Overcoming Challenges: The Remarkable Impact of ODR Housing on Jail Diversion

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It’s one thing to talk about keeping people out of jail and another to accomplish it.

A six-year-old special Los Angeles County program to divert people from jails is now overwhelmingly considered a success.

Run by the Office of Diversion and Reentry — called ODR Housing — the initiative has:

-Diverted more than 3,700 people with serious mental health disorders, physical illnesses and/or substance abuse issues from jail.

-Of those, more than 2,000 are currently in some type of housing. They’re also provided supportive services that include a team of medical professionals, a therapist and a caseworker for life.

Despite the glowing statistics — and the dire need — ODR Housing has not been able to take on any new clients in over a year. It has maxed out its funding and there’s no money to expand the program in the proposed county budget for the next fiscal year.

“We’re sort of cursed by our own success,” said Susanne Blossom, a public defender who works exclusively with ODR clients.

A 2019 RAND Corporation study found that 90% of people surveyed who were enrolled in the program had stable housing after six months, 74% after 12 months. Even more notable, RAND found that 86% had no new felony convictions after 12 months.

“It’s so effective, and that is why it is currently closed,” said Garrett Miller, a board member with the union representing the L.A. County Public Defender’s Office