Pre-Match Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS)
The Pre-Match ICMS initiative will begin ramping down due to a reduction of ICMS funding in FY 2026-27.
Funding is being prioritized for interim and permanent housing programs, allowing for the preservation of nearly all County housing resources. Our focus is now on transitioning clients to appropriate next steps.
What Is Pre-Match ICMS?
Pre-Match ICMS, also known as Pre-Housing Resource ICMS, is a DHS initiative designed to support high-acuity individuals experiencing homelessness on their journey to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). By starting intensive case management services before a housing subsidy is in place, Pre-Match helps reduce barriers and shorten the path from homelessness to stable housing.
Milestone: Pre-Match ICMS has reached over 2,000 active slots — a major milestone in the collective work to support unhoused neighbors across Los Angeles County.
Secure Interim Housing
Facilitating placements into temporary accommodations while participants await a permanent housing match.
Enroll in Health Insurance
Assisting participants with applications to ensure access to medical care before and after housing placement.
Gather Required Documents
Connecting participants to vital resources and supporting document collection needed to begin the housing placement process.
Our Commitment
Pre-Match ICMS uses a low-barrier approach to delivering services wherever participants are located — on the streets, in shelters, or in other settings. ICMS practitioners meet participants where they are and provide whatever support it takes to move them toward stable housing.
Pre-Match ICMS Eligibility
Pre-Match ICMS serves high-acuity individuals experiencing homelessness who are not yet matched with a permanent housing subsidy. Eligibility is based on CES acuity thresholds and current program enrollment status.
Eligibility Expanded: Pre-Match ICMS is now open to all high-acuity unhoused individuals regardless of citizenship or immigration status. This expansion removes barriers for vulnerable populations historically excluded from vital support services.
Who Qualifies
Clients must meet all of the following criteria:
- Not yet permanently housed
- High acuity CES Score:
- Single Adults and Transition Age Youth (TAY): Score of 8 or higher
- Families with Minor Children: Score of 9 or higher
- Not actively enrolled in LAHSA Time-Limited Subsidy (TLS) or LAHSA Housing Navigation
Dual Enrollment Now Allowed
Clients may now be dually enrolled in both DHS Interim Housing (IH) and Pre-Match — whether they remain in or are newly referred to a DHS IH program.
This means:
- Clients in DHS IH can begin Pre-Match housing navigation services immediately
- Earlier engagement leads to faster PSH connections
- No need to wait for IH exit before starting the housing process
Pathways to Pre-Match ICMS
There are three ways to connect eligible clients to Pre-Match ICMS. Providers can use any of the pathways below based on what works best for the client and the referring organization.
Referrals
Through outreach teams and partner organizations. Contact your assigned PreMatch Program Manager to initiate a referral for an eligible client.
Self-Enrollment
Eligible individuals can visit a service center to sign up directly for Pre-Match ICMS without a formal referral.
Community Partnerships
Local shelters and nonprofit organizations can connect clients to Pre-Match ICMS through established community partnership agreements.
Need Support with Implementation?
If your team needs support with implementation or identifying eligible clients, connect with your assigned PreMatch Program Manager directly.
Monthly Provider Meetings
The DHS Housing Navigation Team hosts monthly meetings for Pre-Match providers to share program updates, answer questions, and strengthen collaboration across the network. Meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month at 11:00 AM.
Note: Missed a meeting? View the PowerPoint presentation from the May 13th session for updated eligibility guidance and expanded access information. See attachment.
Monthly Meeting Schedule
Every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 11:00 AM via Microsoft Teams.
Next Session: Document Readiness
The upcoming session takes a deeper dive into critical documentation requirements for housing placements.
- LAHSA will lead training on completing the Homeless Verification Form and Verification of Disability
- DMH will provide guidance on accurately completing the Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Form, which is essential for matching clients to DMH-funded PSH resources
Pre-Match ICMS Workshop
The Pre-Match ICMS Workshop — Pathway to Stability — introduces providers and partners to the Pre-Match model, including how it bridges the gap between homelessness and stable housing, document readiness, and eligibility requirements.
Program Updates
The following updates reflect recent changes to Pre-Match ICMS policy, eligibility, and operations. Check this page regularly for the latest information.
June 3, 2025 — Eligibility Expanded
Pre-Match ICMS eligibility has expanded to include all high-acuity unhoused individuals regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Clients must still meet CES acuity thresholds. This expansion strengthens the County’s commitment to housing equity by removing barriers for vulnerable populations historically excluded from vital support services.
April 14, 2025 — Dual Enrollment with DHS Interim Housing Now Allowed
Clients may now be dually enrolled in both DHS Interim Housing (IH) and Pre-Match, whether they remain in or are newly referred to a DHS IH program. This supports earlier housing navigation engagement and faster PSH connections without waiting for IH exit.
Temporary Pause on Pre-Match Expansion
To ensure the sustainability and impact of the program, all new Pre-Match expansions were paused until August 2025. This pause allowed the team to evaluate the current model, review outcomes and best practices across provider agencies, and set strategic goals for the upcoming fiscal year. Agencies that submitted interest in expanding or repurposing ICMS slots were contacted in July 2025 to begin individual discussions.
Pre-Match Milestone: 2,000+ Active Slots
Pre-Match ICMS has reached over 2,000 active slots across Los Angeles County — a major milestone in the collective work to support unhoused neighbors on their path to permanent housing.