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As 2025 draws to a close, so does the more-than-decade-long chapter of Housing for Health. HFH will soon become part of LA County’s new Department of Homeless Services and Housing, also known as HSH. We are taking this moment to express our profound gratitude to all of our partners and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to help deliver and expand upon our ever-evolving housing and services programming over the years.
Housing for Health was formally established in 2012 as a division of DHS with the mission of prioritizing supportive-housing and recuperative care efforts to help reduce high cost health care utilization among people impacted by homelessness. From the beginning, our philosophy has been “housing first”—the belief that stable housing is the foundation for recovery, wellbeing, and long-term stability. Our “whole person” model has guided this work, pairing permanent housing with intensive supportive services and clinical care.
Over the last 13 years, this model has proven its value from both human and fiscal perspectives. Tens of thousands of participants have obtained permanent housing and gained a more stable platform for recovery, treatment, and improved quality of life. Meanwhile, significant reductions in emergency-room visits, inpatient stays, and outpatient utilization have resulted in meaningful cost savings for our public health system. Our continued funding and growth for well over a decade has stood as a testament to the strength and success of the “whole person” approach.
Because of this track record, LA County has entrusted HFH to serve as a blueprint for the new countywide department. As we move into 2026 as HSH, we will carry forward our mission while also finding efficiencies, adapting to new structures, and shaping our identity at the departmental level.
While we are incredibly excited and optimistic about the road ahead, we also recognize that this transition will bring changes, challenges, and uncertainties. We are committed to working with our partners to navigate this period in the most transparent, informative, and supportive way possible. We sincerely look forward to continuing our work together in the new year.
Thank you all, and Happy Holidays from HFH!
P.S.
Regarding The Focus, we will continue our bi-monthly releases under our new HSH branding beginning in January—stay tuned!
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