By Lookout Staff

January 18, 2024 -- Homeless individuals in the City and County of Los Angeles can apply for motel vouchers if they have nowhere to stay during an upcoming winter storm.

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) -- which oversees and operates the region's Winter Shelter Program -- said it would activate the Augmented Winter Shelter Program from Friday through Tuesday.

The program, which was launched last winter, provides "additional shelter options" for people living on the streets, typically during inclement or severe weather, via motel vouchers," LAHSA officials said.

“The Los Angeles region has been cold recently, but the addition of rain this weekend could make conditions especially dangerous for anyone living on the streets,” said Va Lecia Adams Kellum, LAHSA's CEO.

During the 2022-23 winter season, 5,402 homeless people used motel vouchers, a 652 percent increase over the 2022-23 season, before the program was launched, LAHSA officials said.

The 2023-24 Winter Shelter Program began on November 1, 2023, and ends on March 31, 2024.

It includes eleven seasonal winter shelter locations in LA County -- seven in the City of Los Angeles and one each in Lancaster, Palmdale, Whittier and Long Beach.

After the storm passes Monday, sunny skies and temperatures in the sixties are expected for the rest of the week.

Santa Monica will conduct its annual homeless count on Wednesday from 8 p.m. to midnight ("Santa Monica Preps for Homeless Count," January 11, 2024).

Individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness and who are seeking shelter during the winter season can contact 2-1-1 LA County (dial 2-1-1) to find out about available interim housing resources.