AGENDA_2018-03-30_SPECIAL (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Myth of the Tent City The majority of Irvine opponents to their proposed site are trying to make us imagine a tent city that would likely resemble the Santa Ana River tent cities. While even if that were the case, we all know that is not the vision for any proposed emergency shelter. The shelters would be semi- permanent large tents and not individual camping tents. While Santa Ana still has a true tent city at the Plaza of the Flags, that will not be the case for a County sponsored site and even if it was, does that mean that Irvine and other areas of the county deserve better than Santa Ana. I trust that you will communicate the infrastructure to be implemented appropriately to the community at large. I also trust that you will provide in short order grading, temporary facilities, proper sanitation, recreation areas, and space for supportive services for the residents of the shelters. This is only right to do. We are very fortunate that the county has the funding already to provide for the infrastructure for the emergency shelters and I urge you to utilize the funds across the county. Available Homeless Services People are indicating that the Irvine location is not acceptable because there are not services available there. There were not services at one point where every homeless shelter is located. Every site begins with a plan and then the services and the shelter are provided. The 100-acre site can certainly have localized supportive services for mental health, medical needs, occupational training, and other necessary services. The sanitary system including toilets and showers can be provided on a temporary basis while more permanent facilities are established. The lack of established services at any site certainly should not be a deterrent to providing emergency shelter. With a plan, and just a little time, services can be established. Fortunately, the county has the available funds to properly provide these services to those in need. Contamination of the 100-acre Irvine Site The mayor of Irvine and others indicated that the 100-acre Irvine site was not fit for the homeless because of the contamination. This site is 100-acres large. This is not a small site. If 41 acres of the site is not yet habitable, then that leaves another 59 acres of clean land. That is still a very large plot of land to work with. In fact, I would imagine that any site plan for temporary housing would likely be at most 25 acres large. A much smaller footprint certainly can be helpful also. The Courtyard is certainly not 100, 59, or even 25-acres large. It does not need to be 100 acres large. If it is determined that the 100-acre site is not entirely clean, then I would urge you to consider that the remaining 59 acres is available. Further, I would urge you to not even utilize the full 59 acres of clean land but instead to provide a buffer so that only approximately 25 acres is utilized. This will also provide ample space for supportive services, utilities, job training offices, and hygiene and recreational type areas at the Irvine location. Alternative Irvine Site An alternative site in Irvine at Alton and Irvine Center Drive has been proposed. I applaud that another site has been identified. This should not be an alternative to the 100-acre site but instead part of the next step in the long term solution. The site has been proposed to be a permanent structure for housing of certain homeless individuals. First, it should not only be limited to veterans . 71Fage