L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T S I N A C T I O N
Carson El Segundo Gardena Hawthorne Hermosa Beach Inglewood Lawndale Lomita Manhattan Beach Palos Verdes Estates Rancho Palos Verdes Redondo Beach Rolling Hills Rolling Hills Estates Torrance Los Angeles District #15 Los Angeles County 2355 Crenshaw Blvd., #125
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 371-7222
[email protected]
www.southbaycities.org
October 30, 2023
Tommy Newman
Vice President, Public Affairs
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
1150 S. Olive Street, Suite T500
Los Angeles, CA 90015
RE: Proposed Revenue Measure - Local Solution Fund Allocations Dear Mr. Newman:
We understand that the United Way of Greater Los Angeles has been working to create new ongoing local funding to address the homelessness and affordable housing crises within Los Angeles County. As you are hearing from other cities, ongoing city funding is extremely important to us so that we can develop effective solutions to reduce homelessness.
Cities contribute millions of dollars to fund Measure H annually. With the funds received, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments has worked with our cities to develop several programs. These have been effective but require ongoing secure funding. Because Measure H Local Solution funding has been limited, 3 of our cities have self-funded shelters that cost approximately $5 million annually to run (Torrance, Hawthorne, and Redondo Beach). 4 of our cities have funded their own outreach and case management services for more effective coverage.
In reading the draft measure that was distributed, we request that you consider the following changes before it is submitted:
1) Increasing the allocation dollar percentage to 87 of the 88 non-LA City cities 2) Delete Section 5.3.c - the Cities and COG claw back provision. Instead funding to Cities and Cogs should be modeled after the PLHA allocation model (Permanent Local Housing Allocation program) where funding is a pass through to the City and COG. Funding accrues until the City and COG is ready to spend the funding. The PLHA models is a proven success in our region as evidenced by the shelters and case management activity that it has spurred. In any event, funding should be based on performance and not spend rate. 3) For efficiency at the County level, recommend pass through funding should go to the COG, where available, to be distributed to member cities.
4) Delete Section 27.b.i the displacement of public employee provision. This is inappropriate. The Goal of Measure H should be to house homelessness, not to preserve job security. There is already public perception that homeless money is going to line the pockets of special interests. 5) Section 27.b.iii – Labor Council should have city representation. Labor Council should have goals of reducing systemwide turnover to 10% and increasing employment duration to 36 months. Today, the turnover rate is north of 25% and employee duration is 18 months. Also important is that open positions should be filled within 3 months. 2 6) Section 27.b.iv – Delete the just cause provision. Measure H should not dictate to contractors why they can discharge an employee.
7) Section 28 a. Exempt projects less than 40 units from prevailing wage 8) Similarly, Section 3.g. is problematic in that 80% of construction projects must be 40 units or more. Many of our cities do not have a lot of large 40+ unit developments, nor the land needed for larger projects.
9) Lastly, and most importantly, Section 3f DATA! - Data MUST be reported down to the city and unincorporated area level. Cities need to know:
a. Inflow and outflow
b. Year over year comparisons
c. Demographic data
d. Behavioral health data
e. Other population characteristics such as income sources/levels and background history This will allow cities to tailor solutions to the specific needs of the population ie solutions like Homeless Court, CBEST outreach, and financial coaching.
We recognize the urgency to secure a long-term funding source for this shared crisis, however, we encourage United Way and all other stakeholders to not only consider the changes we have outlined but also include cities and COGs in the discussion and not just the City of Los Angeles. Through our collective, collaborative efforts, we can navigate around potential obstacles that would otherwise threaten the success of our shared goal in addressing homelessness within all of our communities within Los Angeles County.
Sincerely,
Cedric Hicks
SBCCOG Chair
Councilman, City of Carson
cc: Holly Mitchell, Supervisor, Second District
Lindsey Horvath, Supervisor, Third District
Janice Hahn, Supervisor, Fourth District