Receive information and provide
guidance relating to the City's
efforts to address issues associated
with homelessness
September 9, 2024
Recommendation
• It is recommended that the City Council:
> Receive information and provide guidance
relating to services provided to the
unhoused in Pasadena by the City and its
governmental and non-governmental
partners, including guidance relating to
Pasadena Municipal Code Section
3.24.110(A)(8) which prohibits camping in
public places, and provide guidance on
the City’s role, if any, on regional efforts to
address homelessness.
2 Overview of presentation
3 • Supreme Court Case - Grants Pass v. Johnson
• Governor’s Executive Order - encampments
• LA County Board of Supervisors Action
• City Attorney/City Prosecutor's Office
• LA County Metro
• Pasadena Services and Programs to Address
Homelessness
Grants Pass v. Johnson Case
• The Court by a 6-3 vote held that enforcing generally applicable laws regulating camping on public
property does not violate the Eighth Amendment’s
protection against “cruel and unusual punishment”
• Local governments can regulate the time, place,
and manner of public sleeping in the interest of
public safety, health, welfare, or convenience
• The Court opinion does not mandate any specific
actions by the City
4 Governor’s Executive Order
• Agencies under Governor’s authority ordered to adopt
policies to address encampments on state property
• California Interagency Council on Homelessness to
develop guidance and provide technical assistance to
help local governments implement local homelessness
programs
• Encourages local governments to adopt policies and
use resources to address homelessness crisis, and to
humanely remove encampments from public spaces,
prioritizing those that threaten life, health, and safety of those in and around them
5 LA County Board of Supervisors
Action
• June 25, 2024 – placed Measure A on November 5,
2024 General Election Ballot
> Replace Measure H – quarter cent sales tax that sunsets 2027 > New half cent sales tax to fund housing and homeless services > Funding for affordable housing, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and other homeless services
• July 30, 2024 motion in response to Grants Pass decision > Affirm County’s Care First approach to encampment resolution > County jails will not be used to hold those arrested solely due to enforcement of anti-camping ordinances
> Expand County’s partnerships with cities to address encampments through shelter, resources, and regional coordination
6 LA County Board of Supervisors
Action
• Senate Bill (SB) 43 was approved in October 2023
and expands the definition for those eligible for
conservatorship
• Viewed as a last resort to help connect people with
severe behavioral health care needs with resources
and support
• LA County is jurisdiction to implement SB43
• In December 2023, Board of Supervisors passed a
motion to defer implementation in LA County until
January 1, 2026
7 City Attorney/City Prosecutor’s
Office
• Prosecution Division reviews reports referred by law enforcement, decides whether to file criminal charges, and decides what charges to file
• Only competent defendants can be prosecuted. If doubt is raised as to competency, then criminal proceedings are suspended and case is referred to mental health court in Hollywood
• Incompetent defendants can be offered mental health diversion by court, can be referred to other treatment evaluation, or can have case dismissed by court
• If possibly “gravely disabled,” court can refer to Public Guardian to determine if "gravely disabled" and, if so, can file petition for LPS conservatorship
• SB 43, approved in October 2023, expanded standard for LPS conservatorships. Implementation deferred in LA County until January 1, 2026
8 City Attorney/City Prosecutor’s
Office
• For competent defendants charged with offenses
associated with homelessness (such as being in a
park after hours, public urination/defecation,
obstructing a sidewalk, etc.), the Prosecution Division generally takes a “care first” approach, which can
include drug treatment, mental health treatment,
housing assistance, and other programs, with
acceptance of services typically leading to case
dismissals
• Prosecution Division is leading efforts to create a
homeless court in the Pasadena Courthouse, which
would be another way to pursue housing for
unhoused defendants
9 Govt Resources and Responsibilities
• Federal
> Rental Housing Subsidies (e.g., Project Based
Section 8)
> Emergency Solutions Grant
> Continuum of Care Grants
> Low Income Housing Tax Credits
• State
> Variety of homeless services funding programs
> Variety of affordable capital funding programs
> Project HomeKey
10 Govt Resources and Responsibilities
• County
> Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder
Treatment
> Measure H (1/4 cent sales tax)
Pasadena direct allocation
Services for PSH projects
> LAHSA
Interim Housing, Homeless Outreach, etc.
> Development Notice of Funding Availability
• Metro
> Law Enforcement, Homeless Outreach, Safe Parking
11 LA County Metro
• Six Metro A Line Stations and shared bus stops
throughout Pasadena
• Metro crisis intervention staff and homeless outreach partners work to address homelessness, mental illness,
and drug abuse on their transit system
• Metro’s rail stations periodically patrolled by
combination of law enforcement personnel, Metro
security officers, and Ambassadors
• Metro will create new Transit Community Public Safety Department in the next few years
12 Personal History – Jim*
• Jim’s homelessness began with substance use,
leading to the loss of his job as an electrician and
the breakdown of family ties.
• He spent four years on the streets, near the Allen
Street Metro Station.
• After witnessing the success of his peers, he began
to engage with outreach services, finding hope in
the possibility of turning his life around.
• From 2020-2022 Jim worked with homeless services
and was eventually housed.
• August 2020- Jim enrolled in PORT and
received continuous support and case
management for two years.
• May 2022- Jim secured permanent housing
with an Emergency Housing Voucher.
• Since then, Jim has made significant progress. He
continues to work and do maintenance jobs on
the side, plays an active role with his children, and
refers potential clients to services for housing and
substance abuse.
13 *Name has been changed to
protect privacy.
• From a family with deep Pasadena roots, Calvin fell
into homelessness as a result of complex health
conditions.
• Lived unsheltered at a bus stop on Fair Oaks and
Walnut for many years.
• Calvin’s mental illness became increasingly severe to the point where he was unable to care for himself and
was likely to die on the street.
• Unmanaged chronic health conditions led to frequent
hospitalizations and eventually resulted in his loss of sight and multiple amputations.
• Union Station Homeless Services, Department of
Mental Health, HOPE team, and the Pasadena
Housing Department worked collaboratively to
provide services.
• Calvin was placed in an assisted living facility where he was provided medical and psychiatric care.
14 *Name has been changed to
protect privacy.
Personal History – Calvin*
• Luis is a senior citizen and Vietnam War veteran who
fell into homelessness in 2013.
• Over the past 11 years, has been in and out of
hospitals due to mental health and substance use
disorders.
• Having had multiple interactions with law
enforcement over this time period, he now fears the
police.
• Luis stayed at the Bad Weather Shelter in 2016, but did not meaningfully engage with homeless services
again for over six years until he received a weather-
activated motel voucher and started working with a
Friends In Deed street outreach team in 2023.
• Participates in weekly mobile shower program at
Foothill Unity Center.
• Has been sheltered at motels through various Friends
In Deed programs for most of the past four months.
• With Friends In Deed’s support, he hopes to receive
VA benefits and is awaiting a permanent housing
opportunity.
15 *Name has been changed to
protect privacy.
Personal History – Luis*
Pasadena Unsheltered
Homelessness
16 235
42%
Age
<18 2%
18-24 6%
25-34 17%
35-44 25%
45-54 21%
55-64 21%
65+ 8%
Gender
Male 73%
Female 23%
Transgender 2%
Non-binary 1%
Multiple 1%
Unsheltered Population
• Long-time Pasadena Residents
> More than half (56%) of unsheltered
people who were surveyed called
Pasadena home for an average of
22 years before losing their housing.
• Racial Disparities
> 25% of unsheltered population is
Black vs. 27% of total homeless
population
8% of Pasadena’s overall population
is Black
> 45% of unsheltered population is
Hispanic/Latino vs. 46% of total
homeless population
35% of Pasadena’s overall population
is Hispanic/Latino
17 *Chronic homelessness: >1 year with a disability
Unsheltered Living Situations
On the night of the 2024 Homeless Count, 321 people were unsheltered, with fewer on the streets and more in cars, RVs, or faith-based sites.
Street or
sidewalk
Faith-Based
Sites
25%
27%
24%
'22 '23 '24
Vehicles*
5%
6%
9%
'22 '23 '24
1%
2%
5%
'22 '23 '24
*Includes people in
cars and RVs
18 Street Outreach
City-funded Street Outreach Teams
Team Operator Features Annual Budget
PORT Public Health
Department
Responds to non-emergency 911 calls;
teams include a program coordinator,
social worker, a registered nurse, two fire
fighters, and two peer navigators.
$237,000
General Fund
$1,003,843
Federal, State and County grants
including one-time awards
HOPE Police
Department
Three officers paired with three Department
of Mental Health (DMH) clinicians;
supervised by one Sergeant; supported by
two Union Station services liaisons.
$1,396,843
General Fund (Officers and
Union Station service liaisons)
$720,000 in DMH budget for
clinicians
Friends In
Deed
Friends In Deed Includes clinicians and substance use
specialists
$100,000
State HHAP Grant
Safe Haven
Bridge to
Housing
Union Station
Homeless Services
Serves participants of All Saints Church’s
safe sleep program
$33,000
State HHAP Grant
$124,423
Federal CoC Grant
19 Street Outreach
County-funded Street Outreach Teams (operate throughout San Gabriel Valley) Team Operator Features
YHDP Outreach Hillsides/Youth Moving On Serves youth 18-24.
E6 MDT SPA 3/
Public Spaces
Union Station Homeless Services Multi-disciplinary team includes clinician, substance use specialist, peer navigators. Also includes Public
Spaces team which focuses on parks and libraries.
Weekday and weekend coverage.
MDT Metro Union Station Homeless Services Conducts outreach on the Metro A (Gold) Line.
Harm Reduction Union Station Homeless Services Provides harm reduction education and supplies.
HOST Los Angeles Homeless Services
Authority (LAHSA)
Includes clinicians and substance use specialists
Measure H LAHSA Generalists. Includes a weekend team.
DMH HOME
DMH Full Service
Partnership (FSP)
Department of Mental Health Field-based outreach and treatment for people with severe mental illness
20 Interim & Transitional Housing
City-funded Interim Housing
Program(s) Beds Seasonal/
Year-
round
Operator Population
Served
Annual Budget
Motel-based
shelter
25 Year-round Public Health Individuals
relocated from
encampments on
Caltrans properties
$254,587
State Encampment
Resolution Fund
Weather-
Activated
Motel-based
shelter
Variable Seasonal Public Health Single
Adults/Youth/
Families
$120,000
General Fund
Motel-based
shelter
15 Year-round Union Station
Homeless Services
Single Adults
Individuals
relocated from
encampments on
Caltrans properties
$196,746
LA County Measure H
$207,663
State Encampment
Resolution Fund
21 *Motel-based shelter bed inventory is calculated based on actual bed utilization and fluctuates significantly. As a result, bed inventory is estimated.
Interim & Transitional Housing
City-funded Interim Housing Continued
Program(s) Beds Seasonal/
Year-round
Operator Populati
on
Served
Annual Budget
Motel-based
shelter
10 Seasonal,
Year-round
Sycamores Youth $81,121
State HHAP Grant
Bad Weather
Shelter
Weather-
Activated
Motel-based
Shelter
**54 Bad Weather
Shelter
Variable weather-
activated motel-
based beds
Seasonal Friends In Deed Single
Adults
$380,000
General Fund
Motel-based
Shelter
6 Year-round Friends In Deed Single
Adults/
Families
$196,746
LA County Measure H
22 *Motel-based shelter bed inventory is calculated based on actual bed utilization and fluctuates significantly. As a result, bed inventory is estimated.
**The Bad Weather Shelter is anticipated to expand bed inventory in the 2024-2025 winter season.
Interim & Transitional Housing
23 Non-City-funded Interim Housing & Transitional Housing Program(s) Type Beds Seasonal/
Year-round
Operator(s) Population Served
Various Motel-based Variable Year-round Friends In Deed Single Adults/ Families
Adult Center Congregate 42 Year-round Union Station Single adults/ Youth
Family Center Congregate 34 Year-round Union Station Families Recovery
Bridge Housing
Non-
congregate
43 Year-round Los Angeles Center
for Drug and
Alcohol Abuse,
Pacific Clinics
Single Adults/
Youth
Transitional
Housing
Non-
congregate
56 Year-round Door of Hope,
Elizabeth House
Families
Permanent Housing
24 City-funded Permanent Housing
Program Type Units Operator(s) Population Funding
Rapid Rehousing Scattered-site 48 Union Station,
Volunteers of
America Los
Angeles
Adults $110,573
LA County Measure H
$925,315
Federal Continuum of Care
grants
Permanent
Supportive
Housing
Scattered-site 171 Housing
Department, Union
Station, Housing
Works, Step Up on
Second
Adults $2,803,337
Federal
Continuum of Care grants
~$1,171,000
Federally funded rental
assistance
Permanent
Supportive
Housing
Site-based 317 Union Station, The
Salvation Army,
Pacific Clinics
Adults/Youth/
Families
$833,797
Federal
Continuum of Care grants
~$4,475,000
Federally funded rental
assistance
Other Permanent
Housing
Scattered-site 184 Housing
Department
Adults/Youth/
Families
~$3,620,000
Federally funded rental
assistance
Other Programs
25 Type Operator(s) Funding Source Services
Homelessness
Prevention
Friends In Deed, Door of Hope City, County,
private
Payment of arrears and rental
assistance
Housing Navigation Union Station, Friends In Deed City, County Document acquisition, housing search and applications
Safe Parking Trinity Lutheran Church, All Saints
Church (not yet in operation)
City, County,
private
Safe place to sleep on private
property for people living in
vehicles, food, case
management.
Mobile Showers Shower of Hope at All Saints and
Bethel Church, Love n Care
Foundation at Foothill Unity Center
Inc.
Federal and County Hygiene services
United Mental
Health Promoters
Public Health County -
Approximately
$950,000
Case management, navigation
assistance, and mental health
trainings
PORT Components
26 Type Funding Source Primary Services Projected FY 25 Expenses
PORT II General Fund Response to non-emergency 911
dispatch calls related to the unhoused
population
$237,000
Congressional Directive
Spending
SAMHSA/Congresswoman
Judy Chu
Expand PORT services and staff, access
to basic needs, and shower/laundry
mobile unit
$450,000
Prop 47 CA Board of State and
Community Corrections
Reduce recidivism for justice-involved
clients experiencing homelessness
$381,317
Encampment Resolution
Fund (ERF)
CA Dept of Housing and
Community Development
Relocate individuals from CalTrans
encampments to motel-based
interim housing
$279,482
Children's Health
Outreach, Enrollment,
Utilization, and
Retention (CHOEUR)
LA County Department of
Public Health
Case manager to assist with Medi-Cal
enrollment
$127,631
Emergency Food and
Shelter Program
United Way of Greater Los
Angeles
Emergency housing, meals, and rental
assistance for eligible PORT clients
$20,000
Pasadena Outreach Response
Team (PORT)
27 • Partnership with Pasadena Public Health,
Pasadena Fire, Huntington Health, and
Union Station Homeless Services
• Serves individuals over 18 experiencing
homelessness in Pasadena
• Connect clients to primary care,
dental care, mental health,
substance use treatment, DPSS,
hygiene services, and housing
Client Success
28 Bobby C.
Homeless for 12 years
In and out of prison
• Reconnected with his kids
• Regularly
attends/schedules doctor
appointments
• Works maintenance jobs
• No criminal activity since
Homeless Outreach Psychiatric
Evaluation (HOPE) Team
29 • Partnership with Pasadena Police Department and
LA County Dept of Mental Health
• First responders to emergency mental health crisis
calls
• Three teams consist of a PPD Officer and a Mental
Health Clinician to:
• Engage with homeless population
• Offer access to mental health and social services
City Attorney/City Prosecutor's
Office
• Homeless Court to be held inside Pasadena Superior
Court
• Criteria: Resident of Pasadena in violation of PMC's
and/or low-level theft and/or drug offenses
• Service Provider in Court for immediate transportation of accepting Defendant(s) to interim housing
• Navigation and needed services provided at interim
housing location with continued reporting to Court
• Work with Housing with successful completions to
transition to more permanent housing
• Primary costs to implement Homeless Court are
the Service Provider and interim housing (e.g., motel
vouchers)
30 Other considerations
• Pasadena Central Library – Care Navigator not
available as library is closed
• Pasadena Transit and Dial-A-Ride service –
coordinate with City departments on providing
services for homeless at bus shelters and provide
transportation services to Bad Weather Shelter
• Limits to property seizure - City is required to provide notice and opportunity to reclaim belongings before
disposal
• Excessive Fines Clause prohibits unreasonably harsh
fines for offenses like camping. Fines cannot become
a form of punishment beyond the scope of the
offense
31 Recommendation
• It is recommended that the City Council:
> Receive information and provide guidance
relating to services provided to the
unhoused in Pasadena by the City and its
governmental and non-governmental
partners, including guidance relating to
Pasadena Municipal Code Section
3.24.110(A)(8) which prohibits camping in
public places, and provide guidance on
the City’s role, if any, on regional efforts to
address homelessness.
32