We're Making Progress

Each year, thousands of volunteers come together to participate in the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, a point-in-time census of LA County's homeless population. The count give us a snapshot of where homeless people are on a given night and reveals important demographic information about the population. 
 
In January of this year, my staff and I joined 8,500 volunteers to complete the count. After collecting and analyzing the data gathered by all the volunteers across the county, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority just revealed this year's results. 
In This Issue
The numbers tell us that our overall efforts are beginning to work: 
  • For the first time in four years, there is a decrease in homelessness in LA County, with a five percent decline in the city of Los Angeles. While this is a hopeful sign, there are still 31,516 Angelenos without a home.
  • The drop indicates that new resources approved by voters are already having an impact. We housed more than 16,500 people last year, a 28 percent increase over the prior year, which is the highest number the region has ever achieved. Housing placements for youth are up to 53 percent, leaving more homeless youth sheltered than not.
  • There were double-digit drops among two high-priority populations: the chronically homeless and veterans. People who are chronically homeless -- who have a disabling condition and have experienced homelessness for at least a year -- decreased by 16 percent and the number of homeless veterans fell by 18 percent.
  • The decreases are primarily due to our focus on getting people into the coordinated entry system, which streamlines the process of finding housing for the most vulnerable, and the construction of supportive housing funded by Measure HHH. There are currently more than 2,000 housing units in the pipeline thanks to this voter-approved measure.
  • Still, 75 percent of homeless Angelenos still lack shelter nightly, showing the dramatic need to provide more immediate housing.
Myths and Facts

I also want to shed some light on the true face of homelessness. We have all heard some myths and misleading generalizations about the homeless population, most commonly that homeless people are all "mentally ill criminals," "drug addicts" and "people who moved to the area from out of state" to take advantage of LA's homeless services. This year's Homeless Count confirms that these statements are far from the truth:
  • Homelessness is a homegrown issue. Three out of four homeless people lived in Los Angeles before becoming homeless. Sixty-five percent had been in LA for more than 20 years and only 10 percent had been here less than a year. Homeless children attend our children's schools. Homeless mothers and fathers work alongside us and live in our communities.
  • Nearly half of those counted say they became homeless due to financial reasons, such as the loss of a job.
  • Less than 27 percent of the homeless population suffers from some type of mental illness and only 15 percent are plagued by substance abuse. Los Angeles County is the government entity responsible for providing services to assist with these issues, which are being addressed with funding from Measure H, another voter mandate.
  • A significant percentage of homeless people have been victims of domestic violence.
  • Twenty-five percent of the population is white, while 35 percent is Latino and another 35 percent is African American.
  • The homeless population is aging. There was a 22 percent increase in homeless individuals age 62 and older.
Homelessness in the Valley

The 2018 Homeless Count also indicates that, even though homelessness dipped overall, it increased across the San Fernando Valley, including in Council District 2. This underscores the urgent need to bring more immediate housing solutions and services to the San Fernando Valley.

Although my district has only a tiny fraction of the city's homeless, 98 percent are living in tents and encampments in our neighborhoods because we do not have enough housing to accommodate them. This is putting a strain on our communities and our most vulnerable residents. Placing people in secure and monitored housing, where they get a bed, along with health, mental health, substance abuse and job training services is the best way to begin turning things around.

I will keep you updated on the actions we're taking to combat homelessness in the weeks ahead. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me:  [email protected] or  (818) 755-7676 .

Very truly yours, 

Paul Krekorian
LA City Councilmember, Second District
TOP STORIES
Sidewalk Rebate Program Ends in June



LOS ANGELES - Safe Sidewalks LA recently announced that the last day to submit applications for the Safe Sidewalk Rebate Program is June 30, when the program will suspend accepting further applications.  
 
The popular Rebate Program, launched in December 2016, was established as a limited time, cost-sharing program.  Homeowners and commercial property owners still have an opportunity to take advantage of the Rebate Program, which provides a maximum $10,000 rebate for residential and commercial property owners for initiating needed sidewalk repairs.  If property owners have already received and accepted an offer from the city, the Department of Public Works will continue to process the application.  The department will also continue to process submitted applications based on available funding.
 
The Rebate Program is just a small initial piece of the city's comprehensive sidewalk repair plan, which has led to sidewalk repairs in residential and commercial neighborhoods across Council District 2. Under the plan, all broken sidewalks will be fixed in Los Angeles over the next three decades. The City Council budgeted a record $41 million for sidewalk repairs in this year's budget. 
 
Although the Rebate Program is ending, Angelenos can still request sidewalk repairs through the city's Access Request Program or simply report a broken sidewalk at www.sidewalks.lacity.org. The Access Request Program takes complaints and makes repairs requested by people who have a mobility disability and encounter physical barriers, like broken sidewalks, missing/broken curb ramps or other problems in the public right of way.   
Job Opportunities for Local Youth
with LA Beautification Team
 
LOS ANGELES - Are you a young student looking for a summer job? J oin the Los Angeles Beautification Team and help improve your local community. 
 
The Los Angeles Beautification Team is offering summer opportunities for youth to get involved in their neighborhoods, build their resume, learn green job skills, and plant trees throughout Los Angeles. To be eligible to apply, students must complete and return a work permit from their school.  
 
For more information about how to join the Los Angeles Beautification Team, contact Armand Shirinian at [email protected] or (323) 962-2163.
CITY HIGHLIGHT
Los Angeles Celebrates LGBT Heritage Month

Village Family Services CEO Hugo Villa with Councilmember Krekorian. | Photo: CD2

LOS ANGELES - This week, the City Council kicked off LGBT Heritage Month in Los Angeles, celebrating the contributions of  lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender  artists and activists who are paving the way for equality in Los Angeles. Councilmember Krekorian recognized Hugo Villa as Council District 2's honoree for his exemplary work in the San Fernando Valley.
 
Hugo Villa is a licensed child and family therapist and the CEO of the Village Family Services. With more than 30 years of experience, Hugo has been a dedicated advocate in our community working with children and families to combat child abuse and neglect due to poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, and domestic violence.  He is nationally recognized for his expertise in evidence-based practices for supporting foster parents. 
 
In 1997, Hugo founded the Village Family Services in North Hollywood to address the need of services for children, youth and individuals victimized by violence, abuse and neglect. Each year, the organization serves thousands of individuals with mental health and social care services to help them lead safe, healthy and productive lives. Additionally, Hugo and the Village Family Services developed Project Q, a supportive services program geared toward creating a safe space for LGBTQ youth in the San Fernando Valley.
 
During the month of June, the Department of Cultural Affairs will be hosting events and activities across the city to highlight the contributions of the  LGBT  community. You can find the event guide at www.culturela.org .
COMMUNITY CORNER
Krekorian Joins HOPE Team Outreach Effort
 
   
NORTH HOLLYWOOD - This week, Councilmember Krekorian joined members of the Homeless Outreach and Proactive Engagement (HOPE)  team on a field visit to survey the team's outreach efforts in Council District 2.
 
The HOPE team has been working with the East Valley community to help house and provide services to the local homeless population. The program, which is a collaboration between the LAPD, outreach workers from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and members of the city's Bureau of Sanitation, provides homeless people in the area with resources to put them on a path out of homelessness. The team also ensures that neighborhood parks, streets and sidewalks are safe and clean.
 
Councilmember Krekorian also worked alongside Bureau of Sanitation crews that day as they cleared and cleaned previously occupied homeless encampments in the area. 
 
As chair of the Budget Committee, Krekorian led the recent effort to increase funding for additional HOPE teams and encampment cleanups in this year's budget process. 
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Councilmember Krekorian honored Cheryl Parisi, who is retiring after decades of exemplary service representing city workers as leader of the Coalition of City Unions and Executive Director of AFSCME District Council 36. | Photo: CD2
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Los Angeles Public Library Autograph Day
Saturday, June 2, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
North Hollywood Regional Library &
Studio City Library
Los Angeles
  
Drop by your local library in North Hollywood or Studio City to add your name, drawing, poem or memory to the library's autograph collection. City Librarian Charles Lummis began the library's autograph colleciton in 1906 with contributions from notable people across the country. Now, you can add your name to history.
National Gun Violence Awareness Day Community Fair
Saturday, June 2, 10 am - 1 pm
Grand Park: 200 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012 
  
Join Moms Demand Action and a host of organizations to honor communities impacted by gun violence and to learn more about how you can be part of the fight for safer gun legislation. There will be music, food trucks, face painting and community partner booths. Click here for more information.
Greater Valley Glen Summer Festival
Sunday, June 3, 2 pm - 6 pm
Valley Glen Community Park
6150 Atoll Ave.
Valley Glen, CA 91401
  
Join the Greater Valley Glen Neighborhood Council and Councilmember Krekorian for a family-friendly summer festival at Valley Glen Community Park. Enjoy fun activities, including a petting zoo, bounce house, face painting, live music and food trucks. The festival is free and fun for the whole family. Please also bring canned or packaged food donations for the homeless. 
LACMA in NoHo
Sunday, June 3, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Wat Thai of Los Angeles
8225 Coldwater Canyon Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91605
   
Come to a free art workshop to learn about objects in the museum's Southeast Asian art collection and how to use them as inspiration for your own artwork. For more information, visit http://www.lacma.org/on-site-with-lacma  
Community Hike with Councilmember Krekorian & Assemblymember Nazarian
Saturday, June 9, 9 am - 10:30 am
Coldwater Canyon Park
12601 Mulholland Dr.
Studio City, CA

Nature is calling! Come out for a morning hike in beautiful Coldwater Canyon Park. Tree giveaway to first 50 people. Parking is very limited, so please carpool or use alternative transportation. No pets are allowed on this hike. RSVP: bit.ly/treepeoplehike
Valley Ranch Style Homes Walking Tour
Saturday, June 9, 10 am - 12 noon
Meet at corner of Addison & Ethel
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
  
Author Chris Lukather, founder and editor of the literary journal, The Writing Disorder, will take attendees on a stroll in Valley Glen through a cluster special ranch style homes built by William Mellenthin in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s.Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. 
Sepulveda Corridor Project 
Community Meeting 
Next Meeting
Saturday, June 9, 10 am to 12 noon
Marvin Braude Center
6262 Van Nuys Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91401
 

Join Metro for a community meeting on the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project.  These public meetings will include an overview of the study and initial concepts for the San Fernando Valley-Westside connection.
LACMA in NoHo
Saturday, June 9, 2 pm - 3:30 pm
Valley Plaza Branch Library
12311 Vanowen St.
North Hollywood, CA 91605
   
Learn how Jazz music inspired the work of various artists in LACMA's collection, such as Matisse, Pollock and John Altoon. The class will use paint and collage to learn how music influences color, composition, shapes and movement. For more information, visit http://www.lacma.org/on-site-with-lacma  
NoHo Community Cleanup   
Sunday, June 10, 9 am to 11 am
Meet at 5161 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood
 
Join the NoHo Neighborhood Council for a community cleanup. Roll up your sleeves and help beautify the neighborhood. The cleanup will take place on Magnolia Blvd. between Lankershim and Vineland. Please invite your neighbors, friends and everyone you know to help out. For more information, visit http://nohonc.org/
NoHo Summer Nights - Queen Nation 
Saturday, June 16, 6:30 pm
North Hollywood Park
11430 Chandler Blvd. 
North Hollywood, CA 91601
 * Next to the NoHo Library 
 
Councilmember  Krekorian's  NoHo   Summer   Nights  concert series begins Saturday, June 16 with live music featuring Queen Nation, the leading Queen tribute band. The concert is the first in an eight-week series that will bring outdoor shows to  North  Hollywood  Park . For more information and to RSVP visit http://www.paulkrekorian.org/nohosummernights2018  

Copyright © Office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian 2018. All Rights Reserved.