Solis pushes housing opportunities for transition-aged youth
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis (D-Downtown LA, East LA, Pico-Union, Boyle Heights, El Monte, West Covina, Baldwin Park, Pomona) this week saw the full Board of Supervisors approve her motion to continue housing opportunities for Transition-Aged Youth (TAY) through the Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus).
THP-Plus is designed to help youth between the ages of 18 -24 and are at risk of homelessness due to aging out of foster care, or dealing with mental health challenges.
The motion grants procedural approval of a resolution to participate in and accept the State of California‘s funding allocations, allowing the County to bring in an additional $17.5 million. These funds will support housing opportunities and services for TAY, including expanding the number of units and vital supports such as housing navigators.
“During a time of significant fiscal challenges and a changing federal funding landscape, the county must do all it can to ensure the continuance of vital programming for our youth, especially those in foster care. We cannot afford to leave money on the table,” said Solis. “Today’s motion is a crucial step in ensuring housing and services for Transition-Aged Youth not only expands, but helps set them on a path toward stability and independence.”
As California’s high housing costs continue to drive instability and homelessness, especially among young people and former foster youth, the expansion of THP-Plus will help connect participants with housing and essential resources such as meaningful employment, access to higher education and support for self-sufficiency.
Horvath demands community outreach for Santa Monica housing projects
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath (D-Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Calabasas, Malibu, Universal City, Sherman Oaks) announced this week that the parties involved in two interim homeless housing projects planned for Ocean Avenue on the Santa Monica beachfront have mutually agreed to pause the project to allow for more robust community engagement.
The State has also agreed to provide an extension on the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program grant for the projects.
Horvath said that the pause came in response to concerns raised by constituents and feedback from her staff who attended a recent North of Montana Association meeting.
“I am completely disappointed by the lack of proper communication with Santa Monica residents about the proposed interim housing projects on Ocean Avenue. It is clear from the North of Montana Association meeting — and conversations since — that there has been inexcusably little engagement around this proposal. This is not how trust is built, nor how lasting solutions are created,” said Horvath.
“These projects arose from a housing developer reaching out to offer solutions for the challenges Santa Monica is facing. Unfortunately, the proposals moved forward without the transparent coordination and communication that a project of this scale demands.
“The City of Santa Monica has been calling for more beds to address the crises we see playing out on our streets — and we agree. We must move urgently to house people with acute mental health needs, but not at the expense of transparency or community partnership.
“Given the place the community is in, my office has worked with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and St. Joseph Center, and they have agreed to immediately pause the projects to allow for more community engagement.”
Feldstein Soto targets gang activity in the Figueroa corridor
Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced yesterday that her Office has filed a civil enforcement action against the owner of a strip mall located in South Los Angeles on the Figueroa corridor.
The lawsuit alleges that the owner – for at least the last 10 years – has allowed the strip mall to serve as a hub for violent gang and criminal activity anchored by the Eight Trey Hoovers (“Hoovers”) gang. The property, located at 8501-8509 South Figueroa Street, is across the street from a middle school (KIPP Academy of Opportunity) and is a Hoovers stronghold.
Feldstein Soto’s suit, filed against property owner Eric Ghayam (aka Omid Ghayam), seeks to declare the property a public nuisance and permanently abate gang-related activity and the ongoing danger to the community.
Less than two months ago, in the middle of a school day, a group of individuals – many identified by LAPD as Hoovers gang members or associates – were in front of a business on the property when multiple gunshots were fired into the group. Five people were shot and, on another occasion, bullets struck the KIPP Middle School.
“For far too long, this strip mall has been a magnet for crime and violent gang activity, with shootings, intimidation and other dangerous conduct,” said Feldstein Soto. “Despite repeated requests from our office and the LAPD to mitigate gang-related activities at this property, the defendants failed to take sufficient action. This lawsuit sends a clear message that we will continue using all available tools to protect our neighborhoods and restore safety to our communities.”
In the last 16 months, there have been numerous shootings and associated crimes at this property. The City Attorney’s Office and LAPD have repeatedly asked the Defendant to implement and maintain physical and managerial improvements to mitigate the congregation of gang members and others.
This lawsuit, brought pursuant to California’s Public Nuisance Law and California’s Unfair Competition Law, is being managed by the City Attorney’s Public Rights Branch.
Valladares’ bill increasing penalties for crimes during state of emergency signed
State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R–Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale) this week saw Gov. Gavin Newsom sign her legislation, Senate Bill 571, which increases criminal penalties for offenses committed against victims during a declared state of emergency, including crimes such as impersonating first responders and looting.
Valladares authored the bill in response to disturbing incidents during recent wildfires, where criminals exploited chaotic conditions by impersonating emergency personnel to gain access to disaster-stricken areas and looting homes.
“During the recent fires, we saw criminals preying on victims, looting homes and even impersonating first responders,” said Valladares. “Let there be no doubt: predators who exploit the desperate and defenseless will face serious consequences. This behavior will not be tolerated. Justice will be swift, certain, and uncompromising.”
SB 571 is a bipartisan effort, jointly authored by Senators Bob Archuleta (D–Pico Rivera) and Jesse Arreguin (D–Berkeley).
“This new law sends a clear and unmistakable message: anyone who preys on disaster victims will be held accountable.“Protecting our most vulnerable isn’t just our duty – it’s a moral mandate,” said Valladares.
