From:
To: City Council DL
Subject: Public Comment | Burbank Council Meeting 3/28/2023 Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 9:42:22 AM
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Re: Agenda Item O - 3 (Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Allocation Plan for HOME ARP Funds)
Good morning, Burbank Council Members,
My name is Albert Hernandez and I serve as the Chief Executive Officer at Home Again Los Angeles, a Burbank based homeless service agency. I am writing to provide my input on an agenda item in which Burbank staff are looking to the City Council for approval on an allocation plan to receive $1.8 million in HOME Investment Partnership - ARP Funds to address homelessness.
I'd like to say I appreciate the Community Development Department giving the public and other stakeholders two opportunities to partake in their focus groups on the needs of the community as it pertains to addressing homelessness. Home Again L.A. and other agencies like to be at the table when it comes to discussing funding that is coming from the County, State or Federal level to
aid homeless programs. I know at HALA we have an array of programs to help combat homelessness and we have more ideas should there be financial resources that come forth thus transparency is crucial and City staff did a great job of including us.
The idea of allocating 95% of total entitled funds for the development of a non-congregate shelter is a great idea from my perspective and I fully support this. The City of Burbank in partnership with local agencies offers a plethora of services, with Burbank Housing Corp, Burbank can say they offer affordable housing... With Street Plus, Burbank can say they offer Street Outreach for the unhoused.... and with Home Again Los Angeles, Burbank can say they offer Rapid Rehousing the unhoused and Homeless Prevention for those at risk of homelessness. As a community we provide various options for those who are needed; this is a big step forward from where we were 10+ years ago. In reviewing the eligible activities for
HOME funds many of those items are already in place and being funded by other sources. The next step for the City on its journey to providing a holistic approach to homelessness is the development of a non-congregate shelter.
I will however speak candidly that we need to educate the community, its residents on the definition of a non-congregate shelter. I know City Staff have not reached that part of the process, they are simply seeking your approval for allocation, but when the time comes we need to educate the community on what this sort of shelter is. Who will operate it? Where will the financial resources come to operate this shelter? Will the shelter be for individuals or families or both? You may already have some residents who have read this staff report who are left wondering what are the two sites that City staff are referring to. I dont think I could find that information... so some may be wondering why it is being left out?