The Los Angeles City Council approved $1.2 million in funding for the program. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The Los Angeles City Council on Dec. 8 approved a motion by Councilwoman Nithya Raman, 4th District, that dedicates $1.2 million in funding for a multi-site Encampment to Home Program in her district.

Modeled on efforts by the CD4 Homelessness Team and the location-based outreach and housing operation that took place in Venice earlier this year, the project’s goal is to help navigate as many as 50 individuals, many of them chronically homeless, into shelter and to connect them to permanent housing.

Raman’s motion also requested a report back on the project’s outcome to help further establish a baseline for these operations going forward.

“The city showed a significant commitment to solving our homelessness crisis in this most recent budget, which included $80 million in the general city purposes fund for homeless services,” she said. “Dedicating a small fraction of these funds to this program will allow us to scale up a compassionate approach to addressing street homelessness that has proven to be successful and sustainable.”

The program will focus on the Hollywood and Los Feliz portions of the district, in accordance with Council District 4’s redrawn boundaries, which were approved by the City Council. The CD4 Homelessness Team will complete an official strategy and deployment timeline, including the identification of permanent housing options for participants in the program.

The operation will be conducted in partnership with The People Concern, one of Los Angeles County’s largest social services agencies and a leading provider of evidence-based solutions to homelessness.

“The People Concern is looking forward to building on the success of our other Encampment to Home projects to link vulnerable neighbors in CD4 with services and housing as quickly as possible,” CEO John Maceri said. “Our multidisciplinary outreach teams will continue to build trust and use intensive engagement to empower people to make informed choices and connect them with best-fit housing that meets their needs. We are looking forward to partnering with CD4 on implementing strategies that reduce street homelessness, uplift the importance of long-term housing solutions, and improve the quality of life for all.”