For Immediate Release
January 29, 2021
Contact: Ahmad Chapman, achapman@lahsa.org, 213-247-5726
HUD Awards LA $151 Million to Address Homelessness
Los Angeles, CA (January 29, 2021)—The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded nearly $151 million for 2020 renewal projects to the Los Angeles Continuum of Care (LA CoC). The amount represents an increase of $17.3 million over HUD’s allocation for renewal projects in 2019. This increase represents an adjustment for Fair Market Rent for existing programs. Click here then scroll to "CA-600 - Los Angeles City & County Co" for the list of awards.
Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, HUD dramatically streamlined the process in recognition that communities have and continue to be focused on their emergency response to the pandemic and have limited capacity to participate in the traditional CoC competition.
“We are grateful to HUD and its Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs for renewing assistance for local rehousing programs. In the era of COVID-19, the seamless continuation of these funds will ensure that our system continues the lifesaving work of getting people experiencing homelessness out of harm’s way and providing them with a permanent home,” said Heidi Marston, executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
“I also want to thank HUD for extending the renewal while allowing LAHSA and its partners to continue to focus on protecting their clients during the global pandemic,” Marston said.
The LA CoC includes all cities in Los Angeles County, with the exceptions of Glendale, Long Beach, and Pasadena. Each year, HUD announces a competitive Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the CoC program nationally; however, HUD canceled the 2020 competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on communities and homeless assistance providers across the country. As the LA CoC’s Collaborative Applicant, LAHSA typically prepares and submits the funding application on behalf of the LA CoC.
HUD’s announcement today only includes renewal funding for existing projects in the LA CoC. New project funding was not awarded due to the canceled NOFA.
LAHSA is a joint powers authority of the city and county of Los Angeles, created in 1993 to address homelessness in Los Angeles County. LAHSA is the lead agency in the HUD-funded Los Angeles Continuum of Care, and coordinates and manages nearly $600 million annually in federal, state, county, and city funds for programs providing shelter, housing, and services to people experiencing homelessness. For more information, visit lahsa.org.