SR-301-004-02 (11)
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Coune!l Mtg. 4/26/83
Santa Monica, California
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TO:
Mayor and Clty Council
FROM: Clty Staff
SUBJECT: Update on local efforts to deal with
the problem of the Homeless and Recommendations
to Communicate Concerns to County Board of
Supervisors
INTRODUCTION
This staff report outllnes a variety of local efforts which have
been initiated over the past 6 months to deal with the homeless
population in Santa Monica and Los Angeles County and recommends
that the Clty Council approach the County Board of Supervisors
for help in dealing with the problem.
BACKGROUND
On September 14, 1982 a representatlve of Saint Monica's PTA
spoke before the Council and descrlbed problems WhlCh that school
faced in deallng with the homeless populatlon in Lincoln Park. A
meetlng was held between representatives of the Santa Monica
Police Department and saint Monica's PTA ln which a useful
exchange of information occurred regarding Pollce Department
policies,
and procedures in dealing with the homeless. Shortly
thereafter a management team of City staff was established to
facilitate City review of the problem and communicatlon wlth
concerned citizens groups. Represented on the management team
are the City Manager's Office, Community and Neighborhood
Services,
Library,
Police
Department,
and Department of
Recreatlon and Parks.
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APR 2 6 1983
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APR 2 6 1983
The four library facilities have experlenced a marked increase in
the number of homeless, as well as emotionally disturbed persons
(who are not necessarily homeless), who spend a great deal of
time in the library. Those who are assumed to be homeless,
because they appear to have all their possesslons with them,
sometimes stay in the library from opening to closing and have to
be asked to leave. Some attempt to bathe and wash their clothes
~n the washrooms and sleep at the tables. Some have been
observed sleeping ln the bushes or 1n the areas adjacent to the
library. It is estimated that the numbers of these people have
tripled at all library facilitles during the past three years.
Over the past six months a number of important efforts have been
initlated in the community to deal with the homeless and problems
WhlCh are created by thelr presence.
Westside Shelter Coalition: On January 13 a successful day-long
conference was held by the Westside Shelter Coalition to bring
community residents, churches, business representatlves and
social service agencies together to discuss a wide range of
issues including emergency services, law enforcement, legal
rights, community educatlon, health, mental health and
employment. Over 100 people part1cipated and many became
permanent members of the shelter coalition which alms to provide
a community focus for dealing with the problem of the homeless.
Sunlight
approval
current
MisSlon: Recently Sunllght Mission sought and gained
to add facilitles for 24 beds for s~ngle women to their
capacity of 80 beds. Sunlight Mission seeks to offer
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refuge to the homeless and involve them in religious activlties.
In recent months Sunllght Miss~on has reported turning away up to
30 - 40 people a n1ght who come seeklng shelter. In the past the
Mission served primarlly out-of-towners. Currently, 60% of their
clients come from the immed1ate area, victims of Joblessness and
other economic stress.
New Shelter Proposed: The Clty has received a proposal to fund
new services for the homeless which is currently under review by
City staff. The proposal reflects cooperation between church,
social serVlce agencies and the business community 1n
establishment of night-tlme only shelter for 40 homeless men and
a day center facility for the homeless to be available in a
downtown church. Experience with such programs nationwide
suggests that the creation of small facilities, rather than large
warehouse type shelters, can do the most 1n offerlng shelter
services as well as rehabilitation counselling.
County Efforts: The County Board of Supervlsors has recognized
the scope of the problem of homelessness in Los Angeles County
and is strlvlng to open four shelter facilities in communities
across the County. As conceived the services will depend heavily
on volunteer local help from churches and businesses. No shelter
space has to date been located on the Westside.
Federal
Jobs
Bill:
$100 milllon will be made available
nationwide through the Federal Jobs Bill for emergency food and
shelter. Approximately $4.6 million will be available to the
state and an additlonal amount to Un1ted Way and representatives
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of establlshed charitable organizations for distribution to
support emergency services.
Staff is currently exploring the
availability of these funds for local providers.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the C1ty Council:
1. communicate its support of the County Board of Supervisors'
commitment to the provision of shelter services as an
important step in the direction of sharing the responsibility
which local cities face 1n dealing with the problem; and
2. if no shelter space on the westside is located by the County,
request the Board of Supervisors to make funds available to
local shelter service providers who are turning to the C1ty
for f1nancial support.
PREPARED BY: V1vian Rothstein
Commun1ty Liaison
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Councll Meeting: 12/10/91
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Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and city Councll
FROM: City staff
SUBJECT: Transmittal of the Report Entitled The Santa Monica
Task Force on Homelessness: A Call to Action and
Recommendation to Hold Public Hearing.
INTRODUCTION
This staff report transmits The Santa Monica Task Force on
Homelessness: A Call To Action, WhlCh is the final report of the
city Council-appointed Task Force on Homelessness, and recommends
that the City Council hold a public hearing on December loth on
the Report.
BACKGROUND
In March 1991, the city council created the Task Force on
Homelessness to formulate recommendations on immediate and long
term action for the City to better respond to the continuing and
growing crisis of hornelessness ln Santa Monica.
The Task Force
was asked to corne up with a balanced approach considering the
need for assistance and servlces for homeless people, public
safety for all people in Santa Monlca, and advocacy to urge the
County, State and Federal governments to solve this growing
crisls.
Speclfically, the Task Force was asked to develop
initiatives to achieve the following goals:
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o Increased public safety;
o Reduction In the numbers of homeless people in
public spaces (lncluding parks and the downtown,
etc. ) ;
o Enhanced homeless serVlces and housing to fill
current gaps:
o strengthening of coordination between housing and
human servlcesi
o Increased advocacy efforts targeted to state and
federal governments for policy changes and
increased funding related to homelessness (lack of
affordable housing, mental health services, etc.);
and
o Definition and development of regional planning
strategies to increase coordlnation and create
partnerships between local government, non-
proflts, buslness, religious, county/state/
federal governments.
The members of the Task Force
represent diverse community
perspectlves on the issues of homelessness.
The group is
comprised of residents; business, religlous and social service
leaders: and community members knowledgeable about housing,
neighborhood issues, research, or general concern and experience
with issues related to homelessness.
The City council asked that the Task Force complete its work by
the end of 1991.
DISCUSSION
The attached Report represents the final recommendations for
policy and program lnltlatlves as approved by the entlre Task
Force. The City staff will submit a follow up staff report for
Council action on December 17th.
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BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no addltlonal flscal impact at th1S time.
RECOMMENDATIONS
City staff recommends that the City Council accept The Santa
Monica Task Force on Homelessness: A Call To Action and hold a
Public Hearing on the report ln preparation of final Council
review on December 17th.
Prepared By: Julie Rusk, Human Services Coordinator
Debby Maddls, Senlor Administrative Analyst
Department of Community Development
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