Santa Monica : Homeless Task Force OKd

The Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday night approved a task force on homelessness whose membership will include representatives of the homeless community.

The 18-member task force, which also will include business, religious and social service representatives, will develop strategies for enhancing services provided to the homeless. It also will look at ways to reduce the number of homeless in downtown and in the city’s parks.

City officials said the task force is part of an ongoing effort to deal with the growing number of homeless people throughout the city--one of the dominant issues in last November’s municipal elections.

The city has asked the task force to develop its recommendations for action and policy by the end of the year.

“We view the task force as a community advising body and a problem-solving group,” said Julie Rusk, the city’s human services coordinator. “Because of their diversity, we’re hoping that they will develop some innovative ideas.”