Laserfiche WebLink
them to better shelters3. The County continues to develop permanent affordable <br />housing to alleviate some of these issues, but in the interim, the City is still faced with <br />an immediate and dire need of shelter for their most at risk population. <br />Orange County Homelessness <br />Census Taken in 2017 <br />Location <br />Estimates <br />State of California <br />134,278 <br />Los Angeles County, CA <br />55,188 <br />San Diego County, CA <br />9,160 <br />Orange County, CA <br />4,792 <br />Santa Ana, CA <br />1,000 <br />Source: HUD 2017 Annual Homeless Assessment Report & Orange <br />County's Point in Time (PIT) Count and survey <br />'As homelessness has spiked over the last several years, it has become evident that <br />a regional plan and collaborative approach to coordinate local responses has <br />become even more important. The City currently partners with local nonprofits, <br />neighboring cities and the County to reduce and address homelessness. Santa Ana <br />staff take every opportunity to participate in regional efforts and to participate in <br />Countywide boards and organizations. "Z <br />— City of Santa Ana: Addressing Homelessness <br />Even though the long-term strategy to address and end homelessness across this <br />country emphasizes permanent housing linked with supportive services, there is still <br />a need for emergency and temporary shelter in every community, including Santa <br />Ana. With such a clear need it seems prudent to consider utilizing the Santa Ana Jail <br />facility as a shelter, if feasible. The following feasibility analysis highlights the <br />strengths and deficiencies associated with such use. <br />Important Factors to Consider in the Planning of a Homeless Shelter Project <br />Planning a homeless shelter project, requires a deep understanding of the issues <br />that are reflected in the programming to serve the homeless population which are <br />necessary for the design of a homeless facility. Questions about users, program <br />operations, budget, and services are some of the important questions for planning a <br />homeless shelter project. The public may be hostile to the project (the not -in my - <br />backyard mentality) also plays an important role in the planning process, especially if <br />the homeless shelter is to serve a general homeless population. <br />Planning a homeless shelter for the general homeless population, creates a <br />challenge to accommodate the diversity of needs from fiscal to mental disabilities. <br />The design program should consider the need to provide separate entrances, for <br />example, for the facility to divide the homeless by gender or mental ability. Hygiene <br />regimens for homeless shelter facilities are also extremely important, and some <br />facilities are cleaned three times a day to prevent infestations and the spread of <br />disease. Finishes, furnishings, and equipment must be up to these durability and <br />cleanable standards to meet demands of a 24/7 facility operation. <br />Many homeless shelters also provide services beyond a bed and hot meal. For <br />example, some shelters provide social worker counseling, health care, nursery care, <br />literacy programs, and job readiness training. <br />65A-106 <br />