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LA homelessness agency searches for new leader
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d4bf96c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x4198+0+0/resize/1344x896!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Va Lecia Adams Kellum, CEO of Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, at a news briefing in 2023.
(
Gary Coronado
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
Topline:
The L.A. Homeless Services Authority’s management committee met to discuss the appointment of a new interim CEO. They didn’t announce a selection, but said they will narrow the search down to two candidates before the full LAHSA commission makes a final decision.
How we got here: LAHSA was under fire by local officials and a federal judge after a string of audits found serious accounting and oversight issues at the agency, prompting the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to pull nearly $350 million in funding from the agency. Adams Kellum announced her resignation on April 4, just days after L.A. County withdrew its funding. Two whistleblowers have also alleged Adams Kellum engaged in serious misconduct during her time as CEO. Adams Kellum said she plans to stay in her role until at least August.
What comes next: The three members of LAHSA’s management committee met Friday to discuss the appointment of a new interim CEO. The committee also heard updates on dealing with the county’s withdrawal of funding.
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Catch up on LAHSA reporting from LAist:
- LA homeless agency refuses to release records on $800,000 in payouts for wrongful termination claims
- Timeline to LAHSA exit
- Head of LA homeless services resigns days after county votes to pull $350M from troubled agency
- LA County to strip hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars from homelessness agency
- Judge blasts LA homeless spending as a ‘train wreck’ and threatens to seize control
- LA's top homelessness official signed $2.1 million contract with husband's employer
- Whistleblowers say LA’s top homeless official hired unqualified friends, tried to destroy public records
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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