One city councilperson's "compassion"

Schipske to Request Council to Support Asking HUD for Waiver on Homeless

Accommodation Requirements Attached to Schroeder Army Property – Says ‘Long Beach Does More than Its Fair Share’

December 30, 2008

After months of not being able to locate an alternate site for a homeless program to serve the mentally ill, Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, whose district contains the Schroeder Army Hall today announced that she is placing on the council agenda an item asking for the federal government to waive its requirement that in order to receive the property, the City of Long Beach must accommodate the needs of the homeless.

The City of Long Beach filed an application to reuse approximately 5 acres of land now occupied at Willow and Grand Avenue by the U.S. Army Schroeder Hall. If granted, the property will be used by the City of Long Beach for a much needed Eastside Police Substation to replace the current leased facility near the traffic circle on the condition that it accommodate the needs of the homeless.

“The City of Long Beach has historically provided a great deal of services and programs for the homeless,” said Schipske. “The City of Long Beach continues to lead the cities in Los Angeles County in addressing the needs of the homeless and this should be taken into consideration by the federal government.”

As a condition of the reuse, the City of Long Beach was informed that it was required to accommodate homeless services providers by either providing land on the site or another site that was approved by the selected homeless services provider. Mental Health America was the selected provider and it agreed to use a one acre lot adjacent to the City’s Department of Health and Human Services on Burnett, just steps from the Schroeder Hall site to provide a program aimed at the mentally ill homeless.

“It is clear that the City of Long Beach is already providing a high level of care and services for the homeless,” emphasized Schipske, citing several facts that support her case.

“In addition to having the only ‘multi-service center’ within 26 miles of Los Angeles that is specifically dedicated to providing a variety of services to the homeless, the City has a Mayor’s Taskforce on the Homeless which recently completed a 10 Year Strategy for Ending Homelessness in Long Beach.”

Schipske also noted that the City’s Department of Health and Human Services employs a Homeless Services Coordinator and the City provides shelters and vouchers for the homeless throughout the year and especially during bad weather.

The Long Beach Unified School District also provides a school specifically for homeless children. The City is also the site of the Los Angeles County Comprehensive Health Center which provides, among other services, health care services and treatment for the homeless. Long Beach is also the home of US Vets/Villages at Cabrillo which provides housing for the homeless.

“I am bringing this item to the full city Council because it was the full city council that approved the application,” Schipske said. “Also the residents who live adjacent to the proposed homeless services site and who are opposed to its location, are not convinced that the city really will find an alternative site for the homeless program and so we need a back-up plan.”

Schipske said she is also concerned that the homeless provider can turn down cash in lieu of property as an accommodation.

“We should be able to sell the Burnett and Grand acre, get it back on the tax rolls and use the money to accommodate the needs of the homeless in order for the city to receive the 5 acres from the Army. We’re not asking for a ‘bail-out’ just an accommodation of our needs,” concluded Schipske.