Los Angeles County Conducts Pathway Home Operation in Florence-Firestone and Florence-Graham

68 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness are indoors and on a pathway to permanent housing; 28 recreational vehicles were removed, and public access was restored.

Los Angeles County’s Pathway Home program brought 68 people experiencing homelessness off the streets of unincorporated areas of Florence-Firestone and Florence-Graham and into safe interim housing, where they will receive supportive services and other resources to help them transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing.

This latest Pathway Home operation in South LA, which also included the removal of 28 inoperable or unsafe RVs, continues the County’s emergency response to resolve encampments and return community areas to their intended use.

“My office has been working closely with the County’s Pathway Home program, particularly in unincorporated communities like Florence-Firestone, which has been disproportionately affected by the homelessness crisis. I commend all the departments and service providers involved. Helping over 65 individuals begin their journey to stable housing is a direct result of a shared focus on the essential outreach, services, and housing each person needs,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “Together, we must continue to urgently partner on what we know works to end homelessness: services and housing.”

The Firestone operation was LA County’s 26th Pathway Home encampment resolution since the inception of the program in August 2023. More than 900 Los Angeles County residents have been brought indoors through Pathway Home, and nearly 600 recreational vehicles used in homeless encampments have been taken off the streets.

“Pathway Home remains LA County’s most effective way to resolve encampments and bring people indoors,” said Cheri Todoroff, executive director of the LA County Homeless Initiative. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our county staff, the collaboration with our many partners, and assistance from our local cities and communities, we continue to provide safety, resources and housing stability for our residents.”

The LA County Homeless Initiative collaborated with the Office of Supervisor Mitchell to conduct the Pathway Home operation that began Nov. 20, 2024, and concluded on Nov. 22, 2024.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the nonprofit service provider The People Concern (TPC) were essential to bringing unsheltered people indoors. They built trusting relationships with residents by providing engagement and support during their unhoused experience, and TPC will continue to work with them at the motel operating as an interim housing location.

The Los Angeles County departments of Mental Health, Health Services, Sheriff’s, Public Works, and Fire were critical partners in the operation, which also resulted in the removal of trash and returned streets and sidewalks to normal public access.

“Pathway Home is a clear example of how collaborative efforts can provide real solutions to homelessness without resorting to criminalization,” said John Maceri, CEO of The People Concern. “By working together with LA County and our partners, we can offer housing and supportive services that address the root causes of homelessness. This compassionate approach helps individuals transition from the streets to permanent housing.”

Pathway Home is a Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative-led encampment resolution program that is a critical component of the County’s comprehensive response to the local emergency on homelessness adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2023. By leveraging emergency powers and partnerships with local jurisdictions, Pathway Home is a full-circle solution that brings people off the streets, into immediately available interim housing accompanied by a comprehensive suite of supportive services, and, ultimately, into safe, permanent homes.