City committee warns HAP‑6 shortfall could force cuts to access centers; votes to include housing department in planning

The Los Angeles City Council committee on Homelessness and Housing voted June 1 to instruct city staff to include the Department of Housing (LHD) in planning for the state HAP/hub 6 grant and to pursue measures to address cash‑flow and service continuity concerns after staff briefed members on an uncertain funding outlook and low utilization at several access centers.

The committee action followed extended questioning from Councilmembers about whether LASA and contracted providers have sufficient staff and whether the city should advance cash to cover services pending county or state reimbursements. Committee members flagged several access centers with unusually low recorded contacts and asked staff to develop a plan that balances data, community need and provider stability.

Why it matters: Staff and LASA testified that the city faces an uncertain HAP‑6 allocation and reimbursement timeline; without additional funds or a county agreement to advance cash, the city could be asked to reduce or end time‑limited supports that currently fund access centers, interim beds and rental subsidies. Several councilmembers warned those cuts would reduce on‑the‑ground help and could increase street homelessness.

City staff told the committee that the county and the city continue negotiations about using Measure A funds to help bridge cash‑flow gaps. LASA staff said submissions for county reimbursement are complex and require ledger and invoice details that have slowed…