Margarita Williamson

LOS ANGELES, Calif. –Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents the 2nd District, released the following statement in response to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count results which showed a 1.2% increase in homelessness across the Los Angeles Continuum of Care compared to last year.

“Today’s numbers are a sobering reminder that cuts to funding and delays in proven solutions can quickly undermine the progress we’ve made in addressing homelessness. The reality is that for every person we house, two more fall into homelessness. Ending this crisis requires sustained collaboration and investment at every level of government.

The Point-in-Time Count provides an important snapshot—not the full picture—but one that must inform our response. That includes ensuring the County’s new Department for Homeless Services and Housing fulfills its mission to close gaps, strengthen accountability, and better coordinate efforts across city, county, and community partners. As I’ve said before, this department cannot afford to fail.

We must also acknowledge the factors driving this year’s results, including reductions to state rental assistance programs, the federal suspension of Continuum of Care funding, and rising housing and living costs that are pushing more families toward housing instability.

I want to be clear that these results are not a reflection of the thousands of outreach workers, case managers, faith leaders, and volunteers who work every day to help our unhoused family, friends and neighbors find stable housing. Their efforts have produced measurable progress, including through the County’s Pathway Home program, which is helping people living in RVs move into housing while removing unsafe encampments.

Now more than ever, we need our city, county, state, and federal partners to protect the investments that make housing, treatment, and homelessness prevention possible. My office remains committed to that work and to ensuring every Angeleno has the opportunity to find a safe place to call home.”

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion co-authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and Board Chair Hilda L. Solis authorizing the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) to begin executing contracts with community-based nonprofit health clinics necessary for implementing Measure ER – the voter-approved Essential Services Restoration Act. The Board action will help ensure the program launches on schedule in January 2027, expanding access to no-cost and reduced-cost health care for low-income and uninsured residents.

“Measure ER, approved by Los Angeles County voters, dedicates 45 percent of its revenue to community-based nonprofit clinics that provide essential health services to residents who would otherwise face significant barriers to accessing the care they need. Today’s action ensures we can move from voter approval to implementation without unnecessary delays,” said Supervisor Mitchell. “By investing in trusted community clinics and building this program with transparency, accountability, and equity at its core, we are strengthening our health care safety net for the residents who need it most.”

“Los Angeles County voters made a clear choice to strengthen our health care safety net, and now it’s our responsibility to turn that commitment into real access to care,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “This action helps ensure we can move quickly and thoughtfully to build the partnerships, systems, and accountability needed to deliver on the promise of Measure ER. As implementation moves forward, transparency and community collaboration must remain at the center of every decision so that families who have long faced face barriers to health care access see meaningful results.”

The motion establishes multiple safeguards to ensure public transparency and responsible stewardship of Measure ER funds, including:

• Advance notification to the Board of Supervisors before contracts are executed.
• Public presentations at the County’s Health and Mental Health Cluster meetings for major agreements.
• Ongoing stakeholder engagement throughout program design and implementation.
• Regular public reporting on contracts, expenditures, and performance through the County’s Safety Net Dashboard.

The motion also directs DHS to prioritize administrative efficiency by minimizing new infrastructure costs, maximizing funding for direct patient care, coordinating with existing Medi-Cal systems where appropriate, and ensuring continuity of care for participants.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell released the following statement in response to the latest updates on the shootings that took place in Compton on July 4 weekend claiming the lives of Eric Washington, Meah Bordenave-Jenkins, Thaddeus Clark and injuring others:

“I want to thank everyone who worked diligently to make today’s announcement of the arrest of the individual allegedly involved in the shooting of Meah Bordenave-Jenkins on July 4 in our Compton community possible. This is a welcome development in the effort to hold those responsible for these reckless and inexcusable acts of violence accountable.

While today’s announcement marks an important first step, my heart remains with all the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and the community whose lives have been forever changed by this senseless violence. If anyone has any information about the remaining victims, Eric Washington and Thaddeus Clark, and these tragic events, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477.

The County’s Office of Violence Prevention Crisis Response Team has been providing rapid support to those impacted, and we will continue to do so. The work ahead is about more than justice. It is about healing, and healing does not happen overnight. It requires a sustained commitment to supporting those who are grieving and helping rebuild the sense of safety every person deserves.”

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell to begin the process of ensuring that the voter-approved commitments to community investments and alternatives to incarceration established through Measure J, remain permanently protected in the County Charter as Los Angeles County implements its new governance structure.

The motion directs County Counsel to incorporate two key clarifications into the pending Charter amendment that would establish the County’s first Ethics Commission to ensure that Measure J continues uninterrupted:

• Relocating Measure J to a new section of the County Charter so that it is no longer subject to potential repeal in 2028 under Measure G.
• Explicitly requiring the elected County Executive, who will first take office in 2028, to comply with Measure J and prevent the County Executive from vetoing the voter-mandated Measure J funding allocation during the County budget process.

“Voters overwhelmingly established a lasting commitment to invest in communities and alternatives to incarceration, and that commitment should never have been put at risk by an administrative error. This motion safeguards our responsibility to uphold the will of the voters and preserve the investments residents across Los Angeles County rely on every day,” said Supervisor Mitchell.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who co-authored the motion, said, “Voters were clear, and the Board has consistently affirmed their decision: Measure J is law and belongs in our County Charter. This action honors the tireless advocacy of community members who have fought to protect these vital investments and advances our commitment to care-based systems of justice. Correcting this administrative oversight is essential to ensuring our Charter accurately reflects the law. Good governance means honoring the will of the voters, and building a County government people can trust.”

Approved by 57 percent of Los Angeles County voters in 2020, Measure J established a minimum allocation of unrestricted County General Fund revenues for direct community investment and alternatives to incarceration, advancing the County’s Care First, Jails Last vision.
Since its adoption, Measure J has supported significant annual investments in community-based programs and services that improve public health, expand opportunity, and strengthen neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County.

Megan Castillo, Advocacy and Organizing Director of the Reimagine LA Coalition, a network of community-based organizations and advocates that led efforts to pass Measure J in 2020, was among the many advocates and residents that provided public comment during today’s Board meeting.

Castillo shared “…I want to thank Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Lindsey Horvath for bringing this motion forward to protect community investment and honor the will of Los Angeles County voters. Measure J funds life-saving services that address the root causes of instability. These investments support housing, mental health care, violence prevention, youth programs, and reentry programs and for many families, these services are the difference between stability and falling into crisis. Supporting this motion will help to ensure that this county provides the stability that CBOs (Community Based Organizations) need to sustain and maintain programs – some of whom are present today. Without that certainty, organizations face layoffs, service reductions, or even close their doors. An administrative error should never override the clear intent of the voters…”

The motion builds on the Board’s May 19, 2026, direction to County Counsel to prepare a Charter amendment strengthening the independence of the County’s future Ethics Commission, as required by Measure G. Because that Charter amendment is already scheduled for the November 2026 ballot, today’s action directs County Counsel to include the additional protections for Measure J as part of the same proposal.

While today’s action marks an important step toward preserving Measure J, additional Board action is required before the Charter amendment can be placed before voters. The proposed amendment is scheduled to return to the Board on July 21, with final approval for placement on the November 2026 ballot required by July 28.

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