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LA Sanitation says Care/Care Plus continues operations despite staffing gaps and budget uncertainty
Summary
LA Sanitation told the City Council—s Housing and Homelessness Committee on April 9 that its Care and Care Plus teams continue encampment servicing and deep-clean operations but face frozen hiring and funding uncertainty; the department reported 291 filled positions of 364 authorized and 59 vacancies.
On April 9 the Los Angeles City Housing and Homelessness Committee heard a verbal update from the Bureau of Sanitation on the Care and Care Plus program, which provides encampment servicing, trash and debris removal and hygiene support in public rights-of-way.
The update, delivered by Domingo Orozco and Salvador Rosales of LA Sanitation—s Street Hygiene Division, said the division was allocated 364 total authorities for fiscal 2024-25, of which 291 positions are filled and 59 remain vacant. Orozco said the vacancies are not being filled immediately while the city reviews the budget: "This fiscal year, the street hygiene division was allocated 364 total authorities, of which 291 positions have been filled, leaving 59 vacancies," he said.
The committee was told Care teams perform regular, compliance-oriented service including voluntary engagement, trash and debris removal and basic hygiene supports. Care Plus operations are described as posted, comprehensive "deep cleaning" events scheduled in advance. Rosales said the division runs teams dedicated to city council districts and to special focus zones such as Skid Row and the Venice Boardwalk, and that the city has expanded some operations from two to five days where staffing and funding allow.
Committee members and staff discussed the program—s coordination needs. The CAO and LA Sanitation said the program requires interagency scheduling with council offices, LAPD, LAHSA, the Department of Transportation and Animal Services. The CAO noted that the livability services divisions together received a general fund allocation of $72,000,000 for the fiscal year for sanitation-related services; Sanitation said the $72 million covers the division—s current responsibilities, equipment and operating costs.
Deputy Chief Lakisha Williams described outreach expectations for LAHSA and partner outreach staff during Care Plus operations: outreach teams make two to three advance attempts before a cleanup, arrive with sanitation crews at 7 a.m. on the day of a posted Care Plus, offer services, and assist clients with moving belongings and arranging referrals. "On the morning of, they go there at...7AM," Williams said, describing the process of pre-engagement and same-day support.
Committee members praised the coordination but queried how reduced budget requests would affect operations. LA Sanitation said the five-day expansion of Care Plus would only proceed if frozen positions are unfrozen and filled. Rosales noted that four council districts have provided discretionary funds to support additional resources for operations, but that expansion citywide depends on staffing and budget decisions.
The presentation included operational metrics for July 1 through March 21 of the current fiscal year and an explanation that per-team costs include vehicles, IT equipment and supervision. The CAO and Sanitation said they will continue to manage within current resources while awaiting the Mayor—s proposed budget and further council action.
Committee members requested continued reporting during the citywide budget process so the council can evaluate whether to unfreeze positions and expand Care Plus coverage in specific districts.
