Homelessness Prevention Program Notes
The Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its Homelessness Prevention Program. A key component is the development of a Housing Stability Plan, where managers collaborate with participants to detail necessary services, actions, and referrals. Diversion efforts are utilized to assist households in avoiding homelessness through guided conversations and minimal financial aid, without requiring enrollment in official programs.
Demographically, from 2012 to 2018, prevention programs saw roughly equal enrollment of families and single adults. Single adults average an age of 50, with nearly 40% over 55, predominantly male (69%), and in FY 2017, 61% were Black and 17% Latinx. Families are led by heads of household averaging 37 years old, 71% female, with an average of 2.4 children per household; in FY 2017, 52% were Black and 40% Latinx. The racial makeup of enrollees shows 42% Latinx, compared to 30% in all homeless services in Los Angeles County, with White enrollees at a lower proportion in prevention (8%) than the overall population (19%), and Black enrollees nearly the same (47% vs. 46%).
Indicators of housing instability include earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), rent exceeding 40% of income, outstanding debt over , and a history of eviction. Service delivery involves eligibility screening, service determination, and service provision. The average enrollment duration for families is 3.5 months, with 15% staying enrolled for 6+ months, averaging 8.4 months for this extended group. LAHSA measures participant success by ensuring they do not enter crisis housing within six months of program exit.
Challenges include the potential inapplicability of prior prevention research to Los Angeles due to external validity concerns, insufficient current funding for high-risk populations, and service providers running out of funds due to participants needing additional financial services. It is recommended that the Prevention Targeting Tool (PTT) be consistently administered, regardless of enrollment status, to examine risk factors and determine "hit" and "miss" rates for improved prevention services. Furthermore, documentation of nonfinancial services should be required, with these interventions tracked in the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS).