1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 • (310) 458-8201 • [email protected] santamonica.gov • @cityofsantamonica • @santamonicacity September 14, 2022
Sent Via Email
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Board Executive Office, Room 383
Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Board Chair Mitchell and Honorable Members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, The City of Santa Monica has an established track record of deploying a comprehensive and collaborative approach to addressing homelessness. More specifically, Santa Monica has implemented a Four Pillar Strategy to address homelessness and prevent residents from becoming unhoused. Immediate and consistent engagement combined with services, treatment, and housing is core to our local strategy. The following outlines our Four Pillar Strategy:
1. Prevent housed Santa Monicans from becoming homeless and increase the supply of affordable housing;
2. Address the behavioral health needs of vulnerable residents;
3. Maintain equitable access to safe, fun, and healthy open spaces; and
4. Strengthen regional capacity to address homelessness.
Over the years, implementing this strategy has resulted in the production of affordable housing, deployment of multi-disciplinary outreach teams, and the provision of rental assistance and legal services to tenants who are at risk of eviction. In addition, new innovations have been implemented or are forthcoming. Examples include:
• Our Fire Department’s Community Response Unit, which provides an alternative response to 9-1-1 calls for service to better address the needs of vulnerable populations; and
• A partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to bring forward a Therapeutic Transport Van staffed with behavioral health professionals and people with lived experiences who offer supportive resources for non-violent mental health-related calls for service. The City has committed $400,000 to this initiative.
Clearly, the City of Santa Monica is committed to addressing the issue of homelessness in a wholistic and compassionate manner.
In alignment with our Four Pillar Strategy outlined above, Pillar 3 reflects the City’s desire to maintain equitable access to safe, fun, and healthy spaces. Because roughly 70% of Santa Monicans are renters, our community relies on the City’s parks and open spaces as they do not have access to private open space. This includes families with young children, as well as seniors. It has come to our attention that the Venice Family Clinic under the purview of the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse and Prevention and Control Division is providing clean needles to individuals in our parks and open spaces through the Harm Reduction Syringe Services Program. We understand our limited regulatory authority, however, rather than implement this program in our parks and open spaces, we seek your assistance in immediately moving this program to a service rich environment (preferably indoors) where individuals in need of substance abuse, mental health, and other services can coordinate and work directly with service providers. We have been apprised that our staff has been involved in constructive conversations with the County and we want to make sure you are aware of this partnership and collaboration. As a next step, our staff will be asking the County for a formal proposal and it is our aspiration that, at a minimum, what materializes is a pilot project in which the County places 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 • (310) 458-8201 • [email protected] santamonica.gov • @cityofsantamonica • @santamonicacity restrictions on the time, place, and manner in which the Harm Reduction Syringe Services Program is administered that aligns with the City’s strategy to address homelessness.
Over the years, the City has developed strong partnerships with the County. We desire to build on this foundation to pursue new approaches to provide the services that are needed for those struggling with substance abuse. Your support is appreciated as our staff continues to work with the County.
Sincerely,
Sue Himmelrich
Mayor
Cc: David White, City Manager
Doug Sloan, City Attorney
Gary Tsai, Division Director, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Supervisor Candidate, Senator Bob Hertzberg
Supervisor Candidate, City Councilmember Lindsey Horvath