MALIBU/PACIFIC PALISADES—Representative from the city of Malibu in conjunction with the Malibu Homelessness Strategic Plan Community Advisory Group will conduct the City’s draft Strategic Plan on Homelessness for community review on Thursday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
According to the city of Malibu website, the Strategic Plan is designed to improve the operational use of existing resources, align local efforts with those of the Los Angeles County region and balance the need to protect public safety while addressing the humanitarian and long-term needs of homeless individuals.
In February 2018, the Homelessness Advisory Group was formed to provide input for development of the City’s Strategic Plan on Homelessness. The Advisory Group worked with a consultant to outline the Strategic Plan, which is the result of a community survey, targeted questionnaires and three half-day strategic planning workshops. The Advisory Group included representatives from the city, residents of Malibu, the Sheriff’s Department, the faith community, CART (Community Action Resource Team), the People Concern, the Malibu Homeless Outreach Team, S.O.S. (Standing on Stone), the business community, California State Parks, the County of Los Angeles Public Library, St. Joseph’s Center (Malibu’s Coordinated Entry System partner), and the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness.
Homeless encampments are monitored by outreach groups and the Sheriff’s Department. Eviction measures are taken when necessary. All outdoor campfires are illegal within the Malibu city limits. If residents see a fire, they are urged to call 911. In May 2018, Malibu implemented its Encampment Management Initiative, which will have the Sheriff’s Department clearing encampments on a monthly basis.
Malibu’s effort was funded by a grant of $50,000 through the County of Los Angeles Measure H to develop a Strategic Plan to address Homelessness. The draft Strategic Plan is expected to be presented to the Malibu City Council for adoption in late June. The city of Malibu recently created a dedicated web page to provide information and resources about homelessness in Malibu, information about the Homelessness Strategic Plan, links to staff reports, information on public safety questions, contact information for organizations that work on homeless outreach and services, ways to get involved and upcoming events.
Homeless Connect Day events, organized by the County of Los Angeles in cooperation with the city of Malibu, are held at the former Malibu Courthouse (23525 Civic Center Way) to provide services and resources to those in need via volunteer and non-profit organizations. The next Homeless Connect Day is scheduled on Wednesday, May 30.
For additional details, call Public Safety Manager Susan Dueñas at (310) 456-2489 ext. 313 or email SDuenas@MalibuCity.org.
