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The majority of the 2021-2022 winter shelters have begun operations across Los Angeles County. The Winter Shelter Program provides a warm place to sleep, food, and access to supportive services and housing assistance to the homeless.
There are 315 beds at 11 sites so those who are homelessness can escape winter weather. throughout the city and county of Los Angeles open for 24-hours, 7 days a week, and will remain open until Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
For the past two years or so, due to COVID-19, the sites have been operating 24 hours a day, serving three meals a day, and welcoming pets and emotional support animals. Each person is allowed two bags.
LAHSA’s most recent homeless count, in 2020, found that there were 66,436 homeless people in the county.
The County of Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles provide LAHSA with funding to run the Winter Shelter Program. LAHSA contracts with nonprofits to the operate emergency shelters. The Winter Shelter Program is operated yearly during the coldest and wettest months. The shelters offer overnight shelter, meals and help connecting to supportive services and stable housing.
When the weather is especially cold and rainy, an additional 67 beds at two sites in the event that at least one of the following conditions are met:
Daytime temperature highs below 50 degrees for two consecutive days;
Nighttime temps are below 40 degrees;
Heavy rain for one or more consecutive days.
LAHSA recommends that people choose a site, call to check availability, pack their bags and then seek transportation.
More information and a list of participating shelters can also be found at LAHSA website. A complete listing of shelters with their specific start and end dates, and pick-up points is available on LAHSA’s website , or by calling the Winter Shelter hot line at (800) 548-6047.The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.