Burbank Agrees to Give Shelter

After outpouring of community support, council votes to allow armory to host the homeless this winter.

December 5, 2007

BURBANK - A 150-bed county winter homeless shelter for the tri-city area will open next week in Burbank after the City Council there voted 4-0 Tuesday to support the program at the National Guard armory.

The vote capped off a two-week lobbying effort on the part of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to use the Burbank site after the California National Guard announced on Oct. 29 that the armory in Glendale - which has hosted the shelter for the past 10 years - would be closed for repairs.

After a failed attempt to piece together an alternative in Glendale, the county homeless agency engaged Burbank officials to support the shelter program at 3800 W. Valhalla Drive - even though it had the authority, under state mandate, to use the state-owned building without the city's consent.

But county officials said they would honor the wishes of the Burbank City Council, which on Tuesday expressed its frustration over being backed into a corner.

"Were all a little upset with the lack of time we we've been given," Councilman Dave Golonski said. "Its not how we do things. We could have done a better job if we knew about this six weeks ago. But we are where we are, and I'm confident all the agencies involved will work with [city departments] to work out whatever issues arise. advertisement

"This is something we need to do."

The short notice also miffed Councilman David Gordon, who declined to vote no on the issue, preferring instead to abstain.

Glendale homeless service providers - who have historically pooled their resources to operate the winter shelter - welcomed news of the councils decision with relief and gratitude.

"I'm really pleased that they're stepping up to the plate," Glendale Salvation Army Capt. Jim Sloan said. "I think it'll be healthy for all of us."

But at the council meeting, not all residents who spoke on the matter agreed.

Nancy Durkey, whose child attends preschool at Pacific Park, next to the armory, was torn between her support for the homeless and concern for her children's safety.

"My heart says of course open the shelter," she said. "The city of Burbank is awesome, and we know that whatever happens, Burbank will step up and make it right. Yet, when I think about the cost, we could lose the school. I cant rightfully say "Please don't open this shelter," yet my gut feeling as a mom says "Please don't open this shelter.""

Anja Rohlmann, 71, who lives close to the armory, opposed the use of the facility as a shelter on the grounds that it would inundate the area with homeless people.

"Once you open the flood gates, there's no stopping it - and its going to get worse and worse every year," she said. "I'm sorry they are homeless, but some are drug addicts. Do we really want to expose the people of Burbank to that? I know religious groups are all for this, but go to Downtown, smell Downtown. Do we really need this? I don't think so."

But their concerns were outweighed by the majority of speakers whose support of the shelter reflected a multitude of religious centers, organizations and backgrounds.

"Homelessness is not an identity; its a circumstance," said Ron White, pastor of American Lutheran Church in Burbank. "It doesn't describe who a person is but describes their living circumstance. Those without homes are someone's mother, father, son or daughter. Are we really that lacking in compassion? The greatness of a city is not only measured in the beauty of the city but how it cares for its weak and powerless."

John Brady, president of the Burbank Human Relations Council, tied his support of the shelter to the intrinsic nature of what he believes to be this country's ideals.

"The worlds a mess, and somebody has to clean it up," he said. "All Americans have rights and deserve respect. There is this fear of the unknown, the unwashed, the unclean, the other. This is a great opportunity for Burbank to step up to challenge and fulfill our civic promise."

Officials from Burbank also supported the use of the shelter.

"We can assure you that [the Burbank Temporary Aid Center] stands ready to provide our usual services to the fullest extent of our resources," the groups executive director, Barbara Howell, said. "If necessary, we will spread the peanut butter a little thinner when we make our sandwiches."

Support was not limited to public comment, Councilman Gary Bric said. He received more than a dozen e-mails in support of opening the armory as the shelter, Bric said.

Because of Burbanks limited time to prepare for the discussion, Police Chief Tim Stehr said he could not determine how the program might tax his department, but he did highlight one problem other shelters have had.

"Its very difficult to calculate what kind of resources might be used," he said. "We have talked with a shelter in Glendale who said they had some problems with individuals who were hiding alcohol or narcotics. I cant tell you the amount of resources to be expanded, but whatever decision you come up with, well do the best job we can."

Rebecca Issacs, the homeless authority's executive director, dismissed concerns about overburdened city services.

"Ive looked at the numbers and the impact on public services, and the community would be very minimal," she said.

The authority's funding manager, David Howden, tried to allay concerns about safety by explaining that a similar bus-in shelter in Culver City has had few incidents of crime in that city in relation to the facility.

"We've not ever heard of one negative response to the shelter being there," he said.

Officials stressed that should any problems arise, they will be ready.

"You've got bad eggs in every community," said Carrie Gatlin, a vice president of Union Rescue Mission, who would help run the shelter. "We can do whatever is possible to make sure there are as few problems as possible.

"Our guests count on these shelters. They have a tendency to respect shelter rules because they need that resource. If someone wants to leave and go to the park, that's unacceptable to us. We care about the children in Burbank and are sympathetic to the concerns of the mothers. We will do everything in our power to make sure its secure. We want to be good neighbors in the community."

Gordon, while sympathetic to the outpouring of support, disapproved of the proposal, citing the lack of time Burbank had to prepare for the shelters use.

"This is a very tough issue because it cuts both ways," he said. "I support doing something, but this has come too fast to make a reasonable decision. I can make an emotional decision, yes, but I dont feel comfortable voting for this."

But Councilwoman Anja Reinke rejected that idea, arguing the city should view the need as an opportunity to do its part.

"We have the opportunity to help 150 people, to jump in and do something for homeless people," she said. "Shame on Burbank for not doing something sooner, and I hope to get this up as soon as possible."

After finalizing the county contract, Union Rescue expects to be fully mobilized and ready to open the shelter Tuesday, Gatlin said.

City officials agreed to spend up to $25,000 with a matching fund from Glendale to help run the shelter, Assistant City Manager Mike Flad said.

The outcome of the vote elated Mayor Marsha Ramos, who looked past Friday to the future of Burbanks homeless services.

"I celebrate this moment," she said. "As a community, we have historically moved mountains. Lets look forward to the future and say, What can we do to take our share permanently?"

Future aspirations aside, Natalie Profant-Komuro - executive director of PATH Achieve, one of Glendale's largest homeless service providers - said Burbanks ability to quickly address the issue was a "great relief."

"I think other communities can take their cues from how Burbank handled it," she said.