Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Mayor and City Council of Los Angeles created the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) in December of 1993.

The main goal of LAHSA is to provide funding and guidance for a network of local, non-profit agencies with missions to permanently eliminate homelessness. The agencies are dedicated to providing as much assistance as possible to help homeless persons with housing, case management, counseling, advocacy, substance abuse programs, and other specialized services.

As part of its mission to end homelessness, LAHSA coordinates an annual Homeless Count. The next count will be held in January 2026 and, shortly after the count, face-to-face surveys of people experiencing homelessness will also be conducted. The Homeless Count provides an assessment and a reliable estimate of the current population of people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. Information and data gathered from the Homeless Count helps government agencies and service providers by enhancing understanding of the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles County. This information is used to plan and implement effective services that reduce homelessness.