At its regularly scheduled meeting on August 1, the La Verne City Council unanimously approved the allocation of $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the creation of a part-time Homeless Outreach Support Team (HOST) and its ongoing operations for the next three years. The La Verne Police Department will partner with Tri-City Mental Health to form the HOST team.
“Homelessness is a multidimensional challenge, and we continue to partner with Tri-City to build a comprehensive approach that addresses this issue,” said Mayor Tim Hepburn. “Our goal is to ensure that all community members have a safe place to live and work, and we are proud to bring this program to life.”
Homelessness is an increasingly complex issue that requires a coordinated effort across various service providers, including LVPD, Tri-City Mental Health and Los Angeles County. Creating HOST teams is a part of the City’s strategy to integrate these various services to effectively address this matter. The program being adopted is modeled after other successful programs, including the regional Homeless Outreach Services Team that LVPD already participates in.
Currently, homelessness related inquiries make up 10% of LVPD’s calls for service. The nature of these requests often take time for officers to address, putting a strain on the department’s resources. The HOST team will be staffed on a part-time basis by police officers from LVPD who will be accompanied by a Tri-City Navigator, when one is available.
The HOST team will work to proactively handle some issues related to homelessness throughout the City. The team will attempt to connect homeless individuals with the appropriate resources including housing, food, job training and medical services. The City’s partnership with Tri-City will help the HOST team build a stronger sense of trust among the community and enhance LVPD’s capabilities.
“The HOST program allows LVPD an alternative route of interaction with vulnerable members of our community, and we look forward to working with Tri-City to build stronger relationships with everyone in La Verne,” stated Chief of Police Colleen Flores.
For more information and resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, visit the City’s homelessness resources page.
Contact: Police Chief Colleen Flores
Telephone: (909) 596-1913