The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year pilot program Tuesday that will address the issue of unhoused Anglenos in Hollywood. The board said the goal is to better connect homeless people with the community and with resources.
“The people of Hollywood have been coming together to talk about a real, unified solution to getting their neighbors off the street,” Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said. “And they think of it that way, that these are people who need something - but they don’t all need the same thing.”
Kuehl recommended the program, and said she sees it as a way to test an innovative and comprehensive approach to serving those with mental illness.
“We envision a future for Hollywood where we can offer extended street outreach ... but also crisis residential housing and treatment (including) a drop-in center ... peer support services (and) mental health urgent care,'' Kuehl told City News Service.
The city of Hollywood was chosen as a site for the program thanks to “Hollywood 4WRD” an organization comprised of community members who are committed to forging “a unified voice aimed at system change, effective policy and coordination of resources to end homelessness in greater Hollywood.”
Dr. Jonathan Sherin, who leads the Department of Mental Health,said when the project is complete he envisions a community mental health center, rather than a clinic, that will serve as a place where homeless individuals can connect with others who have experienced life on the street. Sherin also said employment and education services would be offered through the program.
A $116 million dollar state Mental Health Services Innovation grant will help fund the program.
Kuehl said she hopes a successful pilot program might even persuade the California Department of Health Care Services to authorize more flexible spending that goes beyond funding clinical treatment in the fight against homelessness.
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