Homelessness in Redondo Beach has tripled since 2013, causing the city to look deep into its pockets to see where representatives can help.
The most recent survey from the Greater Los Angeles Area Homeless Count in January found 216 individuals in Redondo Beach, up from 165 in 2015 and 70 in 2013. The city accounted for 83 percent of the homeless population across the beach cities and El Segundo.
At the most recent Redondo Beach City Council meeting, both police and the Los Angeles County Housing Authority spoke of a multi-pronged approach to combating homelessness in the city. On the larger end, the city agreed to enter a partnership with the housing authority to use Section 8 funding to help homeless veterans.
The program will allow homeless veterans with vouchers from Los Angeles County Housing Authority to live in Redondo Beach through a system similar to Section 8 housing.
Along with assistance for homeless veterans, Redondo Beach police are taking a more proactive approach to helping the homeless population by hiring more mental health professionals. The council agreed to partner with Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach Police Departments to allow a mental health clinician from LA County Department of Mental Health to ride along with police.
Along with assistance for homeless veterans, Redondo Beach police are taking a more proactive approach to helping the homeless population by hiring more mental health professionals. The council agreed to partner with Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach Police Departments to allow a mental health clinician from LA County Department of Mental Health to ride along with police.
In addition to Redondo Beach police, the joint effort last week included People Assisting the Homeless, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s Emergency Response Team, Harbor Interfaith Services, St. Margaret’s Center, U.S. Vets, Mental Health America, the South Bay Coalition to End Homelessness, the 1736 Family Crisis Center and Exodus Recovery.
To read more of Kelcie Pegher's article, please click here.
Comments (0)