LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a wide-ranging set of strategies Tuesday aimed at combating homelessness, ranging from increasing housing subsidies to boosting the income of homeless families.
Homelessness is “the most serious humanitarian crisis confronting our county today,” county CEO Sachi Hamai said.
Though the results of a recent homeless count are not yet available, the last estimate by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority is that 44,359 county residents are homeless — 2,818 of them in the Antelope Valley.
A video showing what Hamai called the “critical stakes” featured a Lancaster attorney who lost his home to drug addiction.
“My attitude before I became homeless was, ‘How could you be homeless?'” attorney Don Arnold said of the people he used to pass on the street on his way to work. “Now I understand.” [Read more about Don Arnold here.]
The board’s strategies follow recommendations by the county’s Homeless Initiative task force, established last year when the board committed to spending more than $100 million on the problem.
“This plan is ambitious and … achievable,” Hamai said.
The 47 strategies drive six objectives, including preventing homelessness, subsidizing housing, increasing income, providing case management and services, creating a coordinated system and increasing affordable housing.
Together they are expected to “bring widespread humanitarian relief to our most vulnerable neighbors” and save the county money, LAHSA Executive Director Peter Lynn told the board.
The county spends nearly $1 billion annually to provide medical, mental health and social services to homeless people, as well as to pay for the deputies and probation officers who work with the homeless population.
About 5 percent of that population consumes 40 cents of every dollar spent, according to county research. The board agreed to prioritize services for those individuals.
“A real bed is much less expensive than a jail bed or a hospital bed,” Phil Ansell, director of the Homeless Initiative, told the board.
The first phase of work, to begin no later than June 30, is focused on strategies expected to have the most impact in the shortest time frame. The county is set to spend $42 million over 12 months, helping 3,500 people off the streets and preventing another 2,000 from becoming homeless.
In addition to providing more housing subsidies in a variety of forms, the first phase will include strengthening the shelter system as an entry point to a broader set of services.
Phase one priorities also include finding work for those who face barriers such as criminal records or substance abuse problems and making sure that disabled individuals are receiving federal benefits, putting both groups in a position to pay for their own housing.
Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Don Knabe highlighted the concerns of domestic violence victims.
“In 2015, nearly 65 percent of all homeless women reported that they had been victims of domestic violence. Our … motion will explore ways to ensure that individuals and families fleeing domestic violence are provided adequate housing and services,” Kuehl said.
A summit is planned to help pin down specific city initiatives with each of the county’s 88 municipalities.
“The plan makes no claim about perfection, but … we will make substantial progress,” Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said.
The vote was unanimous.
View the Homeless Initiative’s recommended strategies here.
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D says
R. Rex Parris must be pleased w/himself that his ignorant views and harmful stereotypes he’s been perpetuating are alive and well and taking root here in the A.V. To say I’m offended by comments like “bum””criminal””addict” etc.is inaccurate I’m disgusted. I’m homeless and have been for about 7yrs. I’m not a criminal(I have no record), I don’t use alcohol or drugs much less have a problem w/them or am an addict. In fact, I grew up in Lancaster I was the Chaplain at my school in H.S. I even was Vice-Mayor for a day in the Youth In Government Program. I volunteer at a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth and also runs a soup kitchen and shower program 1 day a week. I couldn’t find work and became homeless and, unfortunately, have had one thing after another happen when I have managed to start to get on my feet. At 37 w/2 terminal illnesses trust and believe the last thing I want is to be homeless there’s nothing I’d love more than to have a stable home where I don’t have to worry about my physical well being or comfort, to say the least, a place where I can be sick in private and safe as I’m losing the ability to walk. The homeless community like every section of society has its share of criminals, mentally ill, and less than desirables, however, we aren’t all like that. Before those few of you spew out ignorant comments I challenge you to live just 24hrs or a week in my shoes, hell talk to a homeless person educate yourselves. We aren’t “trash” or people to be feared or blamed for anything and everything, we aren’t invisible, we’re people that hurt just like you, who in large part due to different circumstances find ourselves at the lowest part of our lives, none of us wanted to be homeless as a kid. If I could work I would, I want more than anything to not be in this situation and while I strive to find a solution I’m intent on using any free time I’m healthy enough to help others. May those of you that are so judgemental never find yourself or someone you love in such a life changing situation, may you never know the fear, shame, pain and torment that is being homeless. May you not ever feel the harsh judgement and hate of others when you’re at your lowest by the city government, law enforcement, local citizens of all ages who would rather kick you down further by actions or words rather than simply smile when they see you if they even see you as most look through us.
Just Saying says
Whatever happened with the plan for LA county to rework the old medical facility out at 60th West and I to be a homeless shelter? They were going to integrate all the homeless services there to move them a bit away from town.
Tommy says
Rex probably screwed it up with all his talks about homeless all over his crappy BLVD.
Question Lancaster Authority says
I heard it was open for men. All the services are still downtown. Terrible planning on the part of Rex and the Fern Street Mafia. But they had to make sure that all their political contributors and cronies got their downtown properties sold or leased by reliable tenants. No one like government subsidies more than they do.
I often wondered why they spent all that money on the BLVD when they had all the homeless and mental health services there too. They wonder why there is so much panhandling and so many homeless people there. It’s so bad that Rex said his wife won’t go to the BLVD.
It is clearer every day that our leadership has failed us.
Mike says
If there are 44,539 homeless and it costs the county a billion tax dollars a year – that’s about $22,500 per bum. That’s like each bum getting almost $2,000 a month tax free. Next time a bum asks me for a handout, I’m going to ask him to give me some money. He probably won’t give it to me since they need all their money for drugs and booze.
Merle says
If you go by the figures quoted by Rex and Marv of 67 people a day being shipped to Lancaster from LA on Metrolink, we just received 24,455 people last year alone. They didn’t say how long they have been sending 67 people a day. Come to think of it, they never proved that they have been sending 67 people a day, but when do they prove any of the outrageous claims they make? No one holds them accountable.
Just Saying says
Union Station responded swiftly to this complaint and now posts a guard at the top of the ramp who wants to see your ticket before you can stand on the platform to board. Rex and Marv might still whine about it, but it’s no longer an issue.
Question Lancaster Authority says
It was a crock that 67 people a day were being sent to Lancaster from LA. The problem was and is that Rex and the Fern Street Mafia put all the social services together and made sure their cronies had their properties sold or rented by the various agencies. The Boeing Plaza and Metrolink station are two places the homeless congregate. Rex needed a scapegoat like he always does so he and Marv used the 67 homeless people a day fairy tale to deflect from their poor planning. His threat to close the Metrolink was an even bigger crock because it was against federal law. Lancaster would have been sued and lost big time.
Hopefully someday we can get some leaders who are more concerned about our residents than taking care of their cronies.
Call It As Eye See It says
Alot of those so called “bums” are individuals that are Vets that fought for the 5th amendment right for you to sound like the ignorant intellectual animal that you are. I hope you or your family never experience the hardship that these less fortunate people face.
No says
Right you are Call It As I See It. It infuriates me to hear Rex and Marv blame the increase in crime on the homeless. Many of them are Veterans, not criminals. For Rex and Marve to blame their failure to stop crime on the homeless is disgusting.
Tim Scott says
You are far too nice for my tastes. I hope Mike and his family are out on the streets next week.
Tim Scott says
Homeless=/=bum, except to judgmental scum, of course.
Aleah says
Wow, what an ignorant individual you are…Those “bums” could very well be you, your mother, your child. I pray that you never have to experience becoming one of those “bums” and if you do, I pray that someone like you isn’t the only person you come in contact with…
Feb9 says
I know a 40 something year old and a 30 something year who signed up a while back but they haven’t called yet. They say there going to contact you and then they don’t. What does it take?????