Why some Los Angeles homeless shelters may be forced to close NBC Los Angeles [Video]

A coalition of non-profit organizations that operate dozens of interim and emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness have told the city of Los Angeles that 14 shelter locations could be forced to close without an immediate funding increase to cover the full cost of operations.

“We’re simply telling them that we can’t continue providing shelter at such low rates and keep the facilities open. The nonprofit organizations are losing more money than they can sustain,” said Jerry Jones, the executive director of the Greater LA Coalition on Homelessness, which represents more than 50 providers.

Jones said the interim shelters have been underfunded for years, and the organizations that run them often collect money to pay the full costs by soliciting private donations or receiving funds from other agencies.

“The system works because the nonprofit service providers make it work, but they’re losing money with every shelter bed or with every outreach worker,” Jones said.

The city council’s homelessness committee was expected to consider such an increase Wednesday…