LOS ANGELES—Following its Jan. 10 declaration of a countywide homeless emergency, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Feb. 7 authorized its largest-ever annual budget allocation for the county’s Homeless Initiative—$609.7 million.
“Budgets reflect priorities and I’m pleased this year’s allocation includes funding our city partners so they have adequate resources to do their part,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement following the vote. “I’ve consistently voiced my belief that municipalities know their communities best and can craft housing solutions developed and supported locally.”
According to the county, the 2023-24 funding allotment targets programs aimed at moving people out of homeless encampments and into housing, while also increasing mental health and substance abuse services for the homeless….