This month, HASC provided comment to Los Angeles County’s Measure H work group on funding priorities from a hospital perspective. Approved by voters in March, Measure H authorizes a quarter-cent sales tax that will raise an estimated $259 million to address homelessness this year.  

Approved by the Board of Supervisors on June 13, funding allocation is now set in various categories recommended by the work group — including programs of special interest to HASC member hospitals.

The programs include a subsidized housing plan with re-housing, bridge housing and recuperative care funded with an $82 million allocation in year one. The recommended funding for housing in years two and three will be $115 million and $132 million respectively — an expenditure that is intended to improve post-acute conditions for homeless patients. Also last week, the Board also approved $56 million for an emergency shelter system that will offer beds and services for more than 7,000 people in the first year alone. 

Funding for years two and three is subject to change based on the annual homeless count. Hospital participation in the count, which normally takes place in January, will be important.

HASC plans to stay active as the process moves forward, and intends to work with the county and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority on designing the referral process for supportive services.

Contact:
Jaime Garcia
(213) 538-0702
jgarcia@hasc.org