R-10028
Council Meeting: March 22, 2005
Santa Monica, CA
RESOLUTION NUMBER 10028 (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
IN SUPPORT OF THE WESTSIDE CITIES
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ("COG")
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS AND
ADVOCACY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNES
WHEREAS, the members of the Westside Cities Council of Governments
(Westside Cities) continue to experience increasing numbers of homeless persons living
in their communities; and
WHEREAS, the western region of Los Angeles has the second highest
concentration of homeless persons in the County including a significant number of
homeless veterans with serious mental health and substance abuse problems; and
WHEREAS, the County of Los Angeles and communities throughout Los
Angeles have initiated Bring LA Home, a regional partnership that recognizes that only
regional strategies and coordinated action will alleviate the homeless crisis; and
WHEREAS, the equitable distribution of homeless funding and services has yet
to be achieved in the County with the Westside Cities receiving less than their share of
resources given the large numbers of homeless persons living in their communities;
and
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WHEREAS, the Westside Cities have sought input from communities and social
service providers with successful programs across the nation and consequently endorse
a regional continuum of care model that includes emergency shelter, case
management, detoxification, transitional and permanent housing, job training and
placement, and mental health and support services; and
WHEREAS, the Westside Cities have met with representatives of the Los
Angeles Congressional delegation to urge the development of an expanded service
plan in the coming year; and
WHEREAS, the Westside Cities have identified the West Los Angeles Veterans
Administration (VA) property as a significant, yet underutilized, regional resource with
great potential for use in addressing the region's homeless problem.
NOW, THEREFORE", BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WESTSIDE COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS THAT:
(1) The Wests ide Cities commit to collectively addressing the issue of homelessness
and making chronic homelessness a high priority;
(2) The Westside Cities recognize that the lack of year-round, 24-hour emergency
shelters is a significant gap in the continuum of care for the chronically homeless
population;
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(3) The Westside Cities commit to pursuing capital, operating and program funds, as
well as potential buildings and/or properties, for a year-round emergency shelter;
(4) One opportunity for siting-a year-round shelter exists at the VA and the Westside
Cities collectively will advocate for an immediate designation of a space at the VA site
for an emergency shelter as well as designation of up to two additional buildings for
housing and services to chronically-homeless persons.
(5) The Westside Cities commit to working with the Federal, State and County
governments to assemble the necessary funding and legislative reform to realize this
vision.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Adopted and approved this 22nd day of March, 2005.
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Pam O'Connor, Mayor
I, Maria Stewart, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby certify
that the foregoing Resolution No. 10028 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of
the Santa Monica City Council held on the 22nd day of March, 2005, by the
following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
Council members: Mayor O'Connor, Mayor Pro Tem Katz, Bloom,
Genser, Holbrook, McKeown, Shriver
Council members: None
Council members: None
Council members: None
ATTEST:
~~~.~~
Maria M. Stewart, Ity Clerk
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