UPDATE: Los Angeles County’s newly established Homeless Services Department is facing a staggering $219 million budget cut for the fiscal year 2026-2027, as announced on January 13, 2026. This drastic reduction, amounting to nearly 25% of its budget, has sent shockwaves through the community and raised urgent concerns about the future of homeless support services.
The proposed cuts come in the wake of disappointing revenue from Measure A, a recent sales tax initiative aimed at combating homelessness. Originally projected to yield around $1.2 billion, current estimates show revenues have fallen closer to $1 billion, largely due to a downturn in consumer spending. This financial shortfall has forced Homeless Services & Housing Department (HSH) Director Sarah Mahin to prioritize existing housing over new programs, leaving many vital initiatives vulnerable to elimination.
During a recent budget proposal meeting, First District Supervisor Hilda Solis expressed her disgust over the cuts, emphasizing the critical need for funding in a department facing a near $300 million deficit. “It is a new department, and I know it is going to get tougher,” Solis stated, highlighting the emotional weight of the decision on those experiencing homelessness.
Experts warn that the cuts will severely impact successful outreach programs, including the Pathway Homes initiative, which has successfully transitioned 1,800 residents from encampments into permanent housing since its launch in 2023. With a proposed $92 million reduction in this program alone, the number of available beds for the unhoused could dwindle, further complicating efforts to dismantle encampments.
“We are shooting ourselves in the foot by reducing those services,” Solis added, emphasizing the program’s effectiveness in addressing homelessness in areas like Pomona and East Los Angeles.
The budget cuts are not just numbers; they represent lives affected. Saundra Macpherson, a resident currently living in a camper, indicated the dire consequences of these reductions. “It’s going to be catastrophic without funding,” she said, reflecting the fear and uncertainty gripping the community.
In response to the looming crisis, county officials are urging cities to take on greater responsibilities in providing winter shelters and augmenting support services. Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn asserted that cities must share the burden of addressing homelessness, stating, “They need to step up. This should be a shared responsibility.”
Looking ahead, the budget proposal will be discussed further in front of the LA County Board of Supervisors on February 3, 2026. Experts like Jerry Jones, executive director of the Greater Los Angeles Coalition on Homelessness, warn that without immediate action to restore funding, the impacts of these cuts could reverse the progress made in reducing homelessness over the past two years.
As Los Angeles prepares for its upcoming homeless count scheduled for January 20-22, 2026, the community holds its breath, fearing that reduced services will hinder the ongoing fight against homelessness. “Seven unhoused people die every day in L.A.,” said Georgia Hawley, chief communications officer at the Midnight Mission. “If these cuts move forward, sadly, that number will grow.”
The clock is ticking, and the urgency for action is palpable. As the county grapples with budget constraints, the future of homeless services hangs in the balance, prompting an outcry for immediate intervention and support.
