LOS ANGELES—With intense rain in the forecast, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) announced Jan. 31 it is opening additional shelters across the region to provide more space for unhoused people to escape the weather.
The Augmented Winter Shelter Program is activated during particularly cold or wet weather conditions. LAHSA’s normal Winter Shelter Program began Nov. 1 and will remain operational until March 31. That program offers shelter at a variety of fixed sites across the area.
The augmented program increases shelter space through the use of motel vouchers. People interested in taking advantage of the shelters can dial 211 or 800-548-6047.
“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,” LAHSA CEO Va Lecia Adams Kellum said in a statement. “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.”
According to the homeless services authority, more than 5,400 people took advantage of the augmented shelter program during the 2022-23 winter season, a 652 percent increase over the previous season.
