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Toluca Lake, CA Experts in Container Rental, Sales & Customization

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Southwest Mobile Storage - Best Mobile Storage & Office Containers In Toluca Lake, CA

Southwest Mobile Storage is a family-owned shipping container business founded in 1995. Our strength for more than 25 years comes from the specialized knowledge and passion of our people, along with serving over 24,000 commercial, construction and residential customers. Our facility and expertise in maintaining, manufacturing, and delivering corrugated steel containers is unrivaled in the industry.

While the rental side of our business is regional with branches throughout the Southwest, our container sales and modification operations are nationwide and becoming global. Toluca Lake, CA offers a wide selection of portable offices and mobile storage containers you can rent, buy or modify.

Our experts in container rental, sales and customization are committed to providing you the highest quality and best experience from service to delivery - our reputation depends on it.

Whether your need is for storage, office space, moving, multi-purpose or custom use, we've got your back. Here's how:

Storage Containers Toluca Lake, CA
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NO MATTER YOUR NEED, WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK.

STORE AT YOUR LOCATION

We bring your storage container to you for convenient, easy access at your home, business or jobsite. Plus, you'll get more choice in storage space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of a pod or add on building, saving money and energy.

STORE AT OUR LOCATION

Not enough room to keep a storage container at your business, home or construction site? No problem - we can store it for you. Plus, you get 70% more space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of public storage units.

CUSTOM STORAGE

Need a permanent storage solution for your business, residence or construction? We sell new and used shipping containers in many sizes with a variety of add-ons. Or customize a container to your specific storage needs with our certified fabrication experts.

LOCAL MOVE

Take your time packing with our moving containers. We'll deliver to your business or home and pick it up whenever you're ready to move. So, you don't have to stress about moving or making multiple trips in one day, like if you rented a moving truck.

LONG-DISTANCE MOVE

Our moving container solutions ensure the long-distance move of your home or business is highly efficient and affordable throughout the southwest. In fact, we usually cost 20%-40% less than full-service movers.

MOVING & STORAGE

We understand move-in and move-out dates might be different. We can store your moving container at our highly secure facilities until you're ready to move to your new home or business location, and you can conveniently access it at any time.

OFFICE USE

Whether you need a workspace, conference room, or other office requirement, our ground-mounted mobile offices meet any and all of your business needs. Plus, it's faster and easier than building additions.

BUSINESS USE

If you need your shipping container to serve multiple uses, such as office-storage combos, breakrooms and even utilities, we've got you covered. We'll modify a custom container to fit your business needs and bring your business to the next level

CUSTOM USE

We'll create a custom container to fit your unique needs anywhere in the US. With our container modification expertise, we make any idea a reality. From pop-up stores to multi-story structures, our unrivaled facilities and fabrication experts do it all.

You'll get your own dedicated storage and container expert to serve as your one point of contact for easy, convenient service you can trust.
With our wide selection of intermodal containers for sale and rent, you'll find exactly what you need, from size, to type and condition.
We maintain our rental fleet to the highest standard - our integrity depends on it.
Our certified, experienced Conex container modification experts have more than 500 years combined experience modifying ISO containers.
All of our containers come with high security dual-locking system for no additional charge, so you can rest assured your stored items stay safe and that you don't have to pay extra for it.
icon-scale
At our unrivaled 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility, ensuring your custom shipping container is made exactly to your specifications.
With our level of service, quality and expertise, you won't find a better value anywhere else.
Our portable offices include lighting and electrical outlets, internet hookups, HVAC and were crafted by our in-house steel container fabrication experts for top-quality construction.

Premium Quality - High Security

With Southwest Mobile Storage, you get much more than a POD or typical Conex box. You also get high security, unparalleled service and unmatched container modification expertise and facilities. No other company offers that much.

Shipping containers and storage containers come in a range of sizes. The most common external lengths are 20ft and 40ft with a width of 8ft. ISO Containers are typically 8ft 6in tall, but high cube containers are 9ft 6in tall. We also have steel containers in a variety of sizes from 10ft long to 45ft long to rent or buy, and we can modify shipping containers into any size you want.

 Rent Storage Containers Toluca Lake, CA

SMS Mobile Storage Containers have these high quality features:

1/8" thick steel plate bottom side rails
High strength steel supporting cross members
1 1/8" thick hardwood floor with galvanized self-tapping screws
16-gauge corrugated steel walls
16-gauge roof
270-degree swing cargo door(s)
High security dual-locking system*
Spot-grinded, primed & repainted with a beige high-grade water reducible alkyd direct-to-metal enamel*
* Comes standard on all rental units

SMS portable workspace containers have these structural features:

High security window bars, lever & deadbolt set with lock box
Studs & R-19 Insulation covered with wood paneling
1 1/8" marine board floor is covered with a durable single part gray epoxy coating
Dual pane low-E horizontal sliding windows with screens and miniblinds
18 Gauge steel polystyrene core 3-hour fire rated personnel door
All of our workspaces are manufactured in-house and arrive new or restored to factory specifications
Exterior load center operating on 100 Amp single phase 230 Volt power
Light switch, receptacles and 4' light fixtures; all wiring is Romex 12/2
CAT-6 voice and data lines with electrical junction box
HVAC units ranging from 1 ton to 2 ton on rentals; ability to customize up to 10 tons of cooling

Having flexible storage containers options is important, but security is crucial to protect your peace of mind and your possessions.

At Southwest Mobile Storage, we don't believe in leaving things to chance. We want you to rest easy knowing your inventory, documents, tools, equipment and other items are safe 24/7. That is why we equip SMS high-security slide bolt locking systems and lockboxes on our entire fleet of rental freight containers.

EVERY ONE OF OUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR RENT IN Toluca Lake, CA, INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES:

High-security slide-bolt locking system and extra-long lock box, giving you twice the security and peace of mind.
No holes to ensure your rental shipping container is wind and water-tight.
No rust for your safety.
14-gauge corrugated steel for strength and reinforcement.

Contact us to speak with a helpful, friendly representative to better understand our full range of capabilities. We are happy to answer any questions you have, go over pricing and set up a time and place to deliver your Conex box. Our quotes are 100% free and you are under no obligation to pay for your consultation.

COMMERCIAL STORAGE CONTAINERS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN Toluca Lake, CA

When you own a business or manage one, it's crucial to have efficient, affordable ways to store inventory and supplies, whether it's to grow your business or adapt to changes in the market, like the many caused by the pandemic.

Renting storage containers to keep at your business eliminates the cost and hassles of sending your staff to offsite storage facilities. Steel containers with roll up doors make storing and retrieving items faster and easier. Auto repair shops and other businesses that need easy access throughout the workday to secure storage for tools, parts, equipment or supplies find renting shipping containers to be the best solution for their business storage needs. Southwest Mobile Storage has your back.

 Storage Containers For Rent Toluca Lake, CA

Renting portable offices gives your business more workspace, breakrooms, pop up stores, security booths and more, without the cost and red tape associated with constructing building additions. Plus, a steel storage container fits neatly into one parking space and provides much stronger security than Pods and way more convenience than self-storage units.

If you have a specific need, we can modify shipping containers to build whatever you need to grow your business. Whether it's a portable workspace to run your business, like a pop-up container bar, or a durable facility for scientific research, like a container laboratory, or even a container gym, our unrivaled fabrication facility and modification experts got you covered. Our full-time, in-house staff of certified welders, engineers, electricians, carpenters and painters have over 500 years combined experience modifying thousands of container projects for just about any business use you can imagine.

WHETHER YOUR BUSINESS IS COMMERCIAL, HEALTHCARE, GOVERNMENT OR EDUCATION, OR YOUR INTEREST IS TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY SHIPPING CONTAINERS, SMS HAS YOU COVERED:

One
Offsite storage alternatives cause a mess of hassles and headaches. Expanding office space and storage capacity at your location saves time, money and hassle of making multiple trips offsite.
We offer more choice in security, size and features in steel Conex boxes or ISO shipping containers than a public storage unit or Pod for less cost and far greater service.
We offer flexible, month-to-month rental agreements and prorate by the day after your first 28-day billing cycle.
With us, you get a dedicated account manager you can rely on, so you can focus on running your business than waste time with a different person every time you call that doesn't know or care as much.
While other companies may have some staff for modifying containers, most outsource the work, so you don't know who is actually doing the modifications or how much they're marking up the price.
 Mobile Storage Containers Toluca Lake, CA
When you modify a shipping container for your business, you won't have to worry about expensive, lengthy and complicated construction.
We have modified thousands of containers nationwide and internationally for more than 25 years for NASA, US Navy, GCP Applied Technologies, Helix and Sundt to name a few. And rent containers to Amazon, Walmart and many of other nationally recognized brands.
Our extensive staff makes it possible to custom build multiple projects simultaneously and our 90,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility prevents contaminants from interfering with fabrication, which delivers better quality and precision.

HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY A SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR YOUR HOME:

With an extensive in-house staff and 90,000 sq ft container modification facility, we're able to deliver consistently high quality and work on multiple projects simultaneously for a fast turnaround.

Other companies don't have the facility, staff or resources to modify shipping containers and will outsource the work to various shops who may not have the special experience or tools needed to modify the right way.

You can rest assured knowing your custom container is safe in our hands. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications through every step of the process.

Renting a moving container from us makes your move much less stressful because you won't have to rush to pack your whole house into a moving truck in one day. Instead, you can take your time packing over the course of a month.

Our ISO shipping containers are weatherproof and come with vault-like security, so you don't have to worry about theft or damage to your belongings.

You won't get that level of security from U-Haul or other moving truck companies.

Renting a storage container at your home keeps your belongings close and gives you convenient 24/7 access, so you're always able to retrieve the contents of your container when you need to.

We know move in and move out dates don't always line up. We can store your packed rental container at our secure facility until your new home is ready.

With our mobile storage containers for rent in Toluca Lake, CA, you can save up to 40% when compared to full-service long-distance movers, while gaining more flexibility in your schedule.

MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERS & PORTABLE OFFICES TO RENT, BUY OR MODIFY IN Toluca Lake, CA

We know your needs may change suddenly. With our extensive inventory and variety of sizes of portable offices and shipping containers to rent, buy or modify in Toluca Lake, CA, we provide fast service and the best value possible so it's easy for you to get whatever you need when you need it.

Renting storage containers and portable offices from us gives you more flexibility when it comes to your schedule and options. If you don't have enough space at your current location or simply would prefer offsite storage, you can keep your rental storage and office containers at your location or ours - whichever is most convenient for you. You also get more options to choose from when it comes to size and features, like portable offices with divided rooms for private meetings or office/storage combos for storage and office space in one container. All while costing a fraction of the price of a pod or self-storage facility.

You can also buy new or used freight containers from us and choose from a variety of add-ons, including lights, electricity, doors and windows. Or fully customize a shipping container to save time, money and energy by skipping the expensive, lengthy process of constructing building additions. We can modify a Conex box into whatever you can imagine for any use you need, from construction tool cribs to office buildings, monitoring stations, mobile communication towers and much more. The possibilities are endless.

HERE'S HOW WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK:

You'll never face hidden fees or surprises with us. We give you transparent billing up front at the best prices.

With us, you get a reliable, dedicated point of contact, who keeps you updated every step of the way. You can rest assured knowing you'll always get what you need, when you need it.

No other company has the breadth and depth of staff and experience that we do when it comes to modifying shipping containers. Our certified welders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters have more than 500 years of combined experience in fabricating custom steel containers.

We prorate your rent by the day after the first 28-day billing cycle, so you don't have to pay for a full month when you only have your mobile containers and offices for a few days.

While other companies may be able to do small container modifications, most don't have an in-house fabrication staff or 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility like we do. As a result, they outsource the work on your custom container, so you don't know who's actually building it.

Rest assured knowing your modified shipping container will be built to the highest quality standards. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors check every step of the fabrication process to ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

Whether you're in need of a storage container for your commercial business, a portable office for your construction site, or a moving container for your home, our process is simple and straightforward.

Choose Your Container

Choose the mobile storage solution that works best for your needs. In this step, you will let us know the number of containers you need, their sizes and what types of doors to equip.

Choose Your Options

Let us know if you would like to add any of our rental options, like a folding table or shelving.

Choose Your Security

Choose from padlocks, puck locks and other enhanced security options. All of our storage containers come standard with dual-locking, vault-like security.

Choose Your Delivery Timeframe

You can expect standard delivery within 3-5 days of your order. If you need expedited delivery, we will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.

Pick-Up Planning

Do you need to keep your shipping container at our location? Prefer to have our team deliver your packed container to a location of your choice? Let us know, and we'll be by your side to work out the logistics.

HOW RENTING A STORAGE CONTAINER AND MOBILE OFFICE WORKS

1

DETERMINE DESTINATION

Let our team know where we should deliver your mobile storage container for rent in Toluca Lake, CA. Be sure to let us know if there are any special conditions that might prevent our drivers from entering your chosen destination. Before you schedule your delivery, let us know which direction you would like the doors of your container to face.

2

SCHEDULE DATE & TIME

Our drivers can deliver your storage container Monday-Friday, between the hours of 6AM and 2PM local time. Our two-hour delivery window is the most precise in the industry. If you desire another delivery time outside of our standard delivery options, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a courtesy, our driver will call you at least 30 minutes before they arrive at your drop-off destination.

3

PREPARE FOR YOUR MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINER DELIVERY

Before we deliver your Conex box, prepare your delivery area by ensuring that there are no low overhangs, arches, wires, trees or any other obstacles that could interfere with your delivery. It's a good idea to mark the space where you would like your steel container placed.

4

DELIVERY & SETUP

When our driver arrives, they will back our truck into the space where you would like your shipping container placed. Once we arrive, we will ensure that your container is delivered safely and securely. If placed on asphalt or pavement, we will use wood dunnage pads to make sure your ground surface is protected and the container is level.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MOBILE CONTAINERS TO Rent, Buy OR Modify IN Toluca Lake, CA?

Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our helpful customer service team today @

909.948.7700

Latest News in Toluca Lake, CA

July 4th Fireworks 2023 Near North Hollywood & Toluca Lake

Patch has your complete guide to Independence Day fireworks, parades, concerts & celebrations around NoHo, Toluca Lake & San Fernando ValleyNORTH HOLLYWOOD-TOLUCA LAKE, CA — Ready the red, white and blue!Independence Day falls this year on Tuesday, July 4. And communities throughout the San Fernando Valley and nearby Greater LA-area neighborhoods, including near North Hollywood and Toluca Lake, are prepping such star-spangled celebrations as carnivals, concerts, parades, picnics and, of course, firework extravag...

Patch has your complete guide to Independence Day fireworks, parades, concerts & celebrations around NoHo, Toluca Lake & San Fernando Valley

NORTH HOLLYWOOD-TOLUCA LAKE, CA — Ready the red, white and blue!

Independence Day falls this year on Tuesday, July 4. And communities throughout the San Fernando Valley and nearby Greater LA-area neighborhoods, including near North Hollywood and Toluca Lake, are prepping such star-spangled celebrations as carnivals, concerts, parades, picnics and, of course, firework extravaganzas.

Do note the date of events, as not all occur on July 4th. Plus, always confirm with organizers that activities are proceeding as planned.

JULY 4: July 4th Concert & Fireworks: Starlight Bowl. Patriotic firework display, plus entertainment from The Rising & Hollywood U2. .

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JULY 4: July 4th Fun Run, Splash Party & Fireworks Spectacular. Advance tickets required for fireworks.

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JULY 4: 4th Of July Fireworks Show. Best viewed from outlet parking lots & immediate surrounding areas.

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JULY 2-4: July 2nd-4th Fireworks, Festivities & Parade. Dinghy & golf-cart parades, children's festivals, fireworks & more will keep you busy!

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JULY 4: 4th Of July Fest & Fireworks: West LA College. Event includes live music & food trucks.

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JULY 4: 4th Of July Fireworks & Fest: Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. Freestyle motocross show planned, too.

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JULY 3: July 3rd 'Big Bang On Bay' Fireworks & Block Party BBQ: Boathouse. Don't miss this! Tickets on sale.

JULY 3: July 3rd Fireworks Show & Dinner at The Crab Pot. Another viewing & dinner option.

JULY 4: July 4th Great American Kids' Bike Parade. Annual tradition hosted by Justin Rudd.

JULY 4: 4th Of July BBQ: Aquarium Of Pacific. Tickets include all-day admission & lunch.

JULY 4: 4th Of July Fireworks: Downtown Waterfront. Free event with great viewing spots.

JULY 4: Queen Mary July 4th Fireworks & Celebration. The Queen is back!

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JUNE 24: El Sereno Concert & Fireworks. Hosted by Councilmember Kevin de León.

JUNE 24: Boyle Heights Fireworks: Hosted by Councilmember Kevin de León.

JULY 2: Lincoln Heights Fireworks Show. Hosted by Councilmember Kevin de León.

JULY 4: LA Dodgers vs Pirates July 4th Game & Fireworks. What's better than baseball & fireworks?

JULY 4: Grand Park 4th Of July Block Party & Drone Show. With non-stop entertainment!

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JULY 1-4: 4th Of July Weekend Fireworks. Check in for that latest news on barges.

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JULY 4: 4th Of July Fireworks. "There’s no better place in Los Angeles to see 4th of July fireworks."

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JULY 1: July Fireworks Fest & Concert: Amphitheater. "Back by popular demand, The Platinum Groove."

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JULY 4: LA Galaxy vs LAFC & July 4th Fireworks Night: Rose Bowl Stadium. "The match of the year is coming. 7.04.23."

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JULY 1: July 4th Weekend 'Red, White & Lights' Fest & Laser Show. Games, food, band & more on downtown mall.

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JULY 1-4: July 4th Weekend Fireworks: Six Flags Magic Mountain. "Four nights of dazzling fireworks."

JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks: Westfield Valencia Town Center. Display begins at 9:15 p.m.

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JUNE 30-JULY 4: July 4th Weekend Ferris Wheel Flag: Pacific Park. Head to the pier.

JULY 1: 'Celebrate America' Fireworks. At Santa Monica College.

JULY 4: 4th Of July Parade. "The 2023 parade returns to its classic route!"

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JULY 4: July 4th Celebration: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum. Outdoor activities are free!

JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks & Star-Spangled Rock 'N Country Jam. With free fun zone, beer & wine garden, plus three bands.

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JULY 4: 4th Of July Parade & Flyover. Parade launches with LAPD flyover & motorcycle drill team exhibition.

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JULY 4: July 4th Fun, Concert & Fireworks. Full day of activities courtesy of Conejo Recreation & Park District.

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JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks Show. Two viewing locations are first-come, first-served.

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JULY 4: July 4th Celebration & Fireworks: Universal Studios Hollywood. "Don't miss the star-spangled celebration in the Park."

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JULY 1-4: July 4th Weekend Fireworks: Six Flags Magic Mountain. "Four nights of dazzling fireworks."

JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks: Westfield Valencia Town Center. Display begins at 9:15 p.m.

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JULY 4: July 4th 'Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach' Competition. Open to all athletes.

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JULY 4: 4th Of July Parade & Fireworks. It's a day full of food, music, kids' fun & more.

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JULY 4: Bob Blumenfield’s July 4th Extravaganza & Fireworks: Warner Park. "One of the most spectacular fireworks displays in Southern California."

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Boat Cinema 2023: Castaic Lake, Castaic

Boat CinemaFridays, Saturdays & Sundays, Aug. 18-20, 25-27, Sept. 2 & 9, 2023Castaic Lake Headquarters, 32132 Castaic Lake Drive, Castaic, CAFrom ...

Boat Cinema

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, Aug. 18-20, 25-27, Sept. 2 & 9, 2023

Castaic Lake Headquarters, 32132 Castaic Lake Drive, Castaic, CA

From Starlite Cinemas and Boat Cinema:

"Welcome to BOAT CINEMA!

"After two sold-out seasons, it's back for a third season that is bigger and better than ever.

"Proudly partnered with LA County Parks, Boat Cinema is LA’s first and ONLY beach party and movie experience from your own personal mini boat."Expect a magical night in one of the most stunning settings in Los Angeles with food, drinks, music and preshow fun on the Boat Cinema Beach.

"Thirty minutes from DTLA, Castaic Lake is a bustling lake environment with boaters, water skiing, long stretches of gorgeous beaches, and camping.

"Catch movies like Jaws, Clueless, Top Gun, The Notebook, and more!

"Boat Cinema will drop you into a world that you will only get here."Reserve a mini electric boat or bring your chairs and enjoy our BEACH SEATING!

"Pack a picnic ( For a corkage Fee) or we can have one on your boat prepared for you. You can pre-order hot artisan pizza delivery out on the lake right to the side of your boat or to your blanket and chairs on the beach. And definitely, hit up the only beach bar in LA that is actually on the sand.

"Whatever you choose, just come ready for a summer night at the beach with incredible films, food, and music.

"Age Requirement: BEACH SEATING: All ages are welcome. Children 3 and under are free for beach Seating.

"MINI BOATS: At least one person in your party must be 18 or older to rent the electric boats; all individuals must be 2 years or older to ride in a mini boat. All Mini Boat guests must sign a waiver upon entrance to Boat Cinema (life jackets provided)."

MORE INFO & TICKET LINKS HERE

--Image via Shutterstock

Botched Homeless Count In San Fernando Valley Raises Concerns

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's 2022 homeless count shows data that is vastly different from the reality, residents say.Patch StaffLOS ANGELES, CA — The apparent inaccuracy of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's 2022 homeless count, conducted in February, led residents to question if the annual point-in-time count really helps the city tackle the homeless crisis.Many members of the Los Angeles City Council questioned the new count's findings, which tell a confusing story in many districts ...

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's 2022 homeless count shows data that is vastly different from the reality, residents say.

Patch Staff

LOS ANGELES, CA — The apparent inaccuracy of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's 2022 homeless count, conducted in February, led residents to question if the annual point-in-time count really helps the city tackle the homeless crisis.

Many members of the Los Angeles City Council questioned the new count's findings, which tell a confusing story in many districts where hundreds of shelter beds and projects were opened to combat homelessness.

Councilman Bob Blumenfield told the LA Times that he was mystified by the 60 percent increase in unsheltered people shown in his district in the San Fernando Valley despite more than 200 people moving off the street and into a shelter.

Though a statement released by LAHSA on Friday doubled down on the integrity of the count, residents and professional surveyors from Rand Corp. said their own tallies don't reflect the same results.

“During the Count, we received several reports of user and technological errors resulting from a lack of training and poor internet connectivity,” said Ahmad Chapman, LAHSA’s communications director, in the statement. “Despite these errors, we are confident in the accuracy of this year’s homeless Count because LAHSA and its partners took several steps to account for what was happening in the field.”

This week, Council President Nury Martinez introduced two motions calling for an audit of this year's count, counts of prior years and an evaluation of whether future counts should be handled by a third party.

Martinez's motions cite the citywide disparities in the count compared to the last one conducted in 2020. The most extreme differences were shown in a west San Fernando Valley district, showing an 80 percent increase, and in the Westside district, which includes Venice, which shows a 40 percent decrease.

In the northwest corner of Venice, LAHSA reported no unsheltered people despite it being known as a place with a heavy density of homelessness. In 2020 LAHSA reported more than 500 people were unsheltered in the same area.

The questionable numbers shown in the Venice count would take the reported decrease of 38.5 percent, which Councilman Mike Bonin credited to "the largest and most successful place-based homelessness intervention programs in Los Angeles, moving nearly 300 people indoors from tents on Venice Beach and in Westchester Park," on Twitter to a 29 percent improvement.

Still, residents who see streets lined with RVs and tents say their confidence in the count is dwindling, and suggest a different method is needed to better represent the homeless population.

Read more from the Los Angeles Times: Los Angeles homeless count raises doubts about accuracy. Is it time for a new way?

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Amazing Rocket Launch To Light Up North Hollywood-Toluca Lake

The Space X rocket's aim is to alter the path of an asteroid, and it's likely to create a dazzling show visible across Southern California.Patch StaffHAWTHORNE, CA — A rare Southern California rocket launch Tuesday night may create a dazzling light spectacle visible across the region. It may also make human history.Hawthorne-based SpaceX was slated to launch a NASA planetary-defense mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Lompoc along California's Central Coast.The mission is a first for humankind. I...

The Space X rocket's aim is to alter the path of an asteroid, and it's likely to create a dazzling show visible across Southern California.

Patch Staff

HAWTHORNE, CA — A rare Southern California rocket launch Tuesday night may create a dazzling light spectacle visible across the region. It may also make human history.

Hawthorne-based SpaceX was slated to launch a NASA planetary-defense mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Lompoc along California's Central Coast.

The mission is a first for humankind. It's called the Double Asteroid Redirection Test, or DART, intended to alter the trajectory of an asteroid moonlet, Dimorphos, by colliding with it at a speed of about 14,700 mph in the fall of 2022.

"The collision will change the speed of the moonlet in its orbit around the main body by a fraction of one percent, but this will change the orbital period of the moonlet by several minutes — enough to be observed and measured using telescopes on Earth," NASA said.

Dimorphos and Didymos pose no threat to Earth and are being targeted solely as a test mission of the redirection technology. The spacecraft's planned impact was expected to occur about 11 million kilometers, or roughly 6.8 million miles, from Earth.

"While no known asteroid larger than 140 meters in size has a significant chance to hit Earth for the next 100 years, only about 40% of those asteroids have been found as of October 2021," according to NASA's mission website.

The launch will be livestreamed on NASA's YouTube channel here.

Previous rocket launches from Vandenberg have created breathtaking light shows dazzling enough to stop traffic on the San Diego Freeway.

SpaceX launches can be impressive because the company brings the first stage of its Falcon 9 rockets back to Earth following separation from the spacecraft being launched into space.

If all goes according to plan, the DART spacecraft will slam into Didymos in September 2022. The impact should be close enough for scientists to observe the results with ground-based telescopes.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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Minimum Wage In North Hollywood To Jump To $16 Due To Inflation

More than 600,000 Angelenos are about to get a raise.Patch StaffLOS ANGELES, CA — Thanks to the rising cost of orange juice, gas, appliances and just about everything else, minimum wage workers in North Hollywood-Toluca Lake will get a raise effective July 1, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Thursday.The new minimum wage in the City of Angels will jump to $16.04 an hour from $15. Triggered by inflation, the wage increase has faced opposition from numerous industry groups that contend it poses a burden on businesses,...

More than 600,000 Angelenos are about to get a raise.

Patch Staff

LOS ANGELES, CA — Thanks to the rising cost of orange juice, gas, appliances and just about everything else, minimum wage workers in North Hollywood-Toluca Lake will get a raise effective July 1, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Thursday.

The new minimum wage in the City of Angels will jump to $16.04 an hour from $15. Triggered by inflation, the wage increase has faced opposition from numerous industry groups that contend it poses a burden on businesses, particularly during times of economic upheaval. Los Angeles city leaders, however, championed the increase as a tool for combating poverty.

"We fought to raise the minimum wage because hard work should always be met with the dignity, respect, and opportunity that fair pay brings," Garcetti said. "Our decision to end poverty wages in L.A. caused a ripple effect across the nation, and this additional increase is the latest reason to celebrate today — and a reminder of how our fight for better wages is far from finished."

The Los Angeles wage increase was signed into law in 2015, lifting it to $15 per hour by 2020 and making it subject to increases each year based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the L.A. metropolitan area.

According to Garcetti's office, more than 600,000 Angelenos make minimum wage and will receive a pay increase on July 1 when it takes effect.

"Everyday workers continue to face many challenges. The minimum wage rate increase is intended to help move us toward a better economy and ensure that employees can have their basic needs met," Dr. Mike Davis, president pro tempore of the Board of Public Works Commission, said in a statement. "I commend the mayor and City Council for their efforts to combat income inequality and our Bureau of Contract Administration for protecting and promoting the health, safety and welfare of workers in Los Angeles."

The Bureau of Contract Administration handles implementing and administering the minimum wage guidelines for Los Angeles.

The bureau's director, John L. Reamer Jr., said the annual pay adjustment is meant to ensure that workers' wages keep pace with inflation.

"This is an important step to address economic realities for every Angeleno who is working hard to support themselves and their families," he said. "As always, our Office of Wage Standards will remain committed to protecting vulnerable workers from experiencing wage theft to advance labor standards in the city and provide hardworking individuals the opportunity to earn a fair wage for the work they perform."

Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry Commerce Association, said his organization opposes the minimum wage increase, as it did when the law tying it to the Consumer Price Index was passed.

"It was a huge increase over a short period of time," he said. Waldman added that the association wanted an "off-ramp" included in the policy, so that the increase does not go into effect when the economy is not doing well.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.

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