CITY OF SOUTH EL MONTE
Solutions to Homelessness
February 15, 2023
1 Item 9.a.
OVERVIEW
Multiple possibilities for addressing homelessness in SEM:
❖ Pursue additional state/county funding - The City along with CoHort members El Monte and Baldwin Park will be
applying for State Home Key 3 funding for our
BackHome ADU program.
❖ Partnerships with LA County and surrounding cities;
SGVCOG – We are currently receiving Out Reach
Homeless services from the SGVCOG. The company is
called LACADA-Los Angeles Center for Alcohol & Drug
Abuse. A LACADA team is in our city Tuesday and Wednesdays in the field trying to convince the homeless to move to a shelter an help to apply for other county
services.
❖ Declare “state of emergency” to help overcome red tape and distribute resources quickly
❖ Create a “Homelessness Task Force” committee to
coordinate efforts
2 Additional Funding
❖LA County is offering funds to cities and Councils of Governments to tackle issues of homelessness.
• Measure H Funds – City Planning Grants, Local Solutions Fund.
The CoHort is applying for measure H funds to support current assistance programs.
• CCOGIHS Fund – state allocation through State of California Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program
❖State funds: Project Homekey
• Provides funding to local governments to create or convert housing for homeless residents, or those at risk of becoming homeless – The CoHort will be applying for Homekey 3 funding 3 Partnerships
❖San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
❖Homelessness Committee
• Does not necessarily address SEM’s regional issues or provide services quickly enough for the community. However, the committee does provide an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences from other city programs and to hear from knowledgeable speakers in the field. ❖LA County Resources:
❖Department of Public Health
❖Department of Mental Health
❖Department of Health Services
❖Possibility of pairing directly with LA County and surrounding cities that better fit SEM’s regional needs.
4 State of Emergency
❖SEMMC 2.60.020: “emergency” is actual or threatened conditions of disaster likely to be beyond the control of the services and facilities of the city, requiring combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat. City Council or Mayor can declare local state of emergency. ❖During a state of local emergency, the director of emergency services is empowered to make and issue rules and regulations related to the emergency, obtain vital supplies and equipment needed, and to obtain necessary personal or material of any city department or agency.
❖Declaring a local state of emergency could help the City cut through red tape in order to provide services quickly.
5 Homelessness Task Force
❖Task Force Model
• Would involve multiple members, instead of one leader, to coordinate these efforts.
• Involves volunteer members of the community, City staff, law enforcement. • Community Outreach
• Members could provide outreach to homeless residents, build trust, and identify their needs.
• Different residents have different needs: veterans, mentally ill, survivors of domestic abuse, women & children.
• Work with Greater El Monte Community Hospital
• Hospital will be able to identify and provide resources to homeless residents.
• Medical services, as well as mental health services and drug treatment. • Liaise with LA County for funding and resources.
• Identify gaps in services/community and coordinate with service providers who already exist. Put together applications for funding. 6 Conclusion
The City has numerous options as discussed in this presentation to address homelessness in the City.
Ultimately which option to select is a policy decision for the City Council.
Questions?
7