LA County defunds LA Homeless Services Authority to create its own department

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted to effectively pull out of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), a massive agency that the city and county have been sending tax revenue to administer the effort to end homelessness.

After audits indicated a lack of transparency in the financial accounting of services provided, the board voted 4-0 to set up the county’s own homeless services department, with Supervisor Holly Mitchell abstaining.

“The status quo isn’t working,” Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said during a meeting Tuesday, saying the county’s own homeless agency would receive better oversight with improved efficiency and results.

“All my cities are in favor of us going forward,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said, echoing the need to break up with LAHSA.