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LA County pauses syringe and pipe distribution at Skid Row hub

LA County pauses syringe and pipe distribution at Skid Row hub

Rule Changes Los Angeles, CA local

A harm-reduction contract ends as an HIV cluster grows and businesses press the county.

Today: HHCLA contract ends

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Los Angeles County stopped handing out syringes and pipes at its Skid Row Care Campus in August. On Monday, it confirmed the pause is still in place and that the nonprofit running harm reduction there is losing its contract.

The county says the pause is temporary and tied partly to concerns from businesses and community members. Public health researchers say cutting sterile supplies during an active HIV outbreak removes a tool for preventing infection.

Why it matters

If the pause holds, people who inject drugs in Skid Row lose a local source of sterile equipment during an HIV cluster.

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Key Indicators

15
HIV cases linked to Skid Row cluster
As of Nov. 1, 2026, county public health had linked 15 cases, 11 in women.
134
Homeless Health Care Los Angeles layoffs
Permanent layoffs notified to the state, including 117 at the Skid Row Care Campus.
24
Authorized syringe programs in LA County
State list includes two based in or next to Skid Row.
80+
Workers rehired by new providers
County says more than 80 former HHCLA staff have been hired, nearly 90% from HHCLA.

Voices

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People Involved

Hilda L. Solis
Hilda L. Solis
Los Angeles County Supervisor, District 1
Facing criticism from Skid Row coalition over contract change
RB
Ricky Bluthenthal
Professor of population and public health sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine
Critic of the pause
 Thomas Lynch
Thomas Lynch
Spokesperson, LA County Department of Health Services
Defending the pause as temporary
BS
Becky Schlikerman
Spokesperson, LA County Department of Public Health
Overseeing HIV cluster response

Organizations Involved

LA County Department of Health Services
LA County Department of Health Services
County health agency
Runs the Skid Row Care Campus and paused syringe distribution

The department oversees the campus and confirmed the pause and contract termination.
CD
LA County Department of Public Health
County public health agency
Investigating HIV cluster

The department identified the HIV cluster and is expanding testing and prevention.
Homeless Health Care Los Angeles
Homeless Health Care Los Angeles
Nonprofit harm reduction provider
Contract terminated effective Nov. 3, 2026

The nonprofit ran harm reduction and overdose response at the Care Campus.
SR
Skid Row Care Campus
County homeless services hub
Syringe and pipe distribution paused

The campus is LA County's main Skid Row services hub at 442 S. Crocker Street.
SR
Skid Row Coalition for Community Safety
Community and worker coalition
Campaigning against the county's changes

The group includes Skid Row community members and laid-off campus workers.

Timeline

2022 November 2026

8 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. HHCLA contract ends

    Today Contract

    Contract termination and layoffs take effect.

  2. LAist reports pause and contract termination

    News

    County confirms syringe and pipe pause and HHCLA contract termination.

  3. HHCLA notifies state of layoffs

    Labor

    Nonprofit reports 134 permanent layoffs, including 117 at the Care Campus.

  4. County announces contractor change

    Contract

    County announces it will replace Homeless Health Care Los Angeles at the campus.

  5. Syringe and pipe distribution paused

    Policy Change

    County stops handing out syringes and pipes at the Care Campus.

  6. HIV cluster identified in Skid Row

    Public Health

    County public health identifies a cluster among people who live in and around Skid Row.

  7. Skid Row Care Campus opens

    Program Launch

    County opens flagship services hub at 442 S. Crocker Street.

  8. Skid Row Action Plan created

    Policy

    Supervisor Hilda Solis authors motion creating the plan, which includes harm reduction.

Scenarios

1

County resumes syringe distribution at Skid Row campus

Possible Resolves by Feb 1, 2027

Discussed by: Public health researchers and harm reduction advocates cited by LAist

If the HIV cluster grows or the county completes its protocol review, DHS could set a date to restart syringe services. The county has not done so yet.

2

Pause becomes permanent under new providers

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Skid Row Coalition for Community Safety and LAist reporting on contractor changes

New providers St. Joseph Center and LA Community Health Project take over parts of the campus. If their contracts exclude syringe distribution, the pause could outlast the temporary label.

3

HIV cluster grows beyond 15 linked cases

Uncertain Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: LA County Department of Public Health

Public health is expanding testing. If transmission continues, the linked case count could rise, increasing pressure on the county to restore supplies or change course.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2022

Skid Row Action Plan (2022)

LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis authored a motion creating the Skid Row Action Plan. The plan was developed by community members and public, private, and nonprofit organizations to expand housing, health care, and harm reduction.

Then

The plan led to the Skid Row Care Campus, which opened in April 2025.

Now

The campus became the county's flagship services hub in Skid Row.

Why this matters now

The current dispute is over how much harm reduction the plan's flagship campus should provide.

April 2025

Skid Row Care Campus opening (2025)

LA County opened the Care Campus at 442 S. Crocker Street. Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, Social Model Recovery Systems, and Wesley Health Centers ran services, including harm reduction.

Then

The campus offered syringes, pipes, naloxone, and other supplies.

Now

In August 2026, the county paused syringe and pipe distribution and ended HHCLA's contract.

Why this matters now

The pause reverses part of the campus's original harm-reduction model.

Sources

(3)
+1
LAist LA County Homeless Services & Housing LAist