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.
Arcadia brothers Richard and Eric Dong (they attend San Marino High School) give endowment to Union Station Homeless Services. The fund will provide scholarships for children, to purchase books for the family library, to fund staff appreciation, and to finance the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights educational programs.
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 Methodist Hospital has been accused of dumping homeless patients on Los Angeles' Skid Row. A hospital representative said it is compliant with the anti-dumping law, Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, and has done nothing illegal. The two alleged dumping incidents involve homeless patients Hector Salazar and Therese LaBossiere.
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.
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.
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.
Arcadia wrestles with homeless issue. Metro Gold Line is seen as factor by some in the growing numbers camping nearby. In 2016, the Arcadia Station of Metro Gold Line opened and police began seeing a marked increase in calls for service regarding homelessness, said Sergeant Dan Crowther.
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.
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.
Homeless initiative takes a back seat to home improvement grants. Arcadia City Council approved Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funds for 2017-2018 fiscal year for home improvements and repairs to low and moderate-income residents, about $230,000 and only $20,000 on the Homeless Initiative Program. Mayor Tom Beck expressed concern for the disparity.
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.