LAHSA accomplishes its work by supporting various programs through the Los Angeles Continuum of Care. Below you will find information describing the role of the Continuum and these programs.

Continuum of Care is a term that serves dual purposes in the arena of homeless service delivery:

• Service Delivery System – A Continuum of Care is an integrated system of care that guides and tracks homeless individuals and families through a comprehensive array of housing and services designed to prevent and end homelessness. 

• Jurisdictional Body – A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional or local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals. 

Permanent Supportive Housing is an intensive model of housing and services which provides comprehensive supportive services for people who are chronically homeless and/or who are challenged with disabilities or other substantial barriers to housing stability.

Transitional Housing facilitates the movement of homeless individuals and families to permanent housing within twenty-four (24) months. Services provided in transitional housing must promote residential stability and increased skill level or income in order to prepare homeless persons to live more independently.

Overnight Shelters (Year Round Shelter and Winter Shelter) provide overnight shelter, two meals (breakfast and dinner) and case management services to homeless persons. Shelter is provided free of charge. Providers make case management services available to all clients and clients are strongly encouraged to participate in case management services. 

Although there is no predetermined set time limit on residence in the Year Round program, providers are encouraged to utilize a ninety (90) day time frame in which to place clients into appropriate long-term housing. 

Year Round Shelters provide overnight shelter, two meals (breakfast and dinner) and case management services to homeless persons throughout the year. Shelter is provided free of charge. Providers make case management services available to all clients and clients are strongly encouraged to participate in case management services. Although there is no predetermined set time limit on residence in the Year Round Program, providers are encouraged to utilize a ninety (90) day time frame in which to place clients into appropriate long-term housing. Providers may also design programs and shelter rules which set a maximum time limit on a client’s stay in the program as well as mandate participation in case management as a condition of staying in the program. The ultimate goal of the program is to enable clients to move into long-term housing programs including permanent housing. 

Winter Shelters provide overnight mass shelter, two meals (breakfast and dinner) and limited case management services to homeless persons during the winter. The program operates for 105 days, from December 1 to March 15 of the following year. The goal of the program is to provide shelter and basic services to homeless persons during the most inclement weather. 

Emergency Shelters provide services designed to facilitate homeless individuals' and families' transition from sleeping in places not meant for human habitation to appropriate housing. Shelter is provided free of charge for a maximum of ninety (90) days; shelters are operated on a 24-hour basis. On a case-by-case basis, clients may remain for longer than ninety days if they require a longer period to accomplish a specific goal.

Prevention Programs provide services to persons who are at risk of becoming homeless. Services may include crisis prevention, case management, payment of rent to prevent eviction, provision of permanent housing, provision of emergency housing or hotel/motel vouchers, etc.

Safe Havens are supportive housing in which a structure, or a clearly identifiable portion of a structure, meets the following criteria: (1) serves hard to-reach homeless persons who have severe mental illness, are on the streets, and have been unable or unwilling to participate in supportive services; (2) provides 24-hour residence for an unspecified duration; (3) provides private or semiprivate accommodations; (4) has overnight occupancy limited to 25 persons. 

A safe haven may also provide supportive services to eligible persons who are not residents on a drop-in basis. Safe havens shall not require participation in services and referrals as a condition of occupancy. Instead, staff works to provide a period of stabilization for their clients. This period assists clients to be able to voluntarily participate in services and referrals and eventually transition to more traditional forms of housing.

Permanent Housing for Persons with Disabilities This type of permanent housing is long-term and commonly community-based with supportive services designed to enable homeless persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in a permanent setting. Permanent housing can be provided in one structure or several structures at one site or in multiple structures at scattered sites.

Outreach workers and programs contact homeless clients in the field (e.g. the streets, in subways, under bridges, and in parks). Workers offer food, blankets, and other necessities. They assess needs and attempt to engage clients in services. They offer medical, mental health and/or substance abuse services. Generally, they offer other assistance on a regular basis to improve clients’ health, mental health, or social functioning or to increase their use of human services and resources, such as housing. Services may be provided during the day or at night.

Supportive Services Only These projects provide services designed to address the special needs of homeless persons. Projects are classified as this component only if the project sponsor is not also providing housing to the same persons receiving the services. SSO projects may have one or more structures at a central site or at scattered sites where services are delivered; or services may be delivered independent of a structure, such as street outreach. Examples of SSO projects include: medical services; childcare; employment programs; mental health services; substance abuse treatment, etc.

Access Centers and Drop-in Centers provide access to, or refer homeless persons to a range of services including shelter, medical and mental health services, crisis counseling, long-term case management, public benefits advocacy, mail/message pick-up, chemical dependency counseling and family services.