In September, Mayor Garcetti, along with seven City Council members, declared a State of Emergency on Homelessness in Los Angeles, pledging $100 million for aid. Then, one month later, the Mayor reneged this declaration. We, the Collective of the Free Venice Beachhead, find the Mayor’s actionunacceptable, and call out as concerned citizens to uphold the original declaration.

According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA), the approaching El Nina will be among the strongest on record, pounding Venice with relentless, winter storms!!!

Venice has the second largest unhoused population in Los Angeles. We, the Collective, demand that city officials take real emergency steps to protect these residents. We demand that Mayor Garcetti, Council member Mike Bonin, and Venice Neighborhood Council President, Mike Newhouse, work to provide safe places for the unhoused immediately.

These include churches and other empty buildings where they can sleep; and vacant parking lots where those living in vehicles can regularly park.

We also demand that church leaders step up and do the work as well. After all, they were given a non-profit status to begin with because of their promise to help the poor, the hungry, and the needy in their communities. If you need inspiration, contact All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Highland Park, a church already accommodating 30 unhoused people a night.

The time for talk is over. Although the rains will be a welcome balm to our thirsty land, they will create unnecessary suffering for our most vulnerable citizens.

SOME RESOURCES FOR SHELTER

The Winter shelter program has been open since November 1st with a pick up site at Ocean Front Walk until March 31. The pick-up times occur at 5pm, 6:30pm and 7:15 pm and is located on Market Street at Ocean Front Walk. The provider is First To Serve, Inc. at the West LA Armory, which can be reached by phone at (323) 758-4670. We are trying to look for other locations to better serve the houseless community, especially during the cold and rain. We are also trying to find a couple of other pick up locations. If you have any other questions or suggestions, feel free to give me a call. http://www.lahsa.org/winter_shelter_program,

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