Malibu Costs Double For Homeless, But Progress Reported

Malibu costs for homeless to again double … but significant progress is reported.

The cost of helping people living on the street … the beaches or in canyons is going up.

But concrete progress has been made … according to a new report.

30 homeless people who used to live in the elements in Malibu have been moved into permanent housing since 2016.

Another 18 people have been placed in temporary … interim housing.

The Malibu Task Force on Homelessness has raise private and city funds for a fulltime, two-person outreach team from The People Concern.

But the Task Force effort was intended to be a pilot project … with the hope that if successful the City would start paying for it.

Two years ago the city chipped in $38,000.

Last year …$76,000.

Next year … 180 thousand dollars from the city.

City manager Reva Feldman says the City has agreed to provide 58 percent of the total 313 thousand dollar cost … private contributions will cover the rest.

Feldman says in a memo … that the service that the outreach workers are supplying is unique.

Putting the project out for bid would be disruptive to the current progress in getting numerous people housed.

Outreach work is based on developing relationships and building trust

As of now … the outreach team is actively assisting 86 people who are enrolled in services … as well as 12 people approved for housing vouchers, and three people with vouchers in hand.