Villarreal hired by Riverside

Lorissa Villarreal has been named Riverside’s homeless solutions officer.

Villareal, who has spent eight years working for nonprofits, is scheduled to start work on Dec. 10.

“We need a data-driven strategy to reduce the number of people without shelter in our community,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said in a statement. “Villarreal’s knowledge and experience will help us develop a more informed approach leading to real solutions in our city.”
While working with New Opportunities Organization, a nonprofit based in Hawthorne in Los Angeles County, Villarreal helped secure millions of dollars for adult education.

“Whether it is helping incarcerated people integrate back into society or reducing homelessness, there must be a team effort that involves the entire community,” Villarreal said in the statement. “I look forward to working with the city and our community partners to make important progress on this issue.”