Exploring citywide solutions for RV homelessness | 11/23/22
November 23, 2022
Dear Friends,
LA’s response to our growing homelessness crisis has been fragmented and reactive, focused on short-term answers rather than long-term and sustainable solutions that really end homelessness.
Our city’s response to the growing population of people experiencing homelessness who live in RVs is emblematic of our system’s challenges. Nearly 6,500 people live in about 4,000 RVs across the city, according to the last homeless count. They make up 22% of all residents experiencing unsheltered homeless in Los Angeles.
While some of the RVs people use as dwellings on the street are well-maintained, others are in grave disrepair, meaning that people living in them face unsanitary and sometimes dangerous conditions. Many of these vehicles aren’t equipped with adequate hygiene facilities, some don’t have functioning heat or air conditioning, and some aren’t operable at all. RVs have also posed challenges for the neighborhoods in which they are located, including the release of untreated effluent onto city streets and public safety risks, including fires from external generators. Sometimes, residents of RVs are actually paying rent to the vehicle‘s owner, spending significant sums to live in substandard conditions.
Right now, our city’s *primary* response to RVhomelessness is to put up signs restricting when oversized vehicles can park in a particular location. In response, vehicles usually move to another block — which means that these bans just move people experiencing homelessness from one street to another, instead of moving them into a home. Unsurprisingly, our short-sighted approach has led to an increase of 40% in the number of people experiencing homelessness who live in RVs since 2018.
Our approach to RVhomelessness in LA simply hasn’t worked — people living in these vehicles aren’t being met with the services they deserve, and people living in neighborhoods that are dealing with issues resulting from RVs aren’t getting solutions.
LA needs a whole host of new responses to RVhomelessness, and that’s exactly what my office has proposed in our new motion. Some of the options we’re asking the city to look into:
Safe Parking locations that cater to RVs (right now, there are no sites that are large enough to accommodate these vehicles, and that are open 24 hours)
Dedicated housing, interim shelter, outreach and case management programs for RV occupants
Incentives for voluntary relinquishment of vehicles (which have shown promising success in pilot stages)
Funding for demolishing RVs after they are relinquished
We’ve also identified some possible funding strategies for these programs, including an application to receive one of Governor Newsom’s Encampment Resolution Funding grants. Our office received a grant from this source earlier this year for a project focused on the River. The Governor has significantly expanded this funding, and cities will soon have an opportunity to apply.
A new Mayor and new leadership in the Council will be seated in less than a month. We’re in a moment of opportunity to advance holistic approaches to our city’s most persistent tragedy.
With love, hope, and wishes for a happy Thanksgiving,
I. Updates From City Hall — Day of Remembrance For Road Traffic Victims, Eviction Moratorium Updates, Committee On Governance Reform II. Open For Applications — CD4 Job Opening, Childcare Grants, Legacy Business Grants, Beautification RFPs, Outreach Case Manager Position III. Public Meetings & Comment Period — Wildlife Ordinance Hearing, Ventura-Cahuenga Specific Plan Survey, Metro FY2024 Budget Feedback, LA Fair Housing Assessment IV. Upcoming Events — LA Zoo Lights, SONC + CD4 Clothing Drive, Encino Toy Drive, Sherman Oaks Toy Drive V. Spotted In CD4 — Halloween, Business Walks, and School Visits! VI. Other Helpful Links
REMEMBERING VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC VIOLENCE ACROSS LOS ANGELES Last week, my office lit City Hall yellow to commemorate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on November 20th, and to honor the 245 people in the City of Los Angeles who have lost their lives to traffic violence this year alone.
It is unacceptable to see so many of our fellow Angelenos killed and seriously injured while traveling on our streets. We must push for comprehensive interventions that alter the fundamental nature of our streets, especially those that have the highest rates of traffic violence. We must fight for our streets to be safe places for all Angelenos.
NAVIGATING OUT OF THE EVICTION MORATORIUM, IMPLEMENTING PERMANENT RENTER PROTECTIONS | MORE INFO Last week, we held an important Housing Committee meeting that considered items related to the end of the City’s moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-related financial impacts, along with critical, permanent new protections for tenants in the city going forward. Here’s my summary of what happened and where we stand.
NEXT STEPS ON AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON GOVERNANCE REFORM Last week, Council President Krekorian announced the official formation of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Governance in response to my motion adopted by Council. I’m honored to serve as the Committee Vice Chair, and look forward to getting underway with the review of urgent and foundational issues including redistricting reform, council governance, land use and development, and campaign finance.
WE’RE HIRING! FIELD DEPUTY POSITION OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS | MORE INFO
CD4 is hiring! We’re seeking thoughtful applicants for the position of Field Deputy to engage with the community, provide direct constituent services, drive neighborhood priorities, and more.
CITY OF LA SINGLE PARENT CHILDCARE GRANTS | MORE INFO
To assist single parents in a successful and long-lasting transition back to gainful employment following the impacts of COVID-19, the City of LA is providing grants of up to $1000/month per child for childcare coverage, for a maximum of six months.
Funds will be used to compensate approved, licensed child care providers and will be paid directly to the provider. For more information and to apply, click HERE.
LA CONSERVANCY LEGACY BUSINESS GRANT | DEADLINE TO APPLY: DECEMBER 7 | MORE INFO
The Los Angeles Conservancy is thrilled to announce a new grant program available to longtime small businesses within Los Angeles County.
The Legacy Business Grant will award ten $5,000 grants to eligible small businesses that have operated and contributed to their community’s history and/or identity for at least 20 years. There will be two rounds of funding, and with five grants awarded in each round, round 1 will close on December 7. For more information and to apply, click HERE.
PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY BEAUTIFICATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL | DEADLINE TO APPLY: DECEMBER 16 | MORE INFO
The Office of Community Beautification is seeking proposals from qualified contractors for a variety of community beautification services within the City of LA including litter & weed abatement, tree planting services, operation of a Youth Employment Program & more! For more information, click HERE.
PATH OUTREACH CASE MANAGER (CD4 RIVER PROJECT) | APPLY HERE PATH is seeking social services candidates passionate about the mission to end homelessness to join their LA Metro Outreach team as an Outreach Case Manager. This position will be a part of our outreach program contracting with our office! The Street Outreach program works to engage individuals experiencing homelessness in an effort to provide and link them with services that will ultimately lead them to stabilize in housing long-term. For more information and to apply, click HERE.
WILDLIFE ORDINANCE COMMISSION HEARING | NEW DATE! DECEMBER 8 | MORE INFO
LA’s City Planning Commission (CPC) announced during its November 17 meeting that the proposed Wildlife Ordinance has been continued and will now be heard at the regularly scheduled meeting on December 8, 2022. The agenda for this meeting will be made available ten days before the hearing, on Tuesday, November 29, and will be posted at planning4la.org/hearings.
The City Planning Department has revised the ordinance following the staff-level public hearing in July to incorporate constituent feedback — key changes to the proposed ordinance are provided in the Planning Department’s Summary of Ordinance and Revision. The Staff Report details these changes, and includes information regarding the background of the project, the basis for the proposed regulations, summary of outreach and engagement activities, and more.
VENTURA-CAHUENGA SPECIFIC PLAN MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS SURVEY| FLYER | SURVEY LINK
The City of LA is collecting feedback on community needs for mobility and public realm investments along the Ventura corridor! Share your input on policy goals such as access for all, safer streets, improved air quality, climate resilience, and public health. The goal is to develop a list of mobility and right-of-way investments consistent with community-defined needs and advance policy goals the community is interested in. Submit your thoughts HERE for a chance to win a raffle prize!
Help define Metro’s funding priorities! The My Metro Budget tool invites Angelenos to learn about and participate in the budget development process for the upcoming fiscal year.
With the tool, you will be asked to make spending trade-offs based on what you believe is best for LA County’s transit needs. The information you provide is used by the entire Metro team, and helps ensure that transportation services receive an equitable share of public resources. To try out My Metro Budget, click HERE.
LEARN ABOUT LA’S FAIR HOUSING ASSESSMENT AT A VIRTUAL INFO SESSION| MORE INFORMATION The Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) are hosting seven community meetings to discuss the Fair Housing Assessment — a plan that will examine whether everyone has similar choices for housing regardless of protected class, including race, age, gender, source of income, and veteran status.
Join to learn about the laws that protect your access to housing and help us identify housing barriers in your community. Meetings will target specific areas of the city but are open to all.
Register and attend a meeting of your choice by clicking a link below:
L.A. Zoo Lights is back with an all-new nighttime winter attraction L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow that transforms its grounds into an immersive landscape filled with spectacular lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more.
Take a 90-minute stroll through the animal kingdom filled with desert, garden, and jungle landscapes complete with larger-than-life glowing sculptures, magical lights, and immersive exhibits in a dazzling display of light and color. Guests can enjoy several animated and interactive displays and numerous photo opportunities! For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
Join the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council and Council District 4 for the Annual Drive to benefit the NoHo Home Alliance. Donations requested include:
Men’s Jeans – Size 34-40
Men’s New Underwear & T-Shirts
Women’s New Underwear & T-Shirts
Donations can be dropped at Notre Dame High School (13645 Riverside Dr) at the Woodman Ave entrance on Saturday, December 3, from 11 AM to 2 PM.
CD4 + FRIENDS ENCINO TOY DRIVE | NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 23
Help make the holidays special for children across Los Angeles with a donation to our Holiday Toy Drive, hosted with Encino Community Center, Encino Neighborhood Council, and The SoCal Sound! New toys for all ages and gift cards can be dropped at Encino Community Center (4935 Balboa Blvd) NOW until December 23rd (Monday to Friday 9 AM-8 PM & Saturdays 9 AM-4 PM). Toys will be donated to LA Family Housing, & Village Family Services. More info coming soon!
CD4 HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE | NOW-DECEMBER 31
Join our office for a community food drive! Throughout the month of December, we’ll be collecting donations for non-perishable foods such as pasta, rice, beans, peanut butter, canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned stew, and canned meat (sausages, tuna, chicken).
Coordinate donation drop-off at our Sherman Oaks Field Office (14930 Ventura Blvd) during weekday working hours by contacting Field Deputy Ryan Ahari at ryan.ahari@lacity.org or (213) 424-2412.
Stay tuned for a one-day drive-through donation drop off event in multiple locations in the district later this month!
SHERMAN OAKS TOY DRIVE | DECEMBER 3 @ 1 PM-4PM | FLYER + INFORMATION Save the date for the 11th annual Sherman Oaks Toy Drive benefiting LA Family Housing, hosted by Les Perry, host of Saturday with the Beatles. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card— everyone who brings a gift will receive a raffle ticket for a wide selection of prizes!
We had an *udderly* amazing time at opening up the streets in neighborhoods across CD4 for trick-or-treaters!
Visiting and speaking with the wide array of small businesses on and near Ventura Place alongside the Studio City BID and Studio City Chamber!
Meeting with the dedicated faculty and families from Encino Charter Elementary’s PTA — after an adorable and warm welcome from some Encino Charter Students!
Celebrating Corita Day with an incredible community gathering hosted by the Corita Art Center and Immaculate Heart Community—with a song performance from CD4’s own high school superstar Isaiah Ambrose, art kit assembly, button-making, and more.
Joining Marshall High students and neighbors to help plant wild flowers and native plants in the Ivanhoe Community Garden, sponsored by Silver Lake Reservoir Conservatory and LADWP!
With the integral partnership of MTO Shahmaghsoudi and Child Development institute, we distributed over 250 Thanksgiving turkeys and meal sides to residents in Reseda!
Touring the City of LA’s Emergency Operations Center with some of the team members from the incoming Council Offices 1 & 13!
Relishing in every minute spent with the babies of CD4! We had an amazing early team Thanksgiving — and send heartfelt wishes for a restful, joyful holiday to all across the City.
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We had an *udderly* amazing time at opening up the streets in neighborhoods across CD4 for trick-or-treaters!
Visiting and speaking with the wide array of small businesses on and near Ventura Place alongside the Studio City BID and Studio City Chamber!
Meeting with the dedicated faculty and families from Encino Charter Elementary’s PTA — after an adorable and warm welcome from some Encino Charter Students!
Celebrating Corita Day with an incredible community gathering hosted by the 
