By LILY TINOCO | Reporter
The Los Angeles City Council Homelessness and Poverty Committee is slated to hear Councilmember Mike Bonin’s submitted motion to evaluate and identify funding for supportive housing sites across West Los Angeles, including Pacific Palisades, on Thursday, May 13.
Bonin first submitted the motion on Wednesday, March 31, requesting the city look into the use of the county-owned parking lot at Will Rogers State Beach, located at 17000 CA-1, as a temporary site for single-occupancy tiny homes or safe camping to shelter people experiencing homelessness.
Other temporary sites proposed include Parking Lot #3 at Dockweiler Beach, the county-owned RV park at Dockweiler Beach and the Fisherman’s Village parking lot in Marina del Rey.
Bonin’s proposal has received a widespread response from community members and councils across the Westside.
The Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council submitted a Community Impact Statement that stated the council unanimously opposes the use of beaches and beach parking lots for housing for homeless individuals.
“Neighborhood or community councils where these sites are listed in the council motion shall work in good faith to identify alternative sites within their boundaries,” according to the submission.
The Mar Vista Community Council has also expressed opposition against the motion, while the Del Rey and South Robertson Neighborhood Councils are supportive of Bonin’s efforts.
“We, the South Robertson Neighborhood Council, support this motion’s efforts to identify available properties and to expand projects addressing our homelessness crisis on the Westside, particularly permanent supportive housing,” the council’s submission stated. “As research shows, permanent supportive housing is the only scientifically backed solution to ending homelessness.”
The Pacific Palisades Community Council Executive Committee sent a supplemental letter to officials—including Mayor Eric Garcetti and LA City Council President Nury Martinez—on Tuesday, May 11, regarding the motion and the council’s previously submitted Position Statement.
“Citizens of Los Angeles, from Pacific Palisades and beyond, have expressed strong opposition to the use of public state beaches, beach parking lots and parks for homeless housing,” PPCC said in the letter. “Respected Palisades organizations, entities and individuals strongly oppose the use of public beaches, beach parking lots and parks for homeless housing. The level of community opposition is unprecedented in our experience.”
PPCC said representatives of all nine PPCC member organizations unanimously voted to adopt its Position Statement, including Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Palisades Civic League, Pacific Palisades Historical Society, Pacific Palisades Residents Association, Pacific Palisades Rotary Club, Palisades-Malibu YMCA and Temescal Canyon Association.
Additionally, all four PPCC officers and nine elected PPCC area and at-large representatives voted unanimously to adopt the PPCC Position Statement.
“PPCC calls on Councilmember Bonin to amend his motion and remove the state-owned/county operated [Will Rogers State Beach] and Dockweiler parking lots, as well as Westchester Park and Mar Vista Park (opposed by the respective councils in those areas), from the proposed sites in his motion in CF 21-0350,” PPCC said in its letter.
Community members can virtually attend the City Council Homelessness and Poverty Committee meeting on Thursday, May 13, at 10 a.m. by visiting clerk.lacity.org/calendar. The audio for the meeting will be broadcast live, which can also be heard at 310-471-CITY (2489).
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