Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado has launched a new homeless outreach team, dubbed the Leading Outreach with Valued Engagement (LOVE) team, to serve constituents in the 14th Council District. The initiative, announced on Thursday, February 26, 2026, aims to provide proactive, relationship-based support to individuals experiencing homelessness in areas including downtown Los Angeles, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock and Highland Park. The program represents a focused effort to address the ongoing crisis of homelessness within the city, prioritizing dignity and individualized care.
The launch of the LOVE team comes as Los Angeles continues to grapple with a significant unhoused population. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the county’s homeless count in 2024 was 75,518 people, a 10% increase from the previous year. LAHSA’s 2024 count revealed disparities across the county, with certain areas experiencing more acute needs. Jurado’s initiative is specifically targeted at addressing these needs within the 14th Council District, which encompasses a diverse range of communities facing unique challenges related to housing insecurity.
A Proactive Approach to Homeless Outreach
The LOVE team is a partnership between Jurado’s office and Urban Alchemy, an organization specializing in providing compassionate and effective outreach services. The initiative is funded through discretionary funds allocated by Jurado’s office, demonstrating a commitment to prioritizing local solutions. The team’s core philosophy, as articulated by Jurado, centers on “compassionate, people-centered outreach,” moving away from reactive responses to crises and towards proactive engagement. So team members will actively seek out individuals experiencing homelessness in public spaces, building relationships based on trust, respect, and dignity, rather than solely responding to emergency calls.
This approach is a departure from traditional models of homeless outreach, which often rely on responding to 911 calls or addressing immediate needs like providing food or shelter. While those services remain crucial, the LOVE team aims to establish ongoing connections with individuals, understanding their specific circumstances and connecting them with a broader range of resources. This includes crisis intervention, access to health services, assistance with housing placements, and the provision of essential supplies such as hygiene kits, food, tents, and, critically, Narcan – a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
Urban Alchemy’s Role and Expertise
Urban Alchemy brings a wealth of experience to the partnership, having worked in several major cities across the United States, including San Francisco and Seattle. The organization’s website details its focus on “human-centered solutions” to address homelessness and urban challenges. Tim Kornegay, Urban Alchemy’s director of operations in Los Angeles, emphasized the organization’s commitment to creating “cleaner, safer streets, and a community where everyone feels seen, respected and valued.”
Urban Alchemy’s approach is rooted in the belief that addressing homelessness requires more than just providing services; it necessitates building trust and fostering a sense of community. Their team members, often individuals with lived experience of homelessness themselves, are trained to de-escalate conflicts, provide emotional support, and navigate the complex systems involved in accessing housing and healthcare. This peer-to-peer approach can be particularly effective in reaching individuals who may be hesitant to engage with traditional service providers.
Community Support and Collaboration
The launch of the LOVE team has been met with positive reception from community organizations working to address homelessness in the 14th Council District. Maria Jimenez-Torres, executive director of Plaza de la Raza, a cultural center in Lincoln Park, hailed the initiative as a welcome step towards healing neighborhoods and fostering a more inclusive community. “Plaza de la Raza has been a long-time steward of our beloved cultural center in Lincoln Park and remains committed to addressing ongoing safety concerns impacting Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Heights community,” Jimenez-Torres stated. “We remain firmly committed to efforts ensuring that our park and surrounding neighborhoods are safe and welcoming spaces for all.”
This collaboration highlights the importance of a multi-faceted approach to addressing homelessness, involving not only government agencies and non-profit organizations but also local community groups. Plaza de la Raza’s involvement underscores the need to address the social and cultural factors that contribute to homelessness, as well as the importance of creating safe and welcoming spaces for all residents. The success of the LOVE team will likely depend on its ability to build strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, leveraging their expertise and resources to provide comprehensive support to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Addressing the Root Causes of Homelessness
While the LOVE team’s immediate focus is on providing direct outreach and support, the initiative also recognizes the importance of addressing the underlying causes of homelessness. These include a severe shortage of affordable housing, economic inequality, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders. Los Angeles County has implemented various strategies to address these issues, including the development of permanent supportive housing, rental assistance programs, and increased access to mental health and addiction treatment services.
However, significant challenges remain. The demand for affordable housing far exceeds the available supply, and many individuals face barriers to accessing the services they need. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, leading to job losses, evictions, and increased rates of homelessness. Jurado’s office has indicated a commitment to advocating for policies that address these systemic issues, working with other elected officials and community partners to create a more equitable and sustainable housing system.
Looking Ahead: Building Trust and Securing Permanent Housing
Jurado emphasized that the ultimate goal of the LOVE team is to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with permanent housing solutions. This requires a long-term commitment to building trust, providing individualized support, and navigating the complex process of securing housing. The team will work closely with local housing providers, social service agencies, and landlords to identify available units and assist individuals with the application process.
The success of this effort will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of funding, the capacity of local housing providers, and the willingness of landlords to participate in housing programs. It will also require a continued commitment to addressing the systemic barriers that prevent individuals from accessing affordable housing. The LOVE team represents a promising step towards a more compassionate and effective approach to addressing homelessness in the 14th Council District, but sustained effort and collaboration will be essential to achieving lasting results.
The next scheduled update on the LOVE team’s progress is expected during the Los Angeles City Council’s meeting on March 12, 2026, where Jurado is expected to present initial findings and discuss future plans. Community members are encouraged to share their feedback and suggestions with Councilmember Jurado’s office to help shape the ongoing development of this vital initiative.
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