AGENDA AND NOTES

HOMELESS ISSUES COMMITTEE
 

I.
























 

Update on LA County Homeless Plan; LA City Homeless Committee Actions

Ed Edelman and Kate Vernez provided an update on the historic County Homelessness Plan. It provides a one time general fund allocation of $100 million for homeless housing development and related operating and support services. It approves ongoing funding of $19.7million for: 

II.











 

Discussion of New Models of Collaboration Amongst the Mental Health, Criminal Justice and Hospitals Systems; Discharge Planning

Robin Kay from the Department of Mental Health provided a detail discussion of plans underway to create new models of collaboration between the criminal justice, mental health and community-based services systems. An ad hoc working group on Criminal Justice and Transition from Institutional Care is focusing on existing programs and anticipated Mental Health Services Act enhancements to link individuals with mental illness being released from jail to community-based services. Potential issues include: improved coordination of services and interagency communication, rapid establishment of benefits, opportunities for expanding the Mental Health Court program, identification of opportunities and implications for the County Homeless Prevention Initiative.
 

III.



















 

Review of Publicly Owned Underutilized/Available Property - Continuing discussion of available service sites; next steps CARES West Los Angeles VA proposal for homeless vet therapeutic housing; report on possible Westside properties for an emergency shelter with mental health and supportive services.

In the context of the CARES discussion, a separate concern was expressed about recent announcement of a real property exchange by the US Army Reserve center at 1250 Federal Avenue in West Los Angeles. The real property exchange is slated to occur by an online auction, without any public process.  An online auction has never been used for a real property exchange.  It circumvents public notice and hearing opportunities, transparency in the process and environmental review. By evading a public process, the exchange sets in motion the potential commercialization of the property in violation of the deed for the land that specifies that it is for veterans uses.  It will also set a dangerous precedent for the vast VA land and its possible disposal through a similar process. (Participant concerns that the exchange might affect the California State National Guard facility at 1300 Federal Avenue that now serves as a cold weather homeless shelter providing 150 beds were resolved since it is located at a different address and not part of the exchange) If the exchange transaction goes through, the US Army Reserve will give title to the 10-acre site in exchange for the highest bidder's agreement to build them a new or improved Army Reserve Center, details not available. The group recommends that the land should be returned to the VA since this parcel was part of the original deed from private families for Veterans use.
 

IV.







 

With over 88,000 homeless persons on any given night in Los Angeles County, and one of the most competitive housing markets in the nation, it is clear that the production of more affordable housing units needs to be greatly accelerated across the region.  The group discussed that it will take sustained political will, effective governance of LAHSA and a guaranteed revenue stream to achieve plan implementation.
 

V.



 

Culver City RFP- Report on St Joseph’s Center project and Community based subcommittee

Armando Abrego, Senior Social Services Manager, was introduced to the committee. Mr. Abrego will be the lead on the St Joseph project.

VI.





 

 St. Joseph’s Center – Relocation Plan for Homeless Services Center 

Rhonda Meister advised the group of St Joseph’s Center urgent need to relocate its Homeless Services Center due to the sale of the 371-373 Rose Avenue property. The relocation will increase current operating costs as well as necessitate tenant improvement costs associated with a new site. The center serves homeless individuals from the greater Westside area.
 

VII.










 

Regional Coordination and Advocacy - Discussion of strategies, action steps on program coordination and advocacy efforts; report on Prop 63 and State Initiatives

Affordable housing projects can be, and often are, the most attractive and well maintained buildings on the block.  The COG Homeless Committee will begin discussion on how  to educate the public that the residents of affordable housing are good neighbors and a valuable asset to the community. Lessons learned from siting will be a focus of the next meeting. The DMH provided community outreach guidelines that can assist in building community support.  Carol Gross underscored the need for careful work with all adjacent communities on siting.   John Maceri of OPCC will provide a presentation at the June 15, 2006 committee meeting.  (See attached Community Outreach Guidelines.)
 

VIII.







 

Identification of Additional Strategies - Homeless Mental Health Court, State/Federal legislative efforts including Senator Cedillo’s package of homeless measures

Kate Vernez provided a brief description of Senator Gil Cedillo’s homeless measures. As a package the bills address regional homeless issues including enhanced penalties for drug sales near treatment centers or shelters; prohibitions against dumping; fair share zoning requirements for siting facilities; appropriation of $2.5 million for a prototype court; and provision of youth discharge planning and benefits they are entitled to.
 

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