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Hayley Munguia

LA County Conducts Pathway Home Operation Along San Gabriel River in Cities of Bellflower, Downey, and Norwalk 150 150 Hayley Munguia

LA County Conducts Pathway Home Operation Along San Gabriel River in Cities of Bellflower, Downey, and Norwalk

More than 60 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness are indoors and on a pathway to permanent housing

Supervisor Hahn meets Maria, a woman who previously lived along the San Gabriel Riverbed in Downey and agreed to come inside this week as part of a Pathway Home encampment resolution effort.

Downey, CA — This week, Los Angeles County’s Pathway Home program brought more than 60 people experiencing homelessness who had been living along the San Gabriel River in the cities of Bellflower, Downey, and Norwalk and into safe interim housing, where they are receiving supportive services and other resources to help them transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing. This latest Pathway Home operation continues the County’s emergency response to resolve encampments, return community areas to their intended use and ensure people experiencing homelessness are not in dangerous areas, such as flood channels.

“In the wake of unprecedented wildfires, we have mobilized an enormous amount of staff and resources to ensure everyone who has been displaced or lost their home has shelter — and frankly we need to bring that same sense of urgency to our longstanding homelessness crisis,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “This Pathway Home Operation along the riverbed in Downey, Bellflower, and Norwalk is one of the largest encampment resolutions we have conducted yet and it wouldn’t be possible without the partnership and cooperation of leaders in each of these cities.”

At a time when devastating wildfires continue to threaten entire communities in Los Angeles and people experiencing homelessness are facing exceptional challenges, Los Angeles County remains committed to bringing people off the streets and into safe interim housing. This latest Pathway Home operation was planned for several weeks and did not affect county resources committed to the fire emergency.

The Downey, Norwalk, and Bellflower operation is LA County’s 30th Pathway Home encampment resolution since the inception of the program in August 2023. The program is an LA County Homeless Initiative-led effort that aims to bring entire encampments inside together using local motels as interim housing. More than 1,000 Los Angeles County residents have been brought indoors through Pathway Home, and more than 200 of whom are now permanently housed and no longer experiencing homelessness. Meanwhile, 624 RVs have been taken off the streets.

The LA County Homeless Initiative collaborated with the Office of Supervisor Hahn, the City of Bellflower, the City of Downey, and the City of Norwalk to conduct the Pathway Home operation on January 15 and 16, 2025.

On Wednesday morning, Hahn, Downey Mayor Hector Sosa, and Bellflower City Councilmember Victor Sanchez joined county outreach workers, LASD HOST team members, PATH, and LAHSA teams in Downey’s Rio San Gabriel Park which became home base for the Pathway Home operation.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the nonprofit service provider PATH were essential to bringing unsheltered residents indoors as they had built trusting relationships with them by providing engagement and support during their unhoused experience. Whittier First Day and the Department of Health Services – Housing for Health will continue to work with them at the motel operating as their interim housing location with comprehensive supportive services and, ultimately, safe permanent homes.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach Services Team, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control were also critical partners in the operation, along with Caltrans.

Maria and her dog in their new room at a local motel for interim housing while Whittier First Day service providers work to connect her with a safe permanent home.

Pathway Home has been funded primarily through Measure H, a ¼-cent sales tax approved by County voters in 2017 to prevent and address homelessness. Starting July 1, 2025, Pathway Home will receive funds from Measure A, a ½-cent sales tax approved by voters in November 2024 to replace Measure H. With Measure H funds to date, the County has placed more than 115,000 people into permanent housing, ending their homelessness. It has connected 151,000 people with safe interim housing, prevented 37,000 people from becoming homeless, and provided many more people with a diverse array of supportive services.

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Hahn Leads Metro Board Move to Rename Long Beach Blvd. Station “Lynwood Station” 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Leads Metro Board Move to Rename Long Beach Blvd. Station “Lynwood Station”

Executive Management Committee approves renaming; full Board of Directors will vote next week

The Long Beach Blvd. Station serves the City of Lynwood.

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Executive Management Committee of the Metro Board of Directors voted to move forward with a proposed renaming of the Long Beach Blvd. Station on the C (Green) Line to “Lynwood Station,” a motion authored by Chair of the Board Janice Hahn along with Directors Hilda L. Solis, Fernando Dutra, and Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker. The motion now moves on to a vote by the full Metro Board of Directors during its meeting next Thursday, January 23.

“This change is long overdue. Our Metro stations are critical infrastructure for the communities they serve, and actually help shape the neighborhoods around them,” said Hahn, who represents Lynwood on the LA County Board of Supervisors. “As we prepare to welcome the world for the World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we want to put Lynwood on the map.”

The push to rename the station has been championed by Lynwood Councilmember Juan Muñoz-Guevara, who serves as chair of Metro’s Gateway Cities Service Council. The move comes as Metro is working to create new signage, maps, and timetables to accommodate the opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station expected to open this year.

“The station cuts right through the center of our community. Many of our residents rely on this station to get to their jobs at LAX, Inglewood, and other job centers,” said Muñoz-Guevara in his public comment during today’s committee meeting. “Part of creating more ridership, is creating an identity for our station. The current station name no longer accurately represents Lynwood.”

The “Long Beach Blvd.” name has led to confusion among riders, some of whom assume the station is located in the City of Long Beach. If the motion is approved by the Board next week, Metro personnel will update station signs, platform displays, and digital information systems to reflect the new name.

Hahn, Horvath, and Barger put forward Metro motion to support fire survivors and recovery 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn, Horvath, and Barger put forward Metro motion to support fire survivors and recovery

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn in partnership with Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath introduced a proposal aimed at using Metro resources to support displaced wildfire victims as well as recovery efforts. If approved next week, residents displaced by the wildfires would qualify for Metro’s reduced fare program.

“Metro has resources we should put to work as we respond to these wildfires, get help to victims, and plan for recovery,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “That will mean not only supporting our employees who have been displaced, but also expanding the LIFE program so fire victims can ride Metro for free. When recovery efforts get underway, Metro has resources that can help – whether that is our fleet, our personnel’s expertise, or Metro’s dozens of properties and vacant lots.”

The proposal put forward today by Hahn, Horvath, and Barger authorizes Metro’s CEO Stephanie Wiggins to modify the eligibility of the LIFE reduced fare program for at least six months to include individuals displaced by wildfires as well as mobilize outreach teams to evacuation centers and resource centers to assist wildfire survivors in registering for these programs. Learn more about the Metro LIFE program here.

“As we work to bring every resource to our residents impacted by the wildfires—including Metro employees—it’s important that our Metro Board is also at the table,” said Metro Board Member and LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “Thousands of residents are now without a reliable means of transportation and our Metro system may play a crucial role as an option for residents to get to work and to our Disaster Recovery Centers to access support. It’s our duty to uplift our residents and employees when they need it most.”

“The devastation caused by the Eaton and Palisades fires has left lives lost, homes destroyed, and thousands displaced,” said Third District Supervisor and Metro Board Member Lindsey P. Horvath. “This motion ensures we are leveraging every resource available to provide impacted residents and Metro employees access to reduced fare programs, disaster assistance, and direct outreach and support. These recovery efforts are vital to helping our communities rebuild with the urgency and care they deserve.”

The motion also would authorize the CEO to identify and provide financial or other forms of assistance that are eligible for cost recovery from disaster assistance programs to Metro employees who have lost their homes in the wildfires or have been displaced as a result of the wildfires. As of today, at least 19 Metro employees have reported losing their homes in the wildfires and at least 46 have been displaced.

Lastly, the motion would authorize Metro to work with impacted jurisdictions to identify ways that Metro may aid in recovery efforts– including, but not limited to its fleet, services, expertise, and properties.

During today’s Executive Management Committee Meeting Supervisor Hilda Solis and Metro Board Member Whittier Councilmember Fernando Dutra joined the motion as co-authors and supporters.

This motion will be considered next Thursday at the full Metro Board meeting.

Hahn Reestablishes $10,000 Reward in 2022 Death of Child and her Father in North Long Beach Crash 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Reestablishes $10,000 Reward in 2022 Death of Child and her Father in North Long Beach Crash

Octavio Montano Islas is suspected of crashing into apartment building killing Jose Palacios-Gonzalez and three year-old Samantha Palacios

Octavio Montano Islas. Courtesy: LBPD

Los Angeles, CA – This week the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to reestablish the County’s $10,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of 24 year-old Octavio Montano Islas, who was identified as the drunk driver responsible for the deaths of 42-year-old Jose Palacios-Gonzalez and his three-year-old daughter Samantha Palacios as they slept in their North Long Beach apartment.

Around 10pm on March 1, 2022, Long Beach Police Department officers responded to a collision of a vehicle into an apartment building near the intersection of Artesia Boulevard and Rose Avenue. Jose Palacios-Gonzalez was declared deceased at the scene, while Samantha was rushed to a local hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. LBPD detectives identified the driver, who fled the scene, as Montano Islas.

“Samantha had an entire life ahead of her until Octavio Montano Islas viciously cut it short. I can’t imagine the pain and anguish that Samantha and Jose’s family have felt since this loss, but we’re committed to bringing the man responsible for it to justice,” said Hahn. “If you know where Octavio is or where he might have gone, please share that information with detectives.”
The vehicle that Montano Islas was driving was a 2014 Dodge Ram. Detectives believe Montano Islas was drunk at the time of the crash. An arrest warrant was issued for him on two counts of felony manslaughter, one count of felony driving under the influence, and one count of felony hit and run.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Scott Jenson of the Long Beach Police Department Detective Division at (562) 570-7218.

Full-size image of Montano Islas available here

Supervisors Declare Downey’s City of STEM as Official Science Festival of LA County 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisors Declare Downey’s City of STEM as Official Science Festival of LA County

Hahn welcomed City of STEM and Downey leaders to Board of Supervisors meeting on the occasion of the declaration. L to R: Roger Bradley (Downey City Manager); Benjamin Dickow (Columbia Memorial Space Center); Supervisor Hahn; Daphne Bradford (founder, Mother of Many); Hector Sosa (Mayor of Downey).

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell to officially declare the City of STEM + Los Angeles Maker Faire as the Official Science Festival of Los Angeles County. The annual event is co-hosted by the Columbia Memorial Space Center, located in the City of Downey, and the Los Angeles Public Library. This year’s event takes place on April 12th and will be held in Exposition Park for the first time.

“Some of the greatest accomplishments in the fields of science, math, and engineering in our nation’s history happened right here in Los Angeles County. City of STEM is helping us ensure that we remain the home of its bright future too,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Thousands of future scientists, engineers, creators, and innovators from across LA County are going to find the inspiration and guidance they need at our new Official Science Festival.”

City of STEM brings together over 200 organizations and vendors and over 20,000 attendees from across Los Angeles County for expert panel discussions, workshops, mainstage entertainment, VIPs, special guests, and live music. The event, launched in 2015, was previously held at the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey. In 2023, City of STEM was combined with the Los Angeles Maker Faire, where inventors and creators gather to showcase their projects and gadgets.

“We are excited to welcome The City of STEM + Los Angeles Maker Faire to the 2nd District’s Exposition Park for the first time. Exposition Park is a central location easily accessible by public transit and at the nexus of science, culture, and the arts. I look forward to more young people from diverse communities accessing STEM education and resources at the Official Science Fair of Los Angeles County” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.

“We want to thank the County of Los Angeles for recognizing City of STEM as the official celebration of science and innovation in the County. LA County has a long legacy of leading the county in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), from building the spaceships that went to the moon to the early development the internet at UCLA,” said Benjamin Dickow, President and Executive Director of the Columbia Memorial Space Center. “That leadership continues and City of STEM, with its month of events and programs and its huge festival City of STEM + LA Maker Faire on April 12, brings awareness of this regional leadership to tens of thousands of Southern Californians.”

The Columbia Memorial Space Center, opened in 2009, is owned and operated by the City of Downey and was built on the site of the former NASA Downey facility where the Apollo modules were built.

Hahn Urges Fix for Critical Emergency Alert System 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Urges Fix for Critical Emergency Alert System

Residents in areas not under evacuation orders have received multiple erroneous alerts

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued the following statement regarding the ongoing issues with erroneous emergency alerts received by residents in areas of Los Angeles County not under evacuation orders related to the ongoing fires:

“Now more than ever we need to know that we can depend on our public information systems to keep people safe. That hasn’t been the case last night and this morning, and I’m frustrated too.

I believe we need to disable the emergency alert system until we get to the bottom of this issue. We need people to be able to trust us, and at this time of extraordinary fear and devastation, anything less than a fully operational, dependable alert system is unacceptable. I urge our Office of Emergency Management to find a solution to this by the end of today.”

Hahn Warns Residents About FasTrak Scam Text Messages 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Warns Residents About FasTrak Scam Text Messages

Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles County residents have reported receiving text messages claiming they owe FasTrak toll fees and offering a link to a payment portal. These messages have been identified as a phishing scam by state and toll road agencies. Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who received the text herself, issued the following statement:

“While our attention is on the unprecedented devastation from this week’s wildfires, there are criminals out there looking to take advantage and rip people off.

I urge anyone who receives one of these texts to not click on the link and to delete the message. If you think you might owe toll fees, you can check safely by visiting fastrak.org.”

Amid Power Outages, Hahn Authorizes Metro Fare Suspension 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Amid Power Outages, Hahn Authorizes Metro Fare Suspension

Los Angeles, CA — As wind and fires continue to call sporadic power outages, Chair of the Metro Board of Directors Janice Hahn has authorized the continued suspension of fare collection systemwide through today, January 9, 2025. She also provided information about Metro buses used for evacuations:

“As winds, fires, and sporadic power outages continue, I have authorized the suspension of fare collection systemwide to be extended through today. Metro continues to operate with some bus lines suspended or rerouted due to fires,” said Hahn. “Last night, Metro was able to provide buses to the LAPD to use for evacuations in the Sunset Fire. I am grateful to the first responders who are using every tool and resource at their disposal to protect residents and help them to safety.”

Hahn Wants County to Consider Purchasing Tax-Defaulted Properties Ahead of Auction 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Wants County to Consider Purchasing Tax-Defaulted Properties Ahead of Auction

Los Angeles, CA – At today’s meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Janice Hahn requested a review of 1,569 tax-defaulted properties ahead of their online auction set for this April for opportunities for the County to purchase lots for the good of the surrounding communities.

“We should always be looking for opportunities to better serve our communities and before these properties go to auction, our departments should check to see whether there are empty lots that could be used for pocket parks or dog runs, or whether there are buildings we could use for supportive housing or mental health treatment,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.

The 1,569 tax-defaulted properties include residential and commercial property including vacant lots. The Treasurer Tax Collector will put these properties up for sale in an online auction beginning April 19, 2025 and ending April 22, 2025.

Today, Hahn offered an amendment which was unanimously approved directing the Treasure Tax Collector, in coordination with the CEO Homeless Initiative, the Department of Parks & Recreation, the Department of Mental Health, the Los Angeles County Development Agency, and Los Angeles Homeless Services Agency (LAHSA), in consultation with the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA) to report back to the Board in 45 days with a review of the tax-defaulted properties and recommendations for their potential purchase and use as, pocket parks, interim housing, mental health beds, access centers, or for the development of affordable housing.

During her time in office, Supervisor Hahn has focused on using vacant and underutilized county property to better serve her communities. In San Pedro, she transformed a vacant county office building into a 40-bed shelter for people experiencing homelessness. In Walnut Park, the Department of Parks and Recreation turned a long-vacant lot into a pocket park called Nogales Park.

Supervisor Hahn Issues Statement on Elimination of Burdensome Medical Examiner Fee 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisor Hahn Issues Statement on Elimination of Burdensome Medical Examiner Fee

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is applauding the passage of a motion she co-authored with Supervisor Hilda Solis to eliminate the Medical Examiner’s transportation and storage fees for LA County residents.

The $400 fee to transport the body of the deceased from the place of death to the location where bodies undergo an examination was often unexpected and burdensome for families, and a recent report showed that the fee disproportionately impacted low-income residents.

“I am grateful we have the flexibility in our budget to eliminate this fee that had burdened families during some of the most difficult days of their lives,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Los Angeles County is here for our residents from their births to their deaths. This is part of that commitment and taking care of our residents with dignity and compassion.”

With today’s vote, LA County becomes the first jurisdiction in California to eliminate this fee. During the meeting, Supervisor Hahn pointed out LA County is in a position to do this because it is unique in providing these services in-house rather than using a private contractor.

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