For Immediate Release: October 29, 2021
ENCAMPMENTS TO HOMES INITIATIVE COMING TO WESTCHESTER PARK
Los Angeles - An initiative spearheaded by Councilmember Mike Bonin, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and Grassroots Neighbors is set to provide viable alternatives to homelessness for individuals residing in encampments at Westchester Park.
The Venice Beach Encampments to Homes program successfully transitioned 213 individuals indoors and onto a trajectory towards permanent housing. Presently, 49 participants from the Venice program have relocated to permanent housing, while another 122 individuals are currently in interim housing, progressing towards permanent residency. Notably, the public spaces cleared as a result of this initiative have remained open and accessible to all.
“We learned a lot with the success we saw in Venice,” said Councilmember Bonin. “When you work with people and focus on creating suitable alternatives to encampments, then people come inside and everyone wins. Housing people and providing the support and services they need is the most urgent priority in Los Angeles and we owe it to every neighbor in Los Angeles to build upon the achievements we have made with Encampments to Homes efforts so far.”
In recent months, Westchester Park has drawn the attention of local outreach organizations. Grassroots Neighbors, based in Playa del Rey, and PATH have played integral roles in linking 31 unhoused individuals in the park with housing and essential resources. Despite these ongoing efforts, a significant number of individuals continue to reside in the park. To address this, Councilmember Bonin has initiated a new effort today to ensure that all current occupants of the park are provided with the necessary resources to secure a pathway to permanent housing.
“As a leading provider of housing and homeless services, PATH’s teams take a housing-focused, person-centered approach to outreach. We proudly participate in any outreach efforts that lead with services and housing opportunities,” said PATH Deputy CEO Jennifer Hark Dietz. “We look forward to building on our partnership with Councilmember Bonin’s office and continuing to provide trauma-informed services to as many unhoused residents as possible in Westchester Park.”
Beginning November 1, 2021, individuals experiencing homelessness in Westchester Park will receive offers for interim housing, such as hotel and motel accommodations, providing them with temporary shelter while permanent housing solutions are arranged. Permanent housing will be provided through the use of rapid rehousing vouchers, recovery rehousing slots, and Emergency Housing Vouchers made available through the federal American Rescue Plan.
“It doesn’t solve anything to temporarily displace people, only for them to end up back out on the street,” said Councilmember Bonin. “Until people are permanently and stably housed, we won’t be fully successful. Now that we have the resources available to create a pathway to permanent housing for people, we must act aggressively to get people housed and public spaces returned to full public use.”
“We are very excited – this is the result of months of planning and organizing,” said Stephanie Tatro, co-founder of Grassroots Neighbors. “We know that criminalizing doesn’t work and getting people housed quickly is the most effective way to address homelessness in our communities.”
Over the past few months, Councilmember Bonin and his team have worked with PATH and Grassroots Neighbors to develop the Encampments to Homes program. PATH takes the lead in the park, offering diverse housing options, facilitating family reunification, assisting with documentation for housing eligibility, and providing substance abuse counseling and additional services. Grassroots Neighbors has organized multiple connect days at the park in collaboration with housing providers, will distribute hygiene kits to park occupants, and supports housing placements and overall park welfare through regular outreach visits.