The Los Angeles region is facing a homelessness crisis, with the majority of people experiencing homelessness living in an unsheltered setting on the streets, in tents, or in makeshift shelters. Concern has grown about the increasing numbers and sizes of homeless encampments. In response, the State of California launched the Encampment Resolution Funding program in 2022, providing grants and assistance to local governments to design solutions tailored to their local homeless populations and encampments. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation also took action, directly funding several homeless service providers in Los Angeles County to implement place-based encampment interventions. Three interventions were evaluated – in the San Fernando Valley, City of Long Beach, and Los Angeles River Basin areas. This interim evaluation report examines the key activities of the outreach teams, progress engaging encampment residents over the first six months of 2023, and challenges faced by the organizations that received ERF or Foundation grants. The goal is to understand different approaches and document best practices to more effectively address the root causes of homelessness and help move people into permanent housing.
To see an expanded discussion of the report with research partners in Los Angeles, see the links below to an event sponsored by the Homelessness Policy Research Institute (HPRI) on encampment resolution strategies:
Full Symposium:
Highlights: