Carol Adelkoff, CEO of the 1736 Family Crisis Center, reportedly received over $1.6 million in compensation across two years while spending much of her time in a 3,700-square-foot home in Hawaii. Tax filings indicate about 94% of the nonprofit’s roughly $15 million annual revenue comes from public funds, and the most recent LAHSA count shows homelessness rose 3.4%. With federal funding to LAHSA frozen amid allegations of mismanagement, critics are calling on Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Nithya Raman and the City Council to tighten oversight, increase transparency, and ensure taxpayer dollars go to direct services.
LA Nonprofit CEO Reportedly Paid $1.6M Over Two Years While Living in Hawaii, Sparking Calls for Oversight
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Carol Adelkoff holding an award certificate at an event, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a light blue tailored pantsuit at the Hollywood Bowl concert, Image 3 shows LA mayoral candidate Nithya Raman speaking at a press conference
Carol Adelkoff, chief executive of the 1736 Family Crisis Center, has come under scrutiny after reports that she received more than $1.6 million in compensation over two years while spending much of her time living in Hawaii. Critics say the contrast between the CEO's reported pay and living arrangements and ongoing street homelessness in Los Angeles raises urgent questions about accountability and the use of taxpayer funds.
Per media reports, Carol Adelkoff, the CEO of 1736 Family Crisis Center, collected more than $1.6 million in pay over the past two years. While luxuriating in Hawaii. Facebook/1736 Family Crisis Center
Background
Media accounts say Adelkoff has lived year-round for more than a decade in a roughly 3,700-square-foot Hawaiian home while leading a nonprofit that serves Los Angeles and Orange County. The organization reportedly brings in about $15 million a year, with tax filings indicating roughly 94% of that revenue comes from public funds.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attends "Smokey Robinson & Gladys Knight: Just the Two of Us" at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA, on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Her appearance came as Sunset Boulevard had just reopened following more than a week of repairs after a major water main break in West Hollywood. (Copyright © 2026 BACKGRID, Inc.) Melanie Miller / BACKGRID
Oversight and Local Context
Advocates and residents have criticized the situation as "shameless," saying the nonprofit’s high executive compensation appears out of step with the worsening conditions on the street. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), homelessness in the city rose by 3.4% in the most recent count. Observers note that Skid Row alone covers a large swath of the downtown area and remains a visible symbol of the ongoing crisis.
LA mayoral candidate Nithya Raman speaks at a press conference in Los Angeles, California, Friday, July 24, 2026. (Jonathan Alcorn) for CA Post
Federal Funding And Accountability Concerns
At the same time, federal funding to LAHSA was frozen amid allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement, and the authority has reportedly sought to restore those funds through the courts. The situation has intensified scrutiny of how public dollars flow through city, county and nonprofit programs intended to address homelessness.
It should go without saying: All but a tiny fraction of those millions should go toward ending homelessness, rather than personally enriching the CEO. Andy Johnstone for CA Post
Responses And Explanations
Adelkoff has reportedly said she works long hours — up to 70 hours a week, according to press accounts — and some coverage has suggested unused vacation payouts contributed to the compensation total. Even so, many observers argue the numbers do not square with the scale of unmet need: roughly 45,000 Angelenos live without permanent shelter, while significant portions of nonprofit revenue come from taxpayers.
Calls For Reform
Civic and accountability advocates are urging the Mayor, the City Council and oversight bodies to take concrete steps: strengthen audit and reporting requirements, review executive compensation policies for taxpayer-funded nonprofits, and improve transparency so that funds intended for direct services actually support people experiencing homelessness.
Bottom line: Reported executive pay and residency arrangements have focused public attention on governance, transparency, and whether taxpayer dollars are being used effectively to reduce homelessness in Los Angeles.
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