In a remarkable achievement, the city of Redondo Beach has successfully reduced its homeless population to what experts call "functionally zero." This milestone represents a significant turnaround for the Southern California coastal community of 68,000 residents.
The city's innovative approach combines several key elements:
- A specialized homeless court
- Diverse housing options
- Dedicated outreach workers
- Collaborative partnerships
Homeless Court: A Compassionate Approach
In 2020, City Attorney Mike Webb initiated a monthly homeless court. This program redirects individuals facing minor offenses towards shelter and treatment instead of punitive measures. The results have been impressive, with fewer than 2% of participants returning on new charges.
Housing Solutions
Redondo Beach has implemented a variety of housing options to address homelessness:
- 20 tiny homes, with plans to add 25 more
- 18 leased single room occupancy (SRO) units
- Partnerships with home-sharing nonprofits
- 20 units of permanent housing in a converted motel
Dedicated Outreach
The city employs housing navigators like Lila Omura, who work tirelessly to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. Omura's personal experience and persistent approach have been crucial in building trust and guiding people towards available services.
Collaborative Efforts
Redondo Beach's success is built on partnerships with:
- South Bay Cities Council of Governments
- Local nonprofits like Harbor Interfaith Services
- County and state agencies providing grants and resources
Measurable Results
The city's efforts have yielded impressive outcomes:
- Median time to house individuals reduced to 14 days
- Unsheltered population dropped from 105 in 2017 to 18 in 2023
- Ranked 51st out of 56 L.A. County cities for per capita homelessness, down from 11th in 2017
Challenges Remain
Despite these successes, city officials acknowledge that maintaining "functional zero" will require ongoing effort and funding. The transient nature of homelessness and individual circumstances can make progress difficult to quantify precisely.
A Model for Others
Redondo Beach's approach is now inspiring neighboring cities. Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Torrance are adopting similar strategies, hoping to replicate this success in addressing homelessness compassionately and effectively.
By combining targeted interventions, diverse housing options, and persistent outreach, Redondo Beach has demonstrated that significant progress in addressing homelessness is possible, even in a region where the issue has long seemed intractable.