In this episode of Doing What Works, Colleen Murphy, Principal on the Homeless Solutions team at LeSar Development Consultants, joins host Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins to discuss the urgent need to strengthen LA County’s homeless services workforce. Drawing from the recently developed labor market report in collaboration with Santa Monica College, Colleen explores the root causes of staffing shortages, the skills and training frontline workers need, and strategies to improve retention and career pathways. She also highlights the role of community colleges in creating scalable, equitable workforce development programs—and shares inspiring stories that remind us why this work matters.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
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The workforce gap in homeless services: Why LA County faces a shortage of trained workers and the systemic factors driving it.
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Core skills for frontline roles: The diverse competencies needed, from mental health first aid to navigating complex public benefit systems.
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Career pathways in the sector: How entry-level roles can lead to leadership positions, and the importance of training programs like Santa Monica College’s Homeless Services Certificate.
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Retention challenges and solutions: The role of livable wages, mental health support, and professional recognition in keeping workers in the field.
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Equity in workforce development: How training programs can address disparities in access, experience, and advancement for BIPOC workers.
About Our Guest
Colleen Murphy is a Principal on the Homeless Solutions team at Lessar Development Consultants, where she works to address the housing affordability crisis and end homelessness. With over 12 years of experience in the sector—and a background in international health—Colleen brings a global perspective to developing sustainable, people-centered solutions. She recently collaborated with Santa Monica College to produce the “Strengthening LA County’s Homeless Services Workforce” labor market report, highlighting strategies to close workforce gaps, improve retention, and expand training opportunities. Passionate about equity and systemic change, Colleen is dedicated to supporting frontline workers and creating pathways for long-term career growth in homeless services.
Impactful Quotes
"Housing is a human right. And it's something that I take very seriously."
"Imagine you're trying to build a house and you need a bulldozer to dig up the space, but you're given a spoon instead."
— Colleen Murphy
"We can't continue to do crisis response at this scale — we have to look at systems of care upstream."
"Honoring frontline workers as professionals, not just as charity workers, is absolutely critical to retention."
"We know what it will take to end homelessness. It's the political will and funding it at the scale that is needed."
