---

 [ LA WATCHDOG ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=12)

#  City Attorney Calls for Independent Audit of Stay Housed LA

Written by Jack Humphreville.

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/055q.jpg)

July 13 2026

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

LA WATCHDOG - “Stay Housed LA refers to a tenants’ rights program funded by the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles that provides eviction defense representation and direct legal services, direct rental assistance and education to permit tenants to better defend themselves against unlawful evictions.”

Over the past several months, City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has requested additional information from four service providers before she approved multiyear contracts totaling $177 million. Underlying these requests for financial and program documentation was the objective of ensuring that taxpayer money was spent efficiently. She also wants to increase transparency and accountability into the operations of these contractors that provide eviction defense and housing stability services to many renters who face the possibility of being tossed out on the street.

The delay in authorizing these contracts was not well received by the City’s homeless industrial complex. One of the four providers, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, has continued to stonewall the City Attorney’s reasonable request for information and documentation despite being the beneficiary of hundreds of millions in grants from the City, the County, the State, and the federal government. This coverup was aided by the Housing Department which failed in its responsibility for ensuring that the proper financial information and documentation were provided on a timely basis.

It appears that the City Attorney will approve the four contracts because of the need to provide essential services.

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto Files [Second Public Report Re: “Stay Housed LA”](https://cityattorney.lacity.gov/updates/city-attorney-hydee-feldstein-soto-files-second-public-report-re-stay-housed-la)

There was also considerable pressure exerted by selected members of the City Council, the Housing Department, and the homeless industrial bureaucracy that wanted to keep the money spigot open.

The City Attorney is also calling for an independent forensic audit which is long overdue. She is also calling for agreements with the service providers to allow for full transparency and access to financial and operational information.

Any audit must be conducted by nationally recognized firm such as Alvarez and Marcel that provided a “searing” audit for Judge Carter involving the litigation involving the LA Alliance for Human Rights, Skid Row, and the City. We do not need a doctored audit like the City’s audit of the Fire Department’s role during the Palisades fire.

We are not sure what to believe about the City’s homeless efforts other than they are a hot mess. LAHSA has been essentially defunded. Skid Row only gets worse. The County is establishing its own operation. The City claims the rate of homelessness has decreased, but if so, this is because of the elimination of the low handing fruit. On the other hand, the Rand Corporation was not in complete agreement. And the Olympics are around the corner.

Angelenos need the truth about homelessness. We cannot continue to throw good money down the drain. Full transparency and accountability are demanded.

***(Jack Humphreville** writes the LA Watchdog column for CityWatch, where he covers city finances, utilities, and accountability at City Hall. He is President of the DWP Advocacy Committee, serves as the Budget and DWP representative for the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, and is a longtime Neighborhood Council Budget Advocate. With a sharp focus on fiscal responsibility and transparency, Jack brings an informed and independent voice to Los Angeles civic affairs. He can be reached at **<lajack@gmail.com>**.)*

[![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/)

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Message

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

[![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/something%20you%20should%20know2.jpg)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/podcasts)

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/fd/064h-fdb0b507.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12)

### [Remembering Ken Draper: CityWatch and Transparency Are his Legacy](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12)

LA WATCHDOG - Ken Draper, the editor and publisher of CityWatch for more than 20 years, passed away on August 8, 2022…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. Please carefully…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/54/064j-54f0ecbd.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33204:be-prepared-to-protect-our-democracy-in-november-from-a-trumpian-plot&catid=9)

### [Be Prepared to Protect Our Democracy in November From a Trumpian Plot](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33204:be-prepared-to-protect-our-democracy-in-november-from-a-trumpian-plot&catid=9)

BE AWARE - Back in the days when conservatives were so hungry for media platforms that they’d come on progressive shows…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/ab/063e-ab3b1ba1.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33174:nithya-raman-loses-the-homelessness-gavel-her-record-explains-why&catid=396)

### [Nithya Raman Loses the Homelessness Gavel — Her Record Explains Why](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33174:nithya-raman-loses-the-homelessness-gavel-her-record-explains-why&catid=396)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Raman wants Los Angeles voters to promote her to mayor. Before handing her the keys to City Hall, v…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/75/064a-75d5dbb3.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

### [Your Boss Owns Your Workday—Not Your Brain](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

THE NEURAL WORKPLACE - California must protect workers before workplace surveillance crosses the final frontier: the hu…

---

##  [ LA WATCHDOG ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/064h.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33202:proposition-38-should-taxpayers-finance-medical-research&catid=12)### [Proposition 38: Should Taxpayers Finance Medical Research?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33202:proposition-38-should-taxpayers-finance-medical-research&catid=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/059m.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33110:citys-assessed-value-increases-to-926-billion-despite-the-palisades-fire&catid=12)### [City’s Assessed Value Increases to $926 Billion Despite the Palisades Fire](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33110:citys-assessed-value-increases-to-926-billion-despite-the-palisades-fire&catid=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/056n.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33053:lineage-warehouse-fire-the-lawyers-feast&catid=12)### [Lineage Warehouse Fire: The Lawyers Feast](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33053:lineage-warehouse-fire-the-lawyers-feast&catid=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/055q.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33023:city-attorney-calls-for-independent-audit-of-stay-housed-la&catid=12)### [City Attorney Calls for Independent Audit of Stay Housed LA](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33023:city-attorney-calls-for-independent-audit-of-stay-housed-la&catid=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2026/051k.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32941:las-budget-woes-increase&catid=12)### [LA’s Budget Woes Increase](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32941:las-budget-woes-increase&catid=12)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>