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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness? <br /> <br />2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 14 <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATIONS <br />Based on its investigation described herein, the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury makes the <br />following recommendations: <br />R1 By July 1, 2023, the CoC and County of Orange should leverage funding to persuade South <br />Orange County cities to open a regional, low-threshold emergency shelter for the homeless, <br />in addition to the Laguna Beach Friendship Shelter. (F1) <br />R2 By July 1, 2023, South OC SPA cities should collaborate in siting and funding a low- <br />threshold emergency shelter for the homeless, in addition to the Friendship Shelter in <br />Laguna Beach. (F2) <br />R3 The CoC should fund programs in fiscal year 2022-23 for people with severe and persistent <br />mental illness and addiction issues to receive supervised care and treatment. (F2) <br />R4 By July 1, 2024, the County of Orange and cities should collaborate to open facilities that <br />can house people with severe and persistent mental illness and addiction issues in a secure <br />setting. (F2) <br />R5 By July 1, 2023, the County of Orange, cities and CoC should collaborate to encourage the <br />development of housing affordable to individuals exiting the emergency shelters in Orange <br />County. (F3, F4, F5) <br />R6 By December 1, 2022, the County of Orange, cities and CoC should collaborate to increase <br />the number of housing opportunities for Transitional Aged Youth. (F6) <br />COMMENDATIONS <br />Continuum of Care - The Orange County Grand Jury commends the broad-based collaboration <br />between the County, cities, non-profit shelter and service providers, homeless advocates, faith- <br />based organizations helping the homeless and hungry, and public and private entities, known as <br />the Continuum of Care. This federally supported initiative has a representative board of directors <br />and enjoys the highly effective professional support of the County of Orange Office of Care <br />Coordination. <br />The OCGJ toured facilities and interviewed those engaged at all levels in this community-wide <br />endeavor and was impressed at the dedication and caring to help the less fortunate in our County. <br />During the OCGJ investigation into the CoC, several exceptional organizations and dedicated <br />individuals were brought to our attention. While not a direct part of our focus on the CoC, they <br />were part of this broad community effort to address homelessness so the OCGJ thought they <br />warranted honorable mention, including: <br />• Be Well OC in Orange is an innovative collaboration to provide outreach vans with <br />mental health crisis teams, and a residential facility to reduce the incarceration of <br />individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse problems. <br />• Mary’s Kitchen in the city of Orange provides dignified services including food to the <br />walk-in homeless. Additionally, clients can receive mail and take showers.