HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 - Response to the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Report "How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?"Q �EwPpRT
CITY OF
s NEWPORT BEACH
`q44:09 City Council Staff Report
September 14, 2022
Agenda Item No. 14
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Tara Finnigan, Assistant City Manager - 949-644-3001,
tinnigan@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Natalie Basmaciyan, Homeless Coordinator,
nbasmaciyan@newportbeachca.gov
PHONE: 949-718-1991
TITLE: Response to the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Report "How
is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?"
/_1 163I Z7_T91 6
In accordance with California Penal Code 933.05 (a) and (b), the following response
addresses the report's findings and recommendations pertaining to the City of Newport
Beach.
RECOMMENDATION:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because
this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly;
and
b) Authorize the Mayor to sign the cover letter and remit the responses of the City of
Newport Beach to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court.
DISCUSSION:
The 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) report, "How is Orange County
Addressing Homelessness?" focuses on the collaborative efforts of the Orange County
Continuum of Care Board (CoC), which oversees the distribution of federal and state
homeless funding (Attachment A). The CoC is supported by the Orange County Office of
Care Coordination (OCC), which administers, contracts, monitors budgets, and evaluates
the results of the funded programs. The Grand Jury's report was issued on June 23, 2022,
with responses due within 90 days from the governing body.
The Grand Jury's report includes an overview of how the CoC and OCC coordinate and
collaborate to address homelessness. The Grand Jury report noted progress in the fight
against homelessness, including a system of care across multiple levels of government
programs and community providers. The Grand Jury report provides a total of six findings
and six recommendations. Per California Penal Code 933.05 (a) and (b), the City is
obligated to respond to two of the findings and three recommendations as outlined in the
report.
14-1
Response to the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Report
"How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?"
September 14, 2022
Page 2
The Grand Jury report's findings and recommendations primarily focus on the need for
more shelters in south Orange County and more housing and services across the County,
particularly for those with mental illness and transitional aged youth who are aging out of
the foster care system. The report also recommends more collaboration between the
County and cities. While staff agrees there is more work to be done, the City has made
significant progress over the last several years and built strong partnerships with
neighboring cities and the County to address homelessness. These efforts, detailed in
the proposed response, include the following: In partnership with Costa Mesa, the City
provides 20 shelter beds at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter. City staff works closely with
mental health and social services contractors to shelter people at the County -operated
Yale Navigation Center and other regional shelters or treatment facilities. The City has
contracted with Be Well OC to provide dedicated mental health services to the community
and is actively exploring sites for up to 50 units of permanent supportive housing.
Staff from the City Manager's office prepared the City's proposed responses to the Grand
Jury. Attached is a letter for the Mayor's signature and the City's proposed responses for
submittal to the Presiding Judge (Attachment B).
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A — 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Report
Attachment B — Letter and Proposed Response to the Grand Jury
14-2
ATTACHMENT A
How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
GRAND JURY 2021-2022
14-3
How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
Table of Contents
SUMMARY................................................................................................................................... 1
BACKGROUND........................................................................................................................... 1
REASON FOR THE STUDY...................................................................................................... 4
METHODOF STUDY................................................................................................................. 5
INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS......................................................................................... 5
Orange County Continuum of Care Collaboration.................................................................
S
Prioritizing Homeless Funding...............................................................................................
6
Continuum of Care Funding Oversight...................................................................................
7
Major Funding Sources Overseen by the CoC........................................................................
8
CoC Process to Address Homelessness...................................................................................
8
OC System of Care Resources...............................................................................................
12
FINDINGS...................................................................................................................................
13
RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................................
14
COMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................
14
RESPONSES...............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................
20
GLOSSARY.................................................................................................................................
21
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page ii
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
SUMMARY
Orange County's homeless population continues to be of great concern to residents. Seeing
homeless individuals on the streets raises awareness of this persistent problem, but the elaborate
efforts to address homelessness are less evident. Orange County's response to homelessness is a
collaboration led by the independent Orange County Continuum of Care Board (CoC), which
oversees the distribution of federal and state homeless funding. The CoC is supported by the
Orange County Office of Care Coordination (OCC) which administers contracts, monitors
budgets, and evaluates the results of the funded programs.
The Orange County Grand Jury (OCGJ) studied the CoC to understand how the County is
working to address homelessness. The collaborative efforts led by the CoC and OCC have
resulted in progress in the fight against homelessness, including a system of care across multiple
levels of government programs and community providers. It further established a coordinated
entry system, a cooperative homeless information system, and consolidated applications for
federal and state funds. Together, the members were responsible for a quick and effective
response to the coronavirus disease (COVID) pandemic on the homeless, an increase in the
number of shelter beds, a decrease in homeless encampments, more outreach and treatment
alternatives, and new housing vouchers being available for permanent housing.
This collaborative system of care developed by the CoC and OCC amounts to a great
achievement. The graphs in this OCGJ report show the increased outreach, prevention efforts,
shelter beds provided, and permanent housing made available that the CoC and OCC achieved.
They also show the additional system of care resources provided by the County of Orange to
prevent people from falling into homelessness. Unfortunately, from 2018 to 2021, exits from the
CoC homeless system to permanent housing have hovered between 24 percent and 32 percent.'
Orange County is addressing homelessness with elaborate systems even beyond the efforts of the
CoC and OCC, but the reality of homelessness is that despite these programs our system has
shortcomings and bottlenecks. This OCGJ found that: South Orange County needs an emergency
shelter; homeless individuals suffering from mental illness and substance abuse need court -
ordered treatment; Orange County does not have enough housing affordable to individuals
exiting homeless shelters; and youth aging out of foster care do not have enough safe housing,
resulting in many falling into homelessness.
BACKGROUND
There are numerous causes of homelessness. These causes range from poverty, unemployment,
lack of affordable housing, and individual issues of mental and/or substance use disorders. Other
risk factors include medical problems, physical disability, domestic violence, and youth aging
out of the child-care system.2
The continuum of care concept was created by HUD in 1994 to promote communitywide
commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. HUD provided funding to quickly rehouse
' 211 OC, Longitudinal Systems Analysis, FY 2018 through 2021, from HMIS data.
2 US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 1
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
individuals and families, promote participation in programs for the homeless, and optimize self-
sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness.3
HUD recommended the collaborative development of plans to end homelessness in all
communities receiving HUD funding. In response, Orange County created the Commission to
End Homelessness that published a Ten -Year Plan to End Homelessness in 2012.4 Over the
ensuing decade, implementation of this model Ten -Year Plan was beyond the power of the
Commission and major parts of the plan were not achieved.
Meanwhile, in 2009, HUD outlined the process of building a collaborative CoC comprised of
organizations and individuals dedicated to ending homelessness. The CoC was created in 2016
along with the OCC. HUD, the major fonder of homeless programs, gave the CoC responsibility
for prioritizing the distribution of competitive federal homeless assistance program monies. The
strategy of the CoC is to prioritize funding of programs that focus on four pillars: Prevention,
Outreach, Shelter, and Housing.
Mixed Success in Addressing Homelessness
In Orange County, various approaches to manage homelessness have been tried with varying
levels of success.
• Moving the Homeless: When businesses and residents complained about homeless
individuals, police were expected to relocate them. Pushing homeless individuals out of town
sometimes resulted in simply shifting the problem to neighboring communities.
Ordinances by Cities: Ordinances that criminalized camping on public property or loitering
contributed to the incarceration of homeless individuals, including many suffering from
mental illness and substance abuse issues. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes commented,
`By default, the Orange County Jail had become the de facto mental hospital of Orange
County.... [in] 2018, Orange County jails had about 2,200 inmates with severe mental
illnesses."5
Housing and Treatment: Recent approaches that emphasized housing only or treatment
only fell short in substantially reducing homelessness.
Local Opposition Prevented Shelter and Housing: In Orange County, early efforts to
provide low -threshold emergency shelters to get individuals off the streets were met with
local opposition in most communities, as were developments of housing affordable to
individuals exiting shelters. The development of a Coordinated Entry System (CES)7 helped
reduce the neighborhood impact of shelters.
3 HUD Office of Community Planning and Development, Continuum of Care 101, June 6, 2009.
4 Orange County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, 2012.
5 Nick Gerda, "OC Mental Health Jail Expansion Draws Pushback and Debate", Voice of OC, October 23, 2019.
6 A Low -Threshold Emergency Shelter offers an alternative to living on the streets. Individuals in these shelters
must comply with the shelter rules but are not required to be drug and alcohol free.
7 Coordinated Entry System (CES) is a shared database between service providers that shuttles homeless individuals
in and out of shelters eliminating walk-in and walk -out shelter access that caused community opposition. The CES is
also a point of referral into permanent housing.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 2
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
"John " was a homeless man who lived in Hart Park in the City of Orange for several years.
He sought housing at the County `BRIDGES at Kraemer" shelter, where he stayed for seven
months. He was an Army Veteran and during his time at BRIDGES, the staff worked with him
to obtain identification and get his veteran benefits. Together they developed a housing plan
and found a permanent home for him in Fountain Valley. He reported his joy when
BRIDGES staff even gave him transportation to his new home where he now lives.
Federal Court Intervenes and Regional Shelters Are Opened
In response to a lawsuit against the County of Orange filed on behalf of the homeless individuals
living in large encampments along the Santa Ana River and other public property, a federal
District Court got involved in overseeing the County's actions to clear the encampments.
On February 13, 2018, US District Court Judge David Carter ordered that "OC officials, cities
and homeless advocates collaborate to find shelter for hundreds of people who have been living
in the camps."10 Judge Carter issued a Temporary Restraining Order barring the arrest of those
living along the Santa Ana River stating, "That order will stand until public officials can identify
an alternative place to house those living along the river trail.""
As a result of this litigation, on July 23, 2019, the District Court brokered a Settlement
Agreement between the County of Orange and the advocates for the homeless.12 This agreement
outlined the number of emergency shelter beds that must be developed in each Orange County
Service Planning Area (SPA)13, before any homeless individuals could be removed from the
encampments. This agreement was later adopted by North and Central SPA cities to avoid
litigation and became a major impetus to opening low -threshold emergency shelters in the North
and Central OC communities. South OC SPA cities did not sign the Settlement Agreement and
no new low -threshold emergency shelters have subsequently been opened to meet the need of the
South OC homeless identified in the OCGJ investigation.
REASON FOR THE STUDY
Homelessness continues to be one of the most frequently identified issues of concern to Orange
County residents. 14 Previous Grand Juries examined efforts to address homelessness and made
recommendations, many of which have been implemented.15 Yet concerns about homelessness
persist in our communities. The purpose of this report is to discuss the effectiveness of the CoC
and OCC in collaborating to address Orange County's homelessness through the services that are
provided by the 37 contracts they authorize and oversee. The Grand Jury sought to evaluate the
10 Hannah Fry and Doug Smith, "Frustrated judge demands O.C. find shelter for homeless being evicted from
camps", Los Angeles Times, February 14, 2018
11 Ibid.
12 "Federal Judge Approves Settlement of Homeless Lawsuits", City News Service, July 23, 2019.
" Service Planning Area (SPA) is the division of Orange County cities into three regional areas North, Central, and
South, for the purpose of facilitating regional collaboration in the provision of services to the homeless.
14 OC Annual Survey, Chapman University 2020.
" OCGJ Report 2017-18.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 4
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
amount of money is being spent, the outcomes achieved, and whether this investment of public
dollars is making a difference.
"James " abruptly found himself homeless and on the street at the age of 18 when his foster
parents said they had completed their obligation to him. With few resources, he turned to
friends who let him "couch surf", and then out of desperation, enlisted in the military. After his
service, he returned to Orange County where found a friend to stay with and worked to get back
on his feet. His lifelong struggles with homelessness coupled with excessive anger issues,
addictions, and recovery from negative childhood experiences have required committing to
radical personal change. Today in his early 50s, James has a job, and a mission to serve his
community, teaching kids and helping the homeless with food, resources, and advice.
METHOD OF STUDY
• Reviewed CoC contracts, budgets, and performance evaluations.
• Toured emergency shelters, food service providers, substance abuse and mental health
treatment programs, and the Collaborative Courts.
• Interviewed federal authorities, city managers, shelter providers, homeless outreach workers,
law enforcement personnel, county staff responsible for shelter and affordable housing,
mental health professionals, OC jail staff, and homeless individuals.
• Reviewed documents including the Ten -Year Plan to End Homelessness, Continuum of Care
Board minutes and reports, previous California Grand Jury reports, budgets, articles, and
litigation.
• Conducted internet research on homeless issues.
INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS
Orange County Continuum of Care Collaboration
Since 1998, Orange County has developed a comprehensive regional continuum of care to
address homelessness in Orange County. This collaboration covers Orange County's 34 cities
and unincorporated areas. County departments and agencies, local governments, homeless,
housing, supportive service providers, and community groups (including non -profits, faith -based
organizations, interested business leaders, schools, individuals with lived experience, and many
other stakeholders) joined as participants with the shared mission to address homelessness.
The Orange County Continuum of Care Board (CoC), created in 2016, is the governing body for
the continuum of care, whose goal is to oversee and implement this strategic collaboration as
authorized by federal legislation.16 The CoC is comprised of diverse representatives of the
collaborative participants.
16 Subtitle C of Title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, (42 U.S.C.11381-11389).
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 5
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
The CoC vision is to develop a dignified and equitable system to permanently house those
experiencing homelessness, on a collaborative and regional basis, to allocate funds to match the
greatest needs.
Prioritizing Homeless Funding
The CoC Board is responsible for the distribution of federal, state, and local funding to address
homelessness. These dollars are restricted for specific uses by the funding sources. The CoC
prioritizes awarding contracts based on four strategic pillars, and the OCC administers, monitors,
and evaluates the contracts. The four pillars are:
1. Prevention - short-term intervention to keep people in their homes, avoid eviction, and
stabilize their housing.
2. Outreach - seeking, reaching out to, and engaging individuals as a first step towards ending
their homelessness and providing services to develop self-sufficiency and independence.
3. Shelters- temporary residence providing protection from exposure and a safety net for the
homeless.
4. Housing - including housing coupled with treatment and supportive services enables greater
potential success of homeless individuals suffering from mental illness and substance abuse.
OC CoC Annual Contracts by Pillar 2021
Prevention $910,062
Outreach
Shelter
Housing
Source: Office of Care Coordination.17
17 Contract Inventory 2021, Orange County Office of Care Coordination.
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
Continuum of Care Funding Oversight
The CoC oversees 37 contracts that outline the terms and agreements as to what services must be
provided, and which funding source is used (such as the County General Fund, or various state
and federal grants). The source of funds dictates how the funds must be used.
The CoC receives funding through various state and federal sources through a Notice of Funding
Availability. The CoC issues a Request for Proposals to which qualified non -profits submit
proposals. The CoC and the Commission to End Homelessness work together to establish
funding priorities. The CoC selects which proposals to fund and sends them to the Board of
Supervisors for legal approval.
All contracts specify that audits may be required. Audits are based on performance and proper
use of funds required by the funding source. The County can also request an audit at any time
during the contract term. The OCC monitors the contracts through a monthly Expenditure and
Revenue report. Along with this financial review, the County conducts yearly site visits for each
contract. The on -site audit reviews all aspects of the contract obligations to ensure that the
contractors are compliant with the specifications of the funding.
Contractors who meet or exceed their requirements are typically renewed. Those who fail are
given the opportunity to explain unexpected hurdles they faced, such as COVID issues or other
unavoidable circumstances. After a full review, the CoC Board decides whether to renew or
terminate a contract.
OC Continuum of Care Funding Sources 2021
NOTE: This pie chart includes some grants awarded for multiple years. Source: Office of Care Coordination.18
18 Ibid.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 7
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
Major Funding Sources Overseen by the CoC
A variety of federal, state, and county restrictive grants with specific uses required make up the
funding that the CoC allocates.19
CoC Process to Address Homelessness
OCGJ sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the CoC contracts under each pillar using the data
from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) which is the shared database of all
homeless services providers required by HUD for CoC's and maintained by the non-profit 211
OC.
1. Prevention - CoC investments in homeless prevention, include rental and utility assistance,
as well as housing vouchers, and are measured as "increased income" in the graph below.
The CoC system does not represent the only County of Orange expenditures to prevent
homelessness. The County allocates significant amounts of funding to prevent individuals
and families from becoming homeless as outlined later in this report.
Prevention Performance
10000
9000
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
i000
831 723
2021
o Client Contacts E Increased Income
19 Grant sources include: American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA)*, Business, Consumer and Housing Agency,
COVID 19 Tenant Relief Act (BOSH)*, California Emergency Solution Housing (CESH), Consolidated
Appropriations Act for Rental Assistance (CAA), Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES)*,
Federal Continuum of Care fund (CoC), Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), Homeless Housing Assistance
Prevention (HHAP), HUD Emergency Shelter Grant program (ESG), HUD Housing Community Development
(HCD), Orange County General Fund (GF). * COVID Related Funding.
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
A homeless man hanging out at a volunteer organization that provides food and assistance to the
homeless described his experience in Orange. He stated that because he did not have a home, he
was constantly stopped and harassed by the police, both physically and mentally. He believed that
the Be Well Center was just a trick to get people off the streets. They would 5150 (72-hour mental
health hold) everyone referred to their program and no one ever saw them again.
2. Outreach — Outreach efforts of CoC non-profit contractors resulted in successful exits from
homelessness to shelter increasing about 33 percent from 2,245 in 2019 to 2,994 in 2021. In
that period, outreach efforts by non -profits seeking to build trust with homeless individuals
resulted in the doubling of client contacts, to over 10,000 a year. Increasing client contacts,
building trust, and successful entrance into shelter are measures of successful outreach
programs.
Some people believe that chronically homeless individuals do not want permanent housing
and are resistant to programs. While this may be true in some cases, the OCGJ learned
several reasons for this resistance, including:
• Individuals who lack trust in outreach program staff due to promises previously broken.
• Substance abusers who are not ready for treatment.
• Mentally ill individuals who lack awareness of their illness.
• Individuals who fear for their safety in shelters or housing.
• Individuals who do not like the rule that forbids walking in and out of the shelter and
require access by arranged transportation only.
The OCGJ learned from law enforcement and shelter officials that there were not enough
rehabilitation and treatment facilities and services to meet the need of homeless Orange County
residents suffering from mentally illness or substance abuse.
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
2019
Outreach Performance
O Client Contacts
10,705
7532
2636 2
2020
o Successfully Sheltered
2021
Source: 211 OC, HMIS data, 2019-21
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury
Page 9
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
3. Shelter - Emergency shelter capacity increased over 40 percent from 2,665 in 2017 to 3,756
in 2021, primarily in North and Central SPA cities. This increase helped to temporarily house
many of the homeless of Orange County.
Low -Threshold Emergency Shelters are open to all individuals whose behavior is consistent
with the shelter rules. This includes individuals who are suffering mental illness as well as
those who are still using drugs and alcohol. The County of Orange funds two such shelters,
BRIDGES in the North SPA and YALE in the Central SPA, but has been unsuccessful in
siting a shelter in South SPA.
Navigation Centers are emergency shelters that are funded by cities and other sources.
Shelters have opened in Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach,
Placentia, Tustin, and Santa Ana. Additional shelters are operated by various non -profits and
faith -based organizations around Orange County. The OCGJ found that no low -threshold
emergency shelters had been opened in South SPA cities to meet the identified need.
Various levels of service are provided at the emergency shelters in addition to safe beds,
food, and showers. The low -threshold, multi -service county shelters work with the residents
to do the following: develop a plan to get into permanent housing; get job training and secure
a job; obtain benefits for which they qualify, such as veterans, general relief, disability, or
other public assistance; get into treatment programs to help with their substance abuse or
mental illness; receive medical care and needed medicine; and overcome other individual
challenges to independent living.
Shelter Capacity
4000
3500
3000
2500
ll
I�
2000
3494
1500
2921
2665
1000
500
0
2017
2018 2019
2020 2021
Note: Numbers include year-round and seasonal shelters, and 517 temporary COVID beds. 20
20 HIC Report Year Over Year 2017-21, 211 OC, Orange County, 2021.
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
4. Housing - Permanent housing, including Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), has
increased 13 percent over the last five years, from 3,261 in 2017 to 3,689 in 2021.
Permanent Housing Performance
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000 •�•
1500 -
1000 -
500
0 -
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
J Permanent Housing . I Permanent Supportive Housing
Source: 211 OC Housing Inventory Count 2017-2121
• Housing Vouchers (Section 8) are issued by local Housing Authorities who set aside
some for the homeless. They prioritize individual veterans, disabled, and families with
children, as well as designating some for PSH projects. Vouchers are a permanent
housing subsidy that require individuals to contribute 30 percent of their income to rent.
• Exits from emergency shelters to permanent housing were limited not only by the
number of vouchers available, but by the inability of homeless individuals to find housing
where landlords would accept vouchers. From 2018 to 2021, exits from the CoC
homeless system to permanent housing have hovered between 24 and 32 percent.zz
• 2,700 PSH units were needed according to the PIT count in 2017. PSH is for homeless
individuals who are living with disabilities and mental illness. OC Housing Community
Development leveraged California Mental Health Services Act funds resulting in 2,700
PSH units being built, approved, or in the planning stage as of 2022.
• Treatment programs for homeless individuals, who could benefit from permanent
housing but require treatment programs to be successful, are in short supply.
• Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), are 16-24-year-olds who age out of the Foster Care
system. They are vulnerable and many become homeless. The CoC funds one shelter
with 25 beds for TAY where the waiting list for a bed is nine months. During the
pandemic, housing vouchers for TAY increased from five to 120 but fell short of meeting
the 150 beds needed.23
21 Orange County Housing Stock, 211 OC, Housing Inventory Count 2021 Report.
22 Longitudinal Systems Analysis, 211 OC, FY 2018 through 2021.
23 Dr. Shauntina Sorrells, MSW, DSW, Chief Program Officer, Orangewood Children's Home, Chair CoC TAY
Committee, in a presentation to OC Supervisor Foley's Forum on Homelessness, Santa Ana, April 20, 2022.
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
OC System of Care Resources
While the CoC represents the targeted collaboration to combat homelessness envisioned by
HUD, there are additional programs in the Orange County System of Care that serve homeless
individuals through other County agencies, such as the following:
• Prevention - Health care services which include: mental health, substance abuse
treatment, and public health (infectious disease control); public assistance programs such
as: Cal Fresh (EBT, food assistance), Cal WORKS (job training), Cash Assistance
Program for Immigrants, Medi-Cal, and General Relief (cash assistance).
• Outreach - Link to Services, Housing, Treatment, Basic Skills, and Job Training.
• Shelter - All emergency shelter funds go through the CoC Board.
• Housing - Housing Choice Vouchers, and Supportive Housing.
OC System of Care Resources
FY 2021-22 Budget in Millions
$15
Prevention $749 J
$14
Outreach J ] $19
Shelter _] $28
Housing $ $218
$- $100 $ J $800 $900
u Specifically for Homeless I All Residents Including Homeless
Source County of Orange 24
Total Orange County Cost of Homelessness
In addition to the costs of the Orange County System of Care, the county spends significant
funds annually on homeless individuals in jail and in the criminal justice system. When these
expenditures are included, Orange County homeless costs were an estimated $1.6 billion in FY
2021.25
The graphs in this OCGJ report illustrate the increased outreach, prevention, shelter, and
permanent housing that the CoC and OCC achieved, as well as additional system of care
21 OC System of Care Resources, FY 2021-22, Orange County Office of Care Coordination.
21 OC District 2 Services Assessment Final Report, Moss Adams, February 2022.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 12
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
resources provided by the County of Orange. The 2022 Point in Time count documents the
resulting decrease in homelessness, even as it shows the remaining challenges.
These County of Orange investments to address homelessness make a big difference by taking
many people off the streets, providing shelters with basic services, giving needed medical and
mental health care, helping with job training, and creating some permanent housing. While these
investments are essential, they do not go far enough to house all the homeless people living in
Orange County; in fact, only about 30 percent of the individuals exiting temporary shelters move
into permanent housing.
The challenge of homelessness in our changing economy has been evolving as have our systems
of care and prevention. It is clear that no one approach is going to eradicate homelessness.
However, if we continue to come together to learn and to improve our collective efforts, we will
enable greater success in the exhaustive task of serving this vulnerable population in our
community.
FINDINGS
Based on its investigation described in this report, the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury has
arrived at the following findings:
F1 South Orange County SPA cities lack low -threshold emergency shelters resulting in more
homeless encampments and individuals living on the streets.
F2 Too many of the homeless who are severely and persistently mentally ill and those with
addiction issues end up incarcerated instead of more appropriate placements.
F3 The County of Orange and cities within Orange County have been inconsistent in
collaboration for support of shelters and services, which has resulted in missed opportunities
to end homelessness.
F4 There are an insufficient number of rental units available to those exiting Emergency
Shelters, resulting in the majority returning to homelessness when leaving the shelters.
F5 The Office of Care Coordination, in collaboration with the Continuum of Care Board,
provides an effective community -based system of setting priorities to address homelessness,
learning best practices, awarding and monitoring contracts, and overseeing a comprehensive
system of care. However, the challenge of housing all our homeless requires much more.
F6 Transitional Aged Youth who age out of the Foster Care system are a vulnerable population
that often become homeless and need assistance in finding housing. There are insufficient
resources to adequately serve these young people.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 13
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on its investigation described herein, the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury makes the
following recommendations:
R1 By July 1, 2023, the CoC and County of Orange should leverage funding to persuade South
Orange County cities to open a regional, low -threshold emergency shelter for the homeless,
in addition to the Laguna Beach Friendship Shelter. (F 1)
R2 By July 1, 2023, South OC SPA cities should collaborate in siting and funding a low -
threshold emergency shelter for the homeless, in addition to the Friendship Shelter in
Laguna Beach. (172)
R3 The CoC should fund programs in fiscal year 2022-23 for people with severe and persistent
mental illness and addiction issues to receive supervised care and treatment. (172)
R4 By July 1, 2024, the County of Orange and cities should collaborate to open facilities that
can house people with severe and persistent mental illness and addiction issues in a secure
setting. (F2)
R5 By July 1, 2023, the County of Orange, cities and CoC should collaborate to encourage the
development of housing affordable to individuals exiting the emergency shelters in Orange
County. (173, F4, 175)
R6 By December 1, 2022, the County of Orange, cities and CoC should collaborate to increase
the number of housing opportunities for Transitional Aged Youth. (F6)
COMMENDATIONS
Continuum of Care - The Orange County Grand Jury commends the broad -based collaboration
between the County, cities, non-profit shelter and service providers, homeless advocates, faith -
based organizations helping the homeless and hungry, and public and private entities, known as
the Continuum of Care. This federally supported initiative has a representative board of directors
and enjoys the highly effective professional support of the County of Orange Office of Care
Coordination.
The OCGJ toured facilities and interviewed those engaged at all levels in this community -wide
endeavor and was impressed at the dedication and caring to help the less fortunate in our County.
During the OCGJ investigation into the CoC, several exceptional organizations and dedicated
individuals were brought to our attention. While not a direct part of our focus on the CoC, they
were part of this broad community effort to address homelessness so the OCGJ thought they
warranted honorable mention, including:
• Be Well OC in Orange is an innovative collaboration to provide outreach vans with
mental health crisis teams, and a residential facility to reduce the incarceration of
individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse problems.
• Mary's Kitchen in the city of Orange provides dignified services including food to the
walk-in homeless. Additionally, clients can receive mail and take showers.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 14
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
• Navigation Centers in the cities of Laguna Beach, Fullerton, Buena Park, Placentia,
Tustin, and Huntington Beach are providing critical shelter and services to the homeless.
• Orange County's Emergency Shelters, Yale, and Bridges at Kraemer are unique multi-
service, low -threshold shelters run by PATH and Mercy House respectfully.
• Outreach and Prevention work being done by City Net and city homeless liaisons are
the front line in reaching the chronically homeless.
• Permanent Housing is being developed by many entities overcoming various obstacles.
The Grand Jury commends Jamboree Housing for their successful PSH units we toured,
and the OC Housing Community Development department for their success in leveraging
partnerships to create 2700 units of PSH.
• The Salvation Army operates a low -threshold, comprehensive homeless shelter for the
City of Anaheim and is in the process of building an adjacent apartment complex with
permanent supportive housing.
• US District Court Judge David Carter played an extraordinary role in bringing the
cities and county to the table with the advocates and homeless to create change. His
"hands on" approach demonstrated the compassion he expected of all.
• Whatever It Takes (WIT) Collaborative Court is an initiative to help high risk, high
need, convicted felons, to be successfully reintegrated into society. Coordinated resources
and guidance are offered to complete a program of sobriety, housing, employment,
counseling, relationship issues, and consistent healthy behavior.
RESPONSES
California Penal Code Section 933 requires the governing body of any public agency which the
Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters
under the control of the governing body. Such comment shall be made no later than 90 days after
the Grand Jury publishes its report (filed with the Clerk of the Court). Additionally, in the case of
a report containing findings and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed
by an elected County official (e.g., District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such elected County official
shall comment on the findings and recommendations pertaining to the matters under that elected
official's control within 60 days to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the
Board of Supervisors.
Furthermore, California Penal Code Section 933.05 specifies the manner in which such
comment(s) are to be made as follows:
(a) As to each Grand Jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the
following:
(1) The respondent agrees with the finding.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 15
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
(2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the
response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an
explanation of the reasons therefor.
(b) As to each Grand Jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of
the following actions:
(1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the
implemented action.
(2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the
future, with a time frame for implementation.
(3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and
parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for
discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or
reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This
time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the Grand Jury
report.
(4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not
reasonable, with an explanation therefor.
(c) If a finding or recommendation of the Grand Jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters
of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department
head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the Grand Jury, but the response
of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary /or personnel matters over which
it has some decision -making authority. The response of the elected agency or department head
shall address all aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or
department.
The Orange County Grand Jury requires and requests the following responses:
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
OC Board of Supervisors
X
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
OC Board of Supervisors
X
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Aliso Viejo
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
Rl
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Aliso Viejo
X
X
X
X
X
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 16
14-20
How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Anaheim
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Anaheim
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Brea
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Brea
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Buena Park
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Buena Park
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Costa Mesa
X
X
90 Day Response Required
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Costa Mesa
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Cypress
X
X
90 Day Response Required
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Cypress
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Dana Point
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Dana Point
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Fountain Valley
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Fountain Valley
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Fullerton
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Fullerton
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Garden Grove
X
X
90 Day Response Required
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Garden Grove
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Huntington Beach
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Huntington Beach
X
X
X
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 17
14-21
How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Irvine
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Irvine
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
La Habra
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
La Habra
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
La Palma
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
La Palma
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Laguna Beach
X
X
90 Day Response Required
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Laguna Beach
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Laguna Hills
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Laguna Hills
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Laguna Niguel
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Laguna Niguel
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Laguna Woods
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
Rl
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Laguna Woods
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Lake Forest
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Lake Forest
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Los Alamitos
X
X
90 Day Response Required
Rl
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Los Alamitos
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Mission Viejo
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Mission Viejo
X
X
X
X
X
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 18
14-22
How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Newport Beach
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Newport Beach
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Orange
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Orange
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Placentia
X
X
90 Day Response Required
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Placentia
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Rancho Santa Margarita
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Rancho Santa Margarita
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
San Juan Capistrano
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
San Juan Capistrano
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Santa Ana
X
X
90 Day Response Required
Rl
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Santa Ana
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Seal Beach
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Seal Beach
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Stanton
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Stanton
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Tustin
X
X
90 Day Response Required
Rl
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Tustin
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Villa Park
X
X
90 Day Response Required
RI
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Villa Park
X
X
X
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 19
14-23
How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Westminster
X
X
90 Day Response Required
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Westminster
X
X
X
90 Day Response Required
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Yorba Linda
X
X
90 Day Response Required
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Yorba Linda
X
X
X
90 Day Response Requested
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Office of Care Coordination
X
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Requested
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Office of Care Coordination
X
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Requested
F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
Continuum of Care Board
X
X
X
X
X
X
90 Day Response Requested
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
Continuum of Care Board
X
X
X
X
X
X
REFERENCES
211 OC Website Data: Orange County CoC Dashboard — Orange County HMIS (ochmis.org)
211 OC Housing Inventory Count, Orange County Housing Stock, from HMIS data, 2021 Report
211 OC, HIC Report Year Over Year, from HMIS data, for Orange County 2017-2021
211 OC, Longitudinal Systems Analysis, from HMIS data FY 2018 through 2021
City of Anaheim, Addressing Homelessness FACT SHEET, Winter 2021
Chapman University, OC Annual Survey 2020
City News Service, Federal Judge Approves Settlement of Homeless Lawsuits, 7/23/2019
City of Fullerton, Report of the Fullerton Task Force on Homelessness and Mental Health
Services, 5/15/2012
City of Fullerton, Housing Game Plan, 3/9/2021
Fullerton Homeless Plan Committee, Strategic Plan for Addressing Homelessness, 1/24/2020
Los Angeles Times, Frustrated judge demands O. C. find shelter for homeless being evicted from
camp, 2/14/2018
Moss Adams, OC District 2 Services Assessment Final Report, February 2022
OCGJ Report, Where there's a Will There's a Way, 2018
OCGJ Report, Homeless Report, 2005
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 20
14-24
How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
OC Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, 2012
Orange Housing Finance Trust, https:Hochft.org
Orange County, OC System of Care Resources by Resource Type, Budget 2020-2022
Office of Care Coordination (OCC) Contract Map, 2021-22
OCC, Contract Inventory, 2021
OCC, Coordinated Entry System Policy and Procedures 9/11/2019
OCC, Emergency Shelter List by SPA, 3/9/2021
OCC, Contracts Monitoring System Reports, 2021
OCC, Website Documents and Reports, www.ochealthinfo.com/about-hca/directors-
office/office-care-coordination/homeless-services/continuum-care
OC Community Resources, HUD Consolidated Plan, 6/23/2020
OC Register, Welcome Home OC 12/12/21
Orange County Point in Time Count, 2017-2022
Subtitle C of Title IV of the McKinney- Vento Homeless Assistance Act, (42 U.S.C.11381-
11389). As noted in CFR 24 Part 578.1
US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration
US Department of Housing and Urban Development, CoC Homeless Assistance Programs
Populations and Sub -Populations Reports 2016-2020
United Way of OC, Homelessness in Orange County: The Cost to Our Community, 2017
Voice of OC, OC Mental Health Jail Expansion Draws Pushback and Debate, 10/23/2019
Voice of OC, Where does OC's Homelessness Spending Actually Go? Here's What We Found
Out, 7/25/21
GLOSSARY
211 OC: A non-profit that administers the county Homeless Management Information System
and publishes the data on their website.
Chronically Homeless: An individual or family who is homeless and lives in a place not meant
for human habitation, for at least 1 year.
Chronic Substance Abuse: adults with a substance abuse problem that is expected to be of
indefinite duration and substantially impairs the person's ability to live independently.
Commission to End Homelessness: A collaborative board of County and city government,
private foundations, advocacy groups, community organizations, and other interested
stakeholders that promote the success of the Ten -Year Plan to End Homelessness.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 21
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How is Orange County Addressing Homelessness?
Coordinated Entry System (CES): A system to coordinate program participant intake
assessment, and provision of referral.
Continuum of Care (CoQ: A HUD -mandated local board of individuals and organizations
working together to address homelessness on a regional basis.
Disability: A person with physical, mental, or emotional impairment, which is expected to be of
long duration, and substantially impedes an individual's ability to live independently.
Domestic Violence: The act of family member, partner or ex -partner attempting to physically or
psychologically dominate another.
Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS): Computerized data base to capture
client -level information on the characteristics and service needs of those experiencing
homelessness.
Housing Inventory Count (HIC): The HUD -mandated annual count of homeless shelter beds
available, conducted by the CoC.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): An agency of the United
States Government.
Low -Threshold Emergency Shelter: A facility offering limited shelter as a safe alternative to
living on the streets and provides essential services. "Low -threshold" means that individuals do
not have to be drug and alcohol free, only that their behavior complies with the shelter rules.
Navigation Center: Another name for emergency shelter, emphasizing the service provided to
residents to navigate to permanent housing, jobs, medical care, and other independent living
skills.
Office of Care Coordination (OCC): County of Orange staff who provide support to the CoC
Board and coordinate homeless program funds and services.
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): Long-term, community -based housing that has
supportive services for homeless persons with disabilities including mental illness.
Point -in -Time Count & Survey (PIT): A community -wide effort to collect information on the
number and characteristics of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Severely and Persistently Mentally Ill: adults with mental health problems that are expected to
be life-long and substantially impairs the person's ability to live independently.
Sheltered Homeless: individuals who are in emergency shelters, navigation centers, or other
temporary housing.
Service Planning Area (SPA): Divisions of Orange County into North, Central, and South
cities to coordinate homeless shelters and services on a regional basis.
Unsheltered Homeless: individuals who spent last night in the streets, a vehicle, an abandoned
building, bus/train station, camping not in a designated campground, sleeping anywhere outside,
or other place not meant for human habitation or stayed in friend or family's garage, backyard,
porch, shed or driveway.
2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Page 22
14-26
ATTACHMENT B
September 14, 2022
The Honorable Erick L. Larsh
Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Response to the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury Report Titled "How is Orange
County Addressing Homelessness?"
Dear Judge Larsh,
The City Council of the City of Newport Beach (City) has authorized me to submit the City's
response to the 2021-2022 Orange County Grand Jury report entitled, "How is Orange County
Addressing Homelessness?" In accordance with California Penal Code 933.05(a) and (b), the
following response addresses the report's findings and recommendations pertaining to the City
of Newport Beach.
FINDINGS
Finding F3: The County of Orange and cities within Orange County have been
inconsistent in collaboration for support of shelters and services, which has resulted in
missed opportunities to end homelessness.
Response: The City of Newport Beach disagrees partially with this finding. Newport Beach
recognizes that the County of Orange and cities must further streamline communication and
continue to work together to identify and implement projects to provide more shelter beds,
develop more permanent supportive and affordable housing, and provide consistent homeless
outreach and services across jurisdictional boundaries throughout the county. However, it is
important to note that progress has been made over the past few years and a collaborative
network is in place within the Central Service Planning Area (Central SPA). The City
appreciates the cooperation occurring between Newport Beach, the County of Orange and
neighboring communities.
The collaborative efforts between the County, the Orange County Continuum of Care and local
cities have resulted in the creation of several shelters and services that better address
unsheltered homelessness.
For example, the City of Newport Beach entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the
City of Costa Mesa to secure 20 of the 70 beds and on -site services in the Costa Mesa Bridge
Shelter. The shelter opened in April 2021 and since that time, the City of Newport Beach has
sheltered an average of 18 people each night at this facility. Newport Beach and Costa Mesa
staff members meet weekly to review shelter operations and discuss client case management.
The City communicates and coordinates routinely with County representatives as well. The
City's full-time Homeless Coordinator participates in:
• County of Orange, Continuum of Care Board meetings and advisory committees
14-27
• County of Orange Point in Time County Advisory Committee
• Orange County Housing Finance Trust meetings
• County of Orange Commission to End Homelessness and other related meetings
• Mind OC, Be Well OC Learning Collaborative quarterly meetings.
The City's full-time Homeless Liaison Officer (HLO) coordinates weekly with the Orange County
Healthcare Agency Outreach Case Manager and attends bi-monthly, countywide, HLO
meetings where law enforcement representatives discuss best practices and learn about other
jurisdictions' shelter operations. Further, a County mental health specialist who serves as a
member of the County's Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT), rides along with one
of the Newport Beach Police Department's patrol officers. The PERT team member conducts
evaluations of persons in the field and takes appropriate action, such as planning follow-up
care.
The City also often coordinates with agencies such as OCTA, OCSD and other entities on
cross -jurisdictional matters related to homelessness.
Finding F4: There are an insufficient number of rental units available to those exiting
Emergency Shelters, resulting in the majority returning to homelessness when leaving
the shelters.
Response: The City of Newport Beach agrees with this finding. Individuals and families
experiencing homelessness often encounter delays in securing appropriate permanent housing.
Throughout the county, there is a lack of affordable units, particularly one -bedroom units and
those designated for older adults.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation R4: By July 1, 2024, the County of Orange and cities should
collaborate to open facilities that can house people with severe and persistent mental
illness and addiction issues in a secure setting (F2)
Response: This recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the
future. The City of Newport Beach agrees that there are not yet enough housing options to
assist people experiencing homelessness who struggle with mental illness or substance abuse
issues.
The City is a member of the Orange County Housing Finance Trust, the joint powers authority
comprised of the County of Orange and 24 cities, that share the goal of creating 2,700
permanent supportive housing units by June 30, 2025. Since the County's adoption of the
Orange County Housing Funding Strategy and through the Orange County Housing Finance
Trust, 1,273 permanent supportive housing units have been completed or are in progress. The
City of Newport Beach is currently seeking a site to build up to 50 units of permanent supportive
housing within the community.
The City of Newport Beach has also contracted with Be Well OC, which operates a mobile crisis
response unit in the community. Be Well OC provides a dedicated team of mental health
professionals that serves the Newport Beach community 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. The
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Be Well team places people experiencing homelessness into shelters; provides direct referrals
into appropriate treatment facilities such as its Orange campus, College Hospital and other
available treatment facilities; and/or reunites them with estranged family. Be Well OC plans to
open a second, 20-acre campus in the City of Irvine. It is anticipated that phase one of this
facility will open in calendar year 2024.
Recommendation R5: By July 1, 2023, the County of Orange, cities and CoC should
collaborate to encourage the development of housing affordable to individuals exiting
the emergency shelters in Orange County (FF3, F4, F5)
Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the
future. The City of Newport Beach understands the importance of permanent supportive
housing and selected two developers to compete to develop a housing project with up to 50
units in Newport Beach. Each firm must identify a site and develop a concept to present to the
City Council. The real estate market has been challenging, and as of August 2022, both firms
are still working to identify a viable site. The City Council has committed $3 million to help fund
the development of permanent supportive housing projects.
Newport Beach also continues to seek opportunities to partner with other cities within the
Central SPA on a permanent supportive housing project.
Recommendation R6: By December 1, 2022, the County of Orange, cities and CoC should
collaborate to increase the number of housing opportunities for Transitional Age Youth
(F6)
Response: The recommendation has been implemented. Any Transitional Aged Youth (TAY)
identified in Newport Beach enters the County's established Coordinated Entry System and the
County then identifies housing for the TAY through a separate prioritized process.
The City of Newport Beach continues to address homelessness through a proactive,
coordinated approach that connects people to services and shelters with a goal of finding and
maintaining permanent housing. The City of Newport Beach appreciates this opportunity to
respond to the findings and recommendations contained in the Orange County Grand Jury's
report.
Sincerely,
Kevin Muldoon
Mayor
Cc: City Council
Orange County Grand Jury
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