Homeless Services

The City of Downey is actively addressing homelessness through its Homeless Solutions Team, STEP (Strategic Team for Engagement and Prevention). STEP is led by the City's Homelessness Solutions and Housing Manager, and is a collaborative, multi-departmental initiative focused on addressing homelessness in the Downey Community. The homeless solutions team includes City Net, Downey Police Officers, including the Downey Police Department Mental Evaluation Team, Public Works, Code Enforcement, Parks & Recreation, and the City Manager’s Office, all working together to provide support, resources, and solutions.

To learn more, please contact (562) 299-6770 or email homelessservices@downeyca.org.

City Net

In August 2024, the City of Downey entered into a strategic partnership with City Net, a service provider dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness. City Net provides transformative care and long-term housing solutions to help individuals regain stability.

Through this collaboration, Downey offers comprehensive support, including outreach, case management, and access to housing opportunities, creating a pathway toward self-sufficiency. This initiative reflects the city's commitment to a compassionate and sustainable approach to homelessness.

Current City Net Impact Report

A STEP Forward - City of Downey Homelessness Outreach Documentary

Past City Net Impact Reports

The following are archived monthly impact reports from previous months. These reports are provided by City Net as part of Downey’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness. Each report outlines key outreach activities, services offered, and outcomes.

City Net Services

City Net provides comprehensive support to individuals experiencing homelessness through outreach, case management, and vital service connections.

Our Services

Outreach & Engagement – Connecting with individuals experiencing homelessness to assess their needs and provide support.

Case Management – Offering personalized guidance and assistance to help individuals navigate available resources.

Transportation – Assisting with transportation to shelters, medical appointments, and service providers.

Program Linkages

City Net helps connect individuals to essential programs, including:

Mental Health Services – Access to counseling, therapy, and psychiatric care.
Physical Health Services – Connecting individuals to medical care and wellness support.
Employment Services – Job readiness programs, skill development, and employment opportunities.
Interim Housing – Assistance in finding temporary shelter and transitional housing options.
Veteran Services – Specialized support for veterans, including housing and benefits assistance.
Family Reunification Services – Helping reconnect individuals with supportive family members.
Document Assistance – Support in obtaining critical identification documents, including:
State ID
    Birth Certificate
    Social Security Card
    Other essential documents

For more information or to request assistance, contact homelessservices@downeyca.org.

Requesting Services

To Request Services

To request services please contact the City of Downey:

Download the City of Downey App
Call the Homeless Services program at (562)299-6770
Email us at homelessservices@downeyca.org

LA- HOP

Submit a request at www.LA-HOP.org. LA-HOP is LA County’s homeless outreach portal, which dispatches outreach teams to connect with individuals and offer assistance.

Resources Brochure

Please view the City's Homeless Resources brochure for more information.

Homeless Services Resource Guide

Reporting Encampments

Report a Homeless Encampment

Your reports and requests help us address homelessness in our community more effectively. To submit a homeless encampment request:

In the City of Downey:

Download the City of Downey App
Call the Homeless Services program at (562)299-6770
Email us at homelessservices@downeyca.org

Union Pacific Railroad Tracks

To report concerns on railroad tracks, call Union Pacific Railroad at (888) 877-7267.

Freeway Underpasses or Off-Ramps

To report encampments and trash near freeway underpasses or off-ramps, visit the Cal Trans Website

Emergency & Safety Concerns

For criminal activity, or mental/medical emergencies, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Business/Property Owners

If you are an owner or operator of a business or commercial property and have concerns regarding issues of unwanted persons or criminal activity on your property, there are resources available to help you in addressing your issues successfully.

Protecting Your Property: Taking the Proactive Approach

Many nuisance or criminal activities can be prevented by businesses and property owners taking a proactive approach to protecting private properties. Here are a few things businesses and property owners can do:

Post signs on your property such as "No Trespassing"
Sign and send a Letter of Agency (Illegal Lodging) to the Downey Police Department (see details below)
Secure trash enclosures
Do not leave empty cardboard boxes where they are publicly accessible
Reduce foliage that may be used as hiding spots for people/property
Ensure adequate lighting
Increase presence or implement private security measures
Do not feed or give money to non-patrons

Letter of Agency (LOA):
Business and property owners may also complete a Letter of Agency (LOA), which authorizes the Downey Police Department to act on your behalf in addressing trespassing and illegal lodging on your property. The LOA allows officers to remove or arrest individuals who are unlawfully occupying your property without requiring your immediate presence. Please note that the Letter of Agency must be notarized in order to be valid.

Letter of Agency (LOA) Form

Completed LOA forms should be submitted to:
Downey Police Department
10911 Brookshire Avenue
P.O. Box 7016
Downey, CA 90241-7016

Enforcement and Contacting the City of Downey:

For life-threatening emergencies, please immediately call 9-1-1

When to Call the Code Enforcement Hotline at (562) 904-7151:

Inhabiting of your or your neighbor's commercial property
Abandoned shopping carts or other unclaimed property
Excessive trash, debris, and outdoor storage

When to Call the Downey Police Department at (562) 861-0771:

Drug activity or the presence of drugs or paraphernalia
Loitering outside of establishments that sell alcohol
Trespassing
Impeding access to businesses
Aggressive panhandling

Plan to Prevent and Combat Homelessness

Homeless Outreach Report Updates

Annual Homelessness Census

LAHSA Point-in-Time Count

The Homeless Count, also known as the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, is a count of people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness on a single night. This Count provides the City with a better understanding on the scale and demographics of people experiencing homelessness within Downey.

Each year, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), in either January or February, along with volunteers help count people experiencing homelessness in Downey. For more information regarding the LAHSA PIT Count, please visit: https://www.lahsa.org/data-refresh

In addition to the LAHSA PIT Count, the City has invested in conducting its own census with City Net to address any discrepancies in data and methodology compared to the Los Angeles County Point-in-Time (PIT) Count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). In December 2024, City Net’s outreach and data teams conducted a two-day Homeless Census to assess the number of PEH in Downey. The results indicated approximately 151 individuals living on the streets, with 66 expressing interest in case management services to help end their homelessness.

Downey/City Net Annual Census

City Net's Homeless Census methodology differs from the PIT Count in that it spans two days and includes two distinct time periods (morning and night). Unlike the PIT Count, it also includes directly engaging with PEH where surveyors, working alongside police officers, conduct interviews and account for individuals regardless of their receptiveness to participating in the survey, resulting in a more accurate count.

City Net Annual Homelessness Census - 2024

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Should I give money to people experiencing homelessness?

People living on the streets may be eligible for CalFresh, General Relief, and other assistance programs. While giving money is discouraged, it remains a personal decision. Instead, consider supporting local organizations that provide direct services and resources.

Why can’t law enforcement arrest and remove people experiencing homelessness?

While the City works diligently to provide support, our ability to directly intervene is guided by state and federal laws. Court rulings such as Martin v. Boise (9th Cir. 2019) and City of Grants Pass v. Johnson (U.S. Supreme Court, 2024) state that individuals cannot be punished or forcibly removed from public spaces solely for being unhoused. In addition, California law, including the Welfare & Institutions Code and Executive Order N-1-24, sets strict requirements for encampment removal procedures, such as notice, outreach, and storage of personal belongings. These legal restrictions limit the City’s authority to direct individuals to leave a location or accept services, except in cases where clear threats to health, safety, or legal.

What happens if someone declines help for services?

Accepting services is voluntary. Individuals cannot be forced into shelters or programs. Outreach teams work to build trust, and it may take months of consistent engagement before someone is ready to accept assistance.

City of Downey, CA

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