Los Angeles County aims to strengthen its collaboration with faith-based organizations serving people experiencing homelessness.
The faith community has a time-honored tradition of providing tangible supportive services to those in need, such as programs providing comfort, free meals, clothing, showers, on-site shelter, and hosting health clinics. They put into practice their core faith tenet to unconditionally open their doors and serve society’s marginalized and those unwelcomed by others.
The Faith Collaborative to End Homelessness coordinates and strengthens partnerships with faith-based organizations and is currently working to develop a strategic plan to align their homeless services with Los Angeles County’s homeless service delivery system. Launched in 2019, the Collaborative includes faith leaders, staff, and volunteers, and representatives of elected officials and County agencies.
This year’s summit will center on several critical areas where faith communities can take action: housing, serving special populations, and collaboration. It will build on the accomplishments from the inaugural summit was held in March 2023 and the series of workshops conducted from October 2023 through February 2024, which were intended to inform the faith community about funding and contracting opportunities, problem-solving tools, community outreach, housing advocacy, and other resources.
A Board of Supervisors motion in 2021 called for Promoting Faith Community Involvement in the Countywide Movement to Prevent and Combat Homelessness.
