Lesson One: Don’t Kick A Councilmember Off Your Shelter Board

Recently, the Rio Hondo Temporary Home, a local homeless shelter in Whittier just east of Los Angeles, removed one of their board members for absenteeism. He had missed six meetings. Here's the article.

Who was this absent board member? Whittier City Councilmember, Owen Newcomer, who is also a commissioner for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA.)

The Whittier City Council had funded this homeless shelter $50,000 per year. Until their relationship with the councilmember went awry. Now they will be funded $10,000 for this fiscal year. Their board decision cost them $40,000.

I wonder if this shelter also receives LAHSA funding?