Torrance Approves Shelter Deal With Los Angeles County to Cut City Costs

Torrance could reduce its annual financial obligations for its homeless shelter by nearly $1.7 million under a new agreement with Los Angeles County. The agreement shifts responsibility for funding and overseeing the facility while keeping its existing operator in place.

The City Council unanimously approved the agreement on Oct. 20, authorizing the Los Angeles County Department of Homeless Services and Housing to take over contracting, funding and oversight of the 3290 Temporary Housing Village beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The city will end its current contract with Harbor Interfaith Services, but the nonprofit will continue operating the 40-unit shelter under a new agreement directly with the county. According to the city’s Oct. 20 council agenda and supporting documents, staff projects that Torrance’s annual obligation will fall from about $1.89 million to $195,192, a reduction of nearly 90 percent.

The decision followed warnings that a county funding source previously used to support the shelter would no longer be available. City officials said the new arrangement would ease financial pressure and could expand residents’ access to housing and health services.

The village, located at 3290 Torrance Blvd. near the Civic Center, opened in July 2022 through a partnership involving Torrance, Los Angeles County, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and Harbor Interfaith. It provides 40 individual shelters, along with meals, showers, laundry facilities, case management and help securing permanent housing. Under the agreement, Harbor Interfaith will continue managing daily operations but will report to the county rather than to Torrance. The city will still maintain the shelter units and facilities, an expense estimated at $60,000 a year, and will fund two security guards from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The county will cover security during all other hours.

Torrance’s three-person homeless outreach team will continue its work of identifying people experiencing homelessness and referring eligible individuals to the village. City staff told the council that 62 people were on the shelter’s waiting list and that vacancies are typically filled immediately. The county may use up to eight of the 40 beds for emergency or safety transfers involving people from outside Torrance, but only when vacancies become available.

Councilmember Asam Sheikh asked for assurances that Torrance would keep sufficient control over a program it has operated since 2022. He questioned whether transferring operational oversight to the county could affect the city’s ability to prioritize local residents or keep its existing outreach procedures. Community Development Director Michelle Ramirez acknowledged that the county would assume some control but said Torrance would retain the right to terminate the agreement with 30 days’ notice. City staff also confirmed that the outreach team would remain unchanged and that monthly meetings among Torrance, county officials and Harbor Interfaith would address operational issues and community concerns. Decisions about removing residents from the shelter will continue to rest with Harbor Interfaith, in consultation with the county.

Financial considerations were central to the vote. Torrance had previously extended its operating contract with Harbor Interfaith through June 2027, authorizing about $1.83 million for another year of shelter operations. The new arrangement will end that city contract six months early. City staff told council members that current funding projections would allow Torrance to maintain its shelter and outreach programs through February 2031, after which recurring revenues are not expected to cover all homelessness response obligations. The initial county agreement runs from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2027, with possible extensions, and future county funding will remain subject to the annual Measure A budget process. Torrance’s remaining costs could change with inflation and maintenance needs.

Under the agreement, the county must give 120 days’ notice if it intends to stop funding the shelter. If the agreement ends, the county would be responsible for offering alternative interim or permanent housing placements to residents transferred into the village from outside Torrance (Matthew 25:35).

Source: Read the original report