LAHSA is excited to announce the new Los Angeles Housing Assessment Tool (LA HAT) for Adults, which will eventually replace the use of the VI-SPDAT or CES Survey for Adults. View the full PowerPoint presentation here.
History
This tool was developed by the CES Triage Tool Research and Refinement project, at the prompting of the Ad Hoc Committee of Black People Experiencing Homelessness via their final report, available here. The goal of CESTTRR and this new assessment tool is to promote more equitable housing outcomes for adults in the Coordinated Entry System (CES) who are in similar situations. More information on the research that went into developing this new tool can be found in the full report.
Use of the Tool in Connecting to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
The new tool is already approved to be used for connection to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) resources by the CES Policy Council. LAHSA knows that many people have already been assessed using the VI-SPDAT/CES Survey. Therefore, in line with recommendati ons from CESTTRR, scores from the VI-SPDAT/CES Surveys for Adults continue to be valid for connection to PSH. Participants in the system do not need to be reassessed, though they can be if requested by a participant or if a significant life change has occurred. Please keep in mind that only the most recent score is considered for PSH opportunities. More information on the use of scores can be found in the CES Permanent Supportive Housing Prioritization and Matching Guidance, available here. This guidance may be updated overtime as we refine the implementation of the new tool.
LA HAT Training
In January 2025, Training on the LA HAT launched via in person and virtual trainings sessions provided by A.C.T.I.O.N to Healing. LAHSA continues to increase the number of available training seats as the LAHSA training team has been brought on board. Case Managers can sign up for training individually on LAHSA’s Centralized Training Academy (CTA). LAHSA will be coordinating with LA County Departments of Mental Health and Health Services (DMH and DHS) and some of the larger providers within the CES to offer more targeted and localized training in the coming weeks. Those working to provide housing focused case management in unsheltered, interim housing, and housing navigation type programs (as outlined in the CES Assessment Guidance) can sign up for in person training sessions here and virtual training sessions here.
If you’ve previously signed up for a training session, you may notice that LAHSA has revamped the way registration appears on the Centralized Training Academy (CTA). This change is to support LAHSA in more easily connecting trainees to the next available session. LAHSA continues to track the dates you’ve already registered for, even if the session no longer appears available on CTA.
Additional Training Opportunities
While case managers are encouraged to attend training on the LA HAT as soon as possible, LAHSA recognizes that it has been difficult to obtain enrollment in the LA HAT training thus far. In order to support case managers who were not previously trained in the VI-SPDAT and who have not yet been trained in the LA HAT, LAHSA will be uploading a virtual on-demand training about how to administer the VI-SPDAT very soon and will inform providers when it is available.
LAHSA is also developing a brief informational webinar on the LA HAT for program management and leadership, as we know that there is interest and benefit for all levels of an organization in understanding the new tool.
Quick Links
- LA HAT Training:
- LA HAT FAQ
- Submit tickets for inquiries and support about:
- HMIS data entry to HMIS Support
- Implementation, access, and training to LA HAT Support