Working to End Homelessness in Orange County @2018

excerpted from

Bartlett Bulletin June 1, 2018  Volume 5 Issue 22

Working to End Homelessness in Orange County

will work to end homelessness

Over the last few years, the County has made considerable progress in creating the system of care for the homeless. However, homelessness continues to be a communitywide issue, and we are committed to working collaboratively with our cities to find a solution to this problem.

Since the County became involved in the federal court case pertaining to homelessness, we have made progress in enhancing the system of care. In recent weeks, the County has made significant strides including:

    • A pilot program with Illumination Foundation to serve the 60 most severe medical cases among the homeless.
    • Enhanced mental health treatment beds
    • Enhanced recuperative care services
    • Additional Health Care Agency Outreach and Engagement staff and police resources stationed in South County cities

The County continues to work with cities to address the immediate need to enhance shelter capacity and the County will reach a milestone with the completion of the first year round emergency shelter, Bridges at Kramer.

As the County continues to address the immediate need for additional bed capacity, we are focused on the long term goal of creating 2,700 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units. The County is moving forward with nearly 500 PSH units in the pipeline, and we will continue to work with our cities toward the 2,700 unit goal.

For information on the Orange County Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan Update, please see the press release.

 

 

 

Press Releases    envelope icon Sign up for Press Releases E-mail Updates

June 12, 2018  Board of Supervisors Continues its Momentum to Address Homelessness   Today the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a County directive to expedite 11 housing projects in the pipeline for Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding, unveiled a Housing Funding Strategy to develop 2,700 housing units and paved the way to receive approximately $15.5 million in state Emergency Homelessness Aid Block Grant funding by declaring a Homeless Shelter Crisis.

June 1, 2018  County of Orange Mental Health Services Act Plan Update for FY 2018/2019 During a County of Orange Board of Supervisors meeting on May 22, the Board approved the Orange County Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan Update FY 2018/2019, directing staff to execute updates that include adding 58 MHSA-related positions to the Health Care Agency (HCA). The County's estimated year-end balance, as of June 30, 2018, is $81 million, with no funds subject to reversion to the State of California.