Councilman Mike Bonin wrote to the Venice Neighborhood Council Board, 11 December, “Since the winter shelter program has begun, and since the need is both urgent and time sensitive, I have asked the Department of Recreation and Parks to allow VCHC [Venice Community Housing Corporation] to use an existing storage container at Venice Beach, the paddle tennis courts… For the duration of the winter shelter program it will store and secure belongings checked in to the voluntary program…”

Council Bonin also said that he would be willing to entertain alternative locations for the winter storage program if suggested by the VNC Board. See Councilman Bonin’s letter to the VNC regarding emergency winter storage program, clean-ups of streets, and a voluntary check-in program.

Several places were discussed at the previous VNC meet as reported last Update.  Most popular was the Westminster Senior Center at Westminster and Main.  The storage container was there for almost a day last year.  After its whereabouts were reported, the storage container was moved to the Windward Circle in front of the LAPD police substation.

Another place discussed was the First Baptist Church of Venice at 6th and Westminster (685 Westminster). A spokesman for the church said there was ample room for the 8 x 20 storage container, that there were facilities and people to help the homeless, and that they wanted the facility.

It was decided at the 17 December meeting that Westminster was the place of choice.

The picture above shows the inside of the storage container, which is still adjacent to the paddle courts at Venice Beach.  Clarence who works for the Venice Community Housing Corporation said they had just removed book shelves to make room for more garbage containers.  At present only eight of the containers are used.

Steve Clare, head of VCHC, said last year 34 people used 26 of the 65-gallon containers.  “Last year they had to show proof that they went to the shelter,” he said.  “This year we have 35-gallon containers and are waiting for 12 of the 65-gallon ones.  The smaller ones are just too small.”

When asked if he had “flyered” the homeless regarding the storage container, he said he had but that he planned to flyer them again.  The storage container, he said, is only open from 4-5 pm and is manned by volunteers.

This year, unlike last year, anyone can store his belongings and is not required to go to the shelter.