Huntington Park approves $194,910 in Measure A funds for Salvation Army Bell Shelter interim beds

Huntington Park City Council voted to award $194,910 in Measure A funds to the Salvation Army Bell Shelter to pay for six interim housing beds and associated case management services for one year.

Lizette Montoya, the city's housing consultant with Avant Garde, told the council the city's Measure A allocation for fiscal year 2025-26 is $446,824 and that $194,910 of that allocation was proposed to support interim housing beds at the Salvation Army Bell Shelter. "As presented in this item, today we're that the agreement be approved for 1 year to provide 6 beds in the amount not to exceed of a $194,910," Montoya said.

A Salvation Army representative explained how the shelter's program operates: bed-nights, case management and a referral process driven by the city or other outreach partners. The representative said intake includes eligibility screening and that staff attempt to move clients into other, more specialized programs (including veteran programs and Department of Mental Health referrals) when appropriate. The Salvation Army also said it served about 20 people in the prior 12-month reporting period and that three Huntington Park clients are currently in the program.

Councilmembers pressed staff for operational details. Councilmember (unnamed) asked how Huntington Park residents would be referred and whether the shelter can move people from interim beds into other housing services to free space; the Salvation Army representative said programs within the shelter include case management that acts as housing navigation and that veteran referrals and recovery programs are used to create throughput.

Councilmembers noted the high per-person cost and the broader regional gaps in shelter capacity. One councilmember commended the Bell Shelter as "one of the only agencies to decide to build housing on their site" and said Measure A funds are one tool among others the city must use to address homelessness. Another councilmember said the average length of stay in comparable programs can be long and that funding cuts at the county or regional level will make placements more difficult.

A motion to approve the one-year award and related budget appropriation carried on roll call. Votes were recorded as yes by Councilmember Macias, Councilmember Ortiz, Councilmember Sanavia and Vice Mayor Martinez.

The council directed staff to return with the agreement for final execution and to ensure the finance director designates the proper accounts to administer the grant. The item was approved as a one-year contract; further allocations and program changes were described as subject to annual consideration and available Measure A funding.