Los Angeles is at a crossroads.
As rents rise, unhoused neighbors face criminalization, and the housing crisis deepens, we know now is the time for sustainable solutions. That’s why we’re inviting you — your families, loved ones, and neighbors – to a virtual town hall that puts community at the center.
On Thursday, April 29 at 6:00 PM, this virtual town hall hosted by our partner Re-Imagine LA (ReLA) Coalition and partners, is designed to be accessible and action oriented, especially for those newer to this work.
ReLA is a coalition of community organizations, advocates, and directly impacted individuals across LA County pushing for a care-first approach to the County budget. This includes reducing reliance on incarceration and investing in housing, mental health care, and community-based services that actually support young people and families.
Why now? LA County is at a critical moment in its budget decisions. Despite long-standing commitments to invest in care over punishment, we’re seeing concerning trends:
-
The Sheriff’s budget has continued to grow, reaching over $4.3 billion in 2025
-
The County has not followed through on its 2019 commitment to close Men’s Central Jail without building a replacement
-
Data continues to show deep inequities, including the District Attorney’s Office overcriminalization of our community members due to Prop 36
-
The Probation Department is not being held accountable after accumulating over $5 billion in lawsuits for abusing youth
At the same time, over 13,000 people remain incarcerated in LA County jails, and nearly half are identified as having mental health needs. The question is why is LA relying on costly incarceration methods in place of care.
We believe these outcomes are not accidental—they are the result of policy and budget choices. And they can be changed.
What We’ll Cover:
-
What’s happening in the FY 2026–27 LA County budget
-
How current spending decisions impact youth, families, and communities of color
-
What a “Care First” budget looks like in practice
-
Concrete ways you and your community can take action
Can’t make it? You can still get involved:
-
Follow ReLA on social media: @reimagine_la
-
Take action here: https://reimagine.la/take-action/
-
Share with your networks using this toolkit: reimagine.la/townhalltools
We hope you can join us and ReLA and be part of shaping a future where all young people and families in LA County have what they need to thrive.