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Dear Neighbor,
It is a top priority for my office to get our family, friends, and neighbors who are experiencing homelessness off the streets and into the appropriate supportive housing and services they need to stay housed. We are committed to ensuring ongoing outreach–including cleanups and service connections are happening while the County's Pathway Home program continues to scale up to reach more areas.
I want to ensure you're signed up for The Way Home, the latest newsletter from the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative, which provides key updates on our work in the 2nd District and across the County in collaboration with our city and community partners to tackle the homelessness crisis.
Residents in unincorporated communities can share information about encampments in their neighborhood through the County's free The Works app or call (888) 838-6746. LA City residents submit through 311 here.
You can share information through the CalTrans Service Request Form for encampments located on the side of a freeway or an on-off-ramp.
You can support someone experiencing homelessness by:
Calling 2-1-1 or contacting the Los Angeles Homeless Outreach Portal (LA-HOP) here: lahsa.org/portal/apps/la-hop/request.
You can access or support someone in accessing mental health, substance use, or suicidal support by:
The urgent task of addressing our homelessness crisis is collective, requiring the support and collaboration of county departments, cities, and our nonprofit and healthcare partners. Thank you for continuing to partner with my office.
Sincerely,
Holly J. Mitchell
Supervisor, Second District
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
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 Mitchell Memo Content
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Housing for Transitional Age Youth at “The Nest on Exposition” |
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We recently celebrated the groundbreaking for The Nest on Exposition; this is one of the latest housing developments as part of LA County’s Homekey 3.0 grants. LA County is collaborating with Wellnest Emotional Health & Wellness to use modular construction to provide 24 new interim homes for LA County’s Transition Age Youth aged 18-24 at Exposition Park. This housing is possible thanks to $2.8M from the County’s Homelessness Initiative, nearly $600,000 from the Department of Children and Family Services, and over $7M in funding from the State. Congratulations to Wellnest on 100 years of service to our communities and thank you to our County and State partners for helping us create vital housing for residents in the 2nd District. |
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Addressing Homelessness: Residents Receive Permanent Housing Through LA County’s Pathway Home |
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It was a moment of joy to witness 27 individuals who were once grappling with homelessness step into their new homes in a modern 3-story apartment complex in South LA. These apartments, equipped with comprehensive services from St. Joseph Center, are vital to the County's strategy to expand affordable housing options through master leasing buildings backed by Measure H funding. Each of these residents previously resided in R.V. encampments in the 2nd District's communities of Lennox, Walnut Park, Florence-Firestone, and Hawthorne. This move-in day is the outcome of months of dedicated outreach, including cleanups, service connections, and trust-building, all aimed at encouraging residents to choose housing through L.A. County's Pathway Home initiative. Thank you, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, L.A. Care Health Plan, Health Net, PATH, Public Works, Sheriff's Department Homeless Outreach Service Teams, and St. Joseph Center for making this possible.
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'Taking Back Our Streets' Event to End Illegal Street Racing & Takeovers |
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Over 130 residents, many of whom live in unincorporated communities that are impacted by illegal street racing and takeovers, joined us for our “Taking Back our Streets” event to share ideas, provide input for our upcoming symposium, and receive updates on what is being done to address this critical issue. If you couldn’t attend and would still like to make your voice heard and share ideas for our next event on this topic, please fill out our survey here: bit.ly/SD2-Street-Racing-Survey. Your input is invaluable in making our streets safer for all. |
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Racial Justice Learning Exchange Event Tackles Implicit Bias in Media |
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For our February RJLE event we came together with the CSU Dominguez Hills community, County communicators, 2nd District Commissioners and community members to discuss implicit bias at our Racial Justice Learning Exchange. Thank you to everyone who participated and took part in the Implicit Association test, which you can take here: bit.ly/IAT-Test to evaluate your own biases. To learn more about upcoming RJLE events, visit mitchell.lacounty.gov/racialjustice. |
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Welcoming President Biden to Los Angeles! |
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I had the honor of joining elected and community leaders in welcoming President Joe Biden to Los Angeles. He stopped by the 2nd District to give an update on student loan forgiveness at the County's Julian Dixon Library in Culver City. President Biden announced the approval of $1.2 billion in student debt cancellation for 153,000 borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan. To learn more about SAVE, visit: studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan#benefits. |
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The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services promotes child safety and well-being by partnering with communities to strengthen families, keeping children at home whenever possible, and connecting them with stable, loving homes in times of need. To learn more about their services, visit dcfs.lacounty.gov. |
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To access additional information on upcoming community resources and events related to education, health, housing, workforce development and more click here.
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FREE VACCINE CLINIC AT LENNOX LIBRARY
Fri, March 15 | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lennox Library
4359 Lennox Boulevard
Lennox, CA 90304
LA County Department of Public Health is partnering with the LA County Library to provide FREE flu vaccinations and the updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine. Health insurance is not required but will be requested if insured.
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HERMOSA BEACH ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Sat, March 16 | 11:00 a.m.
Pier Avenue and Hermosa Avenue
The Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day parade is back for its 28th year! Come out to see local non-profits, cool brands, and unique vehicles, with music and dance on the pier following the parade. For more information visit: hbchamber.net/parade.
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VOLUNTEER COALITION ORIENTATION
Thurs, March 21 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Via Zoom
Join us for a volunteer orientation with Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. Meet Team Mitchell staff, connect with current and interested volunteers, and learn about upcoming volunteering opportunities throughout the 2nd District.
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KIDS BEACH CLEANUP
Sat, April 13 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Dockweiler Youth Center
12505 Vista Del Mar
Playa del Rey, CA 90293
In Celebration of Earth Day, the LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors is partnering with Heal the Bay to host a Kids Beach Cleanup. This FREE event will feature a traveling tidepool, arts & crafts, and a cultural environmental music performance by 3rd Rock Hip Hop. Check-in and cleanup supplies will be at the Dockweiler Youth Center. All cleanup volunteers must print, complete, and submit a signed beach cleanup waiver form to join the cleanup.
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MARINA CULTURE JAM
Sunday: April 21 | May 26 | June 9
Burton Chace Park
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
The Marina Culture Jam is back! This FREE arts series features a diverse range of live performances, plus cultural arts & crafts activities for the whole family.
For more information visit: beaches.lacounty.gov.
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HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM (HOP120) DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
The Home Ownership Program (HOP120) provides a second mortgage loan for first-time homebuyers with assistance up to $85,000, or 20% of the purchase price, whichever is less. The loan from the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), provides down payment and/or closing cost assistance and is secured with a Deed of Trust and Promissory Note. HOP120 loans are 0% interest loans with a deferred payment. Repayment is required when the home is sold, there is a title transfer, or the home is no longer owner-occupied. To qualify, a homebuyer must not have owned a home (for personal or other use) in the last three years and the home must be owner-occupied. The household annual income cannot exceed 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI)* for Los Angeles County, based on family size.
For more information, check the LACDA’s website: lacda.org/home-ownership/home-ownership-program or send an email to: HOP@LACDA.org.
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DREAM FOR ALL HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM
The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) is helping first-time homebuyers purchase a home with its California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan program. The loan provides a significant down payment and/or closing cost assistance.
For more information about the program and eligibility information, visit the CalHFA website to learn more: calhfa.ca.gov/dream/.
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$500 GRANTS AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITY ADVOCATES
Are you a community advocate? The Nextdoor Kind Foundation launched a microgrant program that will award $500 grants to individuals making a difference in their neighborhoods and communities. The application takes less than 10 minutes to fill out and is due by 5 p.m. on Fri, March 29.
For more information and to apply: nextdoor.com/nextdoor-kind-foundation/los-angeles-microgrant-program.
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DISASTER RELIEF
If your home was damaged by the recent flooding and mudslides, you may be eligible for tax relief if your property has $10,000 or more in damages due to flooding or mudslides. The application must be filed with the Assessor’s Office within 12 months from the date the property was damaged or destroyed.
For more information from the LA County Assessor Department about misfortune and calamity relief and to apply visit: assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/disaster-relief.
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The California Abundant Birth Project LA County Pilot Program
Applications are open for The California Abundant Birth Project, a guaranteed income program that will provide no-strings-attached cash during a pregnancy. This initiative seeks to prevent stress during pregnancy and improve the lives of expecting parents. If selected, qualified participants will receive a monthly $807 cash gift.
For eligibility information and to apply visit: abundantbirthproject.org.
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THE ADVANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
The Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, in collaboration with the Arts Education Collective, is offering free, customized coaching to help school districts improve the quality and access to arts instruction. School districts interested in developing or updating their strategic arts plans can also apply for matching funds up to $25,000 through the Advancement Grant Program.
The application deadline is March 13.
For technical assistance, register for workshops, and apply, visit: lacountyartsedcollective.org.
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$35,000 GRANTS FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS
The Department of Consumer and Business Affairs and the LA County Center for Financial Empowerment have launched the County of Los Angeles Greenline Home Program which aims to tackle the legacy of redlining. The goal is to empower and uplift economically marginalized communities. $35,000 grants will be available for first-time homebuyers with low to moderate income and living in high-need to highest-need areas of Los Angeles County.
To learn more about eligibility requirements visit: dcba.lacounty.gov/GREENLINE/
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LA COUNTY LAUNCH PAD FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Calling all entrepreneurs for an exciting business opportunity! The LA County Launchpad program is offering a prime street-level retail space for a local business at the brand-new Vermont and Manchester mixed-use development, located at 8426 South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, which will be ready for occupancy in early October 2024.
If you are an entrepreneur or local business interested in applying for this program, don't miss this opportunity! Submit your interest form today! Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements–by accessing their website here: opportunity.lacounty.gov/la-county-launch-pad.
To find out more about the Vermont Manchester Center, visit: ladfnewmarkets.org/project-details/vermont-manchester-center
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BOS Meeting Updates
The Board of Supervisors (BOS) meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., except on Tuesdays following a Monday holiday when meetings begin at 1:00 p.m. The next meeting is Tuesday, March 12. All public Board meetings can be viewed live at: http://bos.lacounty.gov/Board-Meeting/Live-Broadcast.
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This Week on Social Media
Follow Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Threads to get the latest updates, resources, and events happening in the 2nd District!
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We encourage you to share this newsletter with your neighbors! If you aren’t already subscribed to the Mitchell Memo Newsletter, you can sign-up here.
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