The Housing and Homelessness Committee of Los Angeles City convened on November 20, 2024, to discuss the implications of the recently passed Measure A, which aims to address homelessness and housing issues in the county. The meeting featured key presentations from Miguel Santana, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation, Sarah Dusseau, a co-author of Measure A, and Ryan Johnson, Interim CEO of the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency, known as La Casa.

The committee began with an overview of Measure A, which passed with 58% of the vote in November. Santana highlighted that the measure was community-driven, requiring 400,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot. It establishes a permanent revenue stream estimated at $1.2 billion annually, with funds allocated primarily for services and housing development. Specifically, 60% of the revenue will support services, while 35.75% will be directed to La Casa for affordable housing production.

A significant focus of the discussion was on accountability and the establishment of clear goals. Measure A mandates that every five years, specific objectives must be set to reduce homelessness, increase permanent housing placements, and enhance mental health and substance abuse services. This structured approach aims to ensure transparency and effectiveness in the use of funds, contrasting with previous measures that lacked such oversight.

The committee also addressed concerns regarding the integration of various data systems to track the effectiveness of services funded by Measure A. Members expressed frustration over the lack of visibility into how funds were previously allocated under Measure H, which Measure A repeals. The new governance structure is designed to provide cities, including Los Angeles, a more significant role in decision-making and accountability.

Johnson emphasized La Casa's commitment to accountability, collaboration, and innovative investments in housing solutions. He noted that the agency would focus on driving new housing production while preserving existing units. The discussion also touched on the need for better coordination among city and county services to maximize the impact of the funding.

Committee members raised questions about the representation of Los Angeles in the new governance structure, expressing concerns that the city’s voice might be diluted compared to its significant share of the homelessness issue in the county. The committee acknowledged these concerns while reiterating that the new structure aims to provide a more unified approach to tackling homelessness across the region.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the potential of Measure A to reshape the landscape of homelessness services in Los Angeles County. With its focus on accountability, community involvement, and a structured funding approach, stakeholders expressed cautious optimism about the measure's ability to deliver meaningful change in addressing the ongoing homelessness crisis. The committee plans to continue monitoring the implementation of Measure A and its impact on the community.