City of El Monte Community Input Session Homelessness

City of El Monte Community Input Session Homelessness Plan April 4, 2018 Rachel Ralston, Principal Le. Sar Development Consultants LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 1

Agenda • Background on homelessness • Best practices • Homeless plan process • Feedback on homelessness impact in city • Discussion of potential strategies LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 2

Why are people homeless? LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 3

Who are Homeless? Transitional homeless – 76% Chronically homeless – 24% • Those who experienced a lifealtering event (e. g. , job loss, medical condition, domestic violence situation, or divorce) • Individuals and families who earn barely enough to pay for their • housing costs and other necessities (e. g. , as food, health care, and day care). • People living on fixed incomes (e. g. , elderly, persons with disabilities that are living on SSI). • • Persons often experience longterm homelessness, frequently rotating through and among a community's various shelter facilities and the streets. They typically have health or substance abuse problems in addition to extreme poverty. This population is best served by permanent supportive housing, which combines housing with intensive rehabilitation, treatment, and other social services. LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 4

Answer “Homelessness is first and foremost a housing problem and should be treated as such. ” National Alliance to End Homelessness LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 5

Homeless History 101 Increase in homelessness since the 1980 s result of several key factors: 2. Wages and Public Assistance 1. Loss of Affordable Housing 3. Closing Institutions 4. Rapid Income Inequality Source: USICH Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 6

Our Response to Homelessness 1980 s Seen as natural disaster 1990 s Fix conditions of Individual Today Housing First (with Services) Source: USICH Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 7

Can homelessness be ended? LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 8

Can homelessness be ended? Yes* * It depends on how you define “ended. ” LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 9

Ending Homelessness = Rare, brief, and non-recurring Source: USICH Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 10

Why should we end it? Why? Homelessness is unacceptable LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS It’s expensive and drain on resources 11

What is needed? 1. Belief that it can be done 2. Leadership and buy in 3. Well oiled “system” 4. Sufficient housing and services LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 12

Next Steps - Plan Process Community Input Sessions and Interviews with City Staff Drafting of Plan with City Team using County Plan Template City Council Study Session to Review Plan Draft – Updates made LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS City Council Adopts Plan and Submits to County 13

Existing City Efforts 1. Affordable housing (e. g. , Exchange at Gateway) 2. Supportive housing (e. g. , Veterans Village) 3. Outreach and engagement (El Monte Police Department, Volunteers of America, etc. ) 4. Case management and services (Volunteers of America) 5. Homelessness prevention (local service providers) OCTOBER 2015 LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 14

Input– Homelessness Impact on City 1. What are the most significant issues/concerns related to homelessness from your perspective? 2. Where are the gaps in addressing homelessness? LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 15

Input. Initial Considerations for Plan 1. Are there activities that the City is doing that you would like to see expanded/enhanced? 2. Are there new ideas/strategies that the City should explore? 3. Are there strategies that would be helpful in your organization/business/school/place of worship? LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS 16