01-20-2015 - Item 8 - Support for the 2015 Greater Los AngelesCity of West Covina
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tom Mauk
Interim City Manager
BY: Chris Freeland
Deputy City Manager/Community Services Director
AGENDA
ITEM NO. S
DATE January 20, 2015
SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR THE 2015 GREATER LOS ANGELES HOMELESS COUNT
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Community Services Department to allow the
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to utilize the Cameron Community Center as a
Deployment Site for the 2015 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
DISCUSSION:
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is the administrative arm of the Los
Angeles County effort to provide services for homeless individuals in our region. The service area
for Los Angeles County is known as the Los Angeles Continuum of Care (COC), which comprises
all of Los Angeles County except for the cities of Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena, which
operate separate Continua. All COCs are currently obligated by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) to perform an enumeration of homeless persons on the street every
two years, while a count of sheltered homeless persons is required to take place every year.
LAHSA is conducting the two-year enumeration on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, for the San Gabriel
Valley, called the Point -In -Time Count. The purpose of the Point -In -Time Homeless Count is to
determine how many homeless neighbors we have in Los Angeles County on any given night in our
communities, their demographic characteristics, and the locations where they reside.
Locally, the San Gabriel Valley Consortium on Homelessness (SGVCH), a 501 (c) (3) non-profit
organization based in West Covina, leads the effort to end homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley
by facilitating partnerships, educating the community and member agencies on homeless issues,
advocate for appropriate housing and homeless services, and provide references to homeless
services in the region. SGVCH is coordinating the homeless count in the San Gabriel Valley.
Participation in the 2015 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count will provide the City with
information on the number of men, women, and children, that are homeless in the community;
where they are located; provide data to assist in obtaining funding for homeless services for the
region; and bring awareness to the homeless situation in the San Gabriel Valley
Historically, the City of West Covina has participated or "Opt -In" to be part of the homeless count.
The City of West Covina has provided the use of Cameron Community Center as a deployment
facility, provided light refreshments for volunteers (i.e., coffee and water), promoted volunteers for
the homeless count, and provided part-time staffing at the center. Attached is information on the
2015 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count and the Opt -In Program (Attachment No. 1).
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's office has reviewed this agenda report.
FISCAL IMPACT:
City staff estimates a cost of approximately $200 to staff the Cameron Community Center and
provide light refreshments for the 2015 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. These expenses can
be absorbed in the current Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Community Services Department budget.
Prepared by:
Chris Freeland
Deputy City Manager/
Community Services Director
Attachments:
Reviewed and Approved by:
4u V-.
Mike Lee
Assistant City Manager/Community
Development Commission Director
Attachment No. 1-2015 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count and the Opt -In Program Information
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2015
�.:Greater Los Angeles
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Homeless
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Attachment No. 1
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About ± t,. ..
SAVE THE DATES WHAT IS THE COUNT?
Count
The Point -In -Time Count is how we determine how many homeless neighbors we have in Los Angeles
TUES. JANUARY 27 County on any given night. The purpose of the Greater Los Angeles Point -In -Time Homeless Count is to
8:00PM provide a biennial snapshot during the last 10 days of January of the number of homeless persons, their
SPA 3 — SAN GABRIEL VALLEY demographic characteristics and the locations where they reside; the Homeless Count is not designed to
SPA 7 —EAST Los ANGELES COUNTY determine reasons for particular changes or characteristics occurring within the homeless population
between counts.
The Los Angeles Continuum of Care (CoQ comprises all of Los Angeles County except for the cities of
WEDS. JANUARY 28 Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena, which operate separate Continua. All Co Cs are currently obligated by
8:00PM the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to perform an enumeration of homeless
SPA 5 — WEST Los ANGHES persons on the street every two years, while a count of sheltered homeless persons is required to take
SPA 8 — SOUTH BAY J HARBOR place every year.
WHY VOLUNTEER?
THURS. JANUARY 29
You can make an important impact in the lives of homeless men, women and children by volunteering
6:OOAM
your time and service to help out with the 2015 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. Your contribution
SPA 1 --ANTELOPE VALLEY
goes well beyond your donated time; by knowing who and where homeless people are in Los Angeles
8:00PM
County, HUD and the CoC are able to:
SPA 2 — SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
Understand the Situation In order to make a difference in the lives of homeless men, women, children
SPA 4 — METRO Los ANGELES
and veterans, we need to know who they are and where they live. Beyond a simple count, we will also
SPA 6 — SOUTH Los ANGELES
identify basic demographic information of our homeless residents.
Bring Resources to Our Community The data gathered from the Point -In -Time Count is the most
VOLUNTEER TODAY!
powerful tool nonprofits and local leadership have to make a case for additional and specialized resources.
By volunteering for the Count, you help the region specify need and track progress over time.
HOMELESSCOU NTCAILAHSA.ORG
Drive Engagement Connect with leaders, citizens and other stakeholders in our Cities, Neighborhoods or
FOR MORE INFORMATION Communities and create a vehicle to drive further civic engagement and awareness of homelessness.
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H; E S- I X S T E; P S ''JD -. 0 .R T. I N G I N;ih
1 Notify LAHSA of Interest to Participate _
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The first`step to participate:in the Opt inProgram is to notify-LAHSA that yourjurisdiction wants to participate by completing the Opt -In: Program:
Interest Form by October 31, 2014. On the form; please designate one lead contact responsible for overseeing your Count -someone who will act
- as the representative. for your jurisdiction, remain In dlrectcontact with LAHSA.staff and take the lead in'secunng;the necessary resources for
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„ participation.' - - ,
2:,, Review Preliminary 0Pt;InProg;am.Materials'
Upon, receiving a'completed Opt:-1n Program Interest Form, LAHSA will put you in touch with the'designated Homeless, Count ;RegionaI Coordinator
for your'Service Fla_nn ng Area (SPA)."Your, SPA Regional Coordinator'will provideiyou with additional Opt -In Program information; promotional
h0rsWand a draft Memorandum'of Understanding, which. outlines mutual respomibilitiesr'and contains a list of census tracts and maps (if,
-' necessary) for yourjurisdiction, preliminary estimates of the, minimum number. of -volunteers. and other m kind resources required, and other ;
.2 matenals to assist in organizing and,completing'a isuccessful Homeless Count
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3.^ Compieie Sign and Return the.Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) -
�rs Work ,with your SPAR-egional Coordinator to finalize the terms of the MOU You wlll'need tb,ccinfimn your designated Opt,ln, Coordinator's your.}.
V,' juinsdiciron s clear geographi'c'boundaries and the ce'nsus tractss to be enumerated,:ahe number ofvolunteers you will •be.targetine for recruitment;
and the;in-kind'resources�you will be providing to facilitate the 2015 Homeless Count. Your SPA,Regionaf Coordinator and/or LAHSA will "assist in,
flnahzing the details and establishing a timeline and process for execution: ;
The MOU'must be signed and retumed,to IAHSA16y the agreed upon deadline for your,area to remain in the Opt In Programz
Promote the 2015 Homeless Count -
$ Use the;piovided materials and'add Imks to,your websites promoting the 2015 Greater Los Angeles Homeless
Count ' Keep your SPA'Regional
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w> o -„- .-rr ,,. s
Coordinator mformed'of any. public events thaicould serve as `recruitment opportunittes and leverage any".social media, platforms utihzed;by your
.. _ jurisdiction. . .
r5 Recruit Volunteers
Build your volunteer list and keep track of yourprogress towards achieving the necessary number of volunteers. -,Check -in with your designated
SPA Regional Coordinatorregularlyfor tips and additional resources onvolunteer recruitment` --
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6" Se cuWl)ieploymertSites � „'
Your SPA' Regional Cobrdinator'.will help you identify appropriate Deployment Site(s) within your jurisdiction for the Homeless Count.- Please
complete and submit one Deployment Site Worksheet formpersite location (see MOU, Attachment l):
„
OPT-1 N' TODAY.
OPT INfA1LAHSA ORG x
FOR -MORE INFORMATION ,
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