Reaching the Homeless
WORKING FACE TO FACE
A focal point of LAHSA’s work is undertaking intense out-
reach efforts that can identify, assess and refer a homeless
person or family to services in the LA Homeless Continuum
of Care that eventually puts them on the path to long-term
housing. This is where the agency’s Homeless Services
Department comes in.
Each day, the department deploys 30 outreach specialists
highly trained and experienced in providing assistance
and referrals to those in need of homeless services like
shelter and transportation. Emergency Response Team
staff locate and assist homeless people living in unin-
habitable conditions as well as those at risk of becoming
homeless. Dedicated teams are also assigned to the
Homeless CalWORKs* Families Project, a joint effort be-
tween LAHSA and the Los Angeles County Departments
of Mental Health and Public Social Services. They con-
nect families to a host of county services and assistance
programs. Staff is also involved with a number of other
special projects within the county.
From July 2010 to June 2011, Homeless Services received
1,791
requests for services from elected officials, gov-
ernment agencies and community residents. The outreach
staff engaged 3,594 homeless individuals in total which
represents 1,838 adults, including unaccompanied youth
and 1,756 children.
Homeless Services completed approximately 2,818 direct
service responses and about 2,738 referrals for 3,456
households. Direct responses included emergency ser-
vices and transportation, referrals to housing programs,
medical and dental services, documentation resources,
legal assistance programs, mental health services and
adult protective services.
Note: *CalWORKs (California Work Opportunity and Respon-
sibility to Kids) is a division of the Department of Public Social
Services serving families.
Second building under construction at ACOF’s Osborne Place, Pacoima.
980
Single Adults
867
Families
239
Elderly
457
Chronically Homeless
111
Veterans
802
Physically or Mentally Disabled
3,456
TOTAL
HOUSEHOLDS SERVED
538
785
142
168
158
1,791
SUPERVISORIAL
DISTRICT
REQUESTS FOR
SERVICES RECEIVED
1
2
3
4
5
TOTAL
8
