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homelessness

Hahn Opens 55-unit Permanent Supportive Housing at Former Motel 6 Site in Norwalk 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Opens 55-unit Permanent Supportive Housing at Former Motel 6 Site in Norwalk

Norwalk, CA – This morning, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn cut the ribbon on the Weingart Rose, a permanent supportive housing development located at 10646 E Rosecrans Avenue in Norwalk that offers 54 studio units with support services for individuals transitioning out of homelessness, with an additional unit for an on-site manager. The project converted a former Motel 6 and counted on the support and partnership of the City of Norwalk, which identified and selected the tenants. Thanks to the city’s efforts, the development is now fully leased.

“This project is proof that when we act boldly and collaboratively, we can turn vision into reality. We took an old motel and gave it new life, and now 54 people have a chance at a new beginning,” said Hahn, whose office led the effort to purchase and convert the former motel. “Every unit here represents a life changed, a person who will no longer be sleeping in a car, on a sidewalk or in a shelter.”

The development offers fully furnished units, laundry facilities, community spaces, a dog park, bicycle storage, and 24-hour security among other amenities. Additionally, residents will have access to supportive services including substance use disorder services, employment and education assistance, health services, financial advising, and more.

“Those who are receiving any kind of aid, any kind of help, are really questioning what the future looks like. So we have to jump in, the county, the city, the state and say: we’re not forgetting you,” said Senator Bob Archuleta, who helped secure $7.6 million in state funding for the project. “We’re not forgetting our veterans, we’re not going to forget our homeless.”

“It really has been a journey from start to finish. The bumps, the conversations, the confusion, the misunderstandings, the back and forth. But we always had open conversations and open communication,” said Norwalk Vice Mayor Jennifer Perez, who is a strong supporter of the project. “For Norwalk and our community here as partners, we are opening doors to another chance for individuals and families to build a stronger and brighter future.”

The County purchased the former Motel 6 in 2020 for $5.7 million, and it was one of the first sites purchased with state funding from the Project Homekey initiative after its launch by Governor Gavin Newsom.

LA County Conducts Pathway Home Operation Along 105 and San Gabriel River in Cities of Bellflower, Downey, and Norwalk 150 150 Hayley Munguia

LA County Conducts Pathway Home Operation Along 105 and San Gabriel River in Cities of Bellflower, Downey, and Norwalk

More than 40 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness are indoors and on a pathway to permanent housing

An outreach worker speaks with someone who has been living in an encampment in the San Gabriel Riverbed in Bellflower as part of a Pathway Home encampment resolution on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025.

Downey, CA — This week, Los Angeles County’s Pathway Home program brought more than 40 people experiencing homelessness who had been living along the 105 Freeway and the San Gabriel River in the cities of Bellflower, Downey, and Norwalk and into safe interim housing, where they are receiving supportive services and other resources to help them transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing. This latest Pathway Home operation continues the County’s emergency response to resolve encampments and return community areas to their intended use.

“Homelessness is an emergency in Los Angeles County, and we are responding to this crisis with the urgency it needs,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “These Pathway Home encampment resolutions take a lot of time and work to complete—especially operations like this one that span multiple cities and jurisdictions—but they are the most effective tool I have seen to get people housed, and keep them housed.”

Pathway Home is an LA County Homeless Initiative-led effort that aims to bring entire encampments inside together using local motels as interim housing. Nearly 2,000 Los Angeles County residents have been brought indoors through Pathway Home, 395 of whom are now permanently housed and no longer experiencing homelessness. Meanwhile, 1,020 RVs have been taken off the streets.

The LA County Homeless Initiative collaborated with the Office of Supervisor Hahn, the City of Bellflower, the City of Downey, and the City of Norwalk to conduct the Pathway Home operation on September 24, 2025.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the nonprofit service provider PATH were essential to bringing unsheltered residents indoors as they had built trusting relationships with them by providing engagement and support during their unhoused experience.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach Services Team, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control were also critical partners in the operation, along with Caltrans.

Pathway Home has been funded primarily through Measure H, a ¼-cent sales tax approved by County voters in 2017 to prevent and address homelessness. Since July 1, 2025, Pathway Home has received funds from Measure A, a ½-cent sales tax approved by voters in November 2024 to replace Measure H.

Hahn Celebrates Grand Opening of 97 New Apartments for Formerly Homeless in West Whittier 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Celebrates Grand Opening of 97 New Apartments for Formerly Homeless in West Whittier

Whittier, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn joined Holos Communities on Friday, Sept. 19, to celebrate the grand opening of Laurel Grove, Holos’ second Project Homekey development.

Hahn was joined by Holos Executive Director & CEO Cristian Ahumada, Director of Homeless and Housing, Sarah Mahin, and others for the ceremonial grand opening. Laurel Grove transformed a former Motel 6 into a vibrant development creating 97 studio apartments for previously homeless individuals in addition to a park and a living lung at an impressive price point and timeline.

Supervisor Hahn and Whittier First Friends Church Pastor Loletta Barrett speak with Angela, one of the new residents at Laurel Grove.

“Laurel Grove is yet another testament to what’s possible with Project Homekey: in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost, we’ve been able to convert an old motel into a space that’s not only beautiful and integrated into the community around it, but that’s going to give people a lifeline,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district includes West Whitter-Los Nietos. “Everyone who moves in here will be able to finally take a breath, focus less on where they will find to sleep tonight, and more on turning a page in their lives.”

Project Homekey, California’s innovative, COVID-era program helped developers purchase and convert underutilized hotels and motels into permanent supportive housing. The streamlined process dramatically reduced the time required to assemble capital and source land to expedite projects like Laurel Grove. Although most Homekey funding has now been allocated, it is an excellent example of the types of tools needed to address the region’s housing crisis.

“Project Homekey is the type of immediate, single source of financing solution that is urgently needed if we are ever to solve the homelessness crisis. It allowed the project to be completed in 1/3 the time and 1/3 the cost of typical affordable housing today,” said Cristian Ahumada, Holos Communities’ Executive Director.

Laurel Grove also employed a grant from the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), which covered the costs of Laurel’s park and sustainability features. The park features a bioswale to improve storm water management, drought resistant native plants that are supported through a greywater system that nurtures local habitat from recycled laundry water, and enriches the quality of life for residents and neighbors alike.

In addition, Laurel Grove introduces Holos’ second “living lung”—a dynamic grove of over a hundred trees, including citrus, that not only enhances the environment but also offers fresh produce to both residents and the surrounding community. This living lung sets a new standard for eco-conscious urban living that addresses basic needs beyond housing such as food insecurity.

Located directly across from the local high school, Laurel Grove enjoys a spirited connection with its neighbors. The high school’s art program has generously designed and donated original artwork specifically for the project, infusing the community’s shared spaces with creativity and pride. This partnership exemplifies the collaborative spirit that defines the Laurel Grove neighborhood and celebrates the contributions of local youth.

As one of the participating student’s stated: “Art…is very magical. It can heal and touch those around it. To help create…for the housing project has not only been fun, but a wonderful experience. It will inspire many people who are struggling!”

With the opening of Laurel Grove, Holos reaffirms its dedication to building inclusive, resilient communities. From the thoughtful landscaping and sustainable design to the active involvement of local partners, every element of Laurel Grove reflects Holos’ ongoing commitment to innovation and resident well-being. Supporting Holos in fostering resident well-being is Pacific Clinics, who are the on-site supportive service provider for the building. Pacific Clinics assist the residents of Laurel Grove through wrap-around supportive services by fostering personal growth and self-sufficiency as each resident becomes secure in their new community.

Supervisor Hahn Encouraged by 9.5% Drop in Unsheltered Homelessness 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisor Hahn Encouraged by 9.5% Drop in Unsheltered Homelessness

Woman hugs Hahn at Pathway Home Operation in Long Beach

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn released the following statement on the 2025 LA County Homeless Count which showed a 9.5% drop in unsheltered homelessness across the county.

“With thousands fewer people on our streets, these numbers are encouraging. It is clear to me our focus on bringing people inside by clearing encampments is paying off and programs like the city’s Inside Safe and the county’s Pathway Home are working. These strategies are not only compassionate, but they are also the most effective tools we have in addressing homelessness and we are seeing the impact in real time.

As the County builds out our new homeless services department, I want us to double down on these encampment operations and get more people off the streets and safely inside as quickly as humanly possible.”

LA County to Implement Improvements to CARE Court Program for Individuals with Untreated Mental Health Disorders 150 150 Hayley Munguia

LA County to Implement Improvements to CARE Court Program for Individuals with Untreated Mental Health Disorders

Motion by Hahn and Barger calls for streamlined processing, seamless referral process for first responders

Los Angeles, CA – This morning, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to make improvements to the County’s Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment program, better known as CARE Court. Launched in Los Angeles County on December 1, 2023, CARE Court is a state-funded program that allows qualified individuals – such as a family member, spouse, roommate, emergency responder, or licensed medical or mental health professional – to petition the Court for an eligible individual with untreated schizophrenia or other associated psychotic disorders to receive treatment and services to stabilize their symptoms and continue on a path of recovery and well-being. Among other improvements, today’s motion directs the County’s Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) to develop expedited mechanisms for first responders to make seamless referrals for CARE Court, and to increase community awareness and understanding of CARE Court.

“CARE Court is a critical tool that has offered hope to families who love someone with severe untreated mental illness. But we saw the need for improvements, so we studied them and now we’re finally moving forward with them,” said Supervisor Hahn. “This opportunity to get people living with schizophrenia the care they desperately need is too valuable not to keep trying to make it the best it can be.”

L to R: LA County Director of Mental Health Dr. Lisa H. Wong; LA Superior Court then-Presiding Judge Samantha P. Jessner; and Supervisor Janice Hahn on November 30, 2023 announcing the launch of CARE Court.

Through a collaborative inter-agency effort between LACDMH, the Independent Defense Counsel Office (IDCO), and the Los Angeles Superior Court (LASC), LA County started its CARE program one year ahead of the state’s mandate for all 58 counties. Today’s motion also now calls for closer collaboration between those agencies to streamline processing of CARE Court cases.

“The need for a program like CARE Court is immense and we must ensure it’s meeting that need as effectively as possible,” stated Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “By evaluating what’s working and what’s not, we can make targeted improvements that enhance outcomes for individuals, families, and our communities. This is about strengthening a vital tool so it delivers the compassionate, coordinated care people deserve.”

In February, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Hahn that called on LACDMH to analyze the first year of the program. That analysis revealed that while there has been progress, particularly with getting people the help they need by establishing CARE agreements and CARE plans, there have also been challenges that needed to be addressed in order to make the program more impactful.

“NAMI GLAC is proud to represent the voice of tens of thousands of individuals and families throughout LA County affected by mental illness. NAMI GLAC was also proud to stand in support of the CARE Act and CARE Court. While CARE Court remains a critical resource to the mental health community, there is work to be done to ensure the program reaches its full potential, such as revamping protocols to make the it more inclusive for family and petitioners, addressing housing challenges, and enhancing training for first responders who can make referrals to the program. We thank Supervisors Hahn and Barger for their leadership and believe this motion directing the County to report back on improvements to CARE Court is an important step in the right direction,” said Traute Winters, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Greater Los Angeles County (NAMI GLAC).

We Have a Chance to Do Something Real About Homelessness in Torrance 150 150 Hayley Munguia

We Have a Chance to Do Something Real About Homelessness in Torrance

By Supervisor Janice Hahn

According to preliminary homeless count data from LAHSA, about 355 people are homeless in Torrance — that is up from around 260 people last year.

Thankfully, some of these people are safe and cared for at Torrance’s Tiny Home interim housing site at the Civic Center. But there are only 40 tiny homes there and they filled up almost immediately after the City opened it three years ago. The folks there are living in these tiny homes an average of 321 days. The reason they are staying so long is because the next logical step is for them to move into an apartment of their own, but we have had a lack of apartments that they can move into.

This bottleneck is one of the biggest reasons homelessness in our communities feels like it never ends. We have to fix the flow. And that means creating permanent housing.

That’s exactly why I’m championing a project that I believe could make a big difference. We were approached by the Weingart Center Association with an opportunity to convert the Extended Stay America motel in Torrance into 118 affordable apartments with on-site services. This is the solution this city has needed and means we could move people out of the Tiny Homes, into these stable apartments, and open up more Tiny Home spots to get people off the streets of Torrance.

If we get state funding for this project through Project Homekey—a program that turns motels into housing with on-site services—we can move quickly and affordably. We can get motel conversions done in one-third the time and at half the cost of building a development from the ground up. We are already making it work across the County. In San Pedro, we turned the run down old Best Western on Gaffey Street into the Louis Dominguez Veterans Center and are housing 100 local veterans. In unincorporated Whittier, 97 people will have comfortable, safe apartments in what used to be a Motel 6. In Commerce, what used to be a Studio 6 motel is now 80 apartments for people who had been homeless.

Members of the Torrance City Council and some Torrance residents have concerns about these apartments and I’m always open to a real conversation. But we have to look at the facts. Without permanent housing, shelters get full, streets stay crowded with tents, and the crisis drags on. With permanent housing, people stabilize, communities heal, and we finally move forward.

The people who would live in these apartments already are in Torrance. This isn’t about “bringing people in” from somewhere else—it’s about addressing the homelessness challenge that the city is dealing with today.

I want to end homelessness in Torrance. Not manage it, not shift it around—end it. And I believe we can, if we make sure cooler heads prevail and make commonsense, compassionate choices like this one.

I’m proud to be pushing this solution. It’s not flashy — but it’s smart, effective, and it will work. I hope the City of Torrance will stand with me—because this is how we end homelessness. Not with talk, but with action.

Hahn Issues Statement on Vote for County Homeless Department 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Issues Statement on Vote for County Homeless Department

Los Angeles, CA – Today Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued the following statement regarding her vote to pull county funding from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and establish a new county department in charge of homeless services:

“We need to treat homelessness like the crisis it is—but problems with LAHSA (like contract delays & unaccounted funds) have been roadblocks. It’s time to make a change. That is why I am voting to redirect County funding from LAHSA and create a County Homeless Services Department.

We owe the people suffering on our streets and taxpayers alike a guarantee that tax dollars are spent as effectively as possible to bring people inside – and we can’t say that right now. Multiple audits have found problems at LAHSA that have undermined confidence in the agency.

By centralizing homeless services, the County can take responsibility and ownership of the response to this crisis. That doesn’t mean abandoning the City of LA. They are ground zero in this emergency, and we need to be their partners in this work.

I proposed creating the Office of Unincorporated Services as a stand-alone division of the new County Homeless Department. This new office will coordinate homeless services, outreach, and operations for the 1 million residents of Unincorporated LA County.

This will not be an easy process. But as we move forward with this new department, I know we are going to continue to work together to make sure this is a success. Because at the end of the day what really matters is making sure that we are helping those in need.”

Cities in Hahn’s District to get $12.2 Million for Homeless Solutions 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Cities in Hahn’s District to get $12.2 Million for Homeless Solutions

Hahn leads effort to maximize voter-approved tax funding going to most cities

Hahn helps an unhoused woman into interim housing at a Pathway Home Operation in Long Beach

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the spending plan for voter-approved Measure A tax dollars which, for the first time, includes substantial funding going directly to local cities to address homelessness. The board unanimously approved an amendment by Supervisor Janice Hahn which changed the formula for how funding will be divided between cities and ensured the most cities will receive the most amount of funding possible.

“Thanks to voters, our county’s 88 cities will finally have direct, reliable funding to address the unique homeless crises facing their communities with the solutions that work best for their residents,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “But just because this is new, doesn’t mean we should start small. I want to get our cities the most amount of funding possible so they can start strong, make a difference in unsheltered homelessness, and be real partners in this work with us.”

Measure A, the half-cent sales tax approved in November 2024 to fund homelessness services and housing, requires at least 15% of the County’s funding allocation to go to local cities as part of a local solutions fund. The Board was originally presented with six possible formulas for how the local solutions fund would be divided between cities with a recommendation to choose Formula 6. However, after hearing concerns from cities, Hahn put forward an amendment (co-authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis) which was unanimously adopted to use Formula 4 and increases the amount of funding going to 67 of the county’s 88 cities and the unincorporated areas. Formula 4 allocates 10% of funding using the number of households in the city living in poverty and the remaining 90% based on the two most recent homeless count results.

In total, the cities in Supervisor Hahn’s Fourth District will receive over $12.2 million this year from the Local Solutions Fund. The funds can be spent on work such as prevention, mental healthcare, outreach, and housing. Importantly, cities will also receive substantially more funding for housing preservation and development in a separate Measure A allocation later this year. Below is a breakdown of the Local Solutions Fund going to each city in the Fourth District:

Artesia $69,090
Avalon $49,698
Bell $570,464
Bell Gardens $276,804
Bellflower $401,093
Cerritos $223,898
Commerce $359,438
Cudahy $191,496
Downey $502,195
Hawaiian Gardens $122,179
Huntington Park $446,825
La Habra Heights $34,161
La Mirada $73,966
Lakewood $169,782
Lomita $63,234
Long Beach $4,865,697
Lynwood $366,029
Maywood $186,114
Norwalk $380,303
Palos Verdes Estates $43,819
Paramount $178,209
Pico Rivera $390,465
Rancho Palos Verdes $37,695
Rolling Hills $38,530
Rolling Hills Estates $24,572
Santa Fe Springs $554,420
Signal Hill $152,454
South Gate $495,741
Torrance $558,570
Vernon $47,508
Whittier $344,865

In addition, the City of Los Angeles will receive $54.9 million and $10.7 million will be allocated to the unincorporated areas.

LA County Conducts Pathway Home Operation Along San Gabriel River in Cities of Bellflower, Downey, and Norwalk 150 150 Hayley Munguia

LA County Conducts Pathway Home Operation Along San Gabriel River in Cities of Bellflower, Downey, and Norwalk

More than 60 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness are indoors and on a pathway to permanent housing

Supervisor Hahn meets Maria, a woman who previously lived along the San Gabriel Riverbed in Downey and agreed to come inside this week as part of a Pathway Home encampment resolution effort.

Downey, CA — This week, Los Angeles County’s Pathway Home program brought more than 60 people experiencing homelessness who had been living along the San Gabriel River in the cities of Bellflower, Downey, and Norwalk and into safe interim housing, where they are receiving supportive services and other resources to help them transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing. This latest Pathway Home operation continues the County’s emergency response to resolve encampments, return community areas to their intended use and ensure people experiencing homelessness are not in dangerous areas, such as flood channels.

“In the wake of unprecedented wildfires, we have mobilized an enormous amount of staff and resources to ensure everyone who has been displaced or lost their home has shelter — and frankly we need to bring that same sense of urgency to our longstanding homelessness crisis,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “This Pathway Home Operation along the riverbed in Downey, Bellflower, and Norwalk is one of the largest encampment resolutions we have conducted yet and it wouldn’t be possible without the partnership and cooperation of leaders in each of these cities.”

At a time when devastating wildfires continue to threaten entire communities in Los Angeles and people experiencing homelessness are facing exceptional challenges, Los Angeles County remains committed to bringing people off the streets and into safe interim housing. This latest Pathway Home operation was planned for several weeks and did not affect county resources committed to the fire emergency.

The Downey, Norwalk, and Bellflower operation is LA County’s 30th Pathway Home encampment resolution since the inception of the program in August 2023. The program is an LA County Homeless Initiative-led effort that aims to bring entire encampments inside together using local motels as interim housing. More than 1,000 Los Angeles County residents have been brought indoors through Pathway Home, and more than 200 of whom are now permanently housed and no longer experiencing homelessness. Meanwhile, 624 RVs have been taken off the streets.

The LA County Homeless Initiative collaborated with the Office of Supervisor Hahn, the City of Bellflower, the City of Downey, and the City of Norwalk to conduct the Pathway Home operation on January 15 and 16, 2025.

On Wednesday morning, Hahn, Downey Mayor Hector Sosa, and Bellflower City Councilmember Victor Sanchez joined county outreach workers, LASD HOST team members, PATH, and LAHSA teams in Downey’s Rio San Gabriel Park which became home base for the Pathway Home operation.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the nonprofit service provider PATH were essential to bringing unsheltered residents indoors as they had built trusting relationships with them by providing engagement and support during their unhoused experience. Whittier First Day and the Department of Health Services – Housing for Health will continue to work with them at the motel operating as their interim housing location with comprehensive supportive services and, ultimately, safe permanent homes.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach Services Team, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control were also critical partners in the operation, along with Caltrans.

Maria and her dog in their new room at a local motel for interim housing while Whittier First Day service providers work to connect her with a safe permanent home.

Pathway Home has been funded primarily through Measure H, a ¼-cent sales tax approved by County voters in 2017 to prevent and address homelessness. Starting July 1, 2025, Pathway Home will receive funds from Measure A, a ½-cent sales tax approved by voters in November 2024 to replace Measure H. With Measure H funds to date, the County has placed more than 115,000 people into permanent housing, ending their homelessness. It has connected 151,000 people with safe interim housing, prevented 37,000 people from becoming homeless, and provided many more people with a diverse array of supportive services.

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Hahn issues Statement on Proposal to Establish County Homelessness Department 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn issues Statement on Proposal to Establish County Homelessness Department

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued the following statement on a proposal by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Supervisor Kathryn Barger to shift some responsibilities away from LAHSA and establish a County Department dedicated to homeless service delivery:

“Voters have not given up on solving our homelessness crisis. By supporting Measure A, they proved they not only believe solutions exist, but they are also willing to spend their own money investing in those solutions. We owe these voters and every person suffering on the streets results.

I am open to the idea of creating a new county department if it will actually mean bringing people inside faster and more effectively addressing this humanitarian crisis. What I am not interested in is replacing one bureaucracy with another or rolling back the progress we have made linking arms with the City of Los Angeles.

I will continue to dig into the practical realities of what this proposal would mean for homeless service providers and the tens of thousands of people who depend on them and I look forward to seeing the report back we requested today.”

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