Executive Summary

Homelessness is currently one of the most urgent issues facing Orange County. With a Point in Time (PIT) count total of 4,792 individuals experiencing homelessness across the County on a single night in January 2017, it is clear that the impacts of homelessness are profoundly felt in the region. This Housing Funding Strategy (HF Strategy) summarizes the need for supportive housing (including the broad 2,700 supportive housing unit goal established by homeless planning groups in Orange County), the need for affordable housing options for people experiencing homelessness (estimated at an additional 2,700 units or subsidies)1 the costs of creating, operating and providing services in supportive housing, as well as a range of opportunities, challenges and strategies to maximize the creation of supportive housing in Orange County. The HF Strategy outlines:

􏰀  Regional Efforts in Orange County  Affordable Housing Overview

􏰀 Gaps and Special Populations

􏰀  Affordable/Supportive Housing Resources

􏰀  Financial Modeling

􏰀  Opportunities

􏰀  Challenges

􏰀  Recommendations & Next Steps

The HF Strategy summarizes the resources currently available, as well as those that are anticipated, with recommendations for Orange County to maximize competitiveness in successfully funding projects. The urgent crisis of homelessness requires swift action to create pathways out of homelessness for the most vulnerable in our community and this HF Strategy outlines key next steps to maximize housing options for those who need it most.