Redondo homeless count drops 44 percent
by Garth Meyer The 2022 Greater L.A. Homeless Count shows a 44 percent decrease for Redondo Beach – a total of 99 people counted in February. The previous number, from 2020, was 176 people. In January 2019 it was 173. “Very gratifying. I would have been happy if it was half that (percentage),” said City Attorney Mike Webb. “It just validates the approach we’re taking.” City Net, a separate Redondo consultant, which also did a count this February, totaled 85. “I am super-thrilled, but not celebrating until we’re at zero,” said Lila Omurra, Redondo Beach’s homeless housing navigator. “I am really optimistic that if we continue to do what we’ve been doing, we can get it to zero.” She refers to long-term town residents, as opposed to those passing through. Omurra estimates about 25 of the 99 people in the February count were passing through Redondo Beach at the time. She added that, with the local pallet shelter project continuing, homeless court and the coming Project Homekey at the former Pacific Coast Inn, she believes zero can be reached next year. Recognition The news of the 44 percent drop for Redondo was announced the same day that the city won a Helen Putnam Award for…
Read this story on easyreadernews.com