Los Angeles City Council approves $3M to support victims of domestic violence

The Los Angeles City Council approved more than $3 million to support survivors of domestic violence prompted by concerns that local organizations would not receive state and federal funding.

In a 13-0 vote on Friday, Feb. 14, council members signed off on seven contracts totaling $2.1 million  with agencies that provide case management and supportive services for women, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, as well as transitional-aged youth.

The agreements are set to expire Dec. 31.

As part of the vote, the City Council also authorized the use of $1.3 million to support its Survivors Services System, which includes various initiatives to assist vulnerable populations with finding emergency housing, offering financial assistance and coaching, among other things.

The money will fund 1736 Family Crisis Center, Center for the Pacific-Asian Family, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, Haven Hills, Jenesse Center, Jewish Family Service LA and The People Concern.

“At a time when funding for survivors is under threat in both Washington and Sacramento, L.A. has the opportunity to lead by example,” Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky said.

According to Yaroslavsky, the allocation is one of the “largest investment(s)” in services for survivors of domestic violence.

In 2024, an estimated 15,851 survivors called domestic violence hotlines seeking shelter, but only 10% were able to access a bed. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to nearly 44,000 domestic violence related calls, which Yaroslavsky said shows how “widespread this crisis is.”

“We also know that 41% of unhoused Angelenos have experienced domestic or intimate partner violence, and that domestic violence remains the leading cause of homelessness for women nationwide,” Yaroslavsky added. “Last year alone, at least 17 Angelenos lost their life to <domestic violence.”

As a result of the funding, the city will be expanding domestic violence shelter capacity by 13% — beds that will also count toward the city’s obligations under the Alliance Settlement over housing for the homeless.

Under the settlement, the city of LA must spend $3 billion to develop as many as 16,000 beds or housing units for unhoused residents. Another $1.24 billion is expected to be used for 3,000 beds for people with mental health and substance use disorders who are homeless.

In a similar vote, the City Council instructed the LAPD, Community Investment for Families Department and the City Attorney’s Office to formally establish a task force that will focus on the safety of survivors of domestic violence. Specifically, the group would examine ways to enhance enforcement of SB 320, signed in 2021 by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Individuals with restraining orders placed on them and who fall under other criteria must relinquish their firearms. Elected officials recognized that there’s been a lack of coordination between departments to implement the policy since it became law.

The task force is similar to groups instituted in the city of San Diego, and a regional partnership between Seattle and King County, as well as in the counties of Orange, San Mateo and Santa Clara.