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Wildfires delay annual Los Angeles homeless count
Volunteers for the 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count go over the map of Westwood prior to heading out for the count.
(
Samanta Helou Hernandez
/
LAist
)
Topline:
The annual L.A. area homeless count will be postponed due to the ongoing wildfires crisis, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced Friday. It had been scheduled to take place Jan. 21-23.
Why it was cancelled: The agency said disruptions and evacuations caused by the fires would compromise both the accuracy of the count’s data and the safety of participants and volunteers.
Feds OK'd the change: The homeless count is timed nationwide to take place within the last 10 days of January, under a mandate from federal Housing and Urban Development officials. LAHSA officials say they've gotten approval to delay the count given the impact of wildfires on Los Angeles County.
Support for LAist comes from
Why now: “The safety and well-being of our community, including those experiencing homelessness, is our top priority,” said Va Lecia Adams Kellum, LAHSA’s CEO, in a statement. “We are grateful to HUD for their understanding and flexibility in granting this postponement.”
What's next: It’s not yet clear when the count will be rescheduled — it will be postponed by at least 30 days. LAHSA officials say they’re working closely with partners to monitor the situation and reschedule the count on an appropriate date. LAHSA usually releases the results of the homeless count to the public in late spring or early summer. It’s unclear how the postponement will delay this year’s results.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist