Culver City leaders are joining other Southland municipalities, county and state agencies in developing strategies for their homeless populations during the impending El Niño winter storms.
City Manager John Nachbar said the city’s committee on homelessness, which met on Nov. 17, in conjunction with City Housing Administrator Tevis Barnes have outlined a seven- point plan during the months leading up to and during El Niño, which is expected to arrive in Los Angeles in late December or early January.
- To proactively address the safety of the homeless in our community and to prevent harm and loss of life, the Culver City Police Department, in conjunction with Housing, the Saint Joseph Center Homeless Outreach Team and the police department’s on staff clinical mental health consultant have started identifying the most chronic service resistant homeless and outreaching to them to help connect with shelter and services before the El Niño storms.
- Signage will be posted at the Housing office, the Wende Museum at Veterans Park (formerly used as the Cold Weather Shelter), and the Senior Center informing persons seeking shelter of the available Safe Haven shelters on the Westside. The two locations are the Veterans Administration in Westwood and the Inglewood Armory.
- Weather protected signage will be posted throughout Ballona Creek informing those residing in the creek of the dangers of staying in the storm drains, bridges and underpasses and provide information on locations where they can seek services and shelter.
- Housing, code enforcement, the city attorney’s office, and the police will work to remove all homeless encampments from Ballona Creek and continue to inspect for new encampments throughout the El Niño season.
- Housing will work with the Saint Joseph Center Homeless Outreach Team and the police department to conduct outreach to persons residing in Ballona Creek and inform them of the dangers of staying in the storm drains and encourage them to seek shelter elsewhere.
- The city will make funding available to provide emergency motel vouchers and food vouchers (gift card) for a warm meal to women, children and the disabled who may be residing in Ballona Creek or persons seeking shelter during El Niño storms.
“These persons will be identified by Saint Joseph Center and [the police] and given up to three days motel stay, depending on the length of the storm,” Nachbar said.
- A team involving Housing and engineering and the SJC Homeless Outreach Team will meet on a periodic basis to evaluate the strategy outlined above and make adjustments to protect the safety of the homeless and provide shelter throughout the El Niño season.
Scientists are predicting that Southern California will be drenched by one of the most powerful winter storms to date. Los Angeles city and county officials have already announced preparations for protecting its homeless citizens, which are similar to those that will be implemented in Culver City.
Last month, the Board of Supervisors declared a shelter crisis due to the impending storm.
“With the harsh winter months approaching, and predictions of a severe El Nino season, there is a sense of urgency and a moral imperative to act now,” said Second District Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who represents Culver City and was the sponsor of the motion.
The city’s committee on homelessness is slated to tour Upward Bound House in the near future, which currently provides Culver City’s only emergency shelter for homeless families, according to a committee staff report.