Local
L.A. homeless-services vote postponed after turnout overwhelms meeting
More than 1,500 people sought to participate in a decision over who should manage key regional homelessness duties, exceeding the online meeting’s 1,000-person limit.
The Los Angeles Continuum of Care postponed Friday’s membership vote after the turnout prevented every eligible participant from joining. The board said it would increase its online capacity before rescheduling the meeting.
Registered participants: More than 1,500
Online capacity: 1,000
New meeting date: Not yet announced
Control of core homelessness functions is at stake
The vote concerns which agency should take over four central functions now handled by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, including the annual homeless count, a regional client database, housing-placement coordination and applications for federal funds.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass encouraged residents to join the meeting and oppose a recommendation that Los Angeles County assume the duties. City officials criticized the postponement, while the board’s chair said the turnout campaign was unprecedented. The Continuum of Care must report its recommendation to a federal judge and faces an October 27 deadline to select a replacement agency.
Update, October 14: The Continuum of Care later selected Los Angeles County to conduct the annual count and submit the federal-funding application. Read the outcome →