Downey contracts with agency for homeless outreach

A person sleeps outside a Chevron station in Downey on Tuesday. Photo by Eric Pierce

DOWNEY — The Downey City Council last week approved a one-year contract with City Net for homeless outreach.

The over $414,000 contract — funded from the Permanent Local Housing Allocation program grant — began Sept. 1. Under it, City Net will provide services, including:

  • Outreach engagement

  • Case management

  • Supportive services

  • Landlord engagement

  • Housing navigation

  • Housing documentation

  • Emergency health

  • Emergency mental health

  • Transportation, and

  • Client screening. Eligibility, and referrals

The city will also have two dedicated individuals from city net working from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday who will work with Downey Police and Fire Departments, Code Enforcement, and an eventual homeless services manager, which the city is currently working to recruit and hire.

Additionally, City Net will conduct a homeless census. Downey has previously participated in the Los Angeles Housing Service Authority’s yearly count, however has noted some concerns in LAHSA’s methodology.

LAHSA moved to a range rather than a specified number in 2024, tallying 242-286 homeless in Downey this last year.

City Net has been operating since 2003, and currently has 50 active contracts including city, county, state, federal, and corporate contracts.

Downey Council members have been vocal about their eagerness to address the homeless issue since Governor Gavin Newsom gave directive for cities to clean up their homeless encampments.

According to the presentation given by Assistant City Manager Vaniah De Rojas, Downey Police received 1,313 calls related to homelessness in the last 12 months, while Code Enforcement have responded 324 service requests.

De Rojas said that this amounted to $670,000 in staff time and contracting for the various service providers Downey uses.

NewsAlex Dominguez