Staff Adds Additional Conditions to Permit for Homeless Shelter at All Saints Church

Ahead of Wednesday’s hearing on a conditional use permit for a homeless shelter at All Saints Church, city staff added additional conditions for approval.

According to the three new conditions, all participants shall be required to agree to the “Safe Haven Bridge to Housing Covenant Expectation and Ground Rules” prior to residing at the shelter. A copy of each signed agreement shall be on file at the All Saints Church campus and at the Union Station Homeless Services office for the duration of the participant’s residency at the shelter. 

The city zoning administrator shall be notified about any changes to the “Safe Haven Bridge to Housing Covenant Expectation and Ground Rules,” which will state that “Caseworkers will coordinate participants with drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and mental health services, as needed.”

According to a memorandum posted on Wednesday, All Saints Church has reviewed and accepted the recommended conditions. A CUP is required to establish temporary homeless shelter use at a religious facility when participants are residing at the facility for more than 60 days. The shelter would provide services through the “Safe Haven Bridge to Housing” program. 

Twelve homeless people working toward permanent housing would be in the program at any one time for four months.

People staying in the shelter would have access to designated sleeping areas from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The sleeping area would be located outside under a covered colonnade adjacent to Regas Hall.

Union Station Homeless Services would partner with All Saints Church to provide on-site services, such as community education, case management, and housing navigation services.

According to the 2020 homeless count, up to 527 people experience homelessness on any given night in Pasadena.

As part of the program at All Saints, participants must agree not to loiter, play loud music, or have disruptive or damaging conduct anywhere on or near the property. 

Furthermore, as part of the commitment to the program, participants would attend weekly meetings with Safe Haven Bridge to Housing program staff within the church’s courtyard area.

On Dec. 14, the City Council authorized the city manager to enter into a funding contract with Union Station to provide necessary services to facilitate the movement of people experiencing homelessness who are living on the properties of religious institutions into permanent housing. 

All Saints contacted Union Station to seek their support serving the individuals sleeping on the church’s campus. 

Together, the organizations developed the “Safe Bridge to Housing” program. The program provides participants with a safe outdoor sleeping space with access to specialized care coordination, and case management and housing navigation services from a Union Station staff member. The program is designed to move each participant from homelessness to permanent housing. 

City funding for the program is contingent on All Saints obtaining a CUP. 

Local residents expressed support for the shelter in correspondence to the hearing officer. The Planning Department received more than 25 letters, most of the signatures came on copies of a widely distributed form letter. 

“It is not a direct road nor a smooth road necessarily when working with men and women who have been unhoused for years,” wrote MaryAnn Ahart, who attends All Saints. “All Saints has sought counsel in how to do this wisely and most effectively from multiple sources. They have been successful in working with many of this community, getting half of the first group into housing so far. 

“This is a model that works and should be encouraged. I ask you to grant the Minor Conditional Use Permit to All Saints for their Safe Haven Bridge to Housing program. It is one thing we can do to live out our commitment to Courageous Justice for those who are struggling with housing and other issues now. It is not the ultimate solution but it will make a difference in the lives of those we can serve.”