Residents, Business Owners, Service Providers Speak Out About Homelessness at Council Meeting

The Pasadena City Council convened Monday to discuss homelessness policies, drawing impassioned responses from residents and service providers. The meeting, prompted by the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, focused on potential enforcement of anti-camping ordinances.

Many residents urged the Council to reject increased enforcement following the Grants Pass ruling. 

Sean Morrissey of Union Station Homeless Services warned, “Sweeps don’t work. There’s several studies that show the harm that encampment resolution does.”

However, some business owners expressed frustration with the impacts on their establishments.

James Kojin, an Old Pasadena business owner, said, “I’ve had naked people walking in front of my store where there’s children. I’ve had people defecating in the back of my office.”

Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater, executive director of Friends In Deed, proposed alternatives: “We could put 70 people into motel rooms tomorrow. The motels are ready to go. We would need the funding.”

Councilmember Tyron Hampton acknowledged the City’s efforts but called for increased action. “I think we’re doing a good job. I just think we have to increase our efforts,” he stated.

Mayor Victor Gordo advocated for a regional approach, reaching out to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to coordinate strategies. The Council directed staff to explore expanding outreach services and developing a homeless court program.

The City currently has 488 permanent supportive housing units, including both site-based and scattered-site units, with about 100 more in development. Officials noted challenges including limited shelter capacity and difficulties hiring service providers.

Some residents, like Hannah Cantrell, urged the Council to address root causes: “We can waste our time and resources endlessly battling the symptoms, but until we address the underlying conditions, these symptoms will persist.”

Other speakers emphasized the need to avoid criminalizing homelessness. 

Terry Stein, a lawyer and community member, warned, “You can’t police your way out of homelessness. You can’t sweep your way out of homelessness.”