Homelessness
In response to the growing number of individuals experiencing homelessness, Westlake Village has increased its efforts to help individuals in need and address the impacts on our community. Some of these efforts include increased participation in events to aid the homeless, coordination of actions through a regional working group, and strengthened cooperation between the various agencies and organizations who specialize in homeless services.
Safety concerns
If you have an immediate safety concern, call 911 or the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station directly at (818) 878-1808.
Report an observation
The Los Angeles County Homeless Outreach Portal (LA-HOP) is the direct reporting tool used by Westlake Village and the County of Los Angeles. LA-HOP is designed to assist people experiencing homelessness in LA County with outreach services and community members are encouraged to use this tool if you observe an individual experiencing homelessness.
Private property concerns
Encampments on private property should be reported to the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station at (818) 878-1808. If you are reporting an encampment on someone else’s property, the Sheriff’s Department can identify the property owner, check for a Letter of Agency on file, and/or contact the property owner to see if they would like the individual removed.
Property owners may also file a Letter of Agency that permits the Sheriff's Department to remove trespassers from their private property.
Public property concerns
Encampments on public property may also be removed; however, specific protocols must be followed by both the pertinent municipality and law enforcement. Depending on the situation, this process can take several months. Before clearing any encampment, campers must be given access to outreach services, and clear warnings must be posted noting the scheduled clean-up day. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) helps oversee this extensive process.
These procedures help ensure two things:
- It helps people experiencing homelessness connect with services and housing rather than just relocate to a new campsite.
- It protects the City and law enforcement from liability, decreasing costs to the community resulting from litigation.
Outreach & support services
The following organizations all provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness at different levels:
The People Concern
The People Concern is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides comprehensive, coordinated services to homeless individuals throughout Los Angeles County.
One of Los Angeles County’s largest social services agencies, The People Concern was formed in 2016 in a merger of two trusted social service organizations based in Los Angeles County, OPCC and Lamp Community. The People Concern is a leading provider of, and advocate for, evidence-based solutions to the multi-faceted challenges inherent in homelessness and domestic violence.
They provide a fully integrated system of care – including mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, and permanent supportive housing – tailored to the unique needs of homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, challenged youth, and others who have nowhere else to turn.
St. Joseph Center
St. Joseph Center is a 501(c)(3) multifaceted social service organization based in Venice offering Outreach & Engagement, Housing, Mental Health, and Education & Vocational programs to working poor families, as well as homeless men, women, and children of all ages.
With respect for the dignity of each person, St. Joseph Center offers resources and tools to help each individual become productive, stable, and self-supporting members of the community.
LA Homeless Services Authority
Formed In December 1993 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the City of Los Angeles Mayor and City Council, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is an independent joint powers authority that provides funding, program design, outcomes assessment, and technical assistance to more than 100 nonprofit partner agencies that assist homeless persons achieve independence and stability in permanent housing. LAHSA’s primary role is to coordinate the effective and efficient utilization of federal and local funding in providing services to homeless people throughout Los Angeles County.
Additionally, LAHSA partners with both the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles to integrate services and housing opportunities to ensure wide distribution of service and housing options throughout the Los Angeles Continuum of Care.
Council of Governments Homelessness Outreach
The Los Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments (COG), representing the Cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu, and Westlake Village, was awarded Measure H funds from the County, which were utilized to hire a homelessness outreach worker to work for the five cities. The outreach worker was hired in March 2020, and serves as an additional direct resources in the region while provides reports to the COG.
FAQ's and Informational Brochure
This informational brochure is brought to you by the member cities of the Las Virgenes-Malibu Council of Governments and contains a variety of information to help our community learn more about homelessness and what can be done to help individuals.