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.
Estimates by the Department of Finance say Arcadia's population has grown by 1000 people in the last year. The estimate is 54,900 people. Estimates for surrounding cities are included.
Los Angeles County's 2017 homelessness count has gone up 23% from the previous year and District 5, where Arcadia, Monrovia and Pasadena lie, has exceeded the county high at 30%. Measure H funds from a 1/4 cent sales tax increase in Los Angeles County, creates estimated $355 million per year to use on homeless initiative. Los Angeles Board of Supervisors voted on how to properly allocate over a billion dollars from Measure H to help prevent and combat homelessness.
Homeless impact on business. The article defines the homeless and gives ways business owners can protect their property and safety. Steve Delgadillo, community affairs liaison for Arcadia Police Department, monitors and responds to encounters between citizens and the homeless.
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.
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.
Gold Line extension may be contributing factor in Arcadia homeless population. Arcadia is seeing a drastic increase in homeless compared to recent years, specifically in Downtown Arcadia and Arcadia County Park, largely due to the Gold Line light rail extension that opened in early 2016 with a stop in Arcadia. Arcadia Police Department has seen a 46% increase in transient calls to deal with in 2017, compared to 2016.
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.
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 Rotary Club's second annual "Field of Honor" to display 1000 U.S. flags at Arcadia County Park to honor patriotism and those who have served our country and/or are special in our lives. Flags are $50.
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.
Updated homeless ordinance in Arcadia raises more questions than answers. Arcadia installs 65 "No Camping" signs within city limits. The anti-camping ordinance, updated in 2021, makes accommodations for people experiencing homelessness that are camping by necessity, but does so in a way that is consistent with case law and includes restrictions on where, when and in what manner camping is allowed on public property.
Santa Anita Park will stay closed; Derby to be rescheduled. Santa Anita Park will remain closed for live racing, at least through the upcoming weekend, as a result of last week's order by the Los Angeles County Health Department in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. More than 1700 horses are stabled at Santa Anita Park and are cared for by more than 750 people who live and work at the track. A track press release said, "We will continue to work with county officials and health authorities to familiarize them with the protocols already in place and our plans to protect the health and safety of the community who works with the horses and calls Santa Anita home."
Unidentified young man with dark glasses, a beard and facial decorations applied by paint. He is one of a large number of people who were in attendance at a love-in at Arcadia County Park.