Scaling Up the Resources
Service Commitments
Scaling Up Initiative Area: Service Commitments
Indicators of Community Progress Toward the Goal
GOAL
Secure as many new subsidies, subsidized units, and service commitments as needed to meet the defined goal.
INDICATORS
AlignmentThe countywide strategies define a service resources goals based on both the PSH unit goal and an analysis of population needs. 
FunctionalityProviders seamlessly access local and countywide service resources to pair with housing. 
SustainabilityPublic and private funders have committed resources to provide services for identified population needs.STATUS THROUGH 2018
In FY 2017–2018, DHS set a goal of linking 2,500 people with PSH using both federal and local rental subsidies accompanied by supportive services. This goal was surpassed.In FY 2018–2019, DHS set a goal of linking 2,950 people with PSH using both federal and local rental subsidies accompanied by supportive services. That goal was surpassed.
Rapid Progress Many service providers faced significant capacity-related barriers to their ability to provide supportive services related to the increase in funding under County Homeless Initiative strategy D7.Service providers reported experiencing high numbers of job vacancies and staff turnovers and struggled to find qualified candidates to fill them.Public agencies have engaged in several recruitment and hiring efforts to support service providers.
Suitable Progress LAHSA and the Home For Good Funders Collaborative jointly issued an RFP to support building providers’ capacity.Rapid ProgressRECOMMENDATIONS
County leaders and community stakeholders need to engage in planning efforts to sustain the State’s Medicaid resources beyond the end of the current waiver, which is set to expire in December 2020. Currently, these funds are being matched with Measure H dollars to fund supportive services. Identify ways to support service providers in retaining staff and minimizing staff turnover while also supporting staff well-being. This may involve acquiring and analyzing countywide data on staff turnover across service providers and convening staff at different levels to identify how they do and do not feel supported to undertake their roles. Public agencies and philanthropic partners should continue to provide flexible funding to service providers as they continue to grow their organizations and serve more high acuity clients.
Indicators of the Foundation’s Contribution to Community Progress
2018: Strong ImpactDirect EngagementFoundation staff leverages influence through the Funders Collaborative to shape collective program investments 2018: Strong ImpactGrant Making PortfolioThe Funders Collaborative aligns with community funding strategies
Opportunities for Los Angeles
Community Opportunity: A state Medicaid waiver provides a significant amount of funding to Los Angeles County through the Whole Person Care pilot. One stakeholder estimated that funding related to the Whole Person Care pilot contributes at least $50 million a year for DHS programs related to housing and homelessness.
What to Monitor Next Year
- How are homeless service providers addressing their capacity concerns? How are funders supporting homeless service providers as they address their capacity concerns?
- What strategies is the Country exploring to preserve the Medicaid Waiver Whole Person Care funding that ends in 2020?
