Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement today in response to a quarterly update from Los Angeles County leaders responsible for implementing expedited housing, programs, and services for people experiencing homelessness– including the County’s ‘Pathway Home’ program–presented at yesterday’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting.
“Solving homelessness is only strengthened when our County and cities come together to partner on solutions. I’m aware some cities may push back on implementing homeless housing or shelters in their jurisdictions. But today’s presentation highlights how neighboring cities can effectively join forces to deliver housing solutions for the homeless on their streets–just as municipal leaders from Duarte, Monrovia, and Palmdale did. Their joint partnership with the County is a model that I hope other cities follow.
I want to see our County put more muscle behind master leasing programs, so that we step up our ability to provide housing at scale for people experiencing homelessness. That–along with the expedited hiring facilitated by our County’s emergency declaration–will go a long way and deliver results faster. We need to keep our foot on the accelerator so we can pick up the pace of providing housing solutions hand-in-hand with and support services.”
The report was communicated as a way to keep County departments and leaders accountable for implementing Los Angeles County’s emergency declaration for the homelessness crisis, which was passed on January 10, 2023.