PACIFIC PALISADES—Pacific Palisades residents have gathered to establish a community organization known as the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness (PPTFH) to address the growing issue of homelessness in the area.

According to a statement released by the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, “PPTFH is collaborating with Ocean Park Community Center (OPCC) to provide comprehensive services to our homeless population, including connecting homeless veterans to services available through the veteran’s administration.”

Ocean Park Community Center is a community-supported 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization where staff and volunteers work together to help end human suffering by providing resources that will improve quality of life. Some of the services OPCC provides include: medical care, mental health care, housing, domestic violence services, substance addiction treatment, income services and services to veterans.

With the assistance of Ocean Park Community Center, PPTFH will be able to set up a professional full-time Palisades “homeless outreach team” that will be available 8 hours a day, five days a week.

The team will work on adhering to the needs of the homeless community by offering resources and services. They will also help with housing and offer any guidance needed by Pacific Palisades residents and businesses during the presence of homeless community members.

“PPTFH hopes that every resident and business person will feel a sense of pride because they participated in making Pacific Palisades a safer and more attractive place to live, while also assisting a marginalized segment of our society in a compassionate and respectful way,” the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce says.

PPTFH’s goal is to raise $500,000 to pay for three years of OPCC’s outreach services. Funds raised will also help with costs related to brush clearance programs and signage. PPTFH has created a GoFundMe campaign to receive donations for the cause. All donations for PPTFH are tax-deductible.

The PPTFH has currently received 8 donations totaling $9,080.