What Whittier is doing on homelessness – Whittier Daily News

A map of details where groups of volunteers count the homeless in Whittier on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)

An editorial published on July 14 (“Despite courts, cities can tackle homeless mess”) correctly stated that, notwithstanding the Martin v. Boise case, there is much a city can do to address homelessness. But that editorial also chided local governments for not doing enough. So let us tell you what we‘ve done in Whittier. For many years, the city of Whittier and stakeholders have worked to address homelessness through services and housing for families, youth and single adults. In 2020, the city intervened in the OC Catholic Workers case and reached a settlement wherein the city would create sufficient shelter beds with wraparound services and in turn the city would be permitted, with the oversight and support of Judge David O. Carter, to enforce its quality-of-life ordinances.

And we did just that. The city invested over $2 million to renovate a Salvation Army building into the Whittier Navigation Center, which is operated by The Salvation Army, and funded by the city at a cost of $2.7 million annually. Whittier also funds four outreach workers on 10-hour shifts, seven days a week, to ensure outreach, case management and housing navigation support is provided to all residents experiencing homelessness.

In addition, the city is committed to homeless prevention through a variety of programs including its a Mental Health Engagement Team (MET), which pairs a clinician with a Whittier police officer;  a robust affordable housing program; low-cost home improvement loans to help aging seniors and others continue to stay in their homes; counseling services for renters; and more than $150,000 in annual financial support to local nonprofit organizations that address housing, food insecurity, disabilities, education and literacy.

Unfortunately, while Whittier has done all it can expending $3 million in general funds each year for outreach, case management, and wrap-around shelter services, Los Angeles County and the state of California have failed to do their part. Still needing help are people experiencing severe mental illness and substance abuse.

While Whittier continues to set an example in addressing homelessness, the epidemic of mental health and substance abuse has resulted in some incredibly ill individuals who are unsheltered, roaming the streets in various stages of undress, shouting obscenities at invisible demons and engaging in unsanitary behavior in parks, on sidewalks and on bus benches — all because they are too ill to accept shelter in the available shelter beds in Whittier.

The state and county’s mental health system allows these individuals to live on the streets because they are “not an immediate danger to themselves,” although plainly they cannot provide for their own food, shelter and safety. It is imperative that the county mental health system be held accountable, and that initiatives such as the CARE Courts and specialized drug courts be implemented so that we can collectively rise to the calling to care for our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.

Whittier continues to make significant progress in addressing homelessness. While the journey is far from over, Whittier’s approach ensures that vulnerable members of our community are provided the support and protection they need, and also ensures that parks and public spaces are clean, safe and available for everyone — housed and unhoused — to enjoy. But there’s work to be done, and responsibility to address the gap in services for those experiencing substance abuse challenges and mental health crises falls on the county and state governments.

Let’s make sure that while cities like Whittier do their part, the county and state does as well.

Joe Vinatieri is mayor of Whittier.