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CC - (1) Discussion Regarding a Safe Park Program for Unsheltered Individuals Living in their Vehicles During the COVID-19 Pandemic; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: April 27, 2020
Contact Person/Dept: Helen Chin/City Manager's Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6022
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/21/2020);
Department Approval: John Nachbar, City Manager (04/20/2020)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) discuss options for implementation of a Safe Park Program for unsheltered individuals sleeping in their vehicles during the coronavirus respiratory disease (COVID-19) pandemic; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The City is working with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), Los Angeles County Public Health (DPH), and regional and neighboring agencies to align and streamline efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on unsheltered communities. There are approximately 60,000 unsheltered individuals living throughout Los Angeles County. The 2019 Homeless Count recorded 236 people living in cars/RVs or on the streets in Culver City.
People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are especially vulnerable to the disease. Lack of shelter, limited access to hygiene and sanitation facilities, and underlying health conditions pose a grave risk for those living outside. As a response, the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Operations Section, Care & Shelter Branch has implemented weekly outreach to provide ongoing COVID-19 education, hygiene kits and hand sanitizers to PEH, while also conducting check-in...
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