700 Homeless Individuals Along Santa Ana Riverbed Are Motel-Sheltered
The County has linked approximately 700 homeless individuals encamped on the riverbed to motels or shelters; clearing the Riverbed of all encampments.
Santa Ana, Calif. (February 26, 2018) — As of Monday, February 26, 2018, the individuals homeless individuals encampment on the Santa Ana Riverbed Trail has officially been cleared. This announcement comes after the County has ensured temporary shelter in the form of motel vouchers, shelter beds, and alternative housing placement for all individuals who were previously encamped along the riverbed.
Approximately 700 individuals have been assisted with temporary shelter and access to services by the County and its partners. Those who had been encamped along the riverbed were also linked to recuperative care facilities, treatment centers, and wraparound services offered through the County such as mental health and medical care. The Orange Count Health Care Agency’s staff worked tirelessly around the clock to ensure that every individual received comprehensive case management services and their placement was made based on their unique situations.
“I’m extremely proud of the great work done by County staff who worked so diligently to make sure that the County delivers on its promise and homeless individuals at the riverbed were linked to comprehensive shelter options and services, and treated with respect and dignity,” said Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor. “This is a momentous occasion for the County of Orange and will undoubtedly shape how we address issues of homelessness moving forward.”
While the County has taken the lead in addressing homelessness along the Santa Ana Riverbed Trail, it has not been alone in this effort. Non-profit organizations, businesses, the faith-based community, cities, and many other stakeholders have contributed to this achievement and are crucial to continued success in the future. Collaboration and joint action are required to address an issue with the regional scope and impact such as homelessness.
“Now that the riverbed has been cleared it is time for the County, along with city officials and all of our other partners, to continue our collaborative momentum forward on this issue,” said Do. “What we’ve been able to accomplish when we apply our collective effort in a focused way has been phenomenal.”
The County of Orange is committed to addressing homelessness and will continue to make constant and consistent progress on the issue with the help of our community and non-profit partners.
The indignity of homelessness is really an indignity that reflects on our entire community. When we have homeless citizens camped at the riverbed who are unable to provide safe, healthy and secure places to live for themselves, what does that say about the dignity of our society as a whole? However, when we create opportunities for them to be housed and help them to regain some sense of stability and control over their lives, then that dignity extends to us all as a community.
Thank you Chairman Do. Your words were both positive and encouraging enough to restore an ounce of faith in me that together as a community we can create a more positive outcome while ending the problem of widespread visible homelessness in the heart of our county.
I look ahead to “moving forward,” as Chairman Do mentioned.