HomeMy Public PortalAbout17-015 - California Supporting Ballot Measure H and the Los Angeles County Plan to Prevent and Combat HomelessnessRESOLUTION NO. 17-015
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARSON, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING BALLOT MEASURE
H AND THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY PLAN TO PREVENT
AND COMBAT HOMELESSNESS.
WHEREAS, the number of individuals and families estimated to be experiencing
homelessness in Los Angeles County in January 2016 was 46,874, an overall increase of 2,515
people from 2015. The number of people living in encampments, tents, and vehicles increased by
20% from 2015 to 2016 and a staggering 123% from 2013 to 2016; and
WHEREAS, the Measure H, the "Los Angeles County Plan to Prevent and Combat
Homelessness" is the March 7, 2017 ballot measure that will end homelessness for 45,000 people
across Los Angeles County, including women and children, veterans, seniors, foster youth, and
the disabled; and
WHEREAS, 90% of individuals and families experiencing homelessness do not live on
"Skid Row". Measure H funds will be allocated equitably across Los Angeles County; and
WHEREAS, the most recent point in time count identified 3,006 people as homeless in
the South Bay communities, of which 78% were unsheltered, an increase of 39% from 2013; and
WHEREAS, Measure H will invest $350 million per year for 10 years in the solutions
that have been proven to prevent and end homelessness, including homeless prevention services,
mental healthcare, job training and permanent housing; and
WHEREAS, Measure H will support non-profit homeless service providers, like Harbor
Interfaith Services, People Assisting The Homeless (PATH), Los Angeles Homeless Services
Authority (LAHSA), as well as public sector agencies like the Los Angeles County Department
of Mental Health; and
WHEREAS, the City of Carson already provides supportive services to local homeless
through LAHSA, PATH, Harbor Interfaith Services and the South Bay Coalition to End
Homelessness, including meals and groceries to homeless in the City of Carson. The City would
benefit from additional funds to maintain these services; and
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RESOLUTION NO. 17-015
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WHEREAS, the language in the Measure H Sales Tax Ordinance contains express
authority for the BOS to provide grants to cities. Specifically, Section 4.73.040(C) ("Expenditure
Plan") provides that "Revenues from the retail transactions and use tax may be awarded as grants
to public agencies and non-profit organizations to address the causes and effects of
homelessness, consistent with this Chapter. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt policies and
procedures for the solicitation and award of such grants. Nothing herein precludes the County
from using revenue generated by the retail transactions and use tax for contracting with for-profit
contractors and private businesses in compliance with applicable law."; and
WHEREAS, the Measure H Sales Tax Ordinance contains flexibility to allow the Board
of Supervisors to decide to provide direct payments to the City "to address the causes and effects
of homelessness." Section 4.73.030(E) provides in part that "Revenues... shall be used to
sustain the implementation of the County's Homeless Initiative's recommended strategies,
adopted by the Board of Supervisors on February 9, 2016, and as otherwise directed by the
Board of Supervisors to address the causes and effects of homelessness..."; and
WHEREAS, the Measure H is a "special" 1/4 cents sales tax, which means it can only be
used for the specific purposes of funding homeless services and housing; and
WHEREAS, the County of Los Angeles will establish a citizen's advisory committee to
ensure that the funding is effectively spent. There will be specific performance standards for
each funded strategy and an independent evaluation annually by an outside expert; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we the City of Carson City Council,
hereby support Los Angeles County ballot Measure H on behalf of the City of Carson.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 7`l' day of Febru ry, 2017.
Ma4r Albert Robles
ATTE T:,,,,
Donesia Gause, City Clerk
APPROVED AS Tb FORM:
C
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RESOLUTION NO. 17-015
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF CARSON )
I, Donesia L. Gause, City Clerk of the City of Carson, California, hereby attest to and certify that
the foregoing resolution, being Resolution No. 17-015, adopted by the Carson City Council at its
meeting held on the 7th day of February, 2017, by the following vote:
AYES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Robles, Davis -Holmes, Santarina, Hicks, Hilton
None
None
None �
Donesia L. Gause, City Clerk