The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is facing layoffs that will impact 11 of its employees, a confirmation provided by Ahmad Chapman, the agency’s director of communications.
Presently, LAHSA has a workforce of over 750 staff members.
However, details regarding the job titles of the affected employees have not been disclosed in order to respect their privacy.
Chapman mentioned that the layoffs are a direct consequence of budget deficits from the previous year, rather than current financial situations.
In April, a significant decision was made by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to redirect hundreds of millions of dollars away from LAHSA to establish a new homeless services agency.
This reallocation of funds is substantial, as it represented about 40 percent of LAHSA’s annual budget in the previous year.
To mitigate the impact of these layoffs, Keisha Douglas, LAHSA’s deputy chief talent officer, issued a company-wide email on May 21 encouraging employees to consider voluntary separation from the agency.
This email was leaked to L.A. TACO by a source who claims to have previously worked for LAHSA.
In her communication, Douglas advised staff to evaluate if voluntary separation is a feasible option based on their career aspirations, retirement plans, or future employment changes within the year.
Chapman stated that the decision to send out this email is in line with LAHSA’s Memorandum of Understanding with its union, which necessitates such notifications in the event of layoffs.
He assured that LAHSA is working closely with the 11 staff who received layoff notices, attempting to find them suitable roles within the organization.
Nevertheless, to adhere to the MOU, LAHSA had to offer the option for voluntary separations should the internal placements not materialize.
David Green, the president and executive director of SEIU 721, the union representing LAHSA employees, confirmed that the notice regarding voluntary separations complies with their union contract.
Green expressed that while the union recognizes the necessity of considering budget constraints, they are dedicated to defending their members against the ramifications of the layoffs.
In her email, Douglas outlined the necessity for LAHSA to reduce staffing as a response to organizational and budgetary adjustments.
Employees who opt for voluntary separation would receive a cash amount for any unused vacation time in line with LAHSA policy and may choose to maintain health benefits through COBRA, albeit at their own expense, as permitted by law.
Douglas emphasized LAHSA’s commitment to preserving as many positions as possible to decrease the number of employees affected by the layoffs.
She noted that notifying all staff about the prevailing circumstances allows each employee the opportunity to decide whether voluntary separation aligns with their immediate career or retirement goals.
In the event that the number of employees choosing voluntary separation does not reach a satisfactory level within 15 days, Douglas warned that LAHSA would have to move forward with layoffs effective June 30, 2025, as previously communicated to those affected.
She clarified that layoffs would follow a reverse-seniority protocol, impacting employees with the least tenure first.
However, Douglas also mentioned that LAHSA holds the power to exempt certain employees from layoffs to retain those with specialized skills or expertise essential to the agency’s ongoing operations.
Acknowledging the uncertainty that these developments create, Douglas assured employees that LAHSA is committed to managing this process with fairness, transparency, and compassion throughout.
The situation at LAHSA highlights the ongoing challenges faced by organizations providing crucial services amidst financial strains and shifting funding priorities.
image source from：https://lataco.com/lahsa-layoffs
