Los Angeles faces a significant homelessness crisis, and addressing it requires multifaceted strategies. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) plays a crucial role in providing various programs aimed at offering stable housing solutions. Among these, the program formerly known as the Shelter Plus Care Program, now operating under the Continuum of Care Program, stands out as a vital resource for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and needing supportive services. This program is designed to provide permanent supportive housing, a long-term solution that combines rental assistance with essential support services to help vulnerable populations regain stability and well-being.
What is the Continuum of Care Program (Formerly Shelter Plus Care)?
The Shelter Plus Care Program, currently known as the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, is a federally funded initiative born from the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Its core mission is to provide permanent housing and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness who also live with disabilities. These disabilities often include mental illness, substance use disorders, and HIV/AIDS. The program recognizes that simply providing housing isn’t enough for those facing complex challenges; sustained support is crucial for long-term stability.
HACLA has been a dedicated participant in the CoC program, formerly Shelter Plus Care Program Los Angeles, since 1992. This long-standing involvement demonstrates their commitment to addressing chronic homelessness in the city. Currently, HACLA manages a substantial allocation of 4,240 units under the Continuum of Care program, working in partnership with 22 local agencies. These partnerships are essential as they bring together housing resources with the necessary supportive services expertise.
Program Components: Tenant-Based, Sponsor-Based, and Project-Based Assistance
The Continuum of Care program in Los Angeles, stemming from the original shelter plus care program los angeles framework, offers flexibility through different types of rental assistance:
- Tenant-Based Assistance (TRA): This form of assistance is attached to the individual or family, allowing them to choose housing in the private rental market. The voucher moves with the tenant if they relocate, offering maximum flexibility.
- Sponsor-Based Assistance (SRA): In this model, the rental assistance is tied to a sponsoring organization, which then provides housing and supportive services to eligible individuals.
- Project-Based Assistance (PBA): Project-based assistance is linked to a specific housing project. This is often used for developing new permanent supportive housing units, ensuring a dedicated stream of rental assistance for the project. HACLA’s Permanent Supportive Housing Project-Based Voucher (PSHP PBV) program is a prime example of this, although distinct from CoC, it shares the goal of creating permanent supportive housing.
How the Continuum of Care Program Works in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, the Continuum of Care Program, building upon the foundations of the shelter plus care program los angeles, is implemented as part of a broader network of homeless services. HACLA collaborates closely with the City of Los Angeles Housing + Community Investment Department and the Los Angeles County Health Departments as part of the Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSHP). This collaborative approach ensures a coordinated effort to address homelessness, leveraging resources and expertise across different agencies.
While the Continuum of Care Program focuses on chronically homeless individuals with disabilities, HACLA manages a range of other initiatives that complement and broaden the reach of homeless assistance in Los Angeles. These include:
- HUD-VASH Program: Providing housing vouchers and support services specifically for homeless veterans in partnership with the VA.
- Project-Based Voucher Program: Developing new permanent supportive housing through project-based rental assistance, often targeting specific vulnerable populations.
- Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program: Offering rapid housing assistance to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, particularly those fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking.
- Stability Vouchers: Providing flexible housing vouchers to assist individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, offering a pathway to housing stability.
These programs, alongside the Continuum of Care, form a comprehensive strategy to combat homelessness in Los Angeles, with the shelter plus care program los angeles (Continuum of Care) playing a critical role in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable individuals.
Impact and Success of Shelter Plus Care/Continuum of Care in LA
The impact of the Continuum of Care Program, evolving from the shelter plus care program los angeles, is significant in Los Angeles. With 4,240 units currently allocated, it provides a substantial housing safety net for chronically homeless individuals with disabilities. Beyond the numbers, the program’s success is reflected in initiatives like the “Moving On” program. This innovative approach allows residents of the Continuum of Care program who have stabilized their lives to transition to the Housing Choice Voucher program. This not only provides them with greater independence but also frees up high-need supportive housing units for others in chronic homelessness. Over 500 individuals have successfully transitioned through the “Moving On” program, demonstrating the long-term positive outcomes of permanent supportive housing.
Furthermore, the Continuum of Care Program aligns with broader city and county initiatives like “Home For Good,” L.A.’s plan to end veteran and chronic homelessness. By participating in the Home For Good Funders Collaborative and Coordinated Entry System (CES), HACLA ensures that the Continuum of Care program is integrated into a larger, coordinated effort to maximize impact and efficiently allocate resources to those most in need.
| Program | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Homeless Program | 4,111 |
| Tenant Based Supportive Housing Program | 800 |
| Permanent Supportive Housing PBV Program | 10,321 |
| Homeless Veterans Initiative | 500 |
| HUD-VASH Program | 4,865 |
| Continuum of Care | 4,240 |
| Moderate Rehabilitation SRO Program | 974 |
| Emergency Housing Voucher Program | 3,365 |
| Stability Vouchers | 377 |
| Total | 29,553 |
Conclusion
The Continuum of Care Program, rooted in the legacy of the shelter plus care program los angeles, remains a cornerstone of HACLA’s efforts to combat chronic homelessness. By providing permanent housing coupled with essential supportive services, this program offers a pathway to stability, health, and well-being for some of Los Angeles’s most vulnerable residents. As part of a larger network of homeless initiatives and collaborative partnerships, the Continuum of Care program is essential to making meaningful progress in addressing the complex challenge of homelessness in Los Angeles.
(Note: For more information about these programs and other initiatives, please visit the HACLA website.)
