LAHSA Launches System For Real-Time Tracking Of IH Bed Availability
Today, LAHSA announced a new system that will provide detailed, real-time data on bed availability across most interim housing sites in the Los Angeles Continuum of Care. This initiative is another example of how LAHSA is changing the rehousing system for the better. It also underscores LAHSA’s ongoing commitment to data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement in addressing homelessness in Los Angeles County.
Starting in January 2025, LAHSA and its provider network will begin to have access to real-time data on occupied, available, and offline beds, enabling more efficient and effective placement of individuals experiencing homelessness. Beginning July 2025, the system will also significantly reduce the time it takes to match people to open beds by automating a formerly manual process of connecting eligible people to appropriate interim sites.
Once a match has been made, the system will notify people experiencing homelessness and their case managers that a bed is available. This notification will help improve bed utilization by reducing delays related to finding participants from the waiting list who have a bed waiting for them.
The new inventory management system leverages the CoC’s existing Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a platform LAHSA’s provider network already works with every day. This integration streamlines data entry and ensures widespread adoption. It also reduces bureaucracy by eliminating the need for shelter operators to submit daily, manually produced occupancy documents.
LAHSA began developing this new bed inventory tracking system in August 2023 and initially piloted the new tool with the Inside Safe and Pathway Home programs starting in January 2024, with positive results. “Developing this system required a meticulous effort to map every bed in our diverse network of interim housing providers,” explained LAHSA Deputy Chief Analytics Officer Bevin Kuhn. “Taking the time to get these details right ensured accuracy and compatibility across a wide range of different shelter configurations.”
To help ensure the system’s success, LAHSA will provide comprehensive training to providers and mandate data entry into both the bed inventory database and HMIS. LAHSA will also conduct routine check-ins with providers to monitor compliance and data quality.
The groundbreaking systemwide data dashboards LAHSA unveiled in October will be enhanced with data from this new system in March 2025, providing the public with even more insight into system performance and resource utilization. “The new LAHSA is a change agent,” Dr. Adams Kellum said. “We know that for too many people, the status quo is not working. Our inventory system addresses a longstanding pain point and will help us maximize the impact of these vital beds.”
