Anaheim Homeless Solution: New Orange County Shelter Will Provide Long Term Services

ANAHEIM, CA — Mercy House and Anaheim will care for Orange County's homeless, in an effort to get people off of the street and back on their feet according to the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Temporary solutions will be in place in as little as four months, according to Public Works, and long term phased expansions are in planning stages.

Orange County officials Tuesday told the Board of Supervisors they anticipate being able to partially open a new, full-service homeless facility in Anaheim in the next four to six months before construction is complete.

"It's not perfect, but living on the street out of a shopping cart is clearly not perfect," said Supervisor Todd Spitzer. "Getting people inside with four walls and a roof is a lot better right now than what people have today. ... We've got to get people into this location as quickly as possible."

Orange County Public Works Director Shane Silsby told supervisors they might be able to open the doors of the facility at 1000 N. Kraemer Place within four months.

That will mean portable showers and bathrooms while the building is being remodeled, said Orange County CEO Frank Kim.

"As soon as our public works staff can complete the revised phased construction design element we'll bring that contract to your board as soon as possible," Kim said.

"While we are operating this facility in a temporary capacity we will be having concurrent construction on the site... There are portions (of the building) that lend itself to an expedited opening."

Mercy House was selected to run the shelter in September, and Tuesday the board approved a contract with the nonprofit organization.

Officials expect to spend $2.2 million on operational costs and expenses for furniture and other necessities will cost about $975,000, according to a staff report.

The county spent $4.25 million acquiring the property, with the cities of Anaheim, Fullerton and Brea chipping in a total of $1.1 million.

The facility will aim to get transients back on their feet so it will focus on more than just sheltering them but offering services to help them in the long term.

City News Service contributed to this report. Pixabay image