With many faith-based organizations across Los Angeles County taking it upon themselves to offer meals, showers, and housing to those experiencing homelessness, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority is working to integrate FBOs’ efforts into the countywide homeless service delivery system.
Efforts to reach out to faith-based organizations to get them better connected with LAHSA have been ramping up since February when community engagement supervisor and former pastor Steven Yu was hired to lead LAHSA’s faith initiatives. Based on extensive outreach efforts, LAHSA has learned that FBOs are eager to partner and learn their role within the Coordinated Entry System.
Faith-based organizations generally fall into three categories – ones that are certified as qualified bidders for LAHSA contracts, ones that could qualify as LAHSA subcontractors working under prime contractors, and ones that do not qualify for public funding. At all levels, there are great opportunities to leverage the work of FBOs and integrate their services into the CES, which can potentially increase the effectiveness of the homeless service delivery system.
Demystifying this process and overcoming language barriers and insufficient technological know-how among some faith leaders have proven to be the major roadblocks to bringing these faith-based organizations into the fold. As a result, this spring, Yu and other members of LAHSA’s community engagement staff will hold convenings across the county to educate faith leaders about the resources available to them and how to access them.
If you are a faith-based organization, or want to engage faith-based organizations, you can reach out to Steven Yu by email for more information.