Pursuant to Government Code 54956, the Chair of the Housing Commission and the Chair of the Social Services Commission hereby give notice of the following special meeting. The meeting place is wheelchair-accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations (i.e. sign language interpreting, access to an amplified sound system, etc.), please contact the Housing Division at (310) 458-8702 or TTY (310) 458-8696 at least three days prior to the scheduled meeting. This agenda is available in alternate format upon request by calling the Housing Division office. The Civic Auditorium is served by the Big Blue Bus lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10.Parking is available. Limited validations available at the Commission Meeting. Call Big Blue Bus at (310) 451-5444 for additional transportation information. AGENDA SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION and the SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA Civic Center Auditorium – East Wing 1855 Main Street Santa Monica, California 90401 Saturday, February 4, 2017 9:30 AM Notice is hereby given that a special joint meeting of the Housing Commission and Social Services Commission will be held at the date, time and location listed above for the purpose of conducting the following business: The Housing Commission and the Social Services Commission of the City of Santa Monica, in accordance with City Council, does resolve as follows: In order to safeguard participatory democracy in Santa Monica, all persons attending public meetings in Santa Monica should strive to: 1. Treat everyone courteously; 2. Listen to others respectfully; 3. Exercise self-control; 4. Give open-minded consideration to all viewpoints; 5. Focus on the issues and avoid personalizing debate; 6. Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive public process, and tools for forging sound decisions. [RESOLUTION] 1. CALL TO ORDER A. ROLL CALL 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS
Transcript
Pursuant to Government Code 54956, the Chair of the Housing Commission and the Chair of the Social Services Commission hereby give notice of the following special meeting.
The meeting place is wheelchair-accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations (i.e. sign language interpreting, access to an amplified sound system, etc.), please contact the Housing Division at (310) 458-8702 or TTY (310) 458-8696 at least three days prior to the scheduled meeting. This agenda is available in alternate format upon request by calling the Housing Division office. The Civic Auditorium is served by the Big Blue Bus lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10.Parking is available. Limited validations available at the Commission Meeting. Call Big Blue Bus at (310) 451-5444 for additional transportation information.
AGENDA SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE
HOUSING COMMISSION and the SOCIAL
SERVICES COMMISSION SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
Civic Center Auditorium – East Wing 1855 Main Street Santa Monica, California 90401
Saturday, February 4, 2017 9:30 AM
Notice is hereby given that a special joint meeting of the Housing Commission and Social Services Commission will be held at the date, time and location listed above for the purpose of conducting the following business:
The Housing Commission and the Social Services Commission of the City of Santa Monica, in accordance with City Council, does resolve as follows:
In order to safeguard participatory democracy in Santa Monica, all persons attending public meetings in Santa Monica should strive to:
1. Treat everyone courteously;2. Listen to others respectfully;3. Exercise self-control;4. Give open-minded consideration to all viewpoints;5. Focus on the issues and avoid personalizing debate;6. Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent
components of an inclusive public process, and tools for forging sound decisions.[RESOLUTION]
A. PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRATEGIES TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS
o Presentation by City staff on local and regional efforts across departmentso Panel discussion : Andrea Iloulian, Hilton Foundation; Ann Sewill, California
Community Foundation
B. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S MARCH 2017 SPECIAL SALES TAX BALLOT MEASURE TO GENERATE ONGOING REVENUE AND SUSTAIN HOMELESS INITIATIVE STRATEGIES
o Presentation by Molly Rysman, Office of Supervisor Sheila Kuehl
3. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSIONSNo other business will be conducted at the Meeting.
Any documents produced by the City and distributed to a majority of the Housing Commission and Social Services Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for viewing at the Santa Monica Human Services Division office located at 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, California, as well as at the Santa Monica Housing Division office located at 1901 Main Street, Suite B, Santa Monica, California, during normal business hours. Documents are also available at www.smgov.net/ssc and www.smgov.net/housing.”
Addressing HomelessnessRegional & Local EffortsPresented by:
Community and Cultural Services, Human Services Division
Housing and Economic Development, Housing Division
Presentation for the Housing Commission and Social Services Commission February 4, 2017
Regional ContextLocal Impact
Fair Share
3%
52%
12%
29%
4%
Originate fromSM
Elsewhere inLA County
Other parts ofCA
Out of State Don’t know/Refused
2016 Homeless Demographic SurveysLocation prior to arriving in Santa Monica
Local Capacity
Human Services
Human Services Grants Program
Chronic Homeless Project
Senior Housing Taskforce
Street Team
DTSM Ambassadors in Parks
New & Ongoing
Local Efforts
Police Department
City Attorney’s Office
Fire Department
Library
New & Ongoing
Affordable Housing for Formerly Homeless Persons in Santa Monica
InventoryTransitionalEmergency Housing
351 Beds and 21 apartments$8,387,112
CLARE134 beds
OPCC (Daybreak & Safe Haven)55 beds
OPCC (SAMOSHEL)70 beds
OPCC (Sojourn)37 beds
OPCC (Turning Point)55 beds
Upward Bound Family House21 apartments
InventoryPermanent Supportive Housing
36 apartments $24,231,343
Step Up On Second ‐ 36 apartmentsStep Up On Fifth ‐ 46 apartmentsStep Up On Colorado ‐ 34 apartmentsDaniel’s Village ‐ 8 apartmentsStep Up On 26th ‐12 apartments
Inventory
239 Housing Vouchers
$3.2M Annually
Continuum of Care Vouchers(Scattered site and Project Based)
Santa Monica Investment
$35,818,455 to House647 Homeless Persons
New Tax Revenue
Regional Efforts
Partnerships in the CommunityStep Up on ColoradoNon‐profit Housing DevelopersWestside Hunger CoalitionLAHSA
Housing First Model
Limited StockLower rentSmall town/reputation
Prevention
Maintaining an Inclusive and Diverse Community
PODPreserving Our Diversity
Rent Burdened, Rent Controlled Households looking at Residual Income instead of 30% toward housing expenses
February 4, 2017Andrea Iloulian, Senior Program Officer
2
HILTON FOUNDATION LA INITIATIVE – 2004-2010
$7 million grant + $1 million PRI to CSHSeeding Home for Good
PSH units nearly doubled (from 5,400 to 10,000 units)New public and private
funding sourcesDozens of new PSH
providers and partners.
3
Will this END the problem or MANAGE the problem?
ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
4
ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
Long-term homelessness is a chronic condition with a known cure
5
ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
A chronic condition with a cure that saves money
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
SupportiveHousing Cost
HomelessCost
RentSubsidy-SSI
HousingConstruction
JusticeSystem
PublicAssistance
HealthServices
$1,623
$2,897
Source: Economic Roundtable, 2009
Monthly Cost Reduction in Supportive Housing in Los Angeles
6
Shelter
Jail
Detox
Emergency RoomStreet
Hospital
Psych Center
Drug Treatment
ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
7
ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
$28.5B $11 M
Leverage and catalyzethrough grantmaking
LA County 2016-17
Total Budget
Hilton Foundation 2016-17 Homelessness
Initiative Budget
8
ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
Leverage and Catalyze through other roles
Convener Research/Data
Building the CaseChanging the Narrative
Brand Power
Public $City, County, State, Federal
Home For Good"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” - Henry Ford
The ApproachCross-sector partnerships, coordinated funding, a Housing First System (CES), data-driven policy & systems change,building public & political will.
FUNDERS COLLABORATIVE BACKGROUND
FUNDERS LEVERAGING
AND ALIGNING RESOURCES FOR GREATER IMPACT
PUBLICCity of Bellflower
City of BurbankCity of Carson
City of Culver CityCity of Lynwood
City of Los AngelesCity of Norwalk
City of PasadenaCity of Pomona
City of Redondo BeachCity of Santa Monica
City of West HollywoodCounty of Los Angeles
Housing Authority City of Los AngelesHousing Authority County of Los Angeles
L.A. City Council, CD 14L.A. County Board of Supervisors, SD 3L.A. County Board of Supervisors, SD 4
L.A. County Department of Health ServicesL.A. County Department of Mental HealthL.A. County Department of Public Health
L.A. Homeless Services AuthorityL.A. Housing and Community Investment Dept.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentV.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
VISTA
PRIVATEAileen Getty FoundationAnnenberg FoundationCalifornia Apartment Association California Community FoundationCedars-SinaiCity National BankConrad N. Hilton FoundationCSHDowntown Business AssociationEnterprise Community PartnersGoldman SachsJ.P. Morgan ChaseJewish Community FoundationKaiser PermanenteMayor’s Fund for Los AngelesPacific Western BankPenta GroupReal Change MovementSnak King CorporationThe California EndowmentThe Carl and Roberta Deutsch FoundationUniHealth FoundationUnited Way of Greater Los AngelesW.M. Keck FoundationWeingart Foundation
$34MPrivate
$966MPublic
Home For Good Funders Collaborative
Funders Collaborative
Without CES With CES
Match to Housing & Supports
Navigate
Assess
Housing Delivery System
Funders Collaborative
Public PrivateCities County
Funders Collaborative
Changing the ConversationActivating the Public
15
Love one another, for that is the whole law; so our fellow men deserve to be loved and
encouraged–never to be abandoned to wander alone
in poverty and darkness.Conrad N. Hilton
Solutions to Ending Homelessness Ann Sewill Vice PresidentHousing & Economic Opportunity
Housing Commission and Social Services Commission Presentation City of Santa Monica February 4, 2017
The California Community Foundation
• $1.5 billion foundation founded in 1915
• Manages more than 1,700 donor funds, legacies and corporate foundations
• Awarded more than $2 billion in grants, loans, and scholarships since 2000
• Nationally known for work on major issues, including housing, smart growth, immigration, education, and health
Homelessness in Los Angeles County 150,000 individuals chronically
or sporadically homeless
Cost of Chronic Homelessness
Permanent Supportive Housing
The Kaufmann Apartments at Step Up on Colorado, 32 PSH units with two manager units, management & Life Skills offices, and community spaces for residents. Developed by Step Up on Second and Hollywood Community Housing Corp
Permanent Supportive Housing • PSH provides the health
and case management services to successfully house homeless individuals.
• More housing is needed for the 150,000 people in LA County who cycle in and out of homelessness and the 300,000 who are at risk of losing their homes.
Accelerating Permanent Supportive Housing Goals:
• Increase the City's production of supportive housing to 1000 units each year.• Shorten production time from 4-5 years to 2 years
Resources Needed: 1. Foundation funding for early costs2. Streamlining 3. Dedicated sources of funding for permanent financing 4. Capacity building for developers
Nov. 28, 2016Joint CSAC-League Task Force on HomelessnessMarch 2017 Special Ballot Measure H
Securing Dedicated Revenue to Combat Homelessness
Across Los Angeles County
County’s Current Homeless Population
*Homeless Count Data provided by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
38,60239,153 39,461
44,359
46,874
37000
39000
41000
43000
45000
47000
2009 2011 2013 2015 2016
Homeless CountDaily Homeless Population* (in Los Angeles County)
Total Homeless Population - Sheltered and Unsheltered
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
50000
Unsheltered31,018 34,527
12,347Sheltered13,341
2015 2016
Sheltered vs. Unsheltered
Data provided by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative (HI)
18 Policy Summits
4 Focus Groups
with Homeless
2 Community Meetings
200 Public Comments
• In February 2016, Los Angeles County adopted a coordinated set of 47 strategies to combat homelessness, including strategies in which cities, businesses and faith leaders can participate.
• Inclusive and collaborative planning process involving over 1100 experts and community members focused on what works.
• 47 strategies covering six areas: Prevent Homelessness Subsidize Housing Increase Income Provide Case Management and Services Create a Coordinated System Increase Affordable/Homeless Housing
What the Plan Does
Homeless Housing/Services Gap
Provides intensive support services to chronically homeless persons
Provides short-term housing assistance. Each unit can potentially house 2 households per year
Provides crisis housing to unsheltered persons on the path to permanent housing
Provides stabilizing housing assistance that keeps people and families from falling out of housing and into the homeless system
Housing Type
15,341
Total Gap (units)*
2,555
2,279
8,376
Permanent Supportive HousingRapid Re-Housing
Emergency Shelter
Homeless Prevention
Description
*Homeless Housing Gaps in the County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, January 2016
• Unmet need for homeless housing/services $450 million per year*
(not counting construction costs)
• Current funding $100 million one-time funds
Ongoing Funding Needed
*Homeless Housing Gaps in the County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, January 2016
• ¼ percent increase to the County’s sales tax commencing after July 1, 2017, to fund services, rental subsidies and housing
• Tax revenue estimate: $355 Million annually for ten years (solely to be used to combat homelessness)
Proposed March 7 Measure
• Citizens’ Oversight Advisory Board would monitor and evaluate spending of tax revenue
• Requires an independent auditor to report on the amount of tax revenues collected and expended and the status of projects and services funded
• Tax revenue dedicated to funding support services intended to complement “Brick and Mortar” Initiatives to build housing
Legal Requirements
Strategies Eligible for Funding
* New strategy
Preventing Homelessness• Homeless Prevention Program for
Families (Strategy A1)• Homeless Prevention Program for
Individuals* (Strategy A5)
Subsidizing Housing and Related Housing Services• Provide Subsidized Housing to Homeless Disabled
Individuals Pursuing SSI (Strategy B1)
• Partner with Cities to Expand Rapid Re-Housing (Strategy B3)
• Facilitate Utilization of Federal Housing Subsidies (Strategy B4)
• Family Reunification Housing Subsidies (Strategy B6)
• Interim/Bridge Housing for those Exiting Institutions (Strategy B7)
Strategies Eligible for Funding continued
Employment Assistance
• Increase Employment for Homeless Adults by Supporting Social Enterprise (Strategy C2)
• Countywide SSI/SSDI and Veterans Benefits Advocacy (Strategies C4, C5 and C6)
• Subsidized Employment for Homeless Adults* (Strategy C7)
• Provide Mental Health, Substance Use, Counseling Services and Rental Subsidies for Permanent Supportive Housing* (Strategy D7)
* New strategy
Strategies Eligible for Funding continued
Creating a Coordinated System
• Countywide Outreach System (Strategy E6)
• Strengthen the Coordinated Entry System (Strategy E7)
• Enhance the Emergency Shelter System (Strategy E8)
• Enhanced Services for Transition Age Youth (Strategy E14)
Strategies Eligible for Funding continued
Increasing Affordable Homeless Housing
• Preserve current homeless housing and promote the development of affordable housing for homeless families and individuals* (Strategy F7)
* New strategy
Strategies Eligible for Funding continued
Planning Process
• County• Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority• United Way - Home for Good• Cities and Councils of Government• Homeless service providers and technical advisors• People with lived homeless experience
Recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding the distribution of the revenue from the March 2017 ballot measure will be developed through an inclusive planning process which will bring together:
Planning Timeline - 2017• Mid March: Review process and eligible strategies
(current and new)• April: Discuss and develop recommendations for funding • April/May: Seek community input on the
recommendations (Web Meeting, Lived Experience Advisory Group and On-line Comments)
• Early May: Discuss community feedback and reach consensus
• Late May: Homeless Policy Deputies Meeting to review and discuss recommendations to the Board
• June: Board meeting to review/deliberate on recommendations
Office of Homeless InitiativeKenneth Hahn Hall of AdministrationCounty of Los Angeles500 West Temple Street, Room 493Los Angeles, CA 90012(213) 974 - [email protected]
Homelessness in Los Angeles County may feel like an impossible problem. But the truth is that real, measurable progress is being made.
Now, to broaden and accelerate the successes of the County’s ongoing Homeless Initiative, the Board of Supervisors has placed Measure H on the March 7 ballot.
Generate approximately $355 million annually for ten years through a ¼-cent County sales tax, to be used exclusively on proven efforts that reduce and prevent homelessness, including mental health, housing services, job counseling and substance abuse treatment.
Help an estimated 45,000 families and individuals move from homelessness to permanent housing in the measure’s first five years—and enable 30,000 more to avoid becoming homeless.
Directly benefit children, foster youth, seniors, battered women, disabled individuals, veterans and other homeless adults.
Provide essential services to successfully transition homeless people into voter-approved housing to be constructed within the City of Los Angeles.
Ensure accountability through independent Citizens’ Oversight and annual audits.
Already, thanks to partnerships between non-profits, the faith community, neighborhoods, cities, County agencies and law enforcement, the number of families and veterans on our streets has dropped significantly. Shelter residents are being given access to permanent housing, services and employment at growing levels. Hundreds of individuals are being rapidly rehoused and are on a path to paying their own rent. Teams are in the field bringing health and housing to hundreds more.
Measure H would provide essential ongoing money to support and expand these innovative, proven strategies, which deliver results: Real help. Lasting change.
LA County: 30% Reduction in Homeless Veteran Population
5,000
2015 2016
3,000
4,000
2,000
1,000
0
30%
LA County: 18% Reduction in Homeless Family Population
10,000
2015 2016
6,000
8,000
4,000
2,000
0
18%
LA County Homeless Initiative Real Help. Lasting Change.
@CountyofLA @CountyofLA /CountyofLALearn more at homeless.lacounty.gov and see how you can help in the fight against homelessness.
Empowering the Funders Collaborative
to bring together philanthropy and public funders with the goal of ensuring that all housing
and service needs are addressed.
Working with policy makers and
community advocates to ensure that the needs of homeless
people are addressed.
Implementing a Coordinated Entry System
that ensures people are more efficiently matched
with the housing and services that will address
their specific needs. Using the Standards of
Excellence (community best
practices) and data to ensure
homeless people are supported and housed effectively
and humanely.
a community-driven initiative to end homelessness in LA County
Together we have…
Permanently housed over 30,000 Angelenos
Invested $34M in private funds & aligned $966M in public resources
Engaged over 75K community members through HomeWalk
TOGETHER WE CAN END HOMELESSNESS
On any given night in Los Angeles County, there are nearly 47,000 individuals and families experiencing homelessness, sleeping on the streets, in shelters or in their cars. Over 90% of homelessness in our region occurs OUTSIDE of Downtown’s Skid Row area. Whether it is the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Highland Park, or Redondo Beach, these vulnerable individuals can be found in every community.
Faith leaders can be a powerful voice in the movement to end homelessness based on the influence and standing that you have in our neighborhoods. To build greater community support to end homelessness, you can play a vital role in educating your congregants about this issue.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS• What can be done to make a difference? Where do we begin?
Homelessness can be solved, and the first step toward successfully helping a person get off the streets is to provide them with stable housing. And the research shows that the best, and most effective approach to end — not just manage — chronic homelessness is through a solution called “permanent supportive housing” (PSH). PSH is an apartment that also offers important services to residents such as counseling, substance use treatment and employment assistance. PSH breaks the cycle of homelessness.
• Can permanent supportive housing actually be built in Los Angeles? Is it expensive? We have successfully built nearly 8,000 units of PSH throughout Los Angeles. As a result, thousands of formerly homeless Angelenos are now off the street, are employed or pursuing an education, and are creating a better life for themselves. And PSH is a better use of taxpayer dollars. On average, it is over 40% cheaper to provide PSH for chronically homeless individuals than costly crisis and emergency services to a person living on the street.
• Why don’t we simply expand shelters? Shelters can provide temporary relief, but this time-limited support leaves most individuals back on the street. To end homelessness, people need a permanent place to live.
• Don’t individuals experiencing homelessness choose to stay on the street? Circumstances take people from housed to homeless. It is not simply a matter of choice; rather these neighbors are often left with no options. Without the clinical help they need, those suffering from mental illness do not have the necessary supports to secure housing, leading to homelessness. Victims of domestic violence or other forms of abuse often become homeless because home is no longer safe. For veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder or severe physical injury has led to homelessness. Unemployment and the lack of affordable housing also contribute to rising rates of homelessness.
• Homelessness seems like an insurmountable problem. Have we made any progress? Absolutely. Nearly 4,000 homeless veterans were provided permanent housing in 2015, and we reduced veteran homelessness by nearly 60% using a Housing First approach. There are 20% fewer homeless families. Over 75,000 Angelenos have been mobilized to provide outreach, services and move-in assistance to over 17,000 homeless people. We have more accurate data and approaches to match persons experiencing homelessness with the resources that best suit them. And there has never been greater public and political support and commitment to finally address this issue.
ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTYWHAT FAITH LEADERS NEED TO KNOW & HOW TO HELP
ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND HOW TO HELP
On any given night in Los Angeles County, there are nearly 47,000 individuals and families experiencing homelessness, sleeping on the streets, in shelters or in their cars. Over 90% of homelessness in our region occurs OUTSIDE of Downtown’s Skid Row area. Whether it is the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Highland Park, or Redondo Beach, these vulnerable individuals can be found in every community.
Community members can be a powerful voice in the movement to end homelessness based on the influence and standing that you have in our neighborhoods. To build greater community support to end homelessness, you can play a vital role in educating your congregants about this issue.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• What can be done to make a difference? Where do we begin? Homelessness can be solved, and the first step toward successfully helping a person get o the streets is to provide them with stable housing. And the research shows that the best, and most effective approach to end — not just manage — chronic homelessness is through a solution called “permanent supportive housing” (PSH). PSH is an apartment that also offers important services to residents such as counseling, substance use treatment and employment assistance. PSH breaks the cycle of homelessness.
• Can permanent supportive housing actually be built in Los Angeles? Is it expensive? We have successfully built nearly 8,000 units of PSH throughout Los Angeles. As a result, thousands of formerly homeless Angelenos are now o the street, are employed or pursuing an education, and are creating a better life for themselves. And PSH is a better use of taxpayer dollars. On average, it is over 40% cheaper to provide PSH for chronically homeless individuals than costly crisis and emergency services to a person living on the street.
• Why don’t we simply expand shelters? Shelters can provide temporary relief, but this time-limited support leaves most individuals back on the street. To end homelessness, people need a permanent place to live.
• Don’t individuals experiencing homelessness choose to stay on the street? Circumstances take people from housed to homeless. It is not simply a matter of choice; rather these neighbors are often left with no options. Without the clinical help they need, those suffering from mental illness do not have the necessary supports to secure housing, leading to homelessness. Victims of domestic violence or other forms of abuse often become homeless because home is no longer safe. For veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder or severe physical injury has led to homelessness. Unemployment and the lack of affordable housing also contribute to rising rates of homelessness.
• Homelessness seems like an insurmountable problem. Have we made any progress? Absolutely. Nearly 4,000 homeless veterans were provided permanent housing in 2015, and we reduced veteran homelessness by nearly 60% using a Housing First approach. There are 20% fewer homeless families. Over 75,000 Angelenos have been mobilized to provide outreach, services and move-in assistance to over 17,000 homeless people. We have more accurate data and approaches to match persons experiencing homelessness with the resources that best suit them. And there has never been greater public and political support and commitment to finally address this issue.
TAKING ACTION1. Voice: Be an advocate for…
• Compassion & Dignity: Let’s support, not demean, those experiencing homelessness. It all starts with “hello.”
• Mercy: Suggest second-chances and remove barriers and restrictions that make it difficult for homeless individuals to access housing.
2. Resources: Mobilize donations for the most potent but least glamorous services, such as…
• Move-In Costs: Security deposits & first/last month rents are often obstacles for persons ready to move into housing.
• Furniture: Build on canned food and clothing drives by organizing furniture drives & operating a furniture bank if you have the facilities.
3. Volunteerism: Bolster the hardest to fill staffing shortages at homeless services agencies…
• HomeWalk: Join us at HomeWalk, the largest annual event to combat homelessness — taking place on November 19, 2016. Celebrate the progress made, bring your congregation to orient them to the issue, and help contribute to the efforts to end homelessness — www.HomeWalkLA.org
• Homeless Counts + Registries: Volunteer each January for the annual counts to know who’s homeless and what they need.
• Mentor: Make a house a home by mentoring a homeless person/household in transition.
• Mobilize: There are 2,500 religious congregations in LA County. If every congregation offered to support one homeless person/household in transition, much could change.
• Move-in kits: Develop “welcome-home” baskets and kits for those moving into permanent housing.
4. Partnership: Lend your experience and expertise through participating in…
• Coalition: Join your local homeless coalition to partner with the expertise of service providers and contribute to proactive and creative measures of problem-solving. For more information, check out http://ceslosangeles.weebly.com/regional-information.html
• COMPASSION & DIGNITY: Let’s support, not demean, those experiencing homelessness. It all starts with “hello.”
• MERCY: Suggest second-chances and remove barriers and restrictions that make it difficult for homeless individuals to access housing.
2. DONATE • MOVE-IN COSTS: Security deposits & first/last month rents are often obstacles for persons ready to
move into housing.
• FURNITURE: Build on canned food and clothing drives by organizing furniture drives & operating a furniture bank if you have the facilities.
3. VOLUNTEER • HOMEWALK: Join us for HomeWalk, the largest annual event to combat homelessness — taking place
every November. Celebrate the progress made, bring your community group to orient them to the issue, and help contribute to the efforts to end homelessness — www.homewalkla.org
• HOMELESS COUNTS & REGISTRIES: Volunteer each January for the annual counts to know who’s homeless and what they need.
• MENTOR: Make a house a home by mentoring a homeless person/household in transition.
• MOBILIZE: There are thousands of community groups and associations in LA County. If every group offered to support one homeless person/household in transition, much could change.
• MOVE-IN KITS: Develop “welcome-home” baskets and kits for those moving into permanent housing.
4. PARTNER • COALITION: Join your local homeless coalition to partner with the expertise of service providers and
contribute to proactive and creative measures of problem-solving. For more information, check out http://ceslosangeles.weebly. com/regional-information.html
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
EMILY BRADLEY HOME FOR GOOD UNITED WAY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES
