October 2021 Progress Report
11/24/2021 - WLAH The People Concern outreach team member Damien German offers Starbucks coffee at Westwood Recreation Center Park.
Overview
During the month of October 2021, the West LA Homeless outreach team continued to see progress within our geographic area. The team has started a more targeted approach to case management by providing intensive services to individuals within our area. The outreach team is seeing a lot of movement of various encampments due to the aggressive City of Los Angeles cleanup efforts. We are doing our best to keep track of our neighbors and to alleviate some of the stress and insecurity that our population is experiencing.
In October 2021, the West LA Outreach Team made contact with 32 new homeless individuals. Out of the 32 individuals, 21 identified as male and 11 identified as female. 22 of those individuals were one-time encounters while 10 have had multiple contacts with our outreach team. Out of the 32 individuals contacted this month, 24 of those individuals have accepted some type of services from the outreach team. The total amount engaged to date increased from 202 individuals to 234. The total number of contacts (including duplicated contacts) made in October, 2021 was 235. The 10 new individuals who have engaged repeatedly with our team have begun to establish rapport and build a level of trust. The outreach team is continuing its efforts to identify those individuals for various housing opportunities, conduct CES surveys and assist with documentation in preparation for any housing opportunities that may be available. In October 2021, 6 more individuals have been identified for housing opportunities. Two of those have been matched to permanent housing vouchers and they are moving forward with housing. Three individuals have been identified for Emergency Housing Vouchers. One person moved into permanent housing with supportive services. The team identified two more individuals who entered into a Project Room Key through LAHSA and the VA. One individual entered into a psychiatric facility and is in the process of being reunited with family. Eventually the individual and family will be assisted with permanent housing. We have identified a total of 17 people who will be moving forward into housing at some point.
The team continues to practice client centered, trauma informed care and have added harm reduction to our best practices. The team issued 3 Narcan bags to various people this month. In partnership with Common Ground, we have added 19 other harm reduction practices to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. There has been a total of 22 individuals who have engaged in harm reduction best practices this month for a 3 month total of 52 individuals. We will continue to partner with Common Ground going forward.
Our team will continue to collaborate with DMH concerning 5 individuals who are the most vulnerable, one who has been placed on a psychiatric hold. We have moved one vulnerable individual out of the park and into a motel for safety reasons. We are working toward shelter and permanent housing for that individual. We have been notified that another person was reported as deceased this last month, a reminder as to how vulnerable our unhoused population is, and sometimes closer to death than we realize.
Success Story
To highlight the impact of West Los Angeles Homeless efforts in our community, we plan to share a “success story” each month. These accounts are provided by our team from The People Concern. Names have been changed for anonymity.
Greg was one of the first individuals we encountered when we started outreach in West Los Angeles. The outreach team quickly realized that Greg needed some extra assistance due to a previous traumatic brain injury. After several conversations, the team devised a plan to help Greg follow through with his housing plan. We are happy to report that Greg is now living near the beach in his own apartment, surrounded with supportive services that he can utilize in his everyday activities. Greg is adjusting well and the outreach team will continue to follow up with him over the next few months. Continued outreach is an integral component to make sure Greg is successful in his transition. The team will be there to assist Greg with any issues that may arise during his transition to housing.
We seek to increase community participation in addressing issues of homelessness in the West Los Angeles area. Our organization funds trained professionals to engage with those experiencing homelessness and connect them to City, County, State and other community resources. Learn more about and participate in this mission and help us enable future “success stories” by donating here.. `
