Housing for Health: A Collaborative Approach to Addressing Homelessness in Los Angeles

AIA|LA City Leaders Breakfast Reception w/ Elizabeth (Libby) Boyce, L.C.S.W. – Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative & Leepi Shimkhada – Deputy Director, Housing for Health, Department of Health Services (DHS), County of Los Angeles

2024 City Leaders Breakfast Series Presented By: Gannett Fleming

The 2024 AIA|LA City Leaders Breakfast Series allows architects & designers and other community stakeholders to meet directly with key individuals transforming Los Angeles in a roundtable setting to discuss innovative ideas to ensure a healthy, sustainable, and economically competitive future.

Housing for Health: A Collaborative Approach to Addressing Homelessness in Los Angeles

Image Credit:  Safe Landing, a 5-building campus built on County-owned property in South Los Angeles.  Architect:  KFA Architecture

Featured Speakers: Leepi Shimkhada and Elizabeth (Libby) Boyce, Housing for Health, Department of Health Services (DHS), County of Los Angeles

Overview: This lunchtime roundtable discussion will delve into the innovative strategies and collaborative efforts implemented by Housing for Health (HFH) to address homelessness in Los Angeles County. Leepi Shimkhada and Libby Boyce, both key leaders within HFH, will share their expertise and insights on the program’s successful initiatives.

Objectives:

+ Highlight the importance of a health-centered approach to addressing homelessness.
+ Discuss the role of collaborative partnerships in driving effective solutions.
+ Explore the innovative programs and services offered by HFH.
+ Examine the impact of HFH’s initiatives on improving health outcomes and reducing homelessness.
+ Foster discussion and collaboration among attendees to address the ongoing challenges of homelessness in the region.

This roundtable discussion will provide valuable insights into the complexities of homelessness and the promising work being done to address this critical issue in Los Angeles.

Featured Speakers:

Elizabeth (Libby) Boyce, L.C.S.W. – Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative

In 1989, Libby Boyce received her MSW from Southern CT State University. From 1987-1996 Libby Boyce worked as a medical social worker for people living with HIV/AIDS. She provided these direct services at Yale New Haven Hospital, in New Haven Connecticut, Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and LA County+USC Medical Center in Los Angeles. In 1996, Libby transferred to an administrative position at the LA County Office of AIDS Programs and Policy and oversaw the Social Services and Mental Health Units until 2004.

In 2004, Libby transitioned into a newly implemented position, as the Homeless Services Coordinator for Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS). In this position, Libby was responsible for improving the healthcare care provided to LA County’s homeless residents. Libby achieved many enhancements to LA County’s homeless services delivery systems including recuperative care, permanent housing with services, and a benefits entitlement program. In addition, Libby added many services and advocacy measures to the few resources that were available for homeless individuals in 2004.

In July, 2010 Libby transitioned to the job of Homeless Coordinator for the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office (CEO). In this role, Libby kept the Board of Supervisors and County departments abreast of homeless-related policy, planning and programmatic issues that impact the County. In this role, Libby helped develop and launch the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s (LAHSA) led Homeless Family Solution System as well as many other priority projects.

From 2014 through October 2024, Libby Boyce was the Deputy Director at Housing for Health (HFH) a program within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS). In her role, she is responsible for 115+ multidisciplinary street-based engagement teams, 3,000 interim housing beds, and 1,200 enriched residential care slots for people experiencing homelessness. In addition, Libby also oversaw Skid Row coordination and the Skid Row Action Plan.

On October 4, 2024, Libby rejoined the CEOs office at the Homeless Initiative to assist the director with special projects. This is a one-year assignment prior to Libby’s retirement from the County after 34 years.

Leepi Shimkhada – Deputy Director, Housing for Health, Department of Health Services (DHS), County of Los Angeles

Over the last 24 years, Leepi has had various roles in the homeless services community. After graduating with her master’s degree from Claremont Graduate University, she worked as a community organizer for several years before doing case management in the San Gabriel Valley and in Skid Row. Her work has impacted systems change, she has co-authored public policy and has extensive experience in funding and creating permanent affordable housing with supportive services. Leepi has over 20 years of experience providing technical assistance to other jurisdictions, the homeless services community, and affordable housing developers to use rental housing subsidies and supportive services programs to create solutions for people experiencing homelessness. She has helped launch other permanent supportive housing programs in other jurisdictions to use short- and long-term funding to create innovative solutions.

Leepi has been at LA DHS for the last 15 years and is currently the Deputy Director at Housing for Health. She oversees the Homeless Prevention Unit, Countywide Benefits Entitlement Team (CBEST), Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool and Intensive Case Management Services in Permanent Supportive Housing. These programs were established to provide housing and services to the most medically complex homeless individuals in the County to prevent them from falling into homelessness and quickly rehouse people to positively impact health outcomes in permanent housing with intensive services by using a “whatever it takes” model. With this model, HFH has achieved a 92% retention rate in permanent housing after one year and an 89% approval rate for SSI applications. HFH provides these services directly and also works with non-profit agencies by funding them to provide intensive case management services (ICMS). HFH has been a critical player in housing development by providing service commitments and local rental subsidies to housing developers to speed up affordable housing production and keep units affordable. HFH’s goals include creating stability for participants by using predictive analytics, data, and innovative and flexible funding to access permanent housing throughout Los Angeles County.

This Reception is Hosted By:

2024 AIA|LA City Leaders Breakfast Series Presented By: