Westside Winter Shelter Opens This Weekend

The Westside Winter Shelter program opens this weekend and, for the first time, will offer supportive services for those who want to live life off the streets of Los Angeles, according to Councilman Bill Rosendahl.

The shelter opens Dec. 1 and will utilize a pick up and drop off location at the Los Angeles Police Department Substation in Venice Beach (1530 W. Ocean Front Walk).

The bus will pick up between 4:30 and 6 p.m. and will return the next morning at 7:30 a.m. The shelter is located at the West L.A. Armory  (1300 Federal Ave.) and will have 160 beds.

The program ends on March 1.

First to Serve outreach ministries will manage the shelter program for the city and, this year, offers two on-site case managers who will assist those who are homeless in the transition to permanent supportive housing, offer medical services and healthcare resources and help with job placement.

"I've pushed for supportive services for the homeless for years," Rosendahl said. "I'm thrilled that shelter clients will finally get the quality services that they need, while at the same time I remain optimistic that  those who want the help will take advantage of this opportunity.”

Last year the Winter Shelter opened six weeks early to help deal with a sudden and dramatic increase in homelessness in Council District 11. An extra shelter, as well as an additional pick up/drop off location, were added to provide relief.

According to Rosendahl, support services that began in places like Westchester Park ended the services for an extra shelter this year.

Rosendahl reminded that those interested in taking part in the program must go to the Venice Beach pick up location. The armory does not take walk ups.