Homeless service providers across Los Angeles implement the majority of programs that compose the homeless service system, including conducting street outreach, administering client assessments, managing access centers, operating shelter and housing programs, and providing supportive services. With the infusion of new funding resources and continued work on systems change, homeless service providers face capacity challenges—many of which were present before, but were less evident before the added demands of system change and dramatic expansion of resources. At the request of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Abt Associates examined the capacity challenges of homeless service providers across Los Angeles County and efforts underway within the community to build capacity.
To support this report, the Abt evaluation team interviewed representatives from homeless service providers, public agencies, philanthropic funders, and community organizations to identify and analyze the most pressing capacity-related issues facing Los Angeles County’s homeless service system. This report, part of a larger Abt evaluation of the Hilton Foundation’s Chronic Homelessness Initiative, describes capacity challenges at both homeless service providers and public agencies, steps taken in the community to address those challenges, and considerations for the future as the system continues to grow.