Homeless Prevention

Homeless Prevention services support rent-burdened, low-income families and individuals in resolving crises that would otherwise cause them to lose their homes. These services can include:

  • Problem Solving to assist with move-in costs, rental arrears, grocery cards, employment, and other items that can rapidly resolve someone’s housing crisis; 
  • Short-term rental subsidies;
  • Housing conflict resolution and mediation with landlords and/or property managers; and
  • Legal defense against eviction.

Homeless Prevention Programs

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) offers Problem Solving support, which helps people identify viable temporary or permanent housing and other resources within their own network of relatives and friends. In select cases and as a last resort, limited and one-time financial assistance can enhance an individual or family’s success in rapidly connecting to alternative temporary or permanent housing.

The Los Angeles County Departments of Health Services (DHS) and Mental Health (DMH) have partnered with UCLA’s California Policy Lab on the Homeless Prevention Unit pilot program, which uses predictive analytics to identify people who are heavy users of public health care and other social safety net services, and who are considered to be at the highest risk of becoming homeless. Participants are provided financial assistance and connected to health care, mental health care, employment training, legal services, and other supportive services.

The Youth Homelessness and Prevention Program provides direct housing assistance to support long-term housing stability for Transition-Age Youth (TAY) who are General Relief recipients and are at higher risk of long-term homelessness. This initiative will also strengthen connections to the County’s social safety net and is estimated to serve approximately 500 TAY annually. The Homeless Initiative, Poverty Alleviation Initiative, multiple County departments, and other stakeholders are partnering to develop and implement this new initiative, which will be included in the Measure A evaluation agenda.

The Permanent Housing for Older Adults Program provides direct housing assistance for older adults who are homeless or at high risk of homelessness.

Additional Homeless Prevention Programs Administered by Los Angeles County

Stay Housed LA County is a partnership among Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, and local community and legal service providers. It helps tenants in Los Angeles County protect their rights and remain in their homes. The program offers legal services, community education, and information about tenant rights.