Supervisor Andrew Do: Homeless Shelter Operator Should Prioritize Innovation, Value for Taxpayers

Santa Ana, California – The County of Orange has opened the bidding process for running the county’s first permanent, year-round homeless shelter. At the Orange County Board of Supervisors May 10th meeting, a unanimous board voted to initiate the next step in its efforts to address homelessness in the county.

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do says that the county should look for a vendor that will deliver the best value for taxpayers and prioritize innovation in addressing homelessness in Orange County.

“We want a vendor that will present new ideas for getting people off the streets and on a productive path,” said Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do, who has led the county’s response to homelessness. “In addition to achieving the best value for taxpayers, this bidding process will prioritize innovative thinking to address ongoing challenges.”

“This shelter operator must have a plan for incorporating every department and program to deliver wraparound service to those in need,” he said.

Among the challenges for potential shelter operators is how to accommodate the personal belongings of people that use the shelter. Supervisor Do said that, in his conversations with homeless residents, the issue of safeguarding possessions is one of the top challenges.

The competitive bidding process, which ends on June 6, will allow potential bidders to collaborate on running either the Kraemer shelter or the county’s current emergency shelters at National Guard armories.

Last fall, Supervisor Andrew Do called for a homeless czar to cut through bureaucratic red tape and improve existing services. The position is expected to be filled later this month.

In advance of the El Nino storms, Supervisor Andrew Do fast-tracked the transformation of an abandoned Santa Ana bus terminal into an emergency storm center. More than 3,900 people have received food and shelter from the winter storms since it opened on January 30.

“Orange County continues to achieve meaningful progress with our comprehensive response to homelessness,” said Supervisor Andrew Do.

A copy of the Request for Proposals is available online.

A former Orange County prosecutor, Supervisor Andrew Do represents the First District communities of Garden Grove, Westminster, Santa Ana, Midway City and portions of Fountain Valley.