HAWAIIAN GARDENS TO CONSIDER HOMELESS SHELTER LOCATED IN CITY

BY BRIAN HEWS

The Hawaiian Gardens City Council, at its upcoming July 31 Special Council meeting, will discuss and vote on a proposed homeless shelter plan in the City located on Norwalk Blvd.

It is the only item on the agenda, with the meeting slated to start at 5:30 p.m. 

Inside sources are telling Hews Media Group-Community News that City officials are planning to use the empty lot, located on Norwalk and 226th and owned by the City, to build a shelter and house the homeless in the region.

Those same sources are telling HMG-CN that the plan “is already approved,” meaning there are three council persons ready to vote yes.

That vote could raise the ire of many businesses and residents who live around the open lot, along with the older adults who live across the street at the Senior Terrace Apartments, and the parents of children who go to Hawaiian Elementary School only two blocks away.

The empty lot at 226th and Norwalk Blvd. in Hawaiian Gardens. The elementary school is on the right, the senior apartments on are the left.

City Initiates Study

Three years ago, the council directed City staff to study the impact of homeless in the city, out of that the Hawaiian Gardens Homeless Coalition was formed. 

Two years later, the voters of Los Angeles county approved Measure H, raising the county sales tax to generate $355 million annually over a ten-year period to provide funding for homeless services across the county.

Measure H funds twenty-one “Homeless Initiative Strategies” with the funding allocated regionally to eight “Service Planning Areas.” 

The funding allocation is determined by each SPA’s percentage of the 2017 homeless count.

Hawaiian Gardens is in SPA 7 and includes the cities of Artesia, Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Cerritos, Commerce, Cudahy, Downey, Huntington Park, Lakewood, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Maywood, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Signal Hill, South Gate, Vernon, Walnut Creek, Whittier.

In 2017, the county indicated the City had 53 homeless people, an increase of 44 individuals from the 2016 count.

When the time was right, Hawaiian Gardens applied for and was awarded a county grant of Measure H funding to develop their plan to address homelessness locally. The award put formulation of the City’s own ambitious plan into motion, a plan the sources are saying will be approved at the July 31 Special Council Meeting.

Language Indicates Shelter

The verbiage in the City’s plan strongly indicates the City intends to build the shelter and confirms what sources told HMG-CN.

In the Summary Section, the plan states, “the City will offer interventions to people who are homeless …. leading to more permanent supportive resources.” 

In another section it states, “The City will improve outcomes by supporting the expansion of local drop-in centers and explore opportunities for reducing the homeless ….to meet the growing needs for supportive housing and shelters.”

The City’s plan sets up a number of major goals, including “Enhancing Local and Regional Homeless Services.” 

Under that major goal item 3(d) stated, “with neighboring cities seek measure H funding for the cost of a dedicated shelter bed and options for supportive housing.” 

“I read the agenda,” said one Hawaiian Gardens resident who did not want to be identified, “they are clearly setting up to build a shelter, and I can tell you, the residents in the area will not be happy.”

EcoNour Patented Design for Car Windshield Sun Shade | Blocks 99% Heat and Keep Interior Cool | Fits Cars, SUV, Truck | Automotive Sun Screen,Visor and Summer Vehicle Accessories | Medium (64x32)

(435114540)

$13.99 (as of June 2, 2025 05:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

VERTHMOE Fathers Day Dad Gifts, Drive Safe Dad Gifts for Fathers Day, Dads Gift for Father Who Wants Nothing, Small Gift from Daughter Son, EDC Box Cutter Outdoor Camping Tools Gift

(42524)

$2.99 (as of June 1, 2025 17:32 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

WHOOP Peak – 12-Month Membership – 5.0 Health and Fitness Wearable – 24/7 Activity and Sleep Tracker with Heart Rate, HRV, Stress Monitor, Personalized Coaching, Healthspan – 14+ Days Battery Life

(34542)

$239.00 (as of June 1, 2025 17:32 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Rain-X 810165 Latitude 2-In-1 Water Repellent Wiper Blades, 22 Inch Windshield Wipers (Pack Of 2), Automotive Replacement Windshield Wiper Blades With Patented Rain-X Water Repellency Formula

(445113381)

$36.18 (as of June 2, 2025 05:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

ARUTOOY Painted Book Mug Novelty Coffee Mugs for Book Lover Gifts for Women Unique Coffee Mugs 11 Oz Cool Funny Bookish Cute Tumblers Books Worm Readers Writers Librarian Gifts Women

(5054)

$5.99 (as of June 1, 2025 17:32 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Meta Quest 3S 128GB Renewed — Dive into Mixed Reality — Unreal Experiences — All-in-One Headset

(5053)

$269.99 (as of June 1, 2025 17:32 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Womens Workout Tops Short Sleeve Shirts with Sun Protection Trendy Spring Summer Outfits S-3XL

(47561)

$8.99 (as of June 1, 2025 17:32 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Gildan Men's Crew T-Shirts, Multipack, Style G1100

(465309642)

$18.97 (as of June 2, 2025 05:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Mighty Patch™ Original patch from Hero Cosmetics - Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Patch for Covering Zits and Blemishes in Face and Skin, Vegan-friendly and Not Tested on Animals (36 Count)

(465173760)

$12.99 (as of June 2, 2025 05:29 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

NTIERA Replacement Lid for Owala Freesip Water Bottle, Compatible with Owala Lid and Cap, Premium Accessories for 16oz 24oz 32oz 40oz Bottles,Leak-Proof,BPA-Free

(435266)

$9.99 (as of June 1, 2025 17:32 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)