Beyond shameless: LA homeless nonprofit CEO milks taxpayers for $1.6M
Context:
A California Post editorial accuses LA-based nonprofit 1736 Family Crisis Center of diverting taxpayer funds to overwhelmingly high executive pay, highlighting a $1.6 million two-year compensation for its CEO while the organization operates from Hawaii and manages funds intended for homelessness relief. The piece argues this reflects a systemic oversight failure by city leaders and questions the effectiveness of vast public spending on homelessness as LA faces a rising count. It condemns the nonprofit-industrial complex and urges local officials to reform governance, oversight, and allocation of funds. The piece also notes federal funding tensions and ongoing court actions surrounding LAHSA. The outlook calls for stricter accountability and alignment of resources with on-the-ground outcomes.
Dive Deeper:
The core allegation centers on Carol Adelkoff, CEO of 1736 Family Crisis Center, who allegedly earned more than $1.6 million over two years while the nonprofit operates largely from Hawaii in a multi-thousand-square-foot home, undermining the public image of local homelessness aid.
The editorial cites the organization’s taxpayer-reliant funding, noting that roughly 94% of its $15 million annual intake comes from government sources, arguing most funds should directly target homelessness rather than enriching leadership.
The piece connects these finances to broader governance concerns, calling for heightened oversight from City Hall and asserting current leadership in Los Angeles and its homelessness agencies has failed to translate funding into meaningful relief on Skid Row, which spans about 50 blocks.
It references a 3.4% rise in LA homelessness per the latest count and mentions the Trump administration’s suspension of funding to LAHSA amid fraud and mismanagement allegations, complicating the city’s ability to address the crisis.
The column frames the situation as part of a ‘homeless-industrial-complex,’ suggesting nonprofits have incentives to entrench rather than reduce homelessness to sustain public funds, and it advocates cleaning up leadership in both city government and nonprofit operations.
The piece closes with a call for accountability from Mayor Bass, Councilmember Raman, and the council, urging concrete reforms to ensure resources are used effectively to reduce homelessness rather than subsidize executive compensation.