Full Text
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CITY OF PALMDALE NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: John Mlynar PHONE: 661/267-5115 DATE: March 16, 2018 Final Homeless Study Outreach Meeting Scheduled for March 20 PALMDALE – The last of three community meetings as part of the City of Palmdale’s homeless study outreach program will take place on Tuesday, March 20 at the Highlands Church, 39625 20th St. West from 6 to 8 pm. The community is invited to learn more about the program and the outreach results. “We’re encouraging our residents to attend and meet with the various service providers to get an update of what’s been happening so far and to share their thoughts and opinions while learning more about what the City does to combat homelessness through prevention and to assist those in need,” said Palmdale’s Director of Neighborhood Services Mike Miller. “So far our outreach teams have completed over 140 face to face homeless field surveys, spending 1,252 hours in the first two weeks,” Miller said. “They have spoken to people experiencing all various types of homelessness from being on the streets to living in recreational vehicles or temporary housing.” “The data we’ve collected so far has been very informative and is showing us where the real need in the community exists,” said Miller. “Our goal is to utilize the information collected and to partner with our local service providers to meet those needs.” Funded by a $50,000 grant from Los Angeles County through Measure H funding, the homeless outreach program consists of eight teams working concurrently to make contact with homeless people who are on the street, in temporary housing, or living in RVs and cars. ---PAGE BREAK--- The outreach program will run through March 22. The community partners participating in the outreach effort are Advancing Communities Together, Palmdale Victory Outreach, AV YouthBuild, Antelope Valley Partners for Health, Mental Health America, Valley Oasis, Salvation Army, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (SAVES). The consulting firm of LDM and Associates will be providing technical assistance in the preparation of the homeless plan. A community survey is also available on the City’s website, www.cityofpalmdale.org. Residents are encouraged to take the survey, which is available in English and Spanish and share their thoughts and opinions which will be used to develop the City homeless plan. For more information, please contact Palmdale’s Neighborhood Services Department at 661/267-5126 and ask for Stacey Andrews or Mike Miller. -30- Communications Department • 38300 Sierra Highway • Palmdale, CA 93550 www.CityofPalmdale.org