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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
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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.
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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