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.”

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight

(215)

$849.00 (as of May 3, 2025 06:28 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.)

TrendPlain 16oz/470ml Glass Olive Oil Sprayer for Cooking - 2 in 1 Olive Oil Dispenser for Kitchen Gadgets, Air Fryer, Salad, and BBQ - Black

(17418)

$8.88 (as of May 3, 2025 06:28 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.)

ZZU Wireless Earbuds, 2025 Ear Buds with Big Bass Stereo Sound, Lightweight Bluetooth Earbuds with 48 Hours Playtime, in-Ear Fit Earphones, IPX7, Hands-Free Calls with AI for iPhone, Android, Pad

(1027)

$19.99 (as of May 3, 2025 17:24 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.)

Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (newest model) built for relaxation, 10.1" vibrant Full HD screen, octa-core processor, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB, Black

(24850)

$139.99 (as of May 3, 2025 06:28 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.)

Ninja Swirl by CREAMi Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker, Sorbet, Milkshake, Frozen Yogurt, Low Calories Program & More, 13-in-1, Soft Serve Handle, (2) CREAMi Swirl 16oz Pints, For Kids & ALL ages, NC701

(230)

$349.00 (as of May 3, 2025 17:24 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.)

Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display, Batteries Included, Weighs up to 11 pounds, Black and Stainless Steel

(100509)

$10.49 (as of May 3, 2025 06:28 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.)

Portable Washing Machine - Compact 2.3 Cu.ft Portable Washer, Full-Automatic Top Loader for Space Saving, Ideal for Apartments, Homes, and Dorms, 10 Wash Cycles, Low Noise, IPX4

(23)

$189.99 (as of May 3, 2025 17:24 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.)

Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, Black - Fully Unlocked (Renewed)

(30062)

$198.00 (as of May 3, 2025 06:28 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.)

BETHEGIFT Funny Card for Mom from Daughter, Son, Kids on Mothers Day - Heartfelt Message to Mother, Perfect for Birthday, Mother's Day, Humorous Mom Greeting Cards, Premium Quality

(27)

$7.95 (as of May 3, 2025 17:24 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.)

Titanium Cutting Boards For Kitchen, 100% Pure Cut Titanium Cutting Board, Food Grade Quality,Easy To Clean And Will Not Absorb Odors, Suitable For Kitchen Or Outdoor Camping(12L*9W)

(57)

$19.99 (as of May 3, 2025 17:24 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.)