The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a motion and a major homeless prevention program to restore funding for homeless youth ages 16-25.
Additionally, following weeks of decisions before and after, the board is also looking for alternative ways to maintain these programs.
In a report released earlier this month, the CEO proposed cutting back on several programs in its funding recommendations for the 2025-2026 Homelessness Initiative, generating some criticism.
Tuesday’s motion, introduced by supervisors Kathryn Berger and Holly Mitchell, revived $5.6 million in funding for a program aimed at young people at high risk of homelessness.
“This recovery is about protecting our most vulnerable youth and not mitigating the progress we made to prevent homelessness before it began,” Burger said in a statement. “We’re sending a clear message that these safety nets need to be kept strong, especially for young adults looking to gain stability and independence.”
The restored program is funded by redirecting allocations within the Public Defense Department, the Los Angeles Department of Homeless Services, and the Department of Health Services.
The board also directed the CEO to explore future options to maintain the program as part of the usual supplementary budget process, including funding opportunities through Los Angeles County’s Affordable Housing Solutions Agency.
“Our youth are transitioning from the county foster care system. This is the largest foster care system in the country. It is one of the most vulnerable groups experiencing poverty. “Getting funding young people in the county during transitional periods is the investment we need in our fight to end the homeless crisis.”
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