The West Hollywood Human Services Commission gathered on April 8 to shape the city’s social services funding priorities for the 2025-2028 contract cycle. The meeting, a key step in the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) process, featured a public hearing with over 30 speakers, a staff presentation summarizing advisory board input, and a detailed commission discussion, all aimed at addressing the evolving needs of this 1.9-square-mile community amid anticipated federal funding challenges.
The public hearing opened with residents and service providers offering a range of perspectives. Eugene Maysky, a tenant outreach organizer and Russian-speaking community advocate, listed priorities including rent control preservation, legal immigration support, and mental health resources for LGBT refugees. Katja Nelson of APLA Health emphasized protecting existing services like HIV care, citing looming federal cuts flagged by Joe Green of the LA County Commission on HIV, who noted a potential $40 million shortfall. Sally Valenzuela, Chief Program Officer at Pathways LA, which operates West Hollywood Preschool at Plummer Park, requested space to expand the program, currently capped at 32 children despite demand for infant and toddler care. Parents like Irene Sanchez and John Baumgartner echoed this call, highlighting the preschool’s role in supporting working families.
Transgender voices featured prominently, with Alexandra MaGallon and Bamby Salcedo of the Trans Latina Coalition advocating for sustained funding for housing, workforce development, and HIV services. Salcedo noted the coalition’s loss of federal grants, urging the commission to bolster support for a community facing heightened political targeting. Housing Works staff, including Eduardo Tejeda and Celina Alvarez, raised concerns about frontline workers’ wages, with Tejeda questioning funders’ valuation of their efforts and Alvarez pointing to a workforce strained by 1,400 vacancies and complex client needs.
Staff from the Human Services Division, Dee Saunders and Michelle Liberman, presented findings from eight advisory boards and commissions consulted between January and March. Their report identified five priority areas: health and wellness (encompassing mental health, substance use treatment, and HIV/STI services), homelessness (shelters and prevention), legal and advocacy (tenant rights and immigration aid), economic empowerment (workforce development and financial assistance), and community connection (outreach and centralized hubs). Barriers to access included limited awareness, fragmented intake processes, and equity gaps, such as non-inclusive shelters for transgender individuals.
Commissioners responded with a mix of urgency and pragmatism. Chair Adolphson emphasized West Hollywood’s role as a sanctuary for residents, workers, and visitors alike, a sentiment echoed by Vice-Chair Williams, who praised a proposed “senior citizen handyman” service suggested by resident Renee Sotile. Commissioner Borelli floated expanding the micro grants program to offset federal cuts, while noting the city’s touted living wage—around $40,000 annually—falls short in Greater Los Angeles. Commissioner Wyville sought deeper insight into childcare needs at Plummer Park, and Commissioner Eyres highlighted innovative models like guaranteed income, urging preparedness for HIV funding gaps. Commissioner Davis pushed for a unified intake system to reduce paperwork burdens, a frustration he tied to personal experience, while Commissioner Palmieri flagged immediate needs for transgender residents, childcare, and pet services.
Staff updates from Acting Human Services Manager Christine Safriet outlined upcoming council actions, including a June 9 discussion on homelessness and budget reviews starting April 22, with the RFP set for release on April 25. Social Services Supervisor Derek Murray detailed the timeline, with proposals due June 5 and commission recommendations due by July 22. Maribel Ulloa stressed a fair RFP process, barring commissioners from discussing it with applicants outside formal channels.
Public comment later in the meeting brought additional voices. Emanuel Ares of the Safer WeHo Coalition called for crisis intervention and education to address drug and alcohol harms near his 7-Eleven-adjacent home. Alex Salabarria alleged corruption within the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department, citing a theft of $15,000 in HIV medications and federal court documents, though he offered no further comment pending legal action.
With the RFP process looming, the commission’s discussion underscored a dual challenge: sustaining a robust service network amid federal uncertainty and ensuring accessibility for a diverse populace. The priorities set here will guide funding decisions affecting thousands, from preschoolers to seniors, in a city long defined by its commitment to human services.
After the hearing and discussion, will the city make any specific commitments to maintain or increase funding for groups that are most affected by Among Us Online federal budget cuts? I’m curious about the next steps after gathering so many practical voices.