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CC SR 20160315 L - Grand Jury El Nino Planning for County Homeless PopulationRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT AGENDA DESCRIPTION: MEETING DATE: 03/15/2016 AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar Consideration and possible action to approve the City's response to the 2015-16 Civil Grand Jury Interim Report on EI Nino planning for the homeless. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: 1) Authorize the Mayor to sign the City's response letter regarding the Interim Report by the 2015-16 Civil Grand Jury report regarding EI Nino planning for the County's homeless population. FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: N/A Additional Appropriation: N/A Account Number(s): N/A ORIGINATED BY: Kit Fox, AICP, Senior Administrative Analyst : ; REVIEWED BY: Gabriella Yap, Deputy City Manager;: APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager..'r ' t ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. Response to 2015-16 Civil Grand Jury (page A-1) B. Civil Grand Jury Interim Report (page B-1) BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: On December 28, 2015, the 2015-16 Civil Grand Jury for Los Angeles County (CGJ) issued an Interim Report of its findings regarding the adequacy of EI Nino emergency planning for the homeless by Los Angeles County and the eighty-eight (88) incorporated cities therein (Attachment B). The CGJ found that, although some steps had been taken to address the protection of homeless populations during the predicted EI Nino winter storms, on the whole the efforts of the County and cities were "unconscionable and grossly inadequate." The CGJ makes seven (7) recommendations in its Interim Report. California Penal Code Sections 933(c) and 933.05 require a written response to all CGJ recommendations, to be submitted to the Clerk of the Court no later than ninety (90) days after the CGJ publishes its Interim Report. Therefore, the deadline for responses is March 28, 2016. 1 As the City Council may recall, 15th District Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino recently called upon all of the cities of the South Bay to work together on addressing the issue of homelessness as a regional issue. Accordingly, Councilmember Buscaino has reached out to the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) to create the Homeless Outreach Program. As a part of this initiative, SBCCOG contracted with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) to develop a template for member cities' responses to the CGJ Interim Report. The template emphasizes a coordinated, regional approach to homelessness in the South Bay, while also providing an opportunity for individual cities to provide information about their specific policies and programs. Using the PATH template, Staff has prepared the City's responses to the recommendations in the CGJ Interim Report (Attachment A). Staff seeks the City Council's input on these responses (if any), along with authority for the Mayor to sign the accompanying cover letter. Since the City's responses are due no later than March 28, 2016, and there will not be another regular -scheduled City Council meeting before that date, it is imperative that the City Council provide any desired direction to Staff on these responses at tonight's meeting. In the absence of direction from the City Council, however, Staff will complete the City's responses to the CGJ for transmittal under the signature of the City Manager by the March 28th deadline. 2 March 15, 2016 Presiding Judge Los Angeles County Superior Court Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 210 W. Temple St. 11 th Fl., Rm. 11-506 Los Angeles, CA 90012 SUBJECT: Response to Civil Grand Jury Interim Report of December 28, 2015 Honorable Presiding Judge and Civil Grand Jury: Pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 933(c) and 933.05, enclosed is the written response of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes to the recommendations contained in the Civil Grand Jury's Interim Report entitled "Inadequate EI Nino Planning for County Homeless Population". At its regular meeting of March 15, 2016, the City Council approved and authorized the submittal of these responses to the Civil Grand Jury's recommendations, as set out in the enclosed document. The City appreciates the dedication of the Civil Grand Jury to the investigation of this important issue. Sincerely, Ken Dyda Mayor enclosure cc: Rancho Palos Verdes City Council Doug Willmore, City Manager Gabriella Yap, Deputy City Manager Kit Fox, Senior Administrative Analyst A-1 City of Rancho Palos Verdes Response to 2015-16 Civil Grand Jury Interim Report on EI Nino Planning for County Homeless Population RECOMMENDATION NO. IR1.1. The County of Los Angeles and each of its 88 cities should immediately locate buildings that could be used to shelter the approximately 29,000 homeless people who will not be accommodated by the plans known to the CGJ [Civil Grand Jury] from the expected torrential rains. Response The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is in agreement with the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury that more must be done to safeguard the well-being of the region's homeless population, both during the immediate threat of EI Nino and in the long term. Because of the dense population of the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, the virtually indistinguishable borders between cities, the tendency of homeless residents to circulate through several cities within the region, and the limited resources of these cities, there has been an implicit understanding that planning for the needs of the homeless population on an individual city basis is impractical and inefficient. At the time of incorporation, most cities were not set up as health and welfare organizations. The County, on the other hand, has served and continues to serve this function through its County Department of Public Health programs. Although there are individual city efforts taking place to address the needs of local homeless populations, these work in coordination with two specific lead agencies: the Los Angeles County Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the South Bay Cities' Council of Governments (SBCCOG) newly -founded Homeless Outreach Program. Working in conjunction with these lead agencies is, of course, the County Department of Public Health. A) Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority is statutorily charged with the provision of resources, including sheltering, for the entirety of Los Angeles County in 85 of the 88 cities in the County (Long Beach, Glendale and Pasadena coordinate their own continuum of care efforts). LAHSA's primary role is to coordinate the effective and efficient utilization of Federal and local funding in providing services to homeless people throughout the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. LAHSA is the lead agency in the Los Angeles Continuum of Care, which is the regional planning body that coordinates housing and services for homeless families and individuals in Los Angeles County. LAHSA coordinates and manages over $70 million dollars annually in Federal, State, County and City funds for programs that provide shelter, housing and services to homeless persons in Los Angeles City and County. Partner agencies provide a continuum of programs ranging from outreach, access centers, emergency shelters, safe havens, transitional and permanent housing, and prevention, along with the A-2 necessary supportive services designed to provide the tools and skills required to attain a stable housing environment. Additionally, LAHSA partners with both the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles to integrate services and housing opportunities to ensure wide distribution of service and housing options throughout the Los Angles Continuum of Care. B) South Bay Cities' Council of Governments (SBCCOG) Homeless Strategy Because it is estimated that up to 11,883 people are experiencing homelessness in the South Bay Cities annually, the 15 cities in the South Bay region have invested above and beyond LAHSA's County -wide, federally -funded approach. The SBCCOG Homeless Outreach Program is a $601,645 annual investment. City officials from all 15 cities are working with the SBCCOG and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to coordinate funding and personnel (including law enforcement) to encourage homeless residents to seek shelter and other available resources, including mental health and substance abuse treatment, literacy and job training, and basic healthcare services. The South Bay Cities COG Strategy involves coordinated contracts with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) to address chronic homelessness with real solutions. Primary among these solutions are on -the -ground outreach and a coordinated entry system with a consolidated database of resources. The Street Outreach Team will work to get people into homes and connected with supportive services within the South Bay region. The coordinated entry system has consolidated resources available (from emergency food and medical aid to short-term sheltering to long-term housing, and the financial, job-related, mental-health and substance abuse assistance necessary). C) Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) The County Department of Public Health (DPH) protects health, prevents disease and promotes the health and well-being for all persons in Los Angeles County. Its focus is on the population as a whole, conducting activities through a network of public health professionals throughout the community. One of the largest service providers for homeless residents in the County, DPH caseworkers and mental health professionals are often closely involved in the activities of the two homeless - care lead agencies (LAHSA and PATH). DPH is also a major provider of research, data collection and data analysis regarding homeless -related health topics. A subdivision of DPH, called Community Health Services, provides clinical services through 14 public health center (plus a satellite site on Skid Row). PATH and DPH have frequent meetings and will do joint outreach to link people experiencing homelessness to the services they need. D) City of Rancho Palos Verdes The City of Rancho Palos Verdes addresses the needs of homeless residents through the above-mentioned County and regional programs. Rancho Palos Verdes' Response to Civil Grand Jury Interim Report March 15, 2016 Page 2 of 5 A-3 RECOMMENDATION NO. 111111.2. The County of Los Angeles and each of its 88 cities should determine what additional supplies and equipment need to be relocated to the buildings identified above to provide for the basic human needs of the people housed in those buildings during the El Nino event. These buildings should be identified and located according to need across the County. Shelters additionally should provide space for personal items and be staffed and controlled by Department of Health employees and patrolled by police. Response The City's Civic Center, Hesse Park, Ryan Park and Ladera Linda Community Center are designated as Red Cross shelters for emergencies and disasters. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes agrees that emergency supplies and equipment are a continuous need in the serving of basic needs during major emergencies or disasters. The City's emergency plans, which include EI Nino flooding and other catastrophic weather events, are not residence -specific. This means that, in the City's emergency services plans for catastrophic events, including a potential 2016 EI Nino flooding event, anyone who needs help would be helped; per City disaster plan protocol, and no identification or residency information would be required for admission to the Red Cross shelters or other resource agency shelters. RECOMMENDATION NO. IR1.3. The County and its 88 cities should immediately take steps to reasonably modify ordinances and regulations that would impede the sheltering of people in public structures and facilities during the El Nino event, by relaxing restrictions in health, fire, and other safety standards applicable to non -catastrophic times. Response The City of Rancho Palos Verdes agrees that bureaucratic rules should be amended to ensure the safe housing of homeless residents, whether on an emergency temporary basis or longer-term supportive sheltering. In fact, California's 2007 law, Senate Bill 2, specifically addressed the extent to which cities can prohibit residential -based shelters and facilities using zoning codes. The City's Municipal Code was amended in 2011 (Ordinance No. 518) to permit emergency shelters as a "by right" use in our Commercial General (CG) zones; single -room occupancy (SRO) facilities in our CG zones as a conditionally -permitted use; and transitional and supportive housing as a conditionally - permitted use in our Multi -Family (MF) zones. Furthermore, the 4 City facilities mentioned in our response to Recommendation IR1.2 are designated Red Cross shelters. As discussed above, emergency shelters are allowed "by right" in the City's CG zones. When combined with the 4 City -owned Red Cross shelter locations, approximately 94 Rancho Palos Verdes' Response to Civil Grand Jury Interim Report March 15, 2016 Page 3 of 5 A-4 acres of land area in the City is open to sheltering of some kind "by right," without special permits or approvals, regardless of public or private ownership or operation. RECOMMENDATION NO. IR1.4. The County and its 88 cities should immediately take steps to waive ordinances and regulations that for whatever reason similarly block private entities from providing temporary shelter to people without homes. Response The City of Rancho Palos Verdes agrees that bureaucratic rules should be amended to ensure the safe housing of homeless residents. As described above in our response to Recommendation IR1.3, approximately 94 acres of the City's land area is open to emergency sheltering "by right," without special permits or approvals, regardless of public or private ownership or operation. Transitional/supportive housing and SROs are allowed in MF and CG zones, respectively, as conditionally -permitted uses. RECOMMENDATION NO. 111111.5. The County of Los Angeles and each of its 88 cities at a minimum should purchase and provide tents, tarps, and ponchos to people who cannot be accommodated in shelters because they have pets or for whom there is no room in existing emergency shelters. Every step should be taken to assure that unsheltered people remain dry and avoid hypothermia. Response The City of Rancho Palos Verdes agrees that it is of paramount importance to safeguard homeless residents who, for various reasons, are unable to be accommodated in emergency shelters. In the County's last homeless census in 2015, the results indicated that the three homeless residents in the City all lived in their vehicles, so the purchase of tents, tarps and ponchos is not needed at this time. If conditions were to change or worsen, this issue could be revisited. As discussed in our response to Recommendation No. IR1.1 above, the City also participates in and coordinates with County and regional programs to address the needs of the homeless. For example, LAHSA coordinates more than $70 million annually for shelter, housing and services for the homeless population throughout Los Angeles County. RECOMMENDATION NO. IR1.6. The County and its 88 cities should make plans or they should partner with non- governmental entities to distribute these supplies. Response Rancho Palos Verdes' Response to Civil Grand Jury Interim Report March 15, 2016 Page 4 of 5 A-5 The City of Rancho Palos Verdes agrees that partnerships with non-governmental entities are essential in addressing the critical short-term and chronic long-term needs of our homeless residents. This is why the City is proud of the SBCCOG's regional approach to coordinated resources and a coordinated entry system. Moreover, each of the individual nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations under the coordinated entry system umbrella are also providing on -the -spot food vouchers and support for healthcare needs, transportation needs, and sheltering/warming needs. RECOMMENDATION NO. IR1.7. Public Service Announcements should be made throughout Los Angeles County about the location of public -building shelters available to unsheltered people, including public transportation when needed. Response The City of Rancho Palos Verdes agrees that public service announcements are essential to continue spreading the word about the location and availability of shelters, including public transportation. That is why the City is committed to using its website, cable channel (RPVtv), and social media channels (Facebook, Nextdoor and Twitter) to share information about cold weather shelters, shuttles and other County and regional programs and initiatives to protect vulnerable homeless populations during extreme weather events. Rancho Palos Verdes' Response to Civil Grand Jury Interim Report March 15, 2016 Page 5 of 5 A-6 INADEQUATE EL NINO PLANNING FOR COUNTY HOMELESS POPULATION: An Interim Report (IR) by the 2015-2016 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The enormous and growing number of people without homes in Los Angeles County is tragic.' Our county must better address the reality that more than seventy (70) percent of them, about 29,000 people, will be unsheltered during what is expected to be a historic rainy season. The members of the 2015-2016 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) are alarmed by this fact. We have learned, as a result of recent inquiries to the 22 largest cities in the county,2 that not enough is being accomplished to alleviate the suffering that is certain to increase among those who lack reliable shelter as a massive EI Nino weather pattern approaches.3 We urge at a minimum that funds be expended for the immediate stockpiling of supplies and equipment sufficient to provide at least minimal sheltering for homeless people who cannot be accommodated in shelters so that they might survive the rainstorms to come. A plan to efficiently distribute these supplies must be put in place. The CGJ is pleased that there is an effort to clear riverbanks and dry washes of human encampments as the winter approaches,4 but we are very concerned that the 2,772 shelter and surge capacity beds5 planned by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is just a fraction of the number necessary to shelter homeless people in severe weather. Moreover, the information we received also indicates that current planning by individual cities will not adequately supplement the LAHSA shelters.6 The CGJ believes this situation is unconscionable and grossly inadequate. 1 The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported 44,359 homeless people in Los Angeles County in its January 2015 count. http://www.lahsa.org/homelesscount results z See Appendix: Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Homeless Survey 3 This EI Nino is predicted to be perhaps the strongest on record. http://www.latimes.com/local/weather/la-me-In- el-nino-coming-20151113-story.html The sea -surface water temperature in the Eastern Pacific Ocean reached its highest average point at this time of year since 1950. http://www.wunderground.com/news/strong-el-nino- december-2015 Above-average precipitation is forecast during the 90 -day period beginning in January 2016. http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long range/leadOl/off01 prcp.gif 4 http://www.latimes.com/local/countygovernment/la-me-tueunga-cleanup-20151115-story.html 5 http://documents.lahsa.org/Programs/funding/2015/2015 WSP RFP Funding Recommendations.pdf http://file.lacounty.gov/bc/q4 2015/crosl 235457.pdf 6 See Exhibit B, infra. 2015-2016 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT As II. RECOMMENDATIONS The Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury therefore makes the following recommendations. IR1.1. The County of Los Angeles and each of its 88 cities should immediately locate buildings that could be used to shelter the approximately 29,000 homeless people who will not be accommodated by the plans known to the CGJ from the expected torrential rains. IR1.2. The County of Los Angeles and each of its 88 cities should determine what additional supplies and equipment need to be relocated to the buildings identified above to provide for the basic human needs of the people housed in those buildings during the EI Nino event. These buildings should be identified and located according to need across the County. Shelters additionally should provide space for personal items and be staffed and controlled by Department of Health employees and patrolled by police. IR1.3. The County and its 88 cities should immediately take steps to reasonably modify ordinances and regulations that would impede the sheltering of people in public structures and facilities during the EI Nino event, by relaxing restrictions in health, fire, and other safety standards applicable to non -catastrophic times. IR1.4. The County and its 88 cities should immediately take steps to waive ordinances and regulations that for whatever reason similarly block private entities from providing temporary shelter to people without homes. IR1.5. The County of Los Angeles and each of its 88 cities at a minimum should purchase and provide tents, tarps, and ponchos to people who cannot be accommodated in shelters because they have pets or for whom there is no room in existing emergency shelters. Every step should be taken to assure that unsheltered people remain dry and avoid hypothermia. IR1.6. The County and its 88 cities should make plans or they should partner with non- governmental entities to distribute these supplies. IR1.7. Public Service Announcements should be made throughout Los Angeles County about the location of public -building shelters available to unsheltered people, including public transportation when needed. 2 2015-2016 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT III. BACKGROUND The CGJ is aware that approximately 44,000 people are homeless in our county and that on any given night seventy (70) percent of them are not sheltered.7 Thus every day more than 29,000 people sleep on our streets and in parks. The County and its largest cities have developed plans for the coming winter that include providing emergency shelter for just a fraction of that number.$ IV. METHODS AND PROCEDURES The CGJ gathered information from cities within the county with populations exceeding 85,000. The questionnaire sent to city managers and to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)9 asked recipients to provide a current estimate of homeless people in their jurisdictions and to detail plans to shelter those individuals in extreme weather. The questionnaire is attached in the Appendix. V. DATA The Grand Jury examined the data it collected and focused on the information pertaining to cities of 100,000 or more in population. These sixteen (16) cities, listed in Exhibit B, are located in all areas of Los Angeles County. The data present a clear picture of what preparations have been made to provide shelter to the County's homeless population during severe winter storms. The data clearly shows that the number of beds planned will benefit just a fraction of the homeless population. Approximately 25,000 unsheltered homeless people in large cities across the County will be left unsheltered. Preventable outcomes, such as great suffering and possible loss of life in an already unhealthy segment of our population, will likely occur. Exhibit A, which follows, is a chart showing the relationship between the total estimated numbers of unsheltered homeless people in those cities compared to the projected number of winter storm shelter beds provided by Los Angeles County and those sixteen (16) cities. http://Iahsa.org/homeIesscount_resuIts 8 See data in Exhibit B. This report specifically does not address shelter beds that are not funded directly by Los Angeles County or its 88 cities. 9 LAHSA covers all of Los Angeles County and assists county departments and independent cities coordinate the local response to the ever-increasing number of individuals without homes in the county 2015-2016 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT 3 Exhibit A --- F ■ Estimated number unsheltered homeless Number of available beds This pie chart shows that only 13.2% of the unsheltered homeless people in LA County's 16 largest cities will have shelter beds provided by LA County or the cities themselves. Exhibit B lists the County's sixteen (16) largest cities and shows the number of homeless people, including those unsheltered, indicated by those cities. It also lists the number of winter shelter beds planned to be available. 4 2015-2016 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT EXHIBIT B COUNTY CITIES WITH POPULATION >100,000 ESTIMATED NUMBER HOMELESS ESTIMATED NUMBER UNSHELTERED HOMELESS NUMBER OF AVAILABLE BEDS BURBANK 168 168 0 DOWNEY 180 165 0 EL MONTE 238 122 136 GLENDALE 208 128 80 INGLEWOOD* 150 50 100 LANCASTER* 2,818 2,612 104 LOS ANGELES 25,686 17,687 2,239 LONG BEACH* 2,345 1,513 144 NORWALK 235 118 117 PALMDALE 416 416 0 PASADENA 632 488 144 POMONA* 912 588 125 SANTA CLARITA* 298 238 60 SOUTH GATE 189 189 0 TORRANCE 28 28 0 WEST COVINA 72 72 0 TOTAL 34,575 24,582 3,249 This chart lists the 16 largest cities in Los Angeles County and the estimated number of homeless people and unsheltered homeless people in each (provided by the cities themselves). It lists the number of winter shelter beds planned for each jurisdiction. Every effort was made by the CGJ to obtain accurate information for this chart. *The available bed number listed is included in LAHSA Winter Shelter grants for 2015- 2016. VI. FINDINGS There are more than 44,000 homeless people in Los Angeles County. There is a severe lack of shelter beds and/or emergency beds available in Los Angeles County. 2015-2016 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT 5 There is very little substantive planning, at least as reported to the CGJ, that has the purpose of keeping large numbers of people dry during severe rainstorms. There are coordinated sweeps of river banks and dry washes, and, presumably, other areas known to present risk of flooding. There is little or no effort to suspend ordinances and regulations to provide additional shelter by government or private entities. Some private entities would provide emergency shelter if permitted to do so. VII. REQUEST FOR RESPONSE California Penal Code Sections 933(c) and 933.05 require a written response to all recommendations contained in this report. Such recommendations shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after the Civil Grand Jury publishes its report (files it with the Clerk of the Court). All responses to these interim recommendations of the 2015-2016 Civil Grand Jury must be submitted within ninety (90) days following the release of the report to the public, to: Presiding Judge Los Angeles County Superior Court Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 210 West Temple Street Eleventh Floor -Room 11-506 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Responses are required from: Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors: IR1.1, IR1.2, IR1.3, IR1.4, IR1.5, IR1.6, and IR1.7. The 88 cities of Los Angeles County: IR1.1, IR1.2, IR1.3, IR1.4, IR1.5, IR1.6,and IR1.7. Agoura Hills Lancaster Alhambra Lawndale Arcadia Lomita Artesia Long Beach Avalon Los Angeles Azusa Lynwood Baldwin Park Malibu Bell Manhattan Beach 6 2015-2016 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT Bell Gardens Maywood Bellflower Monrovia Beverly Hills Montebello Bradbury Monterey Park Burbank Norwalk Calabasas Palmdale Carson Palos Verdes Estates Cerritos Paramount Claremont Pasadena Commerce Pico Rivera Compton Pomona Covina Rancho Palos Verdes Cudahy Redondo Beach Culver City Rolling Hills Diamond Bar Rolling Hills Estates Downey Rosemead Duarte San Dimas EI Monte San Fernando EI Segundo San Gabriel Gardena San Marino Glendale Santa Clarita Glendora Santa Fe Springs Hawaiian Gardens Santa Monica Hawthorne Sierra Madre Hermosa Beach Signal Hill Hidden Hills South EI Monte Huntington Park South Gate Industry South Pasadena Inglewood Temple City Irwindale Torrance La Canada Flintridge Vernon La Habra Heights Walnut La Mirada West Covina La Puente West Hollywood La Verne Westlake Village Lakewood Whittier VIII. ACRONYMS CGJ Civil Grand Jury IR Interim Report LAHSA Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority IX. COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2015-2016 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT 7 Heather H. Preimesberger, Co -Chairperson Cynthia T. Vance, Co -Chairperson Edna E. McDonald Stephen Press Molly Milligan Patricia T. Turner Sandy A. Orton Bob P. Villacarlos 8 2015-2016 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT APPENDIX Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Homeless Survey TOPIC: Shelters for Extreme Weather Events and/or Heavy Rain Events As you may be aware, the function of the Civil Grand Jury is to investigate selected aspects of the operations of county and city government. We therefore ask a few questions related to your city's policy and plans concerning caring for the homeless during periods of extreme weather events such as unusually cold weather and heavy rain, which is often accompanied by flooding, mudflows, and landslides. We ask these questions now because of the impending likelihood of heavy rainstorms during the strong EI Nino weather season forecast to soon impact Southern California. Please provide the name, phone number and email contact of person with primary responsibility for dealing with the homeless people in your city and please provide by November 18, 2015 the following questions. 1. How significant, using numbers, is the homeless problem in your city? 2. Has the number of homeless people in your city increased or decreased during the last 5 years? Is there a consistency in the homeless population in your city, or have you observed a change in the makeup of the homeless population in terms of the number of single adults, couples, and children in families? 3. Does the city have an Emergency Preparedness Plan that includes providing services to homeless people during extreme temperature events (very low or high temperatures), and/or severe rainstorms? If so, could you provide us with a copy of this plan? 4. Does the city currently provide shelters for the homeless during times of extreme temperature events and rainstorms? If so, how many shelters does the city provide, where are they located, and during what hours are they open? Are cots or other sleeping facilities provided? Is food provided, and if so by whom? Are toilet and washing facilities, including showers, provided at the shelters? 5. After the need for short-term shelters has passed, does the city provide any service, either directly or indirectly, to aid the homeless as they leave the shelter to find transitional or permanent housing? 6. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us to better understand your city's preparation and response to the need for homeless people to have shelter during extreme temperature events and rainstorms? 2015-2016 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY INTERIM REPORT 9