October 1, 2023 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Report Advises Against Most Westside Homeless Shelter Locations Following Bonin’s Call for Feasibility Study

City Administrative Officer concludes majority of proposed sites are infeasible for residential use 

 By Sam Catanzaro

Bringing homeless shelters to Will Rogers and Dockweiler beaches, Mar Vista and Westchester parks alongside other locations is infeasible, city officials concluded in a recent report.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Administrative Officer (CAO) finished a feasibility analysis of potential shelter locations in the 11th District. The analysis comes after Los Angeles City Council voted in May to approve Bonin’s proposal to look into bringing more homeless housing centers to the Westside. 

In the Tuesday report, the CAO concluded the majority of the sites Bonin prosed were infeasible for homeless shelters. 

“My thanks to the CAO for conducting the study and for underscoring the challenge of finding locations on the Westside,” Bonin said in a statement. “I believe very strongly that every part of the city, including the Westside, must provide solutions to homelessness, and I will keep working with neighbors to find them.”

According to Bonin, he will not push the City to continue pursuing the sites the CAO deemed infeasible. 

Among the locations deemed infeasible is the Los Angeles County-owned parking lot at Will Rogers State Beach,17000 Pacific Coast Highway, pegged as a potential temporary site for single-occupancy tiny-homes or safe camping. The CAO cited high infrastructure costs and logistical issues at this site and also for a similar proposal at Dockweiler Beach in Playa del Rey. 

“The beach sites were not built for 24/7 residential use, and thus, the sewer infrastructure is not suitable for homeless housing,” reads the analysis. “The power capacity would have to be increased at both beaches, and the nearest transformer is located 1,000 feet from the sites.” 

In addition, the report cited the lack of nearby fire hydrants at these two beaches as among the reasons why the sites would be infeasible for residential use. 

The CAO report also deemed it infeasible to bring safe sleeping to a privately owned plot of land in Del Rey citing lack of access and utilities. In addition, the analysis concluded bringing safe sleeping sites at Mar Vista and Westchester parks would be infeasible because the sites are widely used by the public and generate revenue for the city. 

“Prior to the pandemic, both Westchester and Mar Vista Parks experienced varied and robust recreational usage. Data from both parks show that on average more than 6,000 youth participants attend and utilize the parks and facilities. The parking lots are needed for pick up and drop off for programming and aquatics,” the CAO report states. “These parks generate more than $500,000 in annual revenue.” 

Instead, the CAO recommended that these two parks should be considered for targeted outreach through the “Encampment to Home” program, which just housed over 200 people from Venice Beach. 

The report also deemed infeasible Bonin’s proposal to bring a temporary homeless shelter to the West LA Municipal Building

“The Municipal Building is zoned as public facilities, and thus, not feasible for shelter use. Even if the zoning was changed to accommodate shelter, the available space is too small to make an interim housing project viable. An interim housing facility should be a minimum of 13,000 square feet to provide up to 70 beds, administrative offices, hygiene facilities, common space, and storage, to make it financially and programmatically viable,” the report states. 

Two parking lots– in Marina del Rey and at Dockweiler beach–are still under consideration by the CAO for RV-safe parking sites. Bonin’s proposal also called for looking into shelters on airport land at LAX, which is also still under consideration by the CAO.  

“[Los Angeles World Airports] has identified possible sites for homeless interventions and requested that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) review for approval. The FAA would have to agree to allow the use of airport land for homeless housing and waive the requirement that land purchased with FAA funds be leased at market rate,” the report states. 

Overall, the CAO concluded that the Westside lacks publicly owned land that can be used to house homeless individuals and that Los Angeles should continue to lease privately owned sites for homeless interventions. 

“Council District 11, like Council Districts 1, 5, 7, and 12, lacks City-owned land that can be used for homeless interventions. For these areas, we should continue to identify privately-owned sites that can be leased for homeless interventions and request that the Los Angeles Housing Department pursue properties under the Project Homekey 2 Program. Most of these districts benefited from Round 1 of Project Homekey. In Council District 11, two motels/hotels were purchased, and are now operating as interim housing,” 

Bonin noted in a press release that he was “pleased” the CAO report pointed toward motel conversions and Encampments to Homes, both programs he has pushed for. 

“If the City adequately funds motel purchases or master leasing through Project Homekey, and if the City matches sufficient housing resources to Encampments to Homes, we can quickly bring thousands of people indoors, reducing the need for tiny homes and safe camping sites,” Bonin said. 

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Interview With Downtown Activist on Being Attacked by Homeless Suspect

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

John Alle, co-founder of Santa Monica Coalition, was attacked in Palisades Park while filming. @yovenicenews John Alle was hospitalized after...

$10K of Pickleball Equipment Destroyed in Memorial Park Arson

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

Thanks to an Outpour of Donations and Support, Storage Bins Should Be Set Up by the End of Next Week...

Suspected Drunk Driver Slams Into Citizen on Venice Beach Boardwalk

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

The Suspect Is Also Seen Drinking From a Modelo Beer Bottle By Zach Armstrong A potential drunk driver hit a...

Venice Shorts: Flower Recleaned, Colony Kitchen to Open Soon!

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Property Owner Praises Cd-11 for Second Clean-up at Flower By Nick Antonicello Daniel Saparzadeh, the owner of the Colony Kitchen...

Venice Bottle Shop to Hold Alcohol-Free Pop-up Bar Featuring DJs

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Including Craft Cocktails Made With Ritual Tequila, Bonbuz, and Seedlip Alcohol Alternatives Los Angeles-based promotional company Sound has joined forces...

Panamanian Eatery Officially Opens on Venice Blvd

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

The Venture Is a Collaboration Between Chefs Known for Hatchet Hall, Menotti’s Coffee Shop and Townhouse Venice By Zach Armstrong...

Women’s Surf Film Festival Making California Debut in Venice

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

With an Array of Storytelling From Both Artists, the Festival Spotlights Inspiring Narratives of Female Surfers. The Women’s Surf Film...

Free “Masters of Dance” Workshops and Classes Open by SMC

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

It Features a Lineup of Master Classes and Educational Workshops Led by Accomplished Dance Professionals The Santa Monica College Dance...

Venice Shorts: Locals Raise Funds for Mexican-American Monument Honoring Traqueros

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

Remembering & Preserving a History Somewhat Forgotten  By Nicholas Antonicello Remembering and honoring a history that in some cases has...

Hotel Workers Go On Strike in Santa Monica Amid Negotiation Standstill

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

The Union Is Urging Hotels to Instantly Increase Hourly Wages By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica hotel workers at Fairmont Miramar,...

Venice Shorts: Venice Stakeholders Association in Support of Anti-Camping Legislation

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

VSA Files “Friend of the Court” Brief With SCOTUS!  By Nick Antonicello The Venice Stakeholder’s Association led by its President...

Venice Shorts: RV’s Occupy North Venice Blvd – Urination and Defecation Obvious!

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

“Motorhome Madness” Has Residents Seeking Help From la City Officials By Nick Antonicello The mobile motorhome dilemma plaguing the northside...

120-Year-Old Property on Market for $3.9M

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

A Classic Covered Porch Leads Into a Reception Room Featuring a Stone Fireplace Two adjacent lots, featuring a restored Craftsman...

Marina Peninsula Home on Market For $3.5M

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Brazilian Walnut Floors Exude Sophistication This five bedroom property at 5106 Pacific Ave is on the market for $3.5 million....

40-Unit Mixed-Use Project Proposed for 26th Street Intersection

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

A Smaller Two-Story Structure Featuring Five Residences Is Also Proposed Plans for a mixed-use development set to grace the corner...