Homeless forum in Arcadia spawns communication and compassion. It was held at the Performing Arts Center and designed to provide information on homelessness in Arcadia and giving community members a chance to share ideas and concerns. The Homelessness Resource Hub, now closed, had been offering services such as showers, laundry, free WiFi, charging stations, food, clothing, case management, and more at the city's PAR 3 Golf Course parking lot.
Arcadia officials attempt to expand dialogue around homelessness. Arcadia homeowners are concerned that increased homelessness numbers within the city pose a threat to their children and property values. Arcadia City Council's idea to install 15 or so tiny homes as emergency shelter for unhoused people is being discussed.
Homeless count has massive overtones. Canvass has huge expectations because of political pressure and new programs, including the governor's move to conect homeless population with mental health services in the CARE Courts. The Los Angeles County total homeless count is 65,111 in 2022, that is a 2% increase from the count done in 2020. Arcadia's homeless count was 106 in January 2020 and in February 2022, it was 174, an increase of 68.
Arcadia launches homelessness program and perception survey. It is designed to solicit feedback about homeless in the city and to help inform the City and residents on the community's preferences for homeless support services.
Arcadia residents, city officials grapple with homeless issue at a public forum at Arcadia Performing Arts Center. City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto said easing the homeless crisis comes down to two major areas--enforcement and services. Police Chief Roy Nakamura said the number of calls to Arcadia Police Department related to the homeless increased from 1493 in 2019, to 2067 in 2020.
Another homeless village set to open in Baldwin Park. 16-unit tiny home complex will house families in need. It's called Serenity Homes, 13167 Garvey Avenue in Baldwin Park. Senator Susan Rubio, D-West Covina, celebrated the opening with elected officials from all over the San Gabriel Valley, including from Arcadia, Azusa, Glendora, La Puente, Monrovia, San Marino, South Pasadena, Temple City and Mount San Antonio College. It is the second tiny homes village opening in Baldwin Park within a year and serves as a model for how cities can expand homeless services.
Tiny homes opponents appeal for reduction of Foothill Unity Center’s homeless services. Opponents protested outside Arcadia Councilmember April Verlato's home.
Tiny house homeless plan draws opposition. Council tables proposal to build shelters at park. The city will create a citizens committee to help study the issue. The city is looking into costs, infrastructure and grants for the proposed complex of tiny shelters, in response to the growing number of unhoused people in Arcadia. Homelessness in Arcadia grew from 85 in 2019 to 117 in 2020.
Homeless numbers count due today. First tally since 2020 Pandemic start, affects nonprofit services, political races, and government. Karen Roberson, Founder and Director of Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley, a nonprofit that provides temporary shelter to unhoused families in Rosemead, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monrovia and Arcadia, said finding homeless families can be a difficult task and believes that population is undercounted.
Arcadia, the Community of Homes, starkly divided on helping the homeless. Residents are unhappy with homeless encampment at Second Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. The City proposes helping unhoused people with the Tiny Shelter project. The plan involves building a village of tiny homes on county land at Peck Park access road site. Residents expressed opposition to that, too.
Creative Housing Options in Arcadia (CHOA). Local efforts to address the lack of affordable housing and homelessness. On Saturday, April 20, 2024, a group of about 30 community members met at The Hills Church in Arcadia for a 2-hour "Sharing Session" to learn about what is being done in the city to address these issues. Safe Parking Programs were discussed. Arcadia City Council member Eileen L. Wang and Arcadia Mayor April Verlato attended.
Overall homeless numbers remain steady. A count has identified how many individuals are homeless in a city-by-city count. 4555 in all, in the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys, remained about the same as last year's count. Arcadia has 106, up from 77 last year.
Landlords urged to help area's homeless. New program provides financial benefits and support to landlords willing to lease to those receiving financial assistance. Landlords with units in Arcadia, among several other cities, are eligible for the program.
Arcadia High School students see continued success in National Merit Scholarship Program. Twenty Arcadia High School students have earned a spot in the 2021 competition. Over the past 25 years, Arcadia High School has had more than 600 National Merit Scholar semifinalists.
Los Angeles County Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination tracker by community. In Arcadia City, vaccination rates are: ages 12+, 83.8%, ages 65+ 88.7%. In unincorporated Arcadia vaccination rates are: 12+, 80.7% and 65+, 91%. Includes number of cases. Los Angeles County total cases: 1,475,694. Arcadia City has had 3366 total cases and unincorporated Arcadia has had 736 total cases.
Obituary/death notice. Arcadia leader Roger Chandler dies. Law enforcement professional (more than two decades in LA Sheriff's Department, Chief of Police for LA Housing Authority, created Hawaiian Gardens Police Department) and longtime resident served 24 years on Arcadia City Council.
Chinese company's Arcadia subsidiary to pay more than $1 million in Los Angeles City Hall bribery case. Jia Yuan USA Co., Inc. part of China-based Shenzhen Hazens, is a developer that bribed LA City officials to secure official acts to benefit their real estate projects.