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AGENDA ITEM NO. 12.
CITY OF HAWTHORNE City Council AGENDA BILL For the meeting of 02/24/2026 Originating Department: Housing |
City Manager:
Department Head:
SUBJECT:
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles Dream Center for Homelessness Response Collaboration.
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Hawthorne and the Los Angeles Dream Center; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the MOU in a form approved by the City Attorney.
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Hawthorne and the Los Angeles Dream Center; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the MOU in a form approved by the City Attorney.
DISCUSSION:
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION
The MOU outlines shared programmatic goals, including:
• Improving outreach and engagement to PEH within Hawthorne;
• Increasing access to supportive services and referrals;
• Enhancing coordination among service providers;
• Supporting City-led homelessness initiatives and events; and
• Exploring grant and funding opportunities when appropriate.
Subject to availability and capacity, the Los Angeles Dream Center may provide services such as:
• Street-based outreach and engagement;
• Case management and service navigation;
• Referrals to emergency shelter, transitional housing, and recovery programs;
• Food distribution and hunger relief;
• Clothing, hygiene, and basic needs assistance; and
• Life skills, employment readiness, and recovery-oriented programming.
The MOU also provides for collaboration during Monday PEH-focused events at the Hawthorne Memorial Center and other City-sponsored initiatives.
Importantly, the MOU:
• Is non-binding in nature;
• Does not obligate either Party to expend funds;
• Does not create a partnership or joint venture;
• Requires separate written agreements for any financial commitments or grant-funded activities; and
• Includes standard provisions related to confidentiality, indemnification, and compliance with applicable laws.
This agreement strengthens the City’s ability to connect residents experiencing homelessness with established nonprofit service providers while maintaining fiscal and legal safeguards.
On June 9, 2025, Hawthorne staff attended a site tour of the Los Angeles Dream Center to observe its homelessness outreach, case management, recovery services, food distribution, and transitional housing programs. The tour provided insight into the organization’s operational capacity, service model, and potential alignment with the City’s homelessness response efforts.
Following the visit, staff identified opportunities to formalize a collaborative framework that would enhance services for persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) within the City of Hawthorne.
The proposed MOU establishes a cooperative, non-binding framework to clarify roles, outline areas of collaboration, and promote coordinated service delivery consistent with each Party’s mission and available resources.
Following the visit, staff identified opportunities to formalize a collaborative framework that would enhance services for persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) within the City of Hawthorne.
The proposed MOU establishes a cooperative, non-binding framework to clarify roles, outline areas of collaboration, and promote coordinated service delivery consistent with each Party’s mission and available resources.
DISCUSSION
The MOU outlines shared programmatic goals, including:
• Improving outreach and engagement to PEH within Hawthorne;
• Increasing access to supportive services and referrals;
• Enhancing coordination among service providers;
• Supporting City-led homelessness initiatives and events; and
• Exploring grant and funding opportunities when appropriate.
Subject to availability and capacity, the Los Angeles Dream Center may provide services such as:
• Street-based outreach and engagement;
• Case management and service navigation;
• Referrals to emergency shelter, transitional housing, and recovery programs;
• Food distribution and hunger relief;
• Clothing, hygiene, and basic needs assistance; and
• Life skills, employment readiness, and recovery-oriented programming.
The MOU also provides for collaboration during Monday PEH-focused events at the Hawthorne Memorial Center and other City-sponsored initiatives.
Importantly, the MOU:
• Is non-binding in nature;
• Does not obligate either Party to expend funds;
• Does not create a partnership or joint venture;
• Requires separate written agreements for any financial commitments or grant-funded activities; and
• Includes standard provisions related to confidentiality, indemnification, and compliance with applicable laws.
This agreement strengthens the City’s ability to connect residents experiencing homelessness with established nonprofit service providers while maintaining fiscal and legal safeguards.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the City’s ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness through coordinated outreach, partnerships, and service alignment with qualified nonprofit organizations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
NOTICING PROCEDURE:
72 hours posted notice pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act.