Councilmember Mike Bonin Proposes Motion to Expand Homeless Housing

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Councilmember Mike Bonin recently proposed a motion to amend sections of the Los Angeles Municipal Code to create more interim housing and emergency shelters.

Bonin currently represents Council District 11. CD 11 spans from Sawtelle and Marina del Rey to Pacific Palisades, Venice and beyond. He filed the motion with Councilmembers Nithya Raman and Marqueece Harris-Dawson on Wednesday, February 9.

“The [LA] homelessness crisis requires the city to be innovative and cut red tape wherever possible. The number of people sleeping on our streets every night far exceeds the beds we are able to offer,” according to the motion. “There are churches, synagogues … and other properties owned by non-profits that are eager to be part of the solution, but are barred based on the location of their property.”

The motion requests LA City Planning to report back in 45 days with options to amend sections of the LAMC to allow “shelters for the homeless,” and other forms of interim housing to be established and operated on properties located outside of the current zones in place during a declared shelter crisis.

LAMC has also been asked to return with a report that considers “where shelters can operate as a matter of right,” allowing for a broader scope of interim housing solutions by “reducing or eliminating certain objective zoning requirements [and] revising existing … standards to reflect current best practices,” according to the motion.

The filing further requests LACP—with assistance from the City Attorney—to provide options which would allow existing and new emergency temporary shelters to extend their operation or be made permanent.

“Our proposal won’t end homelessness, but it’s a helpful step,” Bonin shared in a statement on February 23. “If we make it easier for nonprofits and houses of worship to provide interim housing and shelter, government can better focus its money and resources on identifying and creating additional housing that makes a transition from the streets permanent and life-changing.”

Pacific Palisades Community Council’s Executive Committee submitted a letter in opposition to the motion on February 21.

“PPCC opposes the motion … and specifically opposes any changes to the city’s zoning regulations that would allow homeless shelters to be constructed by right in R1 areas, without regard to otherwise applicable zoning restrictions, location or consideration of impacts on the community, and in any other zones where they are not currently allowed by right,” the letter states. “We also oppose any proposal to make temporary or interim homeless shelters permanent, without regard to otherwise applicable zoning restrictions, location or consideration of impacts on the community.”

Venice Neighborhood Council and Mar Vista Community Council have also expressed their opposition to the proposed motion.

The motion was voted on and passed by the Homeless and Poverty Committee on Thursday, February 23. It is slated to be heard by the Planning and Land Use Management Committee next.