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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.
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Samanta Helou Hernandez
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LAist
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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.
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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.
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