LA County Selected to Assume Four Homelessness Oversight Roles Serving Altadena

Los Angeles County’s Department of Homeless Services and Housing has been selected to assume four major administrative responsibilities for the region’s homelessness response, a change affecting the system serving Altadena and other unincorporated communities.

The Los Angeles Continuum of Care announced the selection Thursday, Oct. 29, following membership votes that designated the county to take over responsibilities currently held by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, known as LAHSA.

The decision places the county in line to oversee federal homelessness funding applications, the regional database tracking housing and services, the system matching people experiencing homelessness with available assistance, and the annual Point-in-Time homeless count.

For Altadena, the change involves the regional administrative structure supporting homelessness programs. The community falls within the Los Angeles Continuum of Care, which encompasses most of Los Angeles County. Pasadena, Glendale and Long Beach operate separate Continuums of Care.

The selection process concluded Monday, Oct. 26, when members voted 253-43 to designate the county as administrator of the Homeless Management Information System and 219-38 to oversee the Coordinated Entry System, according to LAist. Earlier votes had assigned the county responsibility for coordinating federal grant applications and administering the annual homeless count.

The restructuring follows a federal dispute over LAHSA’s management of homelessness programs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended LAHSA from its federal administrative responsibilities in June, citing alleged financial mismanagement. LAHSA challenged the suspension in court.

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter subsequently blocked the suspension and directed the Continuum of Care to evaluate replacement agencies. A subsequent court order allows LAHSA to continue operating essential systems while the transition proceeds.

County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes Altadena, supported the selection.

“This is a major opportunity to maximize federal funding and strengthen regional accountability,” Barger said in the county’s announcement.

The county department, which began operations Jan. 1, said it intends to maintain uninterrupted services, preserve institutional knowledge and minimize workforce disruptions as responsibilities move from LAHSA.

The four functions include administering federal grant applications, protecting the quality and security of homelessness data, coordinating assessments and housing referrals, and managing the annual enumeration of people experiencing homelessness.

The transfer remains subject to court-related transition arrangements and applicable federal requirements. According to LAist, federal attorneys told the court that the remaining responsibilities would move to the county no later than the end of 2027.

The county has not announced a detailed implementation schedule or identified changes to homelessness services specifically in Altadena. Until the transfer is completed, LAHSA will continue performing responsibilities covered by the court’s order.