Supervisor Kathryn Barger recommended streamlining processes to grant Measure H dollars to local cities and homelessness agencies. Putting some of the $355 million in Measure H funds — raised through a quarter-cent sales tax – – to work in city-specific programs has been challenging, due to a lack of communication and data sharing across governmental entities, according to her motion. [View the motion here]
“The common theme among our cities is a sense of frustration,” Barger said.
Barger called for more transparency around how that money is being spent, including city-level data on Measure H-funded services.
The board also directed staffers to set up regular listening sessions.
Barger and Supervisor Hilda Solis, who co-authored the motion, said solutions are not one-size-fits-all in a county that includes 88 separate cities.
In September and again in January, the board approved a total of $12.8 million in funding for city-specific plans to prevent homelessness. A breakdown of $3.8 million in awards shows that about 40 percent of the dollars were granted for feasibility studies related to affordable housing and about half was awarded to hire staffers to work with homeless individuals.
However, the summary also reveals that more than $5 million in requests from cities was not funded at all. In some cases, a partial award was granted and other elements were deemed ineligible or a duplication of centralized county programs, like training. But 17 applications from cities were not funded at all and listed as eligible for resubmission.
Supervisor Janice Hahn said making the contracting process easier would encourage cities to do their part.
“Every city needs to do a little bit or we’re never going to solve this problem,” Hahn said.
A report is expected back in 30 days.
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Alby says
Why can’t they use a million+ dollars to buy land and setup circus tents with proper sewage and running water, MREs, inexpensive hygiene products and laundry machines to be used sparingly. People can grow their own plantation of their own favorite fruit and vegetables or even raise some chickens to get eggs. The sincerely down and out and unfortunate should be able to find a haven like such without the B.S. “bum” politics that certain homeless people dump out. Where is all the money really going to?
Alexis says
Why, I think that’s a fabulous idea! I have witnessed hopeless homeless souls become motivated to become productive citizens, when given proper sewage, ability to clean their clothes, a garden, and even chickens to get eggs. Hope is a beautiful motivator. Unfortunately politics gets in the way, and the money set aside for the homeless is too often wasted by greed and incompetency.
Van Dammit says
What happened to the million dollars that LA County gave Lancaster for the homeless shelter? Did it evaporate? Take that money and the $90K we’re spending each month on LEAPS, which really is worthless, and then we’ve got some money that can make a dent in the homeless problem.
Alexis says
Beautiful selfless souls giving their time to help those less fortunate, not waiting for the leaders.
Alexis says
What a blessing to know there are so many loving compassionate people in the A.V. that are tirelessly giving of themselves to care for the homeless and less fortunate.
Alexis says
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” Mother Teresa
ShipThemOut says
The solution is There is no Solution. They don’t want to work. They just want Freebies. Ship them to other cities or states. One way.
Tim Scott says
If you don’t have an answer to these questions you really need to shut up:
Where do you have in mind, and how do you plan on preventing these “other cities and states” from shipping them back?
Now that you have been revealed as a mindless reactionary with your mouth in a much higher gear than your brain I hope your idiotic comment gets deleted, as it reflects badly on the intelligence of the readership as a whole.
ShipThemOut says
I have an answer. Ship them to other cities. Plain and simple.
Michael says
That was Rex’s plan. He made headlines in the paper: Parris to Homeless: Go Home!”
What did Rex and Lancaster do with the million dollars LA County gave them for the homeless shelter?
Mike Tovar says
Watch this and you’ll realize we have the same problem in LA County:
“Seattle is Dying”
https://youtu.be/bpAi70WWBlw
Danelda Robbins says
Wow wouldn’t it be great if they actually used that money to help the homeless rather than pay staff n conduct studies. What’s to study anyways? Seriously people are sleeping outside and need a place to live. The l.a. county now you can put the 40% study money to work getting people places to live.
Alex says
What has happened in the Antelope Valley is shameful. To see the homeless, the trash, the crime and the helplessness is beyond words. The City Of Lancaster, Rex Parris and “HIS” council, should be held accountable for doing, “Nothing”. How much money has been spent on this problem? What has been done to help with this problem? We change the BLVD but once someone comes to our town all they see is the homelessness as it is everywhere in Lancaster. You cant go on a freeway ramp, park, desert or even the water runoff lake by the 14 freeway without see this. What happened Rex?
Alex
QH Holdover says
They have done something as the City of Lancaster tried to pass the Christ Homeless Tax for a income stream but it failed so it seems the City gave up. It’s just like our Eastside Lancaster no one cares.
Larry Macy says
I think voting districts would change the amount of attention our Eastside receives from our elected officials. It cannot be worse than what we receive today.
Random Stranger says
Has anyone else ever noticed that West Lancaster has 5 Post Offices, while the Eastside has none?
Eastside resident says
The three self-centered stooges. Or one collectively. You’ve been bumping your head (heads) for years about the same topic, and you get nowhere. Go do something and make a positive difference in our community. Help the homeless, or volunteer with the many non profits around you.
East Lancaster Resident says
East Lancaster is a wasteland. All Rex and his cronies care about is the dam BLVD. The BLVD has failed. Get over it. Help where it’s needed. Pay attention to East Lancaster.
Yes, voting districts would help. We would finally get some representation.
Eastside resident says
This isn’t about you! Get over yourself and try learning to care about others less fortunate, instead of your constant crying about your lot in life. You’re so self absorbed you can’t even see that you don’t care about the homeless. You turn the content of the article into your poor pitiful state.
Eastside resident says
I live with physical challenges on the eastside along with family and friends, and you are an embarrassment with your constant crying. Just about every day I read the articles, and I am disgusted by your constant complaining. You can’t even get past your own misery to care about others.
Eastside resident says
Your an embarrassment to the hard working people on the eastside that live each day without complaining.
East Lancaster Resident says
Yes we who live in East Lancaster are very hard working and we deserve equal representation in our city government. We are being ruled by a group of people who ignore East Lancaster and who all live in West Lancaster. The only time Rex comes to East Lancaster is to suck up to Chappel for votes.
Of course we want help for the homeless but our city leaders have failed us. Where did the money go that came from L.A. County? Help them, yes, and pay attention to East Lancaster.
Eric says
The truth will come out in the end. Millions wasted on different agencies increasing their swamps with eloquent titles and fancy meetings. Very few if anyone is getting housed. The problem is only going to get worse, large landlords are selling off their properties. They are tired of the ACLU and Bastaa bullying landlords into false lawsuits and payouts. You think their is homelessness now , just wait. I regularly attend these meetings and am on the forefront of what is happening. The people of Los Angeles county have outsmarted themselves. Just check the crazy rents, even in the less desirable areas, you’ll be shocked.
Hooverville says
“Every city needs to do a little bit or we’re never going to solve this…”
The upcoming recession will add to the misery.