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Susana Sandoval, City Council Meeting September 4, 2018: Agenda item 65C <br />The Santa Ana Healthy Neighborhoods Alliance opposes the proposed MOU as it is written and <br />URGES YOU TO VOTE NO! <br />Santa Ana now provides 70% of the shelter beds in OC and 52% of homeless <br />reported coming from outside Santa Ana (March 2018). <br />According to the United States Census Bureau, Santa Ana has a total area of 27.5 square <br />miles, It is the 4th most densely populated place in the United States with a population <br />of 338,247 with density of 12,471.5 people per sq. mile. <br />The proposed magnitude of the shelter that houses 600 beds is not reasonable <br />considering the density of our city and the services that we struggle to currently provide. <br />The proposed location at 3100-3120 W. Central Ave/ or other industrial area is not a solution; <br />the industrial areas are for manufacturing companies and to generate more businesses moving <br />into Santa Ana, not moving out. <br />Have there been environmental studies on the proposed locations, have the City Planners drawn <br />up the design on the proposed shelter and how it would work for public knowledge and input. <br />Is there a 600 Bed Shelter model currently in the nation that city manager, staff and council have <br />researched --- its operation and functionality? <br />If one does exist, does it have the density and similar characteristics of Santa Ana? <br />Have public forums been held for business owners, residents and schools to be engaged and have <br />a voice in the MOU proposed policies? The proposed MOU with the County is contrary to the <br />Sunshine Ordinance that requires transparency and accountability. <br />We recommend that you work with the County, Costa Mesa and Governor Brown to consider <br />Fairview Developmental Center as a viable and reasonable solution as one of the OC Homeless <br />Shelter sites. This facility was designed to provide housing and services to special needs <br />populations, it is a safe and secure space, that can provide a green environment. <br />Finally, the relocation of the Mental Health Association Multi Service Center at 2416 S. Main <br />needs to be included in a revised MOU with the County. You have all received email reports and <br />photos of the devastation for the businesses, school children and parents who experience daily <br />inappropriate behaviors of the homeless with mental illness and drug addiction. Some of you <br />have walked this neighborhood and seen first had the devastation and crisis that the Delhi and <br />surrounding neighborhoods live with daily. <br />We support transitional and permanent housing with services for homeless to be spread across <br />the county cities and represented in all 5 Districts, not a 600 -bed facility in our industrial parks or <br />our city. <br />