More Homeless Seek Help

December 17, 2008

Dear Editor,

A recent Lookout article (“Santa Monica Tackling Chronic Homelessness, Emergency Food Shortages, City Officials Report, December 16, 2008) was inaccurate in its report of a 15 percent rise in Santa Monica’s homeless population.

Rather, in a recent U.S. Conference of Mayors report, the City did report encouraging news of 15 percent more people getting help. For instance, our innovative efforts to reduce street homelessness in Santa Monica has led to 51 (39 percent) of Santa Monica’s 131 “most vulnerable homeless individuals” being moved off our streets into housing and services. This success, over the past nine months, is due to tireless efforts of local non-profits, police and housing staff.

We expect to gather more encouraging data as we conduct the first ever citywide direct count of our homeless population on January 27, 2009. We invite interested community members to join with civic leaders to participate in this comprehensive effort. Information on volunteering for the count is at: www.homelessnessaction.smgov.net.

Best regards,