It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at the Highlands Church, located at 39625 20th Street West in Palmdale. The community is invited to learn more about the program and the outreach results.
“We’re encouraging our residents to attend and meet with the various service providers to get an update of what’s been happening so far and to share their thoughts and opinions while learning more about what the city does to combat homelessness through prevention and to assist those in need,” stated Palmdale’s Director of Neighborhood Services Mike Miller.
“So far our outreach teams have completed over 140 face-to-face homeless field surveys, spending 1,252 hours in the first two weeks. They have spoken to people experiencing all various types of homelessness, from being on the streets to living in recreational vehicles or temporary housing,” Miller added.
“The data we’ve collected so far has been very informative and is showing us where the real need in the community exists,” Miller continued. “Our goal is to utilize the information collected and to partner with our local service providers to meet those needs.”
Funded by a $50,000 grant from Los Angeles County through Measure H funding, the homeless outreach program consists of eight teams working concurrently to make contact with homeless people who are on the street, in temporary housing, or living in RVs and cars.
The outreach program will run through March 22.
The community partners participating in the outreach effort are Advancing Communities Together, Palmdale Victory Outreach, AV YouthBuild, Antelope Valley Partners for Health, Mental Health America, Valley Oasis, Salvation Army, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (SAVES). The consulting firm of LDM and Associates will be providing technical assistance in the preparation of the homeless plan.
A community survey is also available on the City’s website, www.cityofpalmdale.org. Residents are encouraged to take the survey, which is available in English and Spanish and share their thoughts and opinions, which will be used to develop the city homeless plan.
For more information, contact Palmdale’s Neighborhood Services Department at 661-267-5126 and ask for Stacey Andrews or Mike Miller.
[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]
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justsayn says
this is all a bunch of crap. the “cities” aren’t doing anything to help the homeless! all over the state you hear the news about the homeless being outed, forced out of their current encampments and moved elsewhere. all the while, the “cities” are closing all the homeless shelters. the one’s that do exist are “seasonal”. what the hell does that mean? if they’re seasonal for winter because they have heaters, then install air conditioners and make them available for summer which then would make them a year round facility. barger recently approached lake la to move (and “help” local (lmao)) homeless people as well as mentally ill, drug addicts, and released prisoners into their town. are you kidding me? how is that going to help ANYONE? there aren’t ANY resources out there. not to mention, it’s impossible to help someone that doesn’t want it, or someone that won’t do anything to help him or herself. yes, something needs to be done to help the one’s that want it but just moving them out into the desert is not the answer. they need access to transportation, medical facilities, emergency responders, therapists, counselors, stores, libraries, bathrooms, showers etc. and all of these things should be within walking distance for them . the desert is not the answer! ………………you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink !…………