Neighborhood Council�Homelessness Liaisons
Suggested
Neighborhood Council Actions
to Address Homelessness
September 18, 2025
Laurie Jacobs, Presenter
Through resource sharing, outreach, community action, advocacy, and policy recommendations, Neighborhood Councils become active contributors to the City’s response to homelessness. ��There is still much to be done to address homelessness. and working with community partners to empower sustainable solutions that provide stability, dignity, and protection for all the vulnerable and people in need. ��
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE as the HOMELESSNESS LIAISON?
�Your work inspires others!
Presentation Content
Get Informed
Legislative and Council Files
Educate Your Stakeholders
Build Relationships
Table at Local Events
Collect Needed Items
Food Distribution Programs
Annual Homeless Count
Monthly Liaison Reports
Messaging
Share Best Practices
Self Care
Attend various meetings to stay well informed on resources, events, and programs addressing all aspects of homelessness, housing, mental health, etc. ��Learn what groups meet in your area. �(Many now meet virtually and share recordings) ���For example, in CD15, some meetings I attend are:� CD15 Working Group on Homelessness� HOPE Roundtable for Mental Health Providers � South Bay Cities COG Homeless Task Force� South Bay Coalition to End Homelessness�
Get Informed
Subscribe and weigh in on LA City council files and other legislative actions with Community Impact Statements (CIS).
Los Angeles City
https://lacity.gov/government/subscribe-agendas/boards-commissions-committees
Los Angeles County https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CALACOUNTY/subscriber/new?topic_id=CALACOUNTY_114
EmpowerLA Newsletters
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/vvVQlMf
Legislative and Council Files
Often social media chatter and other sources spread inaccurate information regarding the root causes of homelessness. ��As you know, there are a myriad of reasons people become unhoused, with a high percentage due to circumstances BEYOND THEIR CONTROL due to current economic situations, lack of available services, lack of affordable housing etc. ��It is very important for stakeholders to understand the truths. �We can educate them by teaching the “Myths vs. Facts”.
Educate Your Stakeholders on the
TRUTHS OF HOMELESSNESS
�Get Beyond the Headlines!
Get to know your local service providers, outreach teams, mental health teams, law enforcement, city departments, educators, elected officials, non-profits, and other organizations focused on homelessness issues.
Invite them to present at your NC meetings and ask how your NC can be of assistance in their efforts.
Collaboration: Building Relationships
�The ability to build genuine, strategic relationships is a fundamental aspect of effective leadership.
Create your own list of resources on how stakeholders can report situations to organizations that can provide aid to people in need. ��Some resources are LA City wide such as LA-HOP.org and others may be specific to your geographic area.
Resource List to Report Issues
EXAMPLES of Resources in CD15
24/7 CIRCLE Team (877-ASK-LAPD)
9-5 LA-HOP.org (LAHSA Portal)
24/7 211-LA
24/7 - 800-854-7771 Mental Health Line
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Harbor Connects Resource Hub
It is easier for an NC to attend an existing event than to host an event.
Partner with groups putting on “homelessness resource related events” that can provide showers, haircuts, clothing, workforce training, etc. directly to people in need along with information on paths to housing and services.
Table at Local Events
There are many local food distribution programs that could use assistance. By building relationships, your neighborhood council can become familiar with these programs and stakeholders become familiar with your neighborhood council. �
Get Familiar with Food Distributions
�Currently some people are hesitant to leave their homes, so this type of assistance is needed now more than ever.
�MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
The Greater Los Angeles Point-in-Time Count is conducted annually to help the homeless services system estimate how many people are experiencing homelessness. The count is required by the Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
View LAHSA website to learn more: https://www.lahsa.org/data-refresh/home/datadashboard?id=58
Sign up for the LAHSA email list to receive updates and registration information AND help recruit volunteers.
DID YOU KNOW? LAHSA provides data by various groups such as Supervisor Districts, LA City Council Districts, Service Planning Areas and Neighborhood Councils.
Link to LAHSA Dashboard: https://www.lahsa.org/data-refresh/home/datadashboard?id=58
Participate in the Homeless Count
Consider providing a monthly or bi-monthly report to your board highlighting recent updates related to homelessness in your community. Provide overviews & includes links to details.� �Post updates on your website and on social media.�Share council file motions for your NC to review and weigh in on��My monthly reports are posted on the NWSPNC website�https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GHGZSfBrlsnbaqSBevaIQZgZ-klOtt-i�
Monthly Liaison Reports
We all share a passion to help those experiencing or about to be experiencing homelessness and have many creative ideas on how each of our Neighborhood Councils can be involved.
SHARE YOUR GREAT IDEAS with Homelessness Liaisons.
Share Best Practices
Messaging – Words Matter!
Refer to unhoused people as “PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS” or “UNHOUSED” rather than just calling them “the homeless”. Being homeless should not define someone, it is a temporary state, not who they are. And unfortunately, the word “homeless” still carries a negative stigma. We can perpetuate changing the narrative.
�Human dignity is critical!
This work can be stressful and emotional.� �Be sure to always have balance in your life and practice self-care which is the practice of taking care of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your life to promote health and wellness.
Don’t Forget Self Care
�Self Care is the Best Care
It is recommended that untrained people NOT interact with those experiencing homelessness.
We are messengers, educators, and advocates. Safety is always top priority!
We are NOT outreach workers.
Safety First!
Questions?
Laurie Jacobs
Homelessness Liaison
Northwest & Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Councils
pedrolaurie@yahoo.com
Thank you for
doing this work!