Hahn Appoints Santa Fe Springs Resident Felipe Garcia to the Board of Little Lake Cemetery Districthttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn appointed Felipe Garcia to the Little Lake Cemetery District, which administers the Little Lake Cemetery in Santa Fe Springs. The cemetery serves the communities of Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk and portions of La Mirada, Bellflower and Downey. Garcia has been a resident of Santa Fe Springs since 1963.
“Caring for the Little Lake Cemetery is a labor of love for Felipe. This space is sacred for so many families, and I know that Felipe is going to devote the attention and care that this work requires,” said Hahn.
Garcia’s wife is buried at Little Lake Cemetery. The Little Lake Cemetery District is responsible for overseeing the management and care of the grounds as well as setting District policy and procedures in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code pertaining to public cemeteries.
RELEASE: Board of Supervisors Greenlights Combined $62 Million in Bonds for Downey and Santa Fe Springs Affordable Housing Projectshttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Projects will deliver total of 144 new units of affordable housing for low-income veterans
Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authorized the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) to seek bond financing for two separate affordable housing developments aimed at low-income veterans. The projects, one in Downey and the other in neighboring Santa Fe Springs, will bring a combined 144 new units of affordable housing to the area.
“Our veterans face some of the toughest hurdles to securing stable, safe, affordable housing. These projects are going to be a lifeline for hundreds of those brave men and women who served their country but who now are struggling to make ends meet,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents Downey and Santa Fe Springs. “This is one more way in which we can honor their service.”
VETERANS COMMONS, Downey. Abode Communities
In Downey, the Veterans Commons Project, located at 11269 Garfield Avenue, will offer 100 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units of new housing as well as amenities such as an outdoor courtyard, a barbeque area, play areas for children, a roof garden, and laundry rooms. Today’s motion authorizes LACDA to use bonds for up to $44,000,000 to finance this project, which will serve unhoused veterans earning between 30% and 50% of the Area Median Income. Once it opens, Metro’s future Southeast Gateway Line from Downtown LA to Artesia will serve the community with a stop less than a quarter of a mile away.
SANTA FE SPRINGS VILLAGE, Santa Fe Springs. Affordable Living for the Aging, Incorporated (ALA)
For the Santa Fe Springs Village Project, located on Broadway Avenue just south of Washington Boulevard, the Board authorized LACDA to seek up to $18,112,500 in bond financing. The multifamily housing project will provide 44 units of new housing, mostly studio units. These units will serve senior veterans earning between 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income.
At both sites, residents will also have access to case managers and supportive services. At the Veterans Commons Project, those services will provided by PATH, while at Santa Fe Springs Village they will be provided by Affordable Living for the Aging, Incorporated (ALA).
Hahn Wants County to Assist 99 Cents Only Store Workershttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Commerce, CA – In response to news that the 99 Cents Only Stores will close all 371 of its locations nationwide, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is preparing for the county to step in to assist impacted workers.
“I am worried about the thousands of 99 Cents Store workers across LA County who are going to lose their jobs, but LA County is ready to help ,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We have a department that can step in during an event like this and help workers with not only short-term assistance to get through this difficult time, but job training and support to help them get a better job.”
99 Cents Only is headquartered in the City of Commerce in Hahn’s district and has stores across Los Angeles County. Nationwide, the closures are expected to impact 14,000 workers across three states.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will vote on a proposal by Hahn to direct the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs to report back in 60 days in writing with an action plan to assist the employees from 99 Cents Only Stores with Rapid Response and other services, including enhanced job training, job placement, and connection to stabilizing resources.
The proposal is modeled off of a recent county success story in Hahn’s district. When Farmer John announced it would close its meatpacking plant in Vernon, Hahn directed County resources to assisting workers. The Department of Economic Opportunity launched a comprehensive effort in partnership with labor to train impacted workers and connect them with better-paying in-demand jobs in the food and hospitality industries.
Hahn Celebrates $2 Million Grant to Catalina Island Healthhttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
San Pedro, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is celebrating a vote by the LA Care Board of Governors to award a $2 million grant to Catalina Island Health. The grant funding will allow the Avalon hospital to remain open through December.
“This small hospital not only provides essential healthcare for island residents, it is the only source of emergency care on the island for millions of tourists,” said Supervisor Hahn, who represents Catalina Island on the Board of Supervisors. “It would be catastrophic if this hospital were to close. I want to thank LA Care CEO John Baackes for his leadership in this effort and I applaud the LA Care Board of Governors, especially my colleague Supervisor Hilda Solis, for coming to Catalina Island Health’s aid and making sure their doors remain open for patients. I am committed to working on a long-term solution to keep this hospital operating in the future.”
Catalina Island Health has faced serious financial challenges with the CEO predicting insolvency as soon as June of this year. The grant awarded today allows the hospital to avert imminent closure. The hospital is the sole provider of emergency, primary, and lifesaving care for residents and visitors to Catalina Island.
Intersection saw 12 crashes and 2 fatalities in 2023 alone
Screenshot from CBS LA news coverage
Norwalk, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is asking the State of California to make immediate safety improvements to the dangerous intersection where the I-105 abruptly ends in Norwalk at Studebaker Road. The intersection had 12 severe crashes in 2023 alone, including two fatalities.
“The way the 105 freeway ends is dangerous and the intersection has become a crash-magnet,” said Supervisor Hahn. “Too many people have been injured or killed because of this badly designed freeway. I am asking the State to put in place safety improvements as soon as possible to safe lives and protect drivers and the Norwalk community.”
Crashes at the intersection have become so common that the medical facility which operated at the intersection was forced to close due to the number of cars that have crashed into it. Last year, Hahn’s office convened representatives from the City of Norwalk, Caltrans, and other agencies to find ways to work together to deliver safety improvements, and since then Norwalk and Caltrans have been discussing what can be done.
Today, Hahn sent a letter to California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin asking the State Transportation Agency to work immediately to install more lighting, signage, and rumble strips along the I-105 freeway leading up to this intersection as a means of preventing future accidents.
Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has released the following statement applauding an announcement by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to fix how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed:
“9-8-8 has been a game changer for how we respond to mental health crises in Los Angeles County, but the way calls are routed has caused problems,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “While I am grateful to Senator Padilla and Congressman Cardenas for taking up this issue and putting forward a legislative fix, I appreciate that the FCC recognized the problem and didn’t wait for Congress to act. With this announcement, we are one step closer to making sure all LA County residents can get the professional mental health response they need when they need it.”
Background:
Since the 9-8-8 national mental health crisis hotline launched in 2022 it has been accessed by millions of Americans in their moments of need. But the federal legislation that created 9-8-8 designed the number to be routed to call centers based on the area code of the caller’s phone number, rather than the caller’s location. This has presented a problem in Los Angeles County because it is one of the few counties that has set 9-8-8 up to be able to connect to mobile crisis response teams when callers need an in-person response. If someone calls 9-8-8 from their cell phone with an out of county area code, they will not reach the Los Angeles County call center and cannot connect to mobile crisis response teams.
This past year, Supervisor Janice Hahn raised this issue with her former colleagues in Congress both in discussions in Los Angeles and meetings in Washington, D.C., seeking a fix. Both Congressman Tony Cardenas and Senator Alex Padilla have introduced legislation to fix the issue and require 9-8-8 calls to be georouted rather than routed based on a callers area code.
Today, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the FCC would pursue new rulemaking to put in place georouting without the need for Congress to pass a legislative fix.
Hahn Establishes $20,000 Reward in South Gate Murder of Hector Ascencio Sr.https://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to establish the County’s $20,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of 57 year-old Hector Ascencio Sr. Ascencio was shot after returning to his residence on the 2500 block of Glenwood Place in the City of South Gate on the night of September 16, 2023.
“Hector was in his own home with his family when someone savagely took his life. His granddaughter watched Hector die. We need to bring his killers to justice as soon as possible, and I ask for the public’s help,” said Hahn.
A dark-colored 4-door vehicle was seen fleeing from the immediate area after the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau Detectives Esteban Soliz and Mike Rivas at (323) 890-5500.
In March 2023, Hahn, her staff, individuals with autism and their families, and community advocates painted an LA County Lifeguard tower on Torrance Beach in honor of Autism Awareness Month.
Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to declare April “Autism Awareness Month” in LA County. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 22 children in California is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
“Individuals with autism sometimes need extra care and I want our LA County family to meet that need with the right resources and sensitivity,” said Hahn. “I’m thankful to our Fire Department for modeling that behavior by creating the Sirens of Silence program.”
In 2021, the Los Angeles County Fire Department launched Sirens of Silence program to better prepare lifeguards and firefighters to interact with people with autism. It includes better training, better tools in the field, and events where local children with autism can interact with first responders.
Among the other County resources that have helped people with autism and other disabilities is LA Found, a program that provides Hahn led the launch of the program in 2018. LA Found has given out 1,418 bracelets since the program launched, and has helped find 28 individuals.
Both the White House and the United Nations recognize April 2 as Autism Awareness Day.
Hahn Re-Appoints Long Beach Environmental Leader Dan Knapp to the Watershed Area Steering Committee – Lower San Gabriel Riverhttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn appointed Long Beach environmental leader Dan Knapp to the Los Angeles County Watershed Area Steering Committee for the Lower San Gabriel River. The Watershed Area Steering Committees are area-based committees that review proposed projects and develop investment plans for their watershed.
“Dan has proven himself throughout his many years of experience in the environmental field. He is committed to responsible stewardship and brings an impressive level of knowledge,” said Hahn. “I’m very thankful for the work he has done in this role and the strong expertise that he continues to bring to the table for our County.”
Dan brings more than two decades of environmental work and experience to this role. He currently serves as the Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Conservation Corps of Long Beach. He is an appointed member of the Los Angeles River Steering Committee, a member of LA Metro’s Urban Greening Technical Advisory Committee, and the Lower LA River Revitalization (AB 530) Plan Team.
“I’m honored and excited to continue to serve the Lower San Gabriel River watershed,” said Dan. “I’m committed to empowering our communities to develop programs and projects that serve all and I look forward to working with my fellow committee members to bring worthy projects forward.”
LA County to Explore Creating “Senior Safe Home” for Survivors of Elder Abusehttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA—Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal by Supervisor Janice Hahn to explore creating a Senior Safe Home to protect victims of elder abuse.
One in ten seniors have experienced some form of elder abuse which can range from financial, emotional, physical, sexual, or psychological. On average, a tenth of these victims face homelessness due to the abuse. However, no facilities in LA County are dedicated to providing refuge to these survivors, with only one such facility existing west of the Mississippi.
“Victims of elder abuse without any safe place to go will continue to be abused or will fall into homelessness,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “By creating a Senior Safe Home, we can protect survivors of elder abuse from their abusers and get them the help and support they need to enjoy their golden years with dignity and in peace.”
With Supervisor Hahn’s proposal, the LA County Department of Aging and Disabilities will take the lead on developing a roadmap to creating a Senior Safe Home. The model would be similar to a domestic violence shelter, providing a secure location where survivors would be protected from abusers and would have their own rooms with wraparound supportive services.
The Aging & Disabilities Department will work with the Departments of Public Health, Health Services, Mental Health, Public Social Services, CEO Real Estate, Homeless Initiative and community stakeholders to provide a 180-day feasibility report back to the Board of Supervisors. This report back will include substantiated elder abused data from the last 5 years, the development of site-specific criteria, and a pilot project funding model to help establish sustainability.
The idea of an LA County Senior Safe Home would build on the concept brought to Hahn’s office by the Long Beach Senior Citizen Advisory Commission. While the City of Long Beach recently explored how to create a senior safe home, they were unable to provide this resource, showing the need for collaboration and locking arms with the County.
