FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christopher Yee, cyee@lahsa.org
The City and County of Los Angeles have activated the Augmented Winter Shelter Program to provide additional shelter options for people living on the streets. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority oversees and operates the Winter Shelter Program.
The City’s Augmented Winter Shelter Program will run from Tuesday, January 30, through Tuesday, February 6.
In addition to traditional shelters at fixed sites in the City and County of Los Angeles, the Augmented Winter Shelter Program provides additional interim housing options to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness during activation periods, typically during inclement or severe weather, via motel vouchers.
If you are experiencing unsheltered homelessness and are interested in obtaining a motel bed, please call 211.
“The Los Angeles region has been cold recently, but the addition of rain this week could make conditions especially dangerous for anyone living on the streets,” said LAHSA CEO Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum. “Thanks to the support of our partners at the City and County, LAHSA is glad to offer this resource to keep people safe and dry during storms like we expect this week.”
The innovative Augmented Winter Shelter Program model of using motel vouchers began in the 2022-23 winter season. Last season, 5,402 people utilized the Augmented Winter Shelter Program, which represented a 652% increase over the 2021-22 season.
The 2023-24 Winter Shelter Program began on November 1, 2023, and ends on March 31, 2024. Individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness and who are seeking shelter during the winter season can contact 2-1-1 LA County (dial 2-1-1) or 1-800-548-6047 to find out about available interim housing resources.
LAHSA is a joint powers authority of the City and County of Los Angeles, created in 1993 to address the problem of homelessness in Los Angeles County. LAHSA is the lead agency in the HUD-funded Los Angeles Continuum of Care and coordinates federal, state, county, and city funds for programs providing shelter, housing, and services to people experiencing homelessness.