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Board outlines hiring push for LASA workers facing layoff as concerns about benefits, timeline persist
Summary
County officials reported targeted hiring events and dozens of contingent job offers for Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority staff facing layoffs, while many LASA employees and advocates raised urgent concerns about benefits continuity, communication and the pace of placements.
Los Angeles County officials told the Board of Supervisors on May 5 that county departments have run hiring events and extended job offers to many Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LASA) workers facing layoff notices, but public commenters — including LASA staff — urged faster, clearer protections for benefits and timelines.
Acting Chief Executive Office staff and Department of Human Resources representatives described a multi-step outreach and placement effort after LASA announced layoffs. “So far, we have had three hiring events...and across those seven departments we have opened 46 recruitments in the last weeks,” a DHR official said. The county reported 74 job offers extended and that 29 individuals had started county employment; overall departments had made 147 hiring commitments targeted at LASA staff.
Why it matters: Dozens of LASA workers and callers told the board they fear losing health benefits and housing stability after June 30 and described confusion about which LASA positions are county-funded. Multiple employees said hiring events were announced with short notice, jobs they applied for did not have department representatives present, and some staff face mental-health and logistical barriers to attending job fairs.
Board response and next steps: Supervisors pressed for clarity and pledged continued outreach. DHR said it is operating a concierge program assisting roughly 220 employees and will continue staggered hiring through June and bring additional hiring events. The department guaranteed “gap insurance” to employees transitioning directly into county positions and said it will alter onboarding practices in June so new hires can sign up for union benefits promptly to avoid more than a one-month gap in coverage.
Unresolved issues: Several callers asked for a formal written explanation from LASA about layoff decision logic and a short-term benefits buffer if county placements are delayed. Supervisors said the county will prioritize county-funded, represented staff first and then expand outreach to non–county-funded employees if space and resources permit.
Outcome: Board received the report and will continue monitoring implementation of the hiring commitments, concierge outreach and benefits protections as the June 30 layoff date approaches.
