Recapping the Oct. 24th gathering – Oct. 2026

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Friend of CHOA,

We are grateful to connect directly with faith community, and churches in particular.  These connections encourages us all.

In this newsletter, we cover the below topics:

  1. Recap the October 24th gathering: CHOA had a very positive gathering…again…at Journey Community Church…allowing us all to interact together around housing topics in Arcadia.  Review our summary below.
  2. HERO is the new case management and housing navigation team in Arcadia for the people that are unhoused in Arcadia.  We provide information below on how to contact them, especially if a person that is unhoused approaches you or your church.
  3. Arcadia Interfaith Action Group’s Thanksgiving event: AIAG’s Thanksgiving event gathers people of seven different faiths together to be thankful together.  Join us on Monday, November 23rd at 7pm.  Details are below.

The time and energy put into housing does really benefit others that are on the margins in their housing. 

Peace,
–Mike Veerman
CHOA Team Lead

The Sharing Gathering met in the Lounge at Journey Community Church.

Recapping the Sharing Gathering on October 24th


CHOA had our 9th Sharing Gathering last Saturday, October 24th.  There were 15 folks that came, see the picture at the top of this newsletter.  For seven of these folks, it was their first time to a CHOA event.  The CHOA team sensed the group really connected on a personal level, and was engaged in the information.  You can review our handout and slides in the CHOA Events page.

We are so grateful to Journey Community Church (JCC) for hosting the gathering for their second time.  Being in their lounge is so welcoming, comforting, and provides an easy setup and cleanup environment for the CHOA team, see the picture above.  We were blessed.

There are three main benefits from this in-person connection:  

  1. We just encourage each other, have discussions, and get direct answers.
  2. The churches are informed on who to call if a person that is unhoused approaches them, to get them services needed as well as the new housing coming to Arcadia.
  3. The churches and faith community engage at the housing issues at hand, and ponder how they can make an impact…and be hopeful that it is possible.
Mike Veerman introduced CHOA and our mission statement to the gathering.
Joe Wan - the Director of Care and Visitation at JCC – gave the opening Scriptural reflection and prayer.

Below are the key highlights:

  • Homelessness
    • HERO: This is the new case management and housing navigation team that works seven days a week in Arcadia, connecting with the people who are unhoused in our city.  The city of Arcadia is wise to have HERO in our city, so they can engage, build trust, and connect people who are homeless in Arcadia to services, and possibly begin transitioning back into housing.  We focus a bit more on HERO below.
    • Oak and Ivy: This development project is on Live Oak Avenue, in the unincorporated part of Arcadia.  This means, LA County provided all the approvals, not the City of Arcadia.  This project includes 45 affordable housing units (more than any other project in Arcadia), and uniquely, 48 permanent supportive housing.  It means they allow housing directly for people who are homeless.  The gathering asked a few questions for the developer, see below.  Let CHOA know if you have more questions beyond these:
      • Can HERO refer their clients to Oak and Ivy?
      • Where is the funding for this project coming from?
      • Are children allowed?
      • What is the rent for both affordable housing, and permanent supportive housing?
      • How do people go into this housing?
Wendy McGrail sharing about HERO and Oak & Ivy.
A rendering of the Oak and Ivy development project at 4217 Live Oak Avenue
  • Homeless Count: In January, the City of Arcadia will again organizing a Point-in-Time homeless count.  CHOA is urging many to volunteer.  We tentatively think the count will be on Wednesday, January 20th, 2027.  
    • We went over that what should be counted:  people that are unhoused, tents, make-shift structures, and RVs that we suspect are used by people that are unhoused.  It is not so easy.  
    • We also reviewed that multipliers are used to better count people.  Without the multiplier a RV is counted the same one person.  For the last three years, the count in Arcadia is not using the multiplier approach, so the decrease in the count is not exactly with effective approaches with the problem of homelessness, but that that method of counting changed.
Diego Rubalcava-Alvarez reviewed the Homeless Count in Arcadia.
  • Affordable Housing:
    • What is affordable housing?  It based on income, and uses the below chart, which is used throughout LA County, for 2026.  
      • Affordable Housing is based on income.  This means, you need a job.  This is not housing directly for people that unhoused.
      • From reviewing the chart below, a family of 4 that has a total of income below $83,300 qualifies for “Very Low” income affordable housing.  
      • A family of 4 with a total income below $133,250 qualifies for “Low” income affordable housing.  That’s a pretty high income, right?  You find that surprising?

Source: City of Arcadia’s Affordable Housing web page: https://www.arcadiaca.gov/government/development_services/housing/affordable_housing.php

    • 92 Affordable Housing units coming to Arcadia: We highlight that Arcadia is changing in regards to housing.  
      • You see yourself as you drive down Santa Anita Avenue; theAlexan Azalea project, next to REI and the post office, is a first obvious example, see the picture below.  It is one of many affordable housing projects coming to Arcadia. 
      • To add your name to the “Interested List” for Alexan Azalea, use this email: affordablehousing@alexanazalea.com. This is also found on the CHOA Resource page, called Affordable Housing Placement. CHOA will add contacts for each project as we learn more.
      • The latest project is the North Village project that the city itself is letting everyone know about, see the September newsletter.
      • Beyond the affordable housing units, in total 928 more housing units are coming to Arcadia.  These are all different sizes, and rental/ownership options are coming to Arcadia.  That gives so many people more housing choices, than just single-family homes.

Source: City of Arcadia’s Affordable Housing web page’s Future Affordable Housing section: https://www.arcadiaca.gov/government/development_services/housing/affordable_housing.php#acc_0_panel_1

Alexan Azaela brings 319 rental units, of which 26 units are “Very Low” affordable housing units.
  • Senior Affordable Housing: CHOA points out that we have Senior affordable housing locations in Arcadia.  These have been in Arcadia for years.  For example, Arcadia Campus Commons, is next to the high school, at 16 Campus Drive, see the picture below.  This was built in 2012, and provides 42 units for people 62 years old or above.  Seniors are the fastest growing population going into homelessness; we need to get the word out that senior affordable housing is right here in Arcadia.
Arcadia Campus Commons provides 42 affordable housing units to Seniors 62 or above.

HERO – Housing, Empowerment, Recovery and Outreach

HERO is the new case management and housing navigation organization in Arcadia, since July.  They are contracted by the City of Arcadia, to reach out to and build trust with the people who are homeless in the city, and connect them to services, and when it makes sense, to housing.  The team covers Arcadia seven days a week.

CHOA wants the faith community to know HERO is a resource to be utilized.

When a person who is unhoused approaches your church, of course you can connect with them, but also provide them a HERO card, see the picture of that above.  Their phone number is 626-627-5384, and email is arcadia@https://herocommunityservices.org. Their flier is below with this same information.  You can get these cards from CHOA, or the Recreation and Community Services Department with the City of Arcadia.

If you cannot remember all this, CHOA has this same information on our website.  Just go to our “Resources” menu, and select the first “Homeless – Case Management” selection on the menu, see the orange rectangle in the screen shot below.

HERO cards to keep with you to reference when a person who is unhoused approaches you.
Resource web pages on the CHOA website directs you to HERO contact informaiton.

HERO also handles “Eviction Prevention”, or what may be called “Homelessness Prevention”.  For example, if your friend lives in Arcadia and was in a car accident or laid off, and cannot pay rent for a month, reach out to HERO.  There is a city fund just for this purpose.  We do not want more folks to fall into homelessness, if all it takes is to cover rent or another expense.  Do note, that this is only a one-time assistance per family.  See the “Eviction Prevention” webpage, again under the “Resource” menu on the CHOA website, see the orange rectangle in the screen shot above.

Arcadia Interfaith Action Group’s Thanksgiving Event


On Monday, November 23rd, at 7pm, the Arcadia Interfaith Action Group (AIAG), will invite the faith community to join them in their Thanksgiving event.  This will be held at Holy Angels, at 370 Campus Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007.

The Arcadia Interfaith Action Group connects people of seven different faiths together, to build relationships and community.

This gathering will feature a children book that will be acted out, like last year.  Also, the Buddhist youth orchestra will also perform.

There will be time to connect afterwards, and a generous amount of refreshments will be provided after the event. CHOA encourages you all to join in.