Dozens of speakers urge council to retain Safe Parking, LAHSA and access-center funding amid proposed cuts

Multiple service providers, program leaders and clients testified at the Budget & Finance Committee that proposed reductions to homelessness-related programs would harm residents and reduce the city’s ability to connect people to housing.

Andrew, who identified himself as director of programs for Safe Parking, told the committee that Safe Parking is "not just a line item in the budget — it's a lifeline for people living in their vehicles." Several speakers described outcomes the program achieves at low per-person cost (case management, safety, connections to housing and employment) and warned that cutting the program would increase community safety risks and emergency costs.

Speakers including LAHSA staff and advocates urged the council to fund LAHSA at the levels requested in order to avoid layoffs that would interrupt HUD-supportive programs and grant renewals. Multiple presenters urged the committee to fully fund the proposed $12.3 million (as raised in testimony) for survivor services and maintained that access centers (showers, meals, casework) are cost-effective prevention tools.

Speakers recommended funding increases or restorations across programs the public identified as low-cost, high-impact interventions (Safe Parking, access centers, problem-solving teams and LAHSA staffing). The committee received the testimony; no final vote occurred during the public-comment hearing.