Dear Community Partners, 

It’s been an exciting few weeks in our transition to launch the County’s first department on homelessness, the LA County Department of Homeless Services and Housing (HSH). I am reaching out with a few important announcements, including an upcoming opportunity for you to hear updates and share questions and feedback related to the new department.  

First, as HSH begins to form, community partnerships are critical to successfully design, implement, and improve its performance. Together with our partners at Change Well, we are hosting a virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, July 22 at 12:00 p.m. Please join us to hear more about the vision for the new department, how to engage in the planning effort to prepare for this new department, and to share your thoughts and questions. RSVP here.

These are just the first of many town hall meetings to take place over the coming months! We will continue to share upcoming meetings where HSH will be discussed with you via email and post them on the new department website. You can also share comments, questions, and feedback anytime through this Microsoft Form.  

Second, I am excited to share that Leepi Shimkhada has been named Interim Director of Housing for Health. With more than two decades of experience in direct services, community organizing, systems change and program leadership, Leepi has led many of Housing for Health’s most impactful programs, including the Intensive Case Management Services model. She has worked closely with many of you over the years and continues to build strong collaborations with partners such as housing developers, nonprofit partners, public agency leaders and elected offices. In this role, Leepi will work closely with the Housing for Health and CEO-Homeless Initiative teams as we continue this transition. Cheri Todoroff will continue to serve as the Executive Director of the Homeless Initiative. We’re grateful to both Leepi and Cheri for their leadership at this pivotal moment for homeless services in LA County. 

Thank you for your partnership!  

Sarah