Deforest Park Neighborhood Association (DPNA)
Monthly Meeting Minutes
Date: 06/20/2019
Meeting called to order at 7:06 PM by DPNA President Dan Pressburg
7: 06PM Flag salute by Keith Oddie
Good News/Announcements
Dine-Out 90805 at Jovino’s Pizza on Monday 6/10/2019 was successful
Deforest Wetlands Clean-Up is taking place this Saturday 6/22/2019 at 9:00AM at the main entrance
DPNA will have a booth at Uptown Jazz Festival on Saturday 7/6/2019 as a frundraiser
7:07PM The Beat Goes On – North Station Report (not present)
Neighborhood Services Specialist, Erica Moreno (562-570-9825; [email protected]) can be reached
Uptown Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday 7/6/2019 at Houghton Park
7:08 PM – No update from Campfire as Shirley is retiring
7:09 PM District 9 Council Update via e-mail
Pop UpTown – monthly social event in community on 4th Thursday of month at Michelle Obama Library from 5:30PM-8:30PM on June 27th
8/17/2019 from 5:00PM-9:00PM – cover of $24 with music, drinks sold, flash tattoo artist, and local artists at Dan Pressburg’s home – event is 21 up
Sign Up for District 9 newsletter and e-mails
7:10PM Backyard Music Concert Series – By the Porch Lights
7:14 PM – Guest Speaker – Daniel Brezenoff – Homelessness Advisor to Long Beach and District Administrator for Vacant District 1 Council Office
Deforest Wetlands look great.
Background: Senior Advisor to Mayor Aide; been with him for 7 years; career is that of Clinical Social Worker and has a private practice since 2006
Works in community health and as a result encounters homelessness, which has informed his work in the community as well as policy in the city
15 years ago there was not a lot of interest on homeless issues but now the current Council has a different approach and more open to addressing the issue of homelessness
In a difficult situation due to 1) recession and long recovery, 2) state killed redevelopment within Long Beach by not providing the funds and it has not been replaced to create affordable housing, 3) Realignment – non violent offenders being released and state was supposed to give money for reintegration, and 4) rent pressures
We need to build housing but that is not enough. Mental health is a huge component that is needed. There are a number of facilities that are substandard such as boarding house, Board & Care, and sober living, with them being a crucial part of our housing crisis but they don’t have the same strict guidelines/monitoring.
Most individuals who have mental illness or homeless are more likely to be a victim of a crime as opposed to be a perpetrator of a crime. Usually, the crimes they commit are minor ones, which makes enforcement an issue.
The resources we have is problematic. Jail is not a housing option.
New model that we have seen that works is housing first. Then, work to keep you in housing by addressing medical and mental health issues and get back to a job.
Many are distrustful of system because they have been through things multiple times that was unsuccessful in getting housed.
City is using a Harm Reduction approach.
City purchased a shelter, which will be nearby.
(Question) How many homeless people increased from last year? (Answer) – 31 people
Lincoln Park closed and riverbeds are being patrolled, which led homeless individual out of those pockets in Long Beach and going into the neighborhoods
(Question) For the affordable housing are you building only rental housing or build pathways to ownership housing? (Answer) – It is a part of it but not as large it should probably be. Habitat for Humanity is building single houses like that and looking into larger homes with multiple units. Even now, middle class working people are having a difficult time purchasing homes. (Follow-up Answer by Dan Pressburg) – There are 32 units with city being second owner in central Long Beach at Renaissance Walk as well as some through Jewish Center.
(Question) – Has there ever been a comprehensive study on how people came to homelessness? (Answer) – That is being asked at homeless intake sites. Many who are homeless here have connections to this location. Sometimes people come here who have work but things don’t turn out well and then end up homeless.
(Question) – Concerns regarding Section 8 vouchers? (Answer) – Not all vouchers are honored by landlords for a variety of reasons.
(Question) – Has the Mayor or the Council discussed addressing internships or credit unions for high school students to feed into development with city being 2nd in the background. Credit unions are member owned and more of a co-op. (Answer) – I do not know. You see credit unions as different than banks. (Reply) Yes, I do and the charter is different.
DPNA Calendar 2019
July 4th – Happy Independence Day **Fireworks are illegal in Long Beach **
July 6th – Uptown Jazz Festival
July 27th– Chili Cook-Off Fire vs. Police – We are looking for cooks
Additional Comments or Questions?
7:54PM Resident Benjamin – just moved in on Harding and been enjoying neighborhood; three shootings on Atlantic which has been disheartening; go to meeting and hopeful police would be here
Since May 7th, over 20 shootings in city of Long Beach
Call for motion to adjourn by Dan Pressburg; 1st Joni and 2nd noted by Darlene
Meeting adjourned 7:59PM
Reminders and Dates to Remember:
7:00AM Good Neighbors Spires Del Amo and Cherry 2nd Tuesday of the month
7:00PM Starr King 1st Wednesday of the month
7:00PM Grant Meeting, American legion Post 560 59th & Orange 2nd Thursday of the month
7:00PM Coolidge Triangle Neighborhood Association 3rd Wednesday of the month
7:00PM Deforest Neighborhood Association 3rd Thursday of the month
DPNA Board Meeting on Wed. June 26th at 6:30PM at Dominguez at Long Beach and Dairy Creamery
Pop Up Uptown Event at Michelle Obama Library – 4th Thursday 5:30PM-8:30PM
