Scott Larson (below
right), the executive director of HomeAid Orange County, took time from his
schedule to teach my friend John Braun and me about the continuum of housing
solutions for homeless people in Orange County, California.
 |
The types of housing he
discussed were emergency housing, transitional housing, and permanent /
supportive housing.
Types of Housing - by Length of Stay*
| Type of Housing | Description |
|---|---|
| Permanent Housing | This just means that there is no time limit on how long you can reside in the housing or receive the housing assistance. It is meant to be long-term. “Permanent supportive housing” (or PSH) is just permanent housing that makes support services available to help you maintain your housing and access community resources. |
| Transitional Housing | This means that there is a time limit on how long you can stay in the housing or receive the housing assistance. HUD defines transitional housing as stays of up to 24 months (but stays can be shorter). |
| Short-Term or Temporary Housing | This means that the housing situation is intended to be very short-term or temporary (30, 60, or 90 days or less). |
| Emergency Shelter | Provides a place to stay or bed to sleep in overnight if you become homeless or otherwise experience a housing crisis and have no place to go. |
*http://homebaseforhousing.org/Education/Definitions.cshtml
After describing each type and their role in serving the homeless, Scott showed us a map of where each type of housing was in Orange County and where the greatest needs were both in terms of the type of housing involved and its geographic location.
After describing each type and their role in serving the homeless, Scott showed us a map of where each type of housing was in Orange County and where the greatest needs were both in terms of the type of housing involved and its geographic location.
Scott then took us on a tour to see firsthand the various housing types. A few of our stops are described below.
THE COURTYARD IN SANTA ANA
The Courtyard is an emergency shelter that just opened near the Santa Ana Civic
Center. The Courtyard is a former bus terminal that is
now open 24 hours a day to provide a safe place to sleep for up to 400 people
per night. Those that stay at the courtyard can also shower, do laundry,
and store their belongings there. The
shelter is divided into areas designated for individuals, couples, people with
pets, and those ready to move into more permanent housing. Most
importantly, the clients can be connected to a variety of services such as
medical clinics, veteran's support and legal aid. The
Courtyard is a joint venture between the city of Santa Ana, the County of
Orange and the Midnight
Mission.
Orange County Armory Cold Weather
Shelter - Santa Ana
For several years, the Orange County Cold Weather Armory Emergency Shelter program provides shelter and services for the homeless at the National Guard Armories in Fullerton and Santa Ana during the cold winter months. The homeless will receive a nutritious meal, a warm shower, and a safe place to sleep. Volunteers will pass out donations of warm clothing and Service Providers from Orange County will be on site to provide needed services. A condition of use with the National Guard is that the everything be torn down and put into storage each day to in case the National Guard is called into service that day. Mercy House operates the shelter for the county. |
ISAIAH HOUSE EMERGENCY HOUSING
Isaiah House of the Orange County Catholic
Worker has served poor people since 1987. Located in Santa Ana's eastside,
this house is open to those most at risk on the streets. Isaiah House offers
formal meals for the homeless, shelter, bags of food and clothing, showers,
emergency assistance, a relaxing backyard, and encouragement. Isaiah House was founded and operates on the principle
of “seeking God by living with the poor”.
Orange County Rescue
Mission Transitional Living Facility
The
Orange County Rescue Missions’ Villageof Hope is a comprehensive 192-bed transitional housing facility for
homeless men, women and children located on a five acre campus in Tustin. The Mission serves the homeless by providing
services such as residential housing for up to two years, medical and dental
care, meals, job training, case management, substance abuse treatment, parent
training, anger management training, mental health care assessment and
treatment, housing assistance and placement, and life skills training.
The Orange County Rescue Mission was established in 1963 and operated out
of a store front facility in Santa Ana, CA., providing food and shelter to very
poor and homeless populations. It was founded by Marine Corps Technical
Sergeant Lewis White and his wife. Today, the Christian-based Orange
County Rescue Mission is the county’s largest privately funded human service
agency for the poor and homeless. The magnitude of the services they provide is
shown in the table below.
SALVATION ARMY
HOSPITALITY HOUSE
The Salvation
Army Hospitality House provides homeless single
adult males with a clean, safe place to stay. The Santa Ana Hospitality
House has a capacity of 75 beds, and also provides clients with meals, an
on-site case worker and job placement assistance. Beds are assigned based on
availability, as well as a designated length of stay. However, individuals who
need more time to rebuild their lives have the opportunity to extend their stay
and participate in the transitional living programs. Food, clothing, and counseling
services are provided free of charge to those that are in need, as well as work
search and integrated employment programs.
Services include:
-Transitional Living Programs
-Emergency Shelter
-Daily Meal Service
-Case Management and Counseling
-Employment Assistance and Job Placement
-Substance Abuse Recovery Services and Crisis Intervention
-Transportation and Basic Needs Assistance
-Computer and Life Skills Classes
-Weekly Worship Services
-Transitional Living Programs
-Emergency Shelter
-Daily Meal Service
-Case Management and Counseling
-Employment Assistance and Job Placement
-Substance Abuse Recovery Services and Crisis Intervention
-Transportation and Basic Needs Assistance
-Computer and Life Skills Classes
-Weekly Worship Services
Summary
Thanks again to Scott
Larson, the Orange County HomeAid Executive Director for teaching us about
homeless housing options in Orange County. Orange County HomeAid has been instrumental in building and
rehabilitating facilities like these all over Orange County. It was clear that while much has been done, the need remains great. HomeAid and the other organizations described above are all well deserving of any type of support you can provide.
