City Manager: Supreme Court Decision Won’t Alter Pasadena’s Homeless Approach

Pasadena’s approach to homelessness will remain unchanged despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold the Grants Pass, Oregon law restricting public property encampments, City Manager Miguel Márquez said Thursday.

In his weekly newsletter, Márquez emphasized the City’s commitment to addressing homelessness, stating that any policy changes would only occur after careful consideration by the City Council.

“Our goal in Pasadena is to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring,” Márquez said, highlighting enhanced outreach and services supported by the City Council and Congresswoman Judy Chu.

The City operates two homeless assistance teams: the Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT) and the Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Evaluation (HOPE) team.

PORT, a collaboration between City departments and Union Station Homeless Services, provides field-based outreach and assistance with housing, medical care and substance abuse services on weekdays.

The HOPE team, partnering with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, offers mental health services to those experiencing homelessness, operating on staggered schedules throughout the week.

Márquez urged residents to contact the police non-emergency number for assistance from these teams, reserving 911 calls for imminent danger situations.

Here is the full statement from City Manager Márquez: 

“Many of you are aware of the recent United States Supreme Court decision which upheld a local, public camping law that restricts encampments on public property in Grants Pass, Oregon. This decision, dated June 28, 2024, represented a change in what cities are allowed to do with respect to enforcing these types of law. Of most importance, however, is that Pasadena has not changed its day-to-day approach to homelessness efforts as a result of this decision. Any prospective change would be implemented only if the City Council directs a change to local policy after it carefully considers the new case from the Supreme Court. For now, I want to reinforce our steadfast commitment to assisting people experiencing homelessness. Our goal in Pasadena is to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. Thanks to the support of our City Council and Congresswoman Judy Chu, we have been able to enhance the outreach and services we provide to those experiencing homeless in Pasadena. Our two main teams in the community that are proactively providing services and responding to calls when needed are the PORT and HOPE teams. Should you need their assistance please call the Police non-emergency number at (626) 744-4241. For imminent danger please call 911.

PORT – (PFD)

The Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT) is a collaboration between the City of Pasadena Public Health Department, the Pasadena Fire Department, and Union Station Homeless Services. PORT provides field-based outreach and assists people experiencing homelessness with linkages to housing, medical care, mental health, and substance abuse services. PORT consists of two teams, available Monday – Friday from 7 am to 5 pm.

HOPE – (PPD)

The Pasadena Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Evaluation (HOPE) team is a collaborative partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LADMH). The HOPE teams are made up of a sworn police officer and a LADMH clinician who together provide cooperative, compassionate, mental health services to those experiencing the common challenges associated with homelessness. HOPE Team 1 is available Monday–Thursday from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. HOPE Team 2 is available Wednesday–Saturday from 6 am to 4 pm. HOPE Team 3 is available from Tuesday through Friday from 6 am to 4 pm.”