New Report Examines Workforce Needs in L.A. County’s Homeless Services Sector
The Los Angeles Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research, in partnership with the Center for Supportive Housing, has released a new report titled Workforce Needs Assessment: The Homeless Service Sector in Los Angeles County. The report provides an in-depth analysis of workforce supply and demand in the region’s homeless services sector, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities for workforce development.
As Los Angeles County implements initiatives such as Measure H, Measure A, and Inside Safe to address homelessness, the demand for professionals in housing and supportive services continues to grow. The study estimates approximately 7,561 annual job openings in key frontline occupations—including social workers, counselors, and service or program managers—compared to an average of 2,175 relevant degrees and certificates conferred each year by local postsecondary institutions.
The report also examines the alignment between educational pathways and occupational needs. While many high-demand roles require a bachelor’s degree, a majority of related postsecondary awards are master’s degrees, and most are conferred by a small number of institutions. These findings point to potential opportunities to expand entry-level access and increase training capacity.
In addition, service providers report ongoing workforce challenges, including staffing shortages, high caseloads, and limited supervisory capacity. The reportprojects a 13% increase in employment across the sector over the next five years and suggests strategies to support recruitment, training, and retention efforts—particularly in regions most impacted by homelessness.
Download the full report to explore the findings and recommendations.