Downey presents local homeless census and expands outreach as Measure A funds arrive

Sergio Corrias, the city homelessness Solutions and Housing Manager, told the City Council that Downey conducted its own two-day homeless census in December 2024 and identified 151 unsheltered adults, of whom 66 expressed interest in services. Corrias said CityNet outreach teams completed 601 client engagements from September 2024 through June 2025, enrolled 326 people into ongoing case management and delivered 391 direct services including transportation, medical referrals and document assistance.

"For many individuals, it can take anywhere from 8 to 12 separate engagements before they are ready to accept services," Corrias said, explaining the outreach-first approach. He said 45 people exited homelessness during the reporting period through shelter placement, permanent housing or family reunification.

Corrias emphasized that the city's locally collected census differs sharply from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) point-in-time count. "LAHSA reported 32 unsheltered individuals in Downey while our local count found 151," he said, and asked the council to advocate for locally collected data to be incorporated into county funding formulas.

City staff outlined how new funding from Measure A will be used. Corrias said Downey's FY25–26 Measure A allocation is $502,000 and that staff proposes using the money to add six shelter beds at the Bell Shelter, provide short-term rental subsidies and cover renter arrears and administrative costs. Corrias also described regional partnerships, including participation in the Gateway City Affordable Housing Trust, which awarded $2,300,000 to a 100-unit veterans supportive housing project where Downey benefits from 21 funded units.

Councilmembers pressed staff for more details on outcomes and durability of placements. When asked how many people previously placed in housing returned to homelessness, Corrias said that of about 50 people recently placed with services, two had fallen out and were later reconnected to mental-health supports.

The council discussed enforcement, private-property letters of agency (allowing police and outreach staff to address trespass or encampments at a property owner's request) and the balance between service and restore/cleanup operations. City Manager Bradley and Corrias said the city coordinates weekly STEP operations (Strategic Team for Engagement and Prevention) that bring together police, code enforcement, public works and parks staff for coordinated outreach and cleanups.

Councilmembers asked staff to continue returning regular updates and to pursue adjustments to county allocation formulas so local counts like Downey

are recognized in Measure A distributions. The council received and filed the report; staff will return with ongoing milestones and data.