City Council

(14) 23-0931 HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE REPORT relative to an examination of exit policies due to breach of participant agreements at interim housing sites, and security measures and training on mental health and behavioral issues for interim housing staff working with people experiencing homelessness. Recommendation for Council action, pursuant to Motion (Soto-Martínez for Raman – Blumenfield): REQUEST the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), with the assistance of the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA), the City Administrative Officer (CAO), and the Los Angeles Housing Department, to report to the Council within 60 days regarding the following: Contractual obligations of interim housing providers regarding exit policies due to breach of participant agreement. Required training for contracted and subcontracted security staff at interim housing sites, including Inside Safe operations. Recommendations for required cultural competency training and instruction for staff working with people experiencing homelessness, suffering from a mental health disorder, and/or a substance use disorder. Number of reported altercations with clients including Security Staff at interim housing sites through the LAHSA grievance process. Aggregate number of exits, per month and annually, from interim housing sites, including Inside Safe operations, due to breach of behavior policy. Percentage of exits due to breach of behavioral policy from interim housing sites in comparison to other types of exits (permanent housing, self-exit, institutional setting). Percentage of individuals exited due to breach of behavioral policy from interim housing sites that are offered and/or move into alternative shelter options at time of exit. Estimated costs for clinical personnel such as psychiatrists associated with Street Medicine teams or Department of Mental Health clinical staff to oversee, advise and coordinate with security and interim housing program staff on mental health and behavioral issues. Recommendations for how the City can enter into an agreement with the County of Los Angeles to provide clinical staff to oversee, advise and coordinate with security and interim housing program staff regarding mental health and behavioral issues, which should include accountability measures to ensure that City funds are spent as intended, and consequences for breach of this agreement