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Residents press San Dimas council for more action on homelessness; council requests staff updates
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Summary
Multiple residents urged the council to address increasing homelessness, alleged misuse of housing vouchers and problematic motel conditions; council members asked staff to return with an update on outreach efforts and a report from the sheriff's community action team.
Several San Dimas residents told the City Council on April 14 that homelessness in the city has increased and urged more transparency, accountability and concrete action.
At the outset of oral communications, San Dimas resident Marnie Tressel said she brought a petition signed by more than 180 people and described conversations with unhoused individuals who said outreach workers were not visible locally. Tressel alleged that Project Roomkey vouchers were being sold for cash rather than used to secure housing and urged an immediate investigation. "If the taxpayer-funded vouchers are not being used as intended, that is basically fraud and it must be investigated immediately," she said.
Other speakers described similar concerns. Melissa Contre said areas along San Dimas Avenue and Lone Hill have seen more unhoused people, increased drug use and loitering near shopping centers, and she named local motels she said were in poor condition and contributing to community problems. John Truessell, who identified himself as an employee of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said he encounters homelessness frequently and warned of tourism impacts around local attractions.
Council members acknowledged the public comments. Council member Retakos said she has worked with the city’s outreach team and is open to recommendations, emphasizing a mix of support and enforcement when support is refused. Council member Ravenna asked staff to return with an updated report comparing the city’s current outreach efforts against the 2017 plan, to invite the contracted outreach provider (Licata/Lakata) back to brief the council and to include a report from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s community action team detailing engagement and referral efforts.
No formal action was taken at the meeting beyond the direction to staff to prepare an update. Residents who raised allegations about voucher misuse did not receive an immediate response during public comment; council members signaled they want staff and partner agencies to follow up.
The council also heard a range of community announcements and events during the meeting, and the session closed with a motion to adjourn in memory of Deputy Levi Vargas.
