Joint Los Angeles Housing Department and Community Investment for Families Department report relative to the transfer of the United to House LA (ULA) Income Support for Rent-Burdened At-Risk Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Program; and related matters.

This report recommends transferring the administration of the United to House LA (ULA) Income Support Program (ISP) from the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) to the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD). This strategic move aims to leverage CIFD's existing expertise in cash assistance and homelessness prevention, establishing a more permanent and integrated infrastructure for the program.

Emergency Income Support Program (ISP) Details:

• Purpose: To provide emergency income support to very low-income, rent-burdened seniors and persons with disabilities who have been impacted by recent local emergencies, specifically the January 2025 wildfires.
• Funding: An initial $15,818,888 (including administrative costs) from the FY 2024-25 ULA Expenditure Plan is available for immediate use, with an additional $45,315,212 earmarked for future rounds. Approximately $13,694,191 is allocated for direct disbursement in this emergency round.
• Reach: The emergency round is expected to serve approximately 1,000 eligible households.
• Benefit: Participants will receive a one-time lump sum payment equivalent to six months of Fair Market Rent (FMR), with a maximum of $19,000 for larger households.
• Prioritization: Households will be prioritized if they were impacted by recent local emergencies, have a gross income at or below 30% Area Median Income (AMI), reside in a Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) unit, and are severely rent-burdened (paying over 50% of their income on rent).

Administrative & Implementation Changes:

• Transfer: CIFD will assume full management and distribution of ULA funds for this program, including establishing a Special Bank Account for public assistance benefits.
• Administrative Costs: $1,029,024 is appropriated for CIFD's administrative expenses, covering salaries, overtime, printing, contractual services, transportation, and office administration.
• Key Contracts (March 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027):
  • FamilySource Centers (FSCs): Eight FSCs will receive $120,000 each (total $960,000) to conduct community outreach, assist with program applications, and provide public benefits consultations.
  • FORWARD (Geocko, Inc.): A sole source contract for $463,500 will be executed with FORWARD to design and administer a centralized application portal, review applicant eligibility, and enroll participants.
• Future Procurements: CIFD will issue Requests For Proposals (RFPs) for a long-term technology vendor, additional Community-Based Organizations for outreach, and a Legal Services Provider for ongoing public benefits counseling.
• System Extension: The procurement of the FamilySource system will be extended through June 30, 2027, to facilitate the consolidation of several departments into the new Community Investment Department (CID) and ensure system integration.

Context & Previous Efforts:

• The Interim ULA ISP (completed June 2025) previously distributed nearly $10 million to 494 households, with an average payment of $20,000 per household.
• A geographic needs assessment indicated that while Central and South Los Angeles have high concentrations of target households, the interim program disproportionately served Council Districts 4, 5, and 11, while underserving Districts 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, and 15. Future outreach efforts will be adjusted to target high-need areas more effectively.
• The report also formally notes and files the California State University, Northridge report, "Homelessness Prevention in Los Angeles: Environmental Scan and Business Plan," which outlines ten recommendations for a unified homelessness prevention system.