As an incumbent for the Whittier City Council, I have been a member of the City Council dealing with the homeless issue for the past two years.  This is by far one of the most challenging issues the City has faced in decades.  Obviously it is a problem faced by the Nation, State and County of Los Angeles as well.  One of the first things the City did was to create a written homeless plan with goals, strategies and dates of completion.  As of this writing, not all goals have been met.  One of the biggest obstacles to meeting our goals has been the 9th Circuit Court ruling regarding the Martin v Boise case.     

     The Council has had several false starts in regards to solving this issue as we have had to navigate multiple legal issues.  As of this date (9 Feb 2020), the Council has financially encumbered 11 beds at our local homeless shelter, First Day.  Any of our police officers can offer those beds to a homeless individual even if that individual is high on drugs, drunk or appears to be mentally ill.  If the individual accepts the bed, he can no longer use alcohol or drugs while within First Day.  At this point, beds have been offered over 45 times and only two individuals have accepted a bed.  This is a frustration.  However, in order to be in compliance with the Martin v Boise ruling, the City continues to proceed with providing the number of beds to be in compliance.

     The Council desires to pursue the possibility of financially encumbering the remaining 34 beds at First Day as soon as First Day's government contracts expire later this year.  The Council has also encouraged First Day to apply for a revised CUP which would allow First Day to increase their number of beds to 60.  The Council could then consider financially encumbering those beds as well.

     At the most recent meeting, the City Council voted to extend an RFP for an operator of a navigation center to house the homeless to comply with Martin v Boise.

     Additionally, the City Council voted to enforce the City's anti-camping ordinance at two of our parks, Leffingwell & Parnell.  Both of these parks are located very close to schools, YMCA, a Church and a Public Library where children's programs are held.  The Council also enacted an amended camping ordinance which required that tents be taken down during the day unless the temperature is less than 50 degrees or it is raining.  This amendment has not been successful.  At our Council meeting on 11 Feb 2020, the Council wil consider further amending the camping ordinance to require that all camping paraphenalia be removed from public spaces (including parks) during the day.  I have also requested that this potential amendment be heard as an emergency ordinance as well as a regular ordinance.  The reason for this is because Parnell Park will soon be opening again, and I do not want to see tents there during the day or at any of our parks or public places in the City.

     Last year, the City Council officially declared a State of Emergency regarding homelessness which made us eligible for additional State funding.  Also, last fall, the City Council voted to engage the services of City Net to conduct a new homeless count.  At the same time, the City of Whittier is in discussion with the Orange County Federal Judge, David Carter who adjuicated the Orange County Catholic Workers lawsuit.  It appears that Judge Carter may be willing to allow Whittier to join the lawsuit and also set the number of beds we would need to satisfy Martin v Boise at a 60% number which would equate to 151 beds.