The Board of Supervisors are looking to explore options for ongoing revenue dedicated to addressing Los Angeles County’s crisis of homeless.
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, in a motion co-authored with Supervisor Michael Antonovich, said the “best budget projections make it very clear that current County resources are not sufficient to fund initiatives and services to combat homelessness on an ongoing basis, and therefore there is a compelling need to pursue new and sustained revenue.”
Acting on their motion, the Board directed the County’s chief executive officer (CEO) to examine the potential for new revenue streams, including those that might require voter approval. It suggested a Mental Health Services Act-like proposal, among other options, and called for polling and research.
In February, the Board adopted a Homeless Initiative strategy to reduce the numbers of men, women and children living on the streets or in temporary shelters, currently estimated at 44,000 on any given night. The CEO is recommending $100 million in new, one-time funding for those strategies.
“While this is a significant investment through FY 2016-17, this funding will not sustain the recommended strategies beyond June 2017,” Supervisors Ridley-Thomas and Antonovich noted in their motion. “With dedicated ongoing annual funding, these strategies – coupled with complementary action by cities throughout the County – can have a very significant impact on the number of homeless families and individuals.”
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Try drug counseling for them too pls. It’s often their choice as users or self medicating due to mental issues as well. I fear for everyone’s safety as this is part of a new start for some.
I have written to Major Garcetti to connect with him and Polly (from NCIS) who has shown an interest in assisting with this homeless problem. Many of our churches in the Santa Clarita Valley have been feeding the homeless for the summer months when the shelter is closed. Although, last year Tim Davis and the City opened the shelter so we could feed them during these months inside rather than on the city streets. We all now feel we need to continue to move these individuals forward with getting their life back. We feel we have been able to show them that there are many that care and we have been an instrument in giving them their dignity back, now it is time for them to put forth the effort to move out of homelessness…we are extending our hand. Together with the City and the churches we can do great things working together and pooling our resources.