Human Services Commission To Elect New Leadership, Review Year Of Mental Health And Homelessness Work

The Pasadena Human Services Commission will hold its annual meeting Wednesday evening to elect new officers and review a year of intensive work on mental health resources, homelessness solutions, and early childhood development initiatives.

The commission will meet at 6 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue, to assess accomplishments during a fiscal year marked by the devastating Eaton Fire and ongoing housing shortages.

Commission records show inconsistent attendance, with some members attending fewer than half of 11 meetings held between July 2024 and June 2025. Commissioner Tunisia Offray achieved perfect attendance while Commissioner Latasha Jamal attended just 45% of meetings. Three key positions remain vacant, including the mayoral appointment and representatives from Districts 3 and 6. Joshua Levine Grater currently serves as Acting Vice Chair.

The mental health committee, led by Commissioner Sheri Bonner until Commissioner Wilson took over in March 2025, completed an inventory of local mental health providers and identified significant gaps in services, particularly for low-income residents without private insurance. The Eaton Fire exacerbated challenges with increased demand and provider shortages.

Commissioner George Paccerelli led the homelessness committee before stepping down in April 2025 and appointing Commissioner Grater as lead. The committee made substantial progress on interim housing recommendations and budget allocations. While 750 homeless individuals were housed during the past year, Pasadena’s homeless population remains at 556 people. The Rose Town Apartments project on N. Halstead Street will provide 48 affordable units currently under construction.

The Eaton Fire significantly impacted all committee work. Commissioner Offray reported a 22% increase in domestic violence calls following the disaster, while Los Angeles County lost 3,000 childcare providers due to the fires.

Commissioner Ana Maria Apodaca led early childhood development efforts, planning the first “Celebration of the Young Child” event scheduled for September 20 at Kidspace Children’s Museum with activities from September 22-26. The committee awaits crucial Early Development Instrument data from UCLA expected in Spring 2025.

The commission received presentations from the Pasadena Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Evaluation team, Fire Department’s Pasadena Outreach Response Team, and various social service agencies throughout the year.

Wednesday’s annual meeting will include review and approval of attendance records and accomplishments, plus officer elections. The commission will establish three new ad hoc committees for 2025-2026, though specific focus areas remain undefined in the draft work plan.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. with public comment available in person or through advance written correspondence to tmontgomery@cityofpasadena.net. The city provides disability accommodations and language interpretation with 72-hour advance notice at (626) 744-3860.

Meeting materials are available at www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/human-services-commission and Pasadena Public Library branches.