Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
MAY 16, 2019
Subject
SUBJECT: MOTION 39 RESPONSE- BRIDGE HOUSING ON THE DIVISION 6 BUS YARD
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE report on Bridge Housing on the Division 6 Bus Yard in response to Board Motion 39.
Issue
ISSUE
At the February 2019 Metro Board Meeting, the Board of Directors passed Motion 39- Bridge Housing on the Division 6 Bus Yard requesting that the CEO (A) Enter into a no-fee lease agreement with the City of Los Angeles of the former Division 6 site for temporary bridge housing and (B) Report back on MTA’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness on the MTA System in April 2019, including but not limited to existing funding constraints for additional non-transportation funding.
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro has been impacted by LA County’s homeless crisis. According to the 2018 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, 53,000 people in LA County are homeless and seventy-five percent of those homeless individuals are without shelter. Due to the lack of available shelter space and 24-hour operating shelters County-wide, homeless individuals have taken to Metro’s system and properties for alternative shelter. Metro has taken major steps in furtherance of addressing the LA County homeless crisis and the impact onto Metro. Those various steps and requests for additional support are outlined here in.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Lease Agreement Division 6
Metro’s Real Estate Department is working with the City of Los Angeles to enter a no fee lease agreement for the former Division 6 site for temporary bridge housing.
Metro’s Ongoing Efforts to Address Homeless and Funding Constraints and Opportunities
Ongoing Efforts
In spring 2016 at the direction of Metro’s CEO, Metro developed the Homeless Task Force comprised of various stakeholders tasked to identify ways to address homelessness on Metro system and properties. In 2017, Metro developed the Transit Homeless Action Plan-an agency guide on how to address the homeless crisis impact on Metro with focus on the ridership experience, maintaining a safe and secure system and providing coordinated and responsive outreach to the homeless.
C3 Homeless Outreach Teams
The Metro Transit Homeless Action Plan called for coordination with LA County and LA City as well as the hiring of two C3 homeless outreach teams (County, City, Community) through the County’s department of Health Services to get the homeless into housing resources. In 2018 Metro expanded those teams from 2 to 8 teams operating across the entire Metro system during AM and PM shifts seven days a week. These teams cost nearly $5 million annually and are entirely paid for by Metro. To date, there have been a total of 4,578 homeless C3 contacts, 1,081 of whom have been linked to housing resources and 83 of whom have been permanently housed.
Law Enforcement Homeless Engagement
With Metro acting as the lead we rely on homeless engagement by our Metro law enforcement officers trained specially in homeless engagement and outreach. In FY19 Metro increased law enforcement homeless engagement resulting in-10 LAPD HOPE officers, 10 LASD MET officers and 2 LBPD quality of life officers all specifically trained to meet the needs of the homeless-prioritizing social services over arrest. All officers are paid for by Metro.
Security Efforts
Metro Transit Security Fare Enforcement Officers prevent system loitering and fare evasion by checking for fares. All fares checks are done in a nondiscriminatory manner without regard to whether or not someone is homeless. If security identifies someone who is homeless who wants help they are able to link them to shelters as the security staff are equip to provide shelter information and make the link to Metro’s C3 outreach teams.
Mental Health Outreach
For a period of 3 months in late 2018, LA County Department of Mental Health provided mental health outreach on Metro. Nearly one third of homeless in LA County are affected by mental health challenges. Due to LA County funding shortfalls per the County the program was paused until more resources are available. This program was at no cost to Metro.
Measure H Generalists
Measure H generalists provide homeless outreach on government properties inclusive of Metro, beaches, harbors, parks and libraries. Outreach is not specific to Metro, does not go past the fare gates and data is not reported.
Showers for the Homeless
Metro currently partners with LA City and their shower program at the Red / Purple Line Westlake MacArthur Park station with showers located in Westlake Park. Additionally, at the direction of the Metro Board and the LA County Board of Supervisors, Metro is working with LA County’s CEO’s office to place LA County Office of Emergency Management showers at transit adjacent locations to serve the homeless. Currently, those showers are not yet available, and operations will be joint between Metro and LA County.
Homeless Encampments
Any homeless encampment that is addressed on Metro proprieties, including Metrolink right of way in LA County provide for 14 days’ notice to vacate, social service outreach, clean ups and storage of homeless personal property. Each of these steps are 100% paid for by Metro. Each encampment clearing costs anywhere from ten to forty thousand dollars. Metrolink has been additionally funded in FY19 to increase the number of sheriff deputies and clear encampments along the Metrolink right of way.
Metro Connect Days
Metro partners with connect days adjacent to Metro service locations. Specifically, Metro’s C3 outreach teams guide their homeless contacts on the Metro system off the system to these connect days so that the homeless may obtain broader social services and care. The connect days are also attended by Metro’s Mobile Customer Center who market the Metro L.I.F.E. Program. Each element of Metro’s Connect Day partnership is entirely funded by Metro.
Faith Based Partnership
The CEO leads a Metro Faith Based Round Table. Metro seeks to work with these faith based leaders to develop partnerships to work with the homeless including bridge housing, welcome home packages and bed shelter purchases. Metro recently hired a project manager on homelessness who is developing next steps with the faith based stakeholders.
Career Opportunities
Through Metro’s Work Force Investment Now (WIN) Program, we are engaging homeless shelters to provide formerly homeless individuals workforce training to lead to Metro employment and establish a pathway for homeless to become self-sufficient members of society.
Opportunities and Funding Constraints.
Metro’s efforts to address homelessness on the system and at the County at large employ a multi-faceted approach. In light of the broader LA County homeless crisis and in light of Metro funding the bulk of all homeless resources and initiatives seen on the Metro system, Metro’s efforts to address transit homeless are seemingly only scratching the surface. Metro requires additional financial and personnel support to carry on our existing initiatives, and to expand our impact in addressing homelessness on the system and on properties.
The following are Metro’s FY19 expenditures to address influx of homelessness on the system as a result of the LA County homeless crisis.
|
Support Funded Solely By Metro |
Minimum Annual Cost |
|
C3 Homeless Outreach Teams- 8 Teams |
$5,000,000.00 |
|
10 LAPD HOPE Officers |
$3,100,828.43 |
|
10 LASD MET Officers |
$3,389,878.97 |
|
02 LBPD Quality of Life Officers |
$520,319.00 |
|
Division 6 Bridge Housing |
$88,000.00 |
|
Enhanced Security at Union Station |
$371,773.23 |
|
Encampment Clean Ups |
$10,000 to $40,000 per clean up |
Metro is additionally exploring a quasi Public-Private-Partnership pilot initiative where Metro would provide a safe and secure space for homeless as an alternative to buses and trains. At these sites homeless would receive comprehensive resources including bed vouchers, case management, showers, a warm cup of coffee etc. Similar to the Housing for Health project at SEPTA in the City of Philadelphia, Metro could employ like methodologies that consider lessons learned from that project. The project would identify a Metro property to host the pilot and work with relevant stakeholders to establish financing, operations, resources and support, among other elements.
To continue to operate at our current levels and to meet the existing demands on the system and properties, Metro requires the following support and funding for transit centered homeless engagement and services into FY20:
• A long term funding plan for homeless outreach on the Metro system inclusive of C3 outreach teams
• Housing and bed vouchers
• 24-hour support to aid the homeless on the system during evening hours when social services are no longer open
• Additional financial support to Transit Security Guards for fare compliance
• Additional financial support to law enforcement homeless outreach
• LA County and LA City earmarked funding for critical social programs Metro system and properties inclusive of mental health outreach, drug rehabilitation etc.
• Funding support and personnel to support LA Hop and the local service planning areas to allow Metro to be integrated into the broader SPA outreach.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The budget impacts are noted with the outlined express efforts. Thus far, Metro has invested millions in addressing the homeless. To allow these programs to be sustained long term and to expand, Metro will seek additional outside financial support.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The programs described supports Goal #2 and #4 of Metro’s Strategic Goals. Goal #2, Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system; and Goal #4, Transform Los Angeles County through regional collaboration and national leadership
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Assemble a working group with various stakeholders who may provide additional funding and social service opportunities to serve the homeless.
Prepared_By:
Prepared By: Jennifer E. Loew, Transit Security Special Project Manager,
System Security and Law Enforcement (213) 922-3646
Reviewed_By
Reviewed By: Alex Z Wiggins, Chief, System Security and Law Enforcement,
(213) 922-4433
Nadine Lee Chief of Staff (Interim), Office of the Chief Executive Officer, (213) 922-7447
