Overview

Employees of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) have reached out to county officials for assistance following the announcement of significant layoffs. Nearly 300 staff members are set to lose their jobs by the end of April, prompting concerns about the impact on the city's homeless population.

In an open letter, LAHSA employees expressed their worries regarding the potential repercussions of these layoffs on both the workforce and the individuals they serve, emphasizing the importance of maintaining funding for homeless services.

Key details

  • LAHSA announced that 284 employees will be laid off by May 1, with their final working day on June 30.
  • The layoffs are attributed to funding cuts from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
  • The Board of Supervisors shifted $300 million in funding from LAHSA to establish a new county-run homeless department.
  • The new Department of Homeless Services and Housing began operations in January.
  • LAHSA employees have urged Mayor Karen Bass and the city council to prevent further funding reductions for homeless services.
  • The open letter highlighted concerns over the potential increase in homelessness and encampments resulting from the layoffs.
  • County officials have stated they are committed to helping LAHSA employees transition to county jobs if they choose to apply.
  • There is no specific number of LAHSA employees that the county plans to hire, but they have committed to hiring 315 by June 30.
  • Since November 2025, 69 outreach workers have been offered employment by the county, with 68 accepting roles.
  • Of those who accepted, 27 have already started their new positions in various county departments.
  • LAHSA interim CEO Gita O'Neill reported a 14% reduction in street homelessness countywide and an 18% reduction in the city from 2022 to 2024.
  • During the same period, LAHSA facilitated permanent housing placements for 77,800 individuals.

Context

The layoffs at LAHSA come amid ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Los Angeles, a critical issue that has seen varying levels of success. The transition to a new county-run department has raised concerns among current employees about the future of services and support for the homeless population.

What happens next

LAHSA employees are awaiting a response from county officials regarding their requests for support and funding preservation. The county is also expected to continue discussions about hiring LAHSA employees into the new department.

What we don't know yet

It remains unclear how many total LAHSA employees will be hired by the county and the exact number of city-funded positions affected by the layoffs.