Downey awarded over $500,000 to combat homelessness through Measure A funding

Supervisor Janice Hahn helps an unhoused woman into interim housing at a Pathway Home Operation in Long Beach. (Courtesy photo)

DOWNEY — The City of Downey is set to receive $502,195 in new funding to combat homelessness, part of a broader initiative approved Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to distribute voter-approved Measure A tax dollars directly to local cities.

This marks the first time cities like Downey will receive dedicated, ongoing funding from Measure A, a half-cent sales tax passed by voters in November 2024 to support homelessness services and housing development.

The distribution plan was championed by Supervisor Janice Hahn, who authored an amendment to change how funds are allocated. Her amendment, co-authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis, was adopted unanimously by the Board and prioritizes communities most impacted by homelessness.

“Thanks to voters, our county’s 88 cities will finally have direct, reliable funding to address the unique homeless crises facing their communities with the solutions that work best for their residents,” Hahn said in a statement. “I want to get our cities the most amount of funding possible so they can start strong, make a difference in unsheltered homelessness, and be real partners in this work with us.”

Under the revised formula, known as Formula 4, 10% of the funding is allocated based on the number of households living in poverty, while the remaining 90% is distributed based on the most recent homeless count data. The formula increases funding to 67 of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, including Downey.

The funds from the Local Solutions Fund can be used for homelessness prevention, mental healthcare, street outreach, and housing services. Cities will also receive additional funding later this year for housing preservation and development.

In total, cities in Hahn’s Fourth Supervisorial District will receive over $12.2 million in 2025. Neighboring cities also received substantial funding, including Bell ($570,464), South Gate ($495,741), and Santa Fe Springs ($554,420).

Downey officials have not yet announced specific plans for how the funds will be used, but city leaders have previously identified homelessness as a growing challenge and have expressed support for regional collaboration.

The City of Los Angeles will receive the largest allocation at $54.9 million. An additional $10.7 million is earmarked for unincorporated areas.