Motion Passes To Find More Temporary, Emergency Homeless Housing

VENICE, CA — The Los Angeles City Council Homelessness & Poverty Committee passed a motion Thursday morning to evaluate site feasibility and identify funding for potential projects at various Westside locations and help fight homelessness.

Several different interventions and projects were proposed by Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin, who represents District 11 and the communities of Venice, Mar Vista, Playa Vista, Westchester, Ladera, Del Rey, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and West Los Angeles/Sawtelle.

Bonin has proposed to add more homeless shelters, including "tiny homes" and "safe camping" sites in areas such as Los Angeles International Airport, Marina del Rey and Pacific Palisades. He submitted a motion March 31, calling on the city to push to end homelessness and sidewalk encampments.

Bonin released a statement to constituents Wednesday urging for solutions and action to identify potential locations.

"What I am proposing is this: While we step up efforts to house people, the city should conduct a feasibility analysis of whether a number of different locations, including LAX land and three beach parking lots, could be used for different types of temporary emergency shelter. I have also asked that the feasibility analysis consider whether two local parks with existing encampments could restore the bulk of recreational space to public use by designating a certain area for existing unhoused residents. In all cases, the proposed solutions would provide security, sanitation and services, and focus on getting people into housing."

The homeless crisis and encampments have grown in Venice and other Westside neighborhoods throughout the pandemic. Bonin's motion aims to bring more housing options for unhoused neighbors.

"These are not encampments," he said. "They are an emergency response—an alternative—to encampments, and they are temporary solutions meant to get people off the streets and into homes."

Two amendments were added to Bonin’s motion: 700 Main Street in Venice was removed from the motion. Fisherman’s Village 1375 Fiji Way was replaced with Lot 2, also on Fiji Way, Parcel R in Marina del Rey.

The following locations are proposed temporary homeless housing sites in the motion:

• temporary single-occupancy tiny homes or a safe camping site at Will Rogers State Beach's county-owned parking lot at 17000 CA-1 in Pacific Palisades
• temporary single-occupancy tiny homes, a safe camping or safe parking site at Dockweiler Beach's county-owned parking lot number three, at 11999 Vista Del Mar in Playa Del Rey
• temporary RV safe parking site in the county-owned RV park at Dockweiler Beach, at 12001 Vista Del Mary in Playa Del Rey
• temporary single-occupancy tiny homes or a safe camping site at Fisherman's Village's county-owned parking lot, at 13755 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey.

The motion will instruct the Department of Recreation and Parks to evaluate the feasibility of identifying portions of Mar Vista Park and Westchester Park for safe camping programs, while having the rest of the parks remain open for public use and programs. Los Angeles World Airports would also be instructed to work with the City Administrative Officer to identify and fund an airport-owned site for safe camping, safe parking or tiny homes.

All members of the city council committee Thursday voted to pass the motion, excluding Councilmember Joe Buscaino, who says he is against using public beaches and parks for homeless services. He also said no to the feasibility study.

During a meeting with multiple agenda items addressing homelessness, 24 locals shared their thoughts on potentially bringing more housing to the Westside. Some residents addressed the humanitarian crisis and their support for a feasibility study to find locations for temporary and permanent housing. Others were strongly against the study and proposed locations.

Michelle Bisnoff, chair of the Brentwood Community Council, spoke on behalf of the committee,w which strongly opposes the use of public parks and beaches for any other use than recreation. Bisnoff cited that the proposed plans do not address methamphetamine overdoses or substance abuse, and how it is a leading cause of death among unhoused residents.

"We again recognize our neighbors in Venice and the issues that they have had with regard to safety, cleanliness, crime, including an extraordinary level of arson," Bisnoff said.

In Venice, a series of recent fires have worried residents, who have called on local leaders for help. A recent fire killed a family dog, several have broken out along the alleys, burning and even destroying buildings along the boardwalk.

She urged the committee and council members to seek other options and funding.

“You have the tools at your disposal," Bisnoff said. "You are not using them correctly.”

RELATED:

• Homeless Shelters Proposed Across The Westside
• Bonin Defends Westside Homeless Housing Proposals
• LA Application for Permanent Housing Moves Online In New Process
• City Council Votes For Voluntary Approach To Encampment Cleanups