The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) announced that it will lay off 284 employees due to budget cuts by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
In a statement, LAHSA reported that formally notified the SEIU Local 721 union, the supervisors, the mayor of Los Angeles and to the state of California, of its intention to issue layoff notices to 284 employees by April 30.
It is expected that, for employees affected by the cut, Your last day of work is June 30, 2026a date that coincides with the end of the current fiscal year.
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“I want to thank deeply to our staff for their unwavering dedication and their hard work serving the homeless throughout Los Angeles County,” LAHSA Interim Executive Director Gita O’Neill stated in the press release.
“Our staff has been the driving force behind the historic reduction of homeless people on the streets that we have seen in the last two years,” he added.
O’Neill mentioned that, although the structure of LAHSA is being transformed, the impact of the work of its employees was demonstrated, which has provided housing to nearly 80,000 people in three years.
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According to the agency, of the 284 workers who will be notified, 216 were members of the SEIU Local 721 unionwhile 68 were not unionized.
LAHSA restructuring considers the elimination of 414 positionsof which 130 are currently vacant.
With the cut, LAHSA’s workforce will be reduced from 600 to 320 employees.
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The dismissal of the employees was announced this Monday to comply with the contract between LAHSA and the union SEIU Local 721, requiring 60 days prior notice.
Some of the affected workers will be able to keep their jobs after June 30depending on the final details of the $14.85 billion budget proposal, which Mayor Karen Bass presented this Monday for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
From the budget, it is estimated that Some $788 million dollars will be allocated to address homelessnesswith a drastic decrease compared to the $933.3 million dollars that were allocated in the current fiscal year.
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Bass’ budget shows that city funding at LAHSA to be maintained for the annual homeless countcare management services, shelter and housing intervention, as well as strategies to address homelessness.
Last year, the Board of Supervisors approved transferring some employees and nearly $300 million in funds from LAHSA to the county’s first department dedicated to homelessness: the Department of Homeless Services and Housingwhich opened in January.
The decision came after the joint agency of the city and county of Los Angeles will face audits for the management of taxpayer resources.
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In its statement, LAHSA shared statistics that highlight the work in the fight against homelessness, by contributing to the reduction of homelessness by 14% in the county and 18% in the city of Los Angelesas well as the relocation of 77,800 homeless people into permanent housing.
“The historical milestones we have achieved are the direct result of the tireless dedication of LAHS staffA, but the changing funding landscape requires us to adjust the size and structure of our agency going forward,” said LAHSA Commission Chair Amber Sheikh.
According to LAHSA officials, The transition will mark an evolution for the agencywith changes in the role of contracting and program oversight to focus primarily on addressing homelessness in the city of Los Angeles.
Keep reading:
· Los Angeles County approves creation of department for homeless people
· Officials take over homeless agency in Los Angeles
· Reduction in homeless population in Los Angeles
