Jurado Warns of 'Life or Death' Risks as County Moves to Cut LAHSA Funding and Restructure Homeless Services
LA COUNTY FUNDING - Councilmember Ysabel Jurado has expressed significant concerns regarding Los Angeles County's decision to withdraw over $300 million in funding from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to establish a new county-controlled homelessness department. In her statement, she emphasized the need for transparency and accountability within LAHSA but cautioned against the rapid pace of this transition, highlighting potential service disruptions that could be life-threatening for the unhoused population in her district.
Ysabel Jurado, Councilmember
This move by the county follows a series of critical audits and judicial critiques pointing to LAHSA's inadequate financial oversight and inability to properly account for significant amounts of taxpayer dollars. Despite these issues, Mayor Karen Bass and several City Council members, including Jurado, have voiced apprehension that such a swift restructuring could destabilize current services and hinder ongoing efforts to address homelessness.
The Board of Supervisors approved the plan with a 4-0 vote, aiming to have the new department operational by January 1, 2026, and complete the transition of funds and personnel by July 1, 2026. While the county asserts that this change will lead to more effective and accountable management of homelessness services, city officials like Jurado stress the importance of balancing reform with the immediate needs of vulnerable populations, advocating for a more measured approach to ensure service continuity.
(From the staff at CityWatchLA.com.)
