Homelessness
Lakewood's commitment to addressing homelessness
The City of Lakewood takes a proactive, collaborative and service-oriented approach to addressing homelessness. Through its Homeless Services Outreach Division within the Public Safety Department, the City works closely with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, contracted homeless services liaisons, regional partners and community-based organizations to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with shelter, housing, behavioral health services and other supportive services.
Lakewood has made, and continues to make, substantial investments in homeless prevention and outreach to enhance quality of life throughout the community.
Over the past few years, the outreach team has grown from one contracted homeless services liaison, funded through Measure A (previously Measure H), to a fully staffed division. In FY 2024/25, the City added two additional contracted homeless services liaisons to support more frequent outreach, including on weekends, as well as two maintenance staff trainees to assist with the cleanup of encampments and public rights of ways.
Most recently, a Homeless Services Coordinator position was added in the FY 2026/27 budget to provide day-to-day oversight and coordination of the City’s homeless services. The City also contracts with the Salvation Army Bell Shelter for dedicated shelter beds, helping ensure that individuals who accept services have a safe place to stay and an opportunity to begin their path toward long-term stability.
How Lakewood's homeless outreach team helps
Lakewood’s homeless outreach team conducts ongoing, relationship-based engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness, including those who may be resistant to accepting services.
Liaisons, in partnership with our Sheriff’s deputies and Public Safety Officers, also respond to locations generating calls for service.
Staff track outreach, referrals, shelter placements, and other outcomes to assist in evaluating outreach efforts and refining strategies to reduce repeat homelessness-related calls for service.
These coordinated efforts resulted in 51 individuals being successfully placed at the Salvation Army Bell Shelter the past fiscal year. Beyond the numbers, however, are the individual stories that demonstrate the impact of continued outreach and engagement.
For example, an individual experiencing homelessness near the Centralia and I-605 FWY overpass accepted a shelter bed after being contacted numerous times by Sheriff’s personnel and contracted homeless services liaisons. A few months later, the individual successfully transitioned into interim housing. This milestone reflected the individual’s compliance with program requirements, active participation in supportive services and commitment to making progress. Today, they are one step closer to securing permanent housing and living independently.