Guest Opinion | Rick Cole: The Planning Commission Just Took a Step Toward Ending Homelessness in Pasadena

Last year, twenty-one homeless people died in Pasadena, according to statistics from the County Coroner. The locations where unhoused individuals took their last breaths are conveyed in the impersonal language of bureaucracy: sidewalk, street, freeway off-ramp, bus bench, parking lot, shed.

On average, living on the streets means you’ll die three decades sooner than those of us who are housed. It’s more than a tragedy. It’s an outrage – because it’s preventable.

Nearly three out of four of the homeless people on our streets today were living in Pasadena when they lost their housing. Last fall, Pasadena voters approved Proposition H, which includes strong protections for renter’s rights. That can help stem the flow of unjust evictions. The measure’s caps on soaring rent increases will also make it easier for people to stay housed. Much will depend on how quickly and effectively the new law can be implemented – and enforced.

Union Station’s programs and short-term motel vouchers provide nightly shelter to nearly half of the more than 500 unhoused people counted last year in Pasadena. But that leaves nearly 300 people on any given night bedding down wherever they can. 

Fortunately, the Pasadena Planning Department is proposing a number of changes to make it easier to locate emergency shelters in our community. Most of the changes are being made to conform to new State laws. For what’s termed a “limited shelter,” the number of beds permitted would be increased from 12 to 40 beds. For these and larger shelters, the areas where they are allowed would be expanded. Finally, what’s termed “navigation centers” would now be allowed “by right” in commercial, mixed-use and industrial areas of Pasadena — in compliance with State law. These shelters provide temporary living facilities while case managers connect clients to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and ultimately permanent housing.

Last week, the Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend these zoning code amendments to the City Council. We also made an additional recommendation that “safe parking” sites be legalized for Pasadena houses of worship. One church is currently allowing its parking lot and bathrooms to be open for six overnight residents who sleep in their cars. One of them spoke movingly about how medical costs during retirement wiped out her savings. For working people and families, a safe place to sleep in their cars is a lifeline to getting back on their feet.

State law forbids imposing distance requirements from locations like schools. Security concerns raised by Commissioner Jennifer Higginbothom led the Planning Commission to incorporate language that where a conditional use permit is required, “consideration will be given to communication and coordination with neighboring schools to promote safety.”

The next step is consideration of these changes by the City Council. Yet even if they approve these significant reforms, it will still be challenging to site, fund, build (or renovate) and operate the facilities Pasadena needs to house our unsheltered population. That’s where all of us come in. Churches and non-profits need our support and volunteer help (as well as City funding). Businesses can offer job opportunities. Community, neighborhood and civic organizations can get behind a push to expand our current shelter options. Pasadena is fortunate it has not yet seen the entrenched encampments that are so visible in neighboring Los Angeles. But that could change with a single lawsuit since the “Boise Decision” forbids cities that don’t have adequate shelter beds from banning camping in public areas.

Rather than wait for that to unfold, Pasadena has the power to be pro-active to ensure everyone has access to the necessities of life: a safe place to sleep, to shower and to use a toilet. That’s not true for too many of our neighbors today. It’s up to us to create the political will and a sustainable local source of funding to ensure that no one in our community has to live on our streets – or die on our sidewalks, bus benches or freeway off-ramps.

Rick Cole serves on the Pasadena Planning Commission and teaches courses on homelessness policy at Occidental College and Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy. He previously served as Mayor of Pasadena and is currently Chief Deputy Controller for the City of Los Angeles.