Open Letter on Winter Shelter SIte Delay

Dear Roberta:

I am responding to your e-mail while I am at the site of the possible winter shelter we are in the midst of preparing for city council and occupancy approval next week.

As your reading of recent news articles has frustrated you and caused some concern, I have also been frustrated at the recent coverage as some of the facts don’t seem to be getting explained – I have spoken to four different reporters who, like the blind men ‘looking’ at the elephant, each get different pictures of what it is like. I previously asked a reporter not to report on the PAL site too soon, noting the emotional issues related to it and critical need of the shelter site, but they did anyway and it was killed before we got even a slight a chance to get it approved. As everyone is aware, NIMBYism is alive and well whenever homeless issues come up.

The Long Beach Rescue Mission (LBRM) is the contract manager for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Shelter Program 8 area of which Long Beach is the major demographic. We operated this program last year with no complaints or issues - but it was a building the city supplied at the request of Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal. It is actually LBRM’s (not the city’s) job to locate a site and apply for approval from zoning, building and fire officials, provide insurance, meals, security, transportation and staffing. It is my commitment and belief that it is imperative to work closely with the city to create a successful program; this means locating an appropriate site that the city staff, council, fire, law enforcement and community approve of it in collaboration with each other.

I have been looking for a site for over four months – which is an arduous process – if you can even get a land owner to return your calls once they know it is for a shelter program. A major issue is that Long Beach does not have any zoning that allows shelters without a conditional use permit (CUP). Acquiring a CUP is a long and arduous process, including multiple public hearings – onerous for a short-term program such as the winter shelter. Due to the critical nature of the issue, the state allows a city to declare a shelter emergency and waive zoning on property they own or control. That property can then be leased to LBRM to operate. By its very nature, even if a site were to be located early, this process must take place at the last hour. I have explained this process in depth to reporters covering the winter shelter, but it has yet to get properly explained. Also, contrary to what some of the articles may imply, the city of Long Beach and every related department have been totally supportive and very involved in this program; due to the nature of any homeless program, we can’t always divulge details until we have something confirmed on which to take action.

We also have been pressured by other agencies to operate at sites that were used in the past; some of these sites having never formally been approved by the city. Due to the enormous liability issues we can't do what other contractors did in the past. One site that was used to house over 130 people can legally only house about 55, given approved fire codes. I am not sure how this was done in the past as we are required by our LAHSA contract to be approved by codes and provide for extensive insurance coverage – which requires following codes.

As to your concern that LBRM may have received operational funds for this shelter program and may be using them on other programs, I must clarify that we have NOT received ANY funds, nor do we have budgeted funds for this program. We are reimbursed by LAHSA after the fact per a detailed budget and invoice process. We have requested an advance of funds, but until that is received LBRM has advanced the funds out of our own operations needed to get a shelter site prepared. It would be illegal and highly unethical to misdirect designated funds for projects not intended by the funder. Please know that we hold your donations in highest regard and thank you for your continued trust.

Lastly, even with the colder weather and a few days of rain, LBRM’s Samaritan House for men averages a 10-15 percent vacancy – another fact that I have tried to get reported. Due to this, we have instituted a new program with the city's Multi-Service Homeless Center to take any man in their case management program into our shelter with no questions and no requirements . . . so, as you see, there is an option for those wanting a bed, meal and shower. With the help of the city’s Health Department we were also able to get additional LAHSA funding approved for motel and meal vouchers for families and critical need individuals which we have been issuing for two weeks now.

We are praying for and working hard toward an approval of our site at Tuesday's council meeting and to open soon after when its occupancy is approved by building and fire.

Thank you for your concern, communication, and support. (* Roberta is a pseudonym)