By Stephen Witt
The uncertainty over which government agency will try to stem homelessness and control nearly $1 billion in funding continued this week after the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Commission voted on Friday to appoint Gita O’Neill as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective August 26.
O’Neill brings over two decades of executive-level experience from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. This includes being the City Attorney’s first Director of Homeless Policies and Strategies, where she she played a key role in developing “A Bridge Home,” Los Angeles’s first citywide shelter system.
“I am honored to step into the role of Interim CEO for LAHSA at such a critical juncture,” O’Neill said. “The challenge of homelessness in our community is immense, and the system is undergoing significant changes. Increasing trust in LAHSA hinges on our ongoing commitment to transparency, particularly in LAHSA’s core function of contracting.
O’Neill said she is committed to working collaboratively with the LAHSA team, and the Joint Powers Authority (JPA).
The City and County of Los Angeles created the JPA in 1993, allowing governmental organizations and multiple agencies to address shared needs. Regarding homelessness, LAHSA is the lead agency for the Los Angeles Continuum of Care (CoC), a regional body coordinating housing and services for homeless individuals.
CoC is a collaborative effort to address homelessness in the County, excluding Glendale, Long Beach, and Pasadena. It’s a federal initiative managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with LAHSA serving as the collaborative applicant.
In her role as Interim CEO, O’Neill will oversee LAHSA’s daily operations, work collaboratively with its government partners, service providers, and community stakeholders, and advance the agency’s mission to coordinate and implement homelessness services across Los Angeles County.
O’Neill’s appointment comes about three weeks after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors appointed Sarah Mahin as the first director of the new Department of Homeless Services and Housing (DHSH).
It also comes after the County Board of Supervisors earlier this year decided to shift funding away from the LAHSA and establish the DHSH. In Fiscal Year 2024-25, the LAHSA had a budget of approximately $914.8 million.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said O’Neill brings deep expertise and leadership during a difficult transitional period for LAHSA as the County pulls its funding from the agency and the federal government continues to act with uncertainty.
“Even amid these headwinds, we’ve achieved a 17.5% reduction in street homelessness through unprecedented collaboration. We will not slow down—our commitment to saving lives and restoring communities remains as urgent and unwavering as ever,” said Bass.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger also praised O’Neill’s appointment.
“LAHSA’s new executive director will play a critical role in our region’s fight against homelessness,” said Barger. “This appointment comes at a pivotal moment as L.A. County launches its new homelessness department, and I am confident that close coordination between our agencies will drive meaningful progress. Together, we can align resources, strengthen collaboration, and deliver the results our communities deserve.”
