Head of Los Angeles homeless agency announces he will retire
The head of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has announced he will retire by the end of the year, capping months of speculation about change at the agency.
Executive director Mike Arnold has directed the joint city-county agency since 2009. It oversaw distribution of $73 million in state, federal and local funds to homeless services and housing in 2010-11, the latest figures available online.
The agency was created in the 1990s in response to legal wrangling between the city and county over who was responsible for helping the very poor.
Mayor Eric Garcetti in recent months has expressed unhappiness with the agency’s leadership. City Councilman Jose Huizar, who represents skid row and much of downtown L.A., proposed appointing a homeless czar to coordinate the city’s efforts.
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