Transitioning Out of Homelessness

 
By Mary O’KEEFE

This series of articles on the homeless began because so many in the Crescenta Valley area had commented on a perceived increase in the number of homeless in the area and – what is uplifting – most wanted to know what they could do to help.

“Every year we are required to do a homeless need assessment,” said Ivet Samvelyan, Community Services manager for the City of Glendale.

The city’s assessment for 2017 was performed on a late Tuesday to early morning Wednesday during the last week of January. It was a comprehensive assessment that was conducted throughout the entire city, including far north Glendale in the CV area.

The count came in at 168 homeless individuals within the city.

“That was a 40% decrease from 2016,” Samvelyan added.

Some of that decline may be attributed to the city offering more programs for those who are homeless or near homeless; the Glendale Police Dept. working with the Los Angeles County Medical Evaluation Team (MET); and because the city did not host a winter shelter this year.

Normally the winter shelter will house 80 to 150 individuals, she said.

The breakdown of the assessment data included 106 adult individuals with some form of mental illness and 19 with severe mental illness. Of those counted, 47% were unsheltered, considered part of the city’s street population.

Samvelyan added the assessment is a self-disclosure process and it is possible not all participants disclosed their disabilities or mental status.

The City also works closely with Ascencia, a non-profit that provides housing and services to homeless individuals and families. Ascencia has a 40-bed facility, year-round shelter.

There are some services that do not serve individuals until they agree to participate in a program that is designed to bring them from homelessness to housing. If homeless individuals have a drug addiction, the city will work with them to obtain housing and a substance abuse program.

In addition to shelters, there are many churches that provide services that help feed the homeless, and/or provide clothing.

There are many obstacles and challenges, and one of the biggest problems that Samvelyan and her team face is relocation sites for those they are able to transition out of homelessness into housing.

“[Our] staff has been working with the homeless for more than 20 years and finding landlords and [property] owners to work with us is one of our [toughest issues,” she said.

Owners who work with the homeless program receive a voucher that covers the cost of rent; however, finding owners to work with the city is increasingly difficult.

“We do have successes,” she said. “Every month we place people.”

They are averaging about three individuals placed per month.

The California housing crisis has affected those who have homes, and those who are hoping to transition out of homelessness. Some landlords find they can make more money either by selling their property to developers or by dramatically increasing rents. That increase is passed along to renters, but is particularly difficult for homeless programs.

“We have funding now for five people who have approved vouchers, but it is hard to find owners who will [rent to the program],” she added.

Despite the difficulties, Samvelyan and her team continue to answer the call for those who are in need.

If there are any landlords or housing owners who are interested in helping the City find housing for those transitioning, they can contact Community Services at (818) 548-3720. For homeless program information in LA County, contact 211 or call (818) 246-7900. For homeless outreach, call (818) 254-5885, and to reach Ascencia call (818) 254-5792.