Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
LA County Declares State Of Emergency On Homelessness
About 69,000 people are estimated to be experiencing homelessness across L.A. County, according to the most recent count.
(
James Bernal
/
for LAist
)
Topline:
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to declare a state of emergency on homelessness Tuesday, following a similar declaration by the city of L.A. in December.
What will this do? County officials hope the declaration will improve coordination with the city of L.A., and cut down the time it takes to get people off the streets and into housing.
The details: The declaration allows the county to cut red tape around securing beds and housing, hiring more health care and service workers, providing outreach and housing providers with better access to county services, and identifying funding.
Why this matters: On any given night, an estimated 69,144 people are experiencing homelessness across L.A. County, according to the most recent count. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass declared a local state of emergency on homelessness within the city on her first day in office Dec. 12. A week later, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors said it would partner with the city on this declaration, particularly on mental health and other services.
Go deeper: Amid Pandemic, LA Latino Communities Face Stark Increases In Homelessness
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
