The City of Whittier adopted a three-year Homeless Plan on July 24, 2018.

To make a referral about an individual in need or a homeless encampment within the City of Whittier, please use Los Angeles County's on-line homeless outreach portal or contact 211 from your phone.

The City of Whittier is actively engaged in a range of coordinated efforts and active collaboration among community organizations, churches, service clubs and concerned citizens dedicated to overcoming homelessness.

Whittier Navigation Center & Emergency Shelter

At a special meeting held July 21, 2020, the Whittier City Council voted unanimously to establish a temporary emergency shelter at the Uptown Senior Center as an interim measure until the new Salvation Army Navigation Center opens in early 2021. This action follows the Council’s March 24, 2020 directive to identify City facilities that could serve as emergency shelter for Whittier residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency shelter will hasten the timeframe in which the City reaches compliance with the April 22, 2020 settlement agreement with the Orange County Catholic Workers and will allow the City to enforce quality of life and public safety ordinances in parks and public spaces as soon as the shelter is opened. 

Whittier Navigation Center Now Open 

Below are links to FAQs regarding the Whittier Navigation Center and the City’s temporary emergency shelter, as well as the staff report, Salvation Army Operating Agreement and Resolution No. 2020-46 for further details.

• Frequently Asked Questions – Whittier Navigation Center & Emergency Shelter
• Staff Report – Agreement for Emergency Shelter Service
• Agreement with The Salvation Army
• Resolution No. 2020-46

Homeless Incentive Program

Click on the link above to participate in the Homeless Inceptive Program that promotes and supports property owners who rent available units to LA County's homeless population through Section 8 vouchers.

There are over 35 organizations within the Whittier area that provide services for homeless individuals and families. Whittier was among 44 communities identified in 2012 in the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national initiative to end chronic and vulnerable homelessness by moving at least 2.5 percent of the community's medically vulnerable and chronically homeless people into permanent housing each month.

Homelessness occurs for varied reasons and requires different resources and services. Serving the needs of this population is complex and some individuals do not want assistance or housing. The aim is to provide a system that coordinates and focuses resources to those most in need and least able to advocate for themselves. Combating homelessness requires effective strategies to reduce the number of families and individuals who become homeless, in addition to helping currently homeless families and individuals move into permanent housing.

The core of this effort involves outreach through designated staff, City policies, and direct financial support to local nonprofits like Whittier Area First Day Coalition (First Day), The Whole Child, the Women’s and Children’s Crisis Shelter (WCCS) and the Salvation Army Transitional Living Center. The City also works with neighboring cities, Los Angeles County, Gateway Council of Government (Gateway COG) Initiative to Reduce Homelessness, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), the State of California, and the federal government to stem homelessness.

Homeless Count- 2020

The LA County Homeless Count 2020 took place on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.  Results due this summer.

The City directly addresses homelessness in the following ways:

• Mental Health Evaluation Team
• Zoning
• Housing
• Regional Cooperation
• Information and referral office
• Library resources
• Pets
• Social Services funding

In February 2017, the County hosted a homeless initiative conference, at which Mayor Vinatieri spoke on the positive benefits of the MET team and the cooperation among Whittier nonprofits serving homeless people.

The conference addressed:

• Connection and collaboration: coordination of hospital entry/discharge systems
• Housing placement/stabilization: assist homeless with rental units
• Justice population: Sheriff training on mental health; inmates resources
• Outreach and engagement: 211; outreach worker training; data uses
• Communication mobilization: technology use to disseminate information
• Affordable/homeless housing: No Place Like Home initiative; L.A.County Measure H
• Mental health, substance use: MET teams; integration of federal, state, local funds
• Collaboration with cities: libraries as venues for DMH evaluations
• Use of COG, PATH and County workers as resources
• Expanding providers’ capacity to maximize new opportunities
• Contracting: barriers between funding agencies; accelerating funding

The Central Library also provides a full list of homeless resources to visitors. In addition there is veteran resource center staffed by volunteers, most of whom are also veterans, to assist with medical, housing, benefits, and other resources. Whittier was one of seven California libraries to receive a state grant for the “Library Outreach to Veterans” initiative so materials are provided without charge to veterans.

The City’s Information and Referral office at the Uptown Senior Center employs a worker 28 hours a week assisting individuals with social services information including government benefits and emergency shelters. City staff is familiar with the homeless services provided locally and regionally and will refer individuals to the appropriate organization providing the services sought. Staff liaises with nonprofit service providers on a regular basis to assist residents with their needs. The City is also considering the effectiveness and budget implications of including referral links from the website and Channel 3 to homeless service providers.

The City annually grants funding to social service and non profit agencies as recommended by the Social Services Commission with many services including:

• Crisis, transitional and bridge housing
• Permanent supportive housing
• Housing navigation
• Rapid rehousing services
• Veterans housing services
• Homeless recovery services
• Food security
• Prevention of homelessness
• Outreach to homeless
• Employment services
• Dental care
• Recuperative care
• Health and hygiene services
• Mental health, crisis care, evaluation, support services
• Detox services
• In-patient and out-patient counseling services
• Family services
• Clothing

For further information, please view the Local, Regional and National links provided in the left column.

You may also contact the Social Services Information and Referral office at 562-567-9434