SR-092496-6P
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Council Meeting 9/24/96
6p
SEP 2 It 1996
Santa Monica, California
TO
Mayor and City CounCil
FROM:
City Staff
SUBJECT
Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution Requesting the Board of Supervisors of
the County of Los Angeles to Oppose Reductions or Further LimItations to
General Assistance Benefits Payments
INTRODUCTION
ThiS report recommends the CIty CounCil adopt a resolution requesting the Board of
Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to oppose ImplementatIOn of Senate Bill (58) 681
which would reduce and further limit general assistance benefits payments to reCipients.
BACKGROUND
SB 681 (Hurtt) was passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Wilson on February 1,
1996, and will become effective on January 1, 1997 S8 681 gives counties In California the
option to Significantly restructure the way general assistance benefits are administered to
Indigent persons Los Angeles County and other counties will have the legal option to
· limit cash aid for "employables" to 3 non-consecutive months In one year,
· reduce grant amount by percentage decrease In Aid to Families With Dependent
Children (AFDC), whIch IS controlled by State and Federal governments;
· reduce grant amount by $40/month for the cost of medical care (from $ 212 to
$172/month),
· reduce grant amount 15-25 % for those shanng housmg;
· proVide grant In several or any combinatIOn of dIfferent forms Including cash
aSSistance, m-klnd aid, two party payment, voucher payment, third party provider of
services
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6P
DISCUSSION
General assIstance/general relief IS a county-operated program that provides an Income of last
resort for the most destitute persons In the area. There are approximately 84,000 people
receiving general relief In Los Angeles County, of which approximately 54,000 are homeless
Current general assistance benefits pay eligible recipients $ 21 2/month plus $100 In food
stamps
The western regIon of the County has the second largest concentration of homeless persons
In Los Angeles County An estimated 7 6 % of L A. County homeless general assistance
reCipients live In Santa Momca and the Westslde The proposed restructurmg of general
assIstance benefIts IS expected to Increase the already large number of homeless persons
Moreover, any reduction In general assistance benefit levels IS likely to Increase local demand
on available shelter, supportive serVices, law enforcement, and public works--resources that
are already taxed by the large number of homeless persons.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Staff recommendations In this report have no budgetary Impact.
RECOMMENDATION
City staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution requestmg the
Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to oppose reductions or further limitatIOns
to general assistance benefits payments.
Prepared By: Barbara Stinchfield, Acting Director
Julie Rusk, Manager
Tracy Scruggs, Homeless Coordmator
Human ServIces DIvIsIon
Commumty and Cultural Services Department
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RESOLUTION NUMBER 9090 (CCS)
(City Council Senes)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO OPPOSE REDUCTIONS OR FURTHER L1MITITATIONS TO
GENERAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS PAYMENTS.
WHEREAS, the western region of Los Angeles County has the second largest
concentration of homeless persons In Los Angeles County, and
WHEREAS, an estimated 65% (or 54,600) of persons receiving General
Assistance benefits are homeless In Los Angeles County, and
WHEREAS, an estimated 7.6% of homeless general assistance recIpients live
In Santa MOnica and the Westslde; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa MOnica recognizes that effective responses
towards combating homelessness requIre the cooperation of surrounding cities and
other governmental agencIes for a regIonal solutIon; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa MOnica supports a Wide network of homeless
services and affordable hOUSing programs, and
f
WHEREAS, any reductIon In general assIstance benefit leve1s IS likely to
Increase the number of homeless persons In Santa MOnica, as former general
assistance reCipients will be unable to afford housing
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County has the State's legal
authority (SB 681) beginning on January 1, 1997 to restructure and reduce cash
payments to mdlgent persons,
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES
RESOLVE AS FOllOWS:
SECTION 1 The City Council hereby requests the Board of Supervisors of Los
Angeles County to oppose reductIons or further limitatIons to general assistance
benefits payments.
SECTION 2. The CIty Clerk shall certify to the adoption of thIs ResolutIon, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be In full force and effect.
Approved As to Form'
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Marsha Jones Moutne
City Attorney
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Adopted and approved tins 24th of September, 1996
~~
Mayor
I hereby certifY that the foregomg ResolutIOn 9090(CCS) was duly adopted at a meetmg
of the CIty CouncIl held on the 24th of September. 1996 by the follO\vmg vote
Aves
C oUllCllmem bers
Abdo. Ebner. GenseL Greenberg. Holbrook. O'Connor.
Rosenstem
Noes
Councllmembers
None
Absiam
CouncIlmembers
None
Absent
C ouncIlmembers
None
ATTEST
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Cny clerk