Emergency Centralized Resource Center

Welcome to Los Angeles County’s Emergency Centralized Response Center (ECRC). The center coordinates the operations of outreach teams and other efforts dedicated to helping unsheltered individuals and families across Los Angeles County. Members of the public can reach ECRC by using LA-HOP for any concerns related to homelessness. Members of the public in unincorporated Los Angeles County can continue to report encampments, trash and debris secondary to encampments, and other unsheltered issues to Public Works. Members of the public may also call 211. 

A staff person from Housing From Health stands over the shoulder of a staffer from the Homeless Initiative and points at a monitor screen.

Overview of Emergency Centralized Response Center

ECRC provides a centralized response call center to enhance outreach coordination and communication. ECRC has several functions, including:

  • Managing a co-located site with representatives from the LA County Homeless Initiative; the Departments of Mental Health, Health Services – Housing for Health, Public Social Services, Military and Veteran Affairs, Public Health – Substance Abuse, Prevention, and Control; and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority;
  • Accepting and processing referrals of unsheltered encampments and/or individuals/families and dispatching an outreach team for assessment and follow-up.;
  • Providing regular updates to referrers on outreach activities and status of referrals; and
  • Supporting the LA County Office of Emergency Management in the coordination of life-saving responses during emergencies or inclement weather for individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emergency Centralized Response Center?

Emergency Centralized Response Center (ECRC) is a coordinating entity that oversees and directs daily operations for 150+ outreach teams serving unsheltered individuals and families across LA County. In addition, ECRC coordinates and supports homeless outreach and encampment resolution efforts such as Inside Safe, Pathway Home, and other jurisdictional encampment efforts. In addition, ECRC quickly links outreach teams, cities, and other entities to LA County services.

Why was ECRC created?

ECRC was established through a motion adopted by the LA County Board of Supervisors on September 24, 2024, prompted by the need for better coordination and communication among outreach teams operating within LA County and its 88 cities. ECRC serves as a crucial hub for coordinating the operations of outreach teams and other efforts dedicated to helping unsheltered individuals and families across Los Angeles County.

What is ECRC doing?

ECRC is a centralized response center to enhance outreach coordination and communication. ECRC has several functions, including:

  • Managing a co-located site with representatives from the LA County Homeless Initiative; the Departments of Mental Health, Health Services – Housing for Health, Public Social Services, Military and Veteran Affairs, Public Health – Substance Abuse, Prevention, and Control; and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority;
  • Accepting and processing referrals of unsheltered encampments and/or individuals/families, and dispatching outreach teams to provide services;
  • Providing regular updates to referrers on outreach activities and status of referrals; and
  • Supporting the LA County Office of Emergency Management in the coordination of life-saving responses during emergencies or inclement weather for individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

What is ECRC trying to accomplish?

ECRC’s goals are to:

  • Provide support to outreach teams;
  • Coordinate outreach efforts;
  • Coordinate support for unsheltered individuals and families during emergencies;
  • Provide timely updates to referrers regarding the status of encampments and/or unsheltered individuals or families (no personal/identifying information will be provided);
  • Deduplicate outreach efforts; and
  • Improve communication and partnership with the public to address unsheltered encampments and/or individuals or families.

Who works at ECRC?

ECRC operates with staff from the Homeless Initiative and various County departments listed above. There are hoteling stations for other jurisdictions interested in joining ECRC.

Is ECRC available at all times or only during emergencies?

ECRC is available five days a week (excluding County holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. year-round. Hours may fluctuate during emergencies. However, please note that outreach takes place seven days a week countywide.

Partners

In addition to the County departments listed above, ECRC works with other departments and agencies including:

  • Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
  • Department of Children and Family Services
  • Department of Economic Opportunities
  • Department of Aging and Disability
  • Department of Animal Care and Control
  • Department of Justice, Care and Opportunities
  • Department of Public Works
  • Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
  • Los Angeles City Chief Administration Office