Barger Welcomes Expanding County’s Role in Regional Homelessness Programs

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger welcomed a Monday vote expanding the county’s role in regional homelessness programs, a governance change affecting the system that serves unincorporated Altadena.

The Los Angeles Continuum of Care coordinates federal homelessness funding and related services across much of Los Angeles County, including unincorporated communities. Neighboring Pasadena operates a separate Continuum of Care, as do Glendale and Long Beach.

The Oct. 26 vote followed a selection process for four administrative functions previously performed by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, known as LAHSA. Those responsibilities include applying for federal homelessness grants, overseeing the annual homeless count, managing a regional homelessness database and coordinating referrals to housing and services.

Barger said in a statement Monday that she supported the county’s pursuit of all four roles, citing investments in its Department of Homeless Services and Housing.

“I supported the County’s pursuit of all four key Continuum of Care roles because I believe the County is well-positioned to serve the region, particularly given the investments made in establishing its new Department of Homeless Services and Housing,” Barger said.

The administrative positions are formally known as Collaborative Applicant, Homeless Management Information System Lead, Coordinated Entry System Management Entity and Point-in-Time Count Administrator.

The Los Angeles Continuum of Care began its competitive selection process in September for the 2027 federal grant cycle. Its governing board considered applications Oct. 6 and recommended the county for all four responsibilities.

The county’s Department of Homeless Services and Housing said in an Oct. 9 statement that Los Angeles County was the only regional entity to apply for all four functions.

The selection process also generated disagreements between Los Angeles city officials and county leaders over control of homelessness data and decisions about placements in city-funded housing.

Mayor Karen Bass and several City Council members previously opposed county-only administration, arguing that the city needed greater influence over housing resources it finances.

The Los Angeles City Council adopted an amended measure concerning the regional Continuum of Care process Oct. 23, following negotiations over governance arrangements.

Barger pointed to an agreement with the city covering data sharing and housing placement priorities.

“This is an opportunity to strengthen accountability in administering federal funding and coordinating services for people experiencing homelessness. But regional leadership requires collaboration,” Barger said.

She characterized the agreement as evidence of that cooperation.

“Today’s vote is a positive step toward a more coordinated and accountable regional response to homelessness,” Barger said.

For Altadena, the governance changes concern the regional structure responsible for federal funding coordination, homelessness information systems and housing referrals. Los Angeles County also has direct responsibility for municipal services in the unincorporated community.

The selections concern the 2027 federal funding cycle and remain subject to applicable judicial review and approval by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.