The Los Angeles City Council took a step Tuesday toward creating a center in Koreatown to coordinate the city and county’s homeless outreach efforts.
The council unanimously voted to direct the Department of General Services, with assistance from Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer and City Administrative Officer Richard Llewellyn, to investigate leases, license agreements and any other necessary agreement in order for the city to create the center at 510 S. Vermont Ave.
According to the motion introduced by Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Center for Interagency Policy and Action on Homelessness would serve as headquarters for the city to coordinate its homeless outreach efforts with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Workforce Development and Aging and Community Services.
“Co-locating with county agencies that provide critical resources to address issues related to behavioral health and income insecurity will position the city to engage in timely interagency collaboration and coordination in alignment with the work of the City Council’s Homeless and Poverty Committee,” the motion stated.
“Approximately 3,000 square feet is available on the ground floor that could accommodate a Tenth Council District field office, a large community room and flexible co-working space that could be made available for representatives from relevant city agencies, including other council offices, the mayor’s office, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the Housing and Community Investment Department the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, as well as representatives from other levels of government and civic agencies who are working collaboratively with the city to address the homelessness crisis.”
Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who seconded the motion, said the city “relies on the county for so many crucial services, and we must better coordinate effectively with these county agencies on behalf of all of our residents, especially those who are most vulnerable.”
“In its best version of itself, the city should welcome people seeking assistance in, and ensure that they get what they need quickly and easily,” she said. “This Center for Interagency Policy and Action on Homelessness moves us closer to that vision.”
The council also voted to consider establishing a Constituent Service Center along the Crenshaw Corridor, accessible from the Exposition Line and future Crenshaw/LAX line, to ensure that Angelenos have “timely and efficient access to city personnel and programs.”
The center would have a Tenth District field office, and space for the departments of Public Works, Transportation, Planning, Sanitation and Housing and Community Investment.
“A CSC would not just improve constituent-service delivery for residents of South Los Angeles but help facilitate timely revitalization efforts occurring in the surrounding area,” the motion stated.