Over the years, Councilmember Blumenfield has worked to build shelter and provide housing in Council District Three for people experiencing homelessness. While these programs are “low barrier” and open to all, many residents at the interim housing sites have expressed the desire to live in an environment that promotes sobriety. Respecting their lived experience and desire for a healthy environment, Blumenfield has been working with Hope of the Mission to pilot a concept that encourages sobriety and recovery, giving people the choice to participate in a housing program that promotes personal commitment to a substance-free lifestyle.

While there are Federal and State guidelines around "Housing First" policy which prohibits setting conditions to access housing resources, the State and County also support "Contingency Management" programs that encourage folks to stay sober for a prolonged period of time by rewarding participants who have negative drug tests. While this is a new concept to the City, Blumenfield is willing to work outside the current system to provide options to residents at interim housing sites who wish to live in a drug-free environment. This month the Council approved his request to fund an effort to encourage and support residents who desire to live in a substance free environment which he hopes will help these residents succeed.

For the last 8 years, Team Blumenfield has participated in the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count in the West Valley and Blumenfield’s district office in Reseda has served as the hub for volunteers. Between Tuesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 23rd thousands of community members across the greater Los Angeles area will be counting their neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. The Count, which is mandated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is among our most important tools in addressing the homeless crisis as it creates the foundation necessary to build and target solutions. It helps determine the need, measure progress and focus delivery of services to where they’re needed most.

Team Blumenfield continues to help lead this effort and ensure that LAHSA has the most up to date numbers on homelessness in the West Valley. If you are interested in volunteering and joining the count in Reseda, please register here or find a count in your neighborhood here.

Councilmember Blumenfield joined local faith leaders and colleagues for an early Hanukkah celebration put together by the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.

Motor4Toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive is one of the most successful toy drives in Los Angeles and Councilmember Blumenfield was proud to recognize Dustin Troyan for his dedication to putting on the event each year.

Councilmember Blumenfield participated in the festivities at New Economics for Women's annual Toy Drive “Holidays with a Heart” where families embraced the holiday spirit.

The Winnetka Chamber of Commerce held their annual donation drive at Village Cafe where toys and other goods were collected for local less fortunate community members. Blumenfield thanked Village Cafe owner, George Papadopoulos, for hosting the event.