10-19-2010 - 2011 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Conducted - LAHSA report (2).docCity of West Covina
Memorandum
TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager A G E N D A
and City Council ITEM NO. D-3b
DATE: 10/19/10
FROM: Michele McNeill, Community Services Director
SUBJECT: 2011 GREATER LOS ANGELES HOMELESS COUNT CONDUCTED BY THE LOS ANGELES HOMELESS SERVICES AUTHORITY (LAHSA)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.
DISCUSSION:
The City of West Covina has confirmed its participation in the 2011 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). The homeless
count, slated to occur on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, helps identify the visible homeless, as well as the hidden homeless populations such as families, seniors, and Transitional Age
Youth (TAY).
The homeless count occurs at least once every 2 years with volunteers from across the nation hitting the streets to better understand what homelessness looks like in their communities.
Due to Los Angeles County’s size and population, the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is the largest in the nation. There are no fees or charges to participate – only in kind resources
are needed (mostly volunteers).
The Community Services Department will be responsible for recruiting up to 90 volunteers in order to count homeless populations in each of West Covina’s 26 census tracts (a census tract
is a statistical subdivision of a county used by the Census Bureau; tracts generally have 2,500-8,000 people per subdivision).
The City can opt to count as few or as many census tracts as preferred. According to LAHSA, the residential population percentages per tract are as follows:
20 of the tracks have a residential population of at least 70% by area
2 of the tracks have a residential population of at least 25-31% by area
4 of the tracks have a residential population of less than 25% by area
LAHSA mandates that 70 volunteers be required if the City counts the 20 tracts that have a residential population of at least 70%; because we would only need 20 more volunteers (per
LAHSA) to count the additional 6 tracts, staff has elected to include the entire City so long as volunteers come forward to assist. Volunteers will be trained and deployed from the
Cameron Community Center on the evening of January 25, 2011, and the count will occur from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.. Volunteers will leave in groups of three, using their own personal
vehicle, and will be assigned to a specific census tract. Once their track has been completed, volunteers will report back to Cameron Community Center and submit their data to Deployment
Center Coordinators. The Police Department has been notified of the count and will be sensitive to any safety needs that present themselves during the evening.
The benefits of participating in the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count are:
Obtaining detailed homeless count data for each of the City’s census tracts, instead of receiving an allocation across the entire region. (Historically, the regional allocation has
attributed a higher number of homeless in West Covina than is believed to be present.)
Improving the City’s ability to plan at the local level, knowing specific target populations that can be addressed and projecting cost beneficial responses to those issues.
Raising public awareness for volunteers, churches and non-profits within our City to help focus their resources in effective ways that can help prevent and end homelessness in the San
Gabriel Valley.
Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager
and City Council
October 19, 2010
Page Two
ALTERNATIVES:
Receive and file.
Direct staff to discontinue plans to participate in the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Provide alternate direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
LAHSA’s Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count does not require the submittal of any fees in order to participate; nevertheless City staff will utilize Cameron Community Center on the night
of the count as a training and deployment facility. Because the facility usage is for internal City purposes, there is no need to waive fees for usage. Part time staff will assist
in managing Cameron Community Center during the deployment hours of 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., which will create a minimal General Fund expense of $234.00.
___________________________ _____________________________________
Prepared by: Michele L. McNeill Reviewed/Approved by: Frank Wills
Community Services Director Police Chief