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Orozco, Norma From: Carol Winters < Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2018 10:21 AM To: eComment; Pulido, Miguel; Sarmiento, Vicente; Martinez, Michele; Solorio, Jose; Benavides, David; Villegas, Juan; Tinajero, Sal; Godinez, Raul; andrew.do@ocgov.com; todd.spitzer@ocgov.com Subject: SA proposed build of 600-700 bed shelter Categories: Correspondence Dear elected representatives, As a constituent in your local areas, I would like to pose some questions regarding the proposal that Santa Ana will build a 600-700 bed shelter to theoretically help solve the homeless problem(s) in our county and local cities. 1) How does sheltering homeless people who are homeless for a number of very different reasons (loss of job, circumstances, drug addition, mental health issues, preference, etc) address the root causes of the significant homelessness and related criminal activity in our city and county? It seems that over the last few years homeless people have been provided items to help them have shelter and transportation (including tents, bikes, clothing, facilities to sleep and shower, food), yet the problem and its related criminal activity has escalated. This to me seems to indicate we are NOT addressing the root causes of the problems. I have had a homeless person in my back yard mid-afternoon looking for what he could take. Now we have to lock our gate, shed, cars, windows, doors, garage, etc. anytime we leave the house. This was not a problem in my neighborhood 10 years ago. It is also not fair to our local businesses. I use to see a homeless man at the Bristol Starbucks. He would come into the Starbucks, gather water/plastic glass, napkins, straws, etc to take with him. He would also change/clean up in the bathroom and then throw his old, dirty cloths in the Starbucks trash can. We would talk a little while I was waiting for my drink. He liked living outside. Every month he collected his SS/SSI check and that was all he needed he told me. He did not purchase anything from Starbucks. He had no problem taking supplies from the Starbucks or using their restrooms. Now the Starbucks has the restroom access coded for use of those who purchase items. He got clothes donated to him, he knew where to get a free meal. 2) Drug addiction is one of the significant root causes of homelessness. Shelters typically do not allow addicts to use while in residence. Allowing addicts to come get food, a place to shower and sleep only to have them leave and continue to use drugs and steal to get the resources to barter or purchase the drugs does not seem to be addressing the root problem -their addiction. How is this 600-700 bed shelter going to address this addiction root problem? It seems this is actually going to have the opposite impact -they do not have to get sober. They have a place to sleep and eat to give them the strength to continue to use and steal until it kills them or puts them in our jails, or they hurt someone else. 3) Why not expand the financial support to existing organizations that are experts in dealing with various facets of homelessness? An example is the Orange County Rescue Mission. There are excellent women's organizations, children's organizations. Seems the county and cities would do 18