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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />SEPTEMBER 4, 2018 <br />TITLE: <br />APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF <br />UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COUNTY OF <br />ORANGE TO TRANSITION THE <br />COURTYARD EMERGENCY HOMELESS <br />SHELTER TO A NEW LOCATION AND <br />EXPAND HOMELESS SHELTER BEDS FOR <br />SANTA ANA <br />(STRATEGIC PLAN NOS. 1,6; 5,4; 5,6) <br />(0_9XAiJ_C Tj MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />APPROVED <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 1b' Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2ntl Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Authorize the City Manager execute the Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Orange <br />subject to non -substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The City of Santa Ana is currently experiencing a homeless crisis as one of the most urgent issues <br />concerning public health and safety. As the County seat, Santa Ana has experienced the <br />overwhelming impact of homelessness from the entire County of Orange. According to the 2017 <br />Point -in -Time (PIT) homeless count, the City accommodates over 13 times its fair share of the <br />unsheltered homeless population, nearly seven times its fair share of the sheltered population and, <br />in total, carries 22 times the portion of the homeless population that other cities have. <br />In fact, due to the overwhelming visibility of the unsheltered homeless population, on March 31, <br />2018, the City conducted a Citywide PIT count, and found that over 50% of the population arrived <br />in Santa Ana from other parts of Orange County. The PIT count resulted in a 121 % increase in the <br />unsheltered homeless population compared to last year's homeless count; further validating the <br />City being negatively impacted by the lack of homeless shelters throughout the County. <br />The 2018 City led PIT count also indicated that Santa Ana is home to an estimated 587 sheltered <br />homeless and 1,030 unsheltered homeless for a total 1,617 homeless population. This includes <br />individuals, youth and families. The PIT also revealed that 82% of the unsheltered population <br />reported chronic homelessness and over 30% reported mental health disability, medical health <br />disability, substance abuse, and domestic violence as barriers to attaining housing on their own. <br />65C-1 <br />