Background 

In May 2008, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (COG) adopted the development of a regional homeless services strategy as one of its strategic plan objectives. Over the next year, the COG completed a comprehensive needs assessment and engaged San Gabriel Valley stakeholders in a consensus-building process focused on development of an implementation plan to address unmet needs with particular emphasis on the participation of community- and faith-based organizations.

The Phase 1 Report, which was adopted in November 2008, is available here:

• Phase 1 Report

• Appendices

In April 2009, the COG Governing Board voted unanimously to form a region-wide, community-based network called the San Gabriel Valley Housing and Homeless Coordinating Council as a key first step of the implementation strategy. 

The Phase 2 Report is available here:

• Transmittal Memo

• Phase 2 Report

Governing Board

The Coordinating Council is governed by a sixteen member Governing Board comprised of representatives from member agencies primarily from the faith-based and not-for-profit sector that provide services to homeless persons in the San Gabriel Valley.

Because of the vast geographic area this agency is serving, the Coordinating Council is also organized into four subregional groups (“clusters”) to facilitate planning and coordination at a more localized level. The sixteen Governing Board members are selected by member agencies in each cluster. Each cluster has four seats on the Governing Board. Governing Board meetings are held monthly, and cluster-level meetings are held on an as needed basis.

The following stakeholders serve in an ex-officio capacity: County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Districts 1, 4, and 5, County of Los Angeles Chief Administrative Office, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).

Governing Board Members

Cluster 1 -Larry Johnson     Union Station Homeless Services - Betty McWilliams     Foothill Unity Center - Tim Peters     Door of Hope - 4th Seat—Vacant	Cluster 2 - Debra Boudreaux     Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation - Antionette Falice     Volunteers of America - Sheldon Hess     Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley - Gilbert Saldate     Hosea Chapel Christian Church
Cluster 3 - Bob McKennon      East SGV Coalition for the Homeless - Edith (Edie) Norris     YWCA San Gabriel Valley - Sharon West     Children of God Body of Christ - Allan Espinoza     God Provides Food Bank	Cluster 4 - Connie Brehm     La Verne Heights Presbyterian Church - Rodney Heinrich     NewSong Church - Andrew Levander     David & Margaret Youth and Family Services - Wytske Visser     Inland Valley Hope Partners

Guiding Principles 

Coordination: Lead coordination between the County of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority, and others in planning the implementation of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments’ Regional Homeless Services Strategy

Diversity: Fairly represent the array of non-profit and faith-based service providers and the ethnic make-up of the communities represented  

Community-based Membership: Include public, private, faith-based, and not-for profit agencies in membership
Region-wide Collaboration: Engage established structures in the eastern and western portions of the San Gabriel Valley and enhance existing structures

Facilitation: Facilitate the appropriate implementation of the County’s social services strategies and empower local organizations
Fair Distribution: Ensure that cities are not asked to take on more or less than their fair share and that municipal resources be primarily directed to homeless programs and projects 

Networking: Act as a central depository for data on homelessness, information on programs, expertise and best practices, and service coordination and funding opportunities

Contact