The City of Los Angeles has moved one step closer to defunding the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). On Tuesday, the city council voted unanimously to consider withdrawing from the troubled agency.
“LAHSA has continued to show themselves to be a very big part of the problem,” said Councilmember Monica Rodriguez.
“As far as I am concerned, LAHSA is effectively ended,” added L.A. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
The city’s action came days after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to pull funding from LAHSA and form a separate agency. Just hours before the council’s vote, newly-appointed U.S. District Attorney Bill Essayli announced that the DOJ would investigate potential fraud and corruption involving homelessness funding in Southern California, including Los Angeles County.
The moves also coincide with the resignation of LAHSA CEO Va Lecia Adams Kellum and a scathing audit which found mismanagement and a lack of oversight at the agency. The review said the city would be better off contracting directly with service providers rather than working with LAHSA.
The City of Los Angeles provides LAHSA with around $300 million per year. Staff will report back to the council within 30 days on various options to separate from the agency.
Read more at LAist.