Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)

Description

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Mayor and City Council of Los Angeles created the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) in December of 1993.

The main goal of LAHSA is to provide funding and guidance for a network of local, non-profit agencies with missions to permanently eliminate homelessness. The agencies are dedicated to providing as much assistance as possible to help homeless persons with housing, case management, counseling, advocacy, substance abuse programs, and other specialized services.

As part of its mission to end homelessness, LAHSA coordinates a biennial Homeless Count. The next count will be held on January 29, 30 and 31, 2013 and, shortly after the count, face-to-face surveys of the homeless will also be conducted. The Homeless Count provides an assessment and a reliable estimate of the current condition of Los Angeles County’s homeless population. Information and data gathered from the Homeless Count will help government agencies and service providers by enhancing the understanding of homeless people throughout Los Angeles County. This information will be used to plan and implement effective services that will assist the efforts to end homelessness.