Costa Mesa is leading the way with a successful shelter model that helps those experiencing homelessness find housing, Mayor Katrina Foley said in a statement. Developing such a facility in a time frame more typical of a kitchen remodel than a significant government project took around-the-clock work from every corner of City Hall. For more information, please call (714) 836-7188. Six additional clients will be opening the door to a new home and a new future by late October. The plan now is for the Lighthouse shelter to operate for roughly a year before moving to a longer-term location somewhere else in the city. The new shelter is the result of a partnership between the two neighboring cities. The report said many have been meeting more frequently. Its been a tremendous, tremendous, tremendous undertaking, said Parks and Community Services Director Justin Martin, who has been leading the shelter effort. Supervisor Katrina Foley the former mayor of Costa Mesa said at a county board meeting earlier this month that it should be the county footing the bill for mental health response. 949-646-2271 Anaheim and Santa Ana also have recently opened shelters, Buena Park and Placentia are exploring potential sites and Huntington Beach just nixed a proposed location amid a community outcry. The city also is in escrow to buy a building just west of John Wayne Airport that could become a permanent emergency shelter. A client sits in the multipurpose room at Costa Mesas new homeless shelter at Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene on Wednesday, when some of the first clients arrived. (714) 751-1101 This is not free. The creation of Costa Mesas shelter is a result of a lawsuit filed against the County of Orange, and the cities of Anaheim, Orange and Costa Mesa in 2018 over the removal of homeless people from the Santa Ana riverbed. Its morally irresponsible to continue to allow people to live on the streets and the sidewalks and in the parks and not care for our community, she said. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG), A photo displayed at the ribbon cutting for the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter shows the empty space that officials started with on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 in Costa Mesa, CA. Costa Mesas shelter is a partnership with the city of Newport Beach. SHELTER KITCHEN OPERATOR Bracken's Kitchen is a nonprofit organization based in Orange County dedicated to rescuing, re-purposing, and restoring both food and lives through a community feeding program, food rescue, and culinary training. © Copyright 2007 - 2023. Costa Mesa, CA - 92626 The name isnt all that fancy anyway Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter. Send us asecure tip. With this arrangement, I really believe that we have a great opportunity to effectively change the pattern in some of these peoples lives.. Amid all the commotion, a few of the shelters first clients relaxed in the multipurpose room. The creation of the shelter is a result of a lawsuit filed against the County of Orange, and the cities of Anaheim, Orange, and Costa Mesa in 2018, over the removal of homeless people from the Santa Ana riverbed. The idea for the switch is inspired by the CAHOOTS model launched in Eugene, Oregon, which Brooke Weitzman, co-founder and directing attorney of the Elder Law Disability Rights Center, said has been significantly more successful in getting people the help they need. Lighthouse Views: Summer 2022. Non Profit Organization that provides housing assistance, 17982 Sky Park Circle Homeless people, she said, will be helped by the shelter and city residents will be helped by being able to regain the use of public spaces, such as parks. Non Profit Organization that provides housing assistance, 2081 Business Center Dr Ste 110 Bunk beds sit in a modular trailer at Costa Mesas new homeless shelter at 1885 Anaheim Ave. in the citys Westside. Over 75,000 of those units have to be very low income to low income homes. Phil Eyskens, pastor of the Lighthouse Church, offered a blessing. You can make a difference in a childs life, Specialized services help deter youth from repeating risky behaviors, Services aimed at helping young adults create a plan for self-sufficiency, A first-of-its-kind program in Ohio for young people with complex needs, Expert and compassionate care so children, youth and families can heal, grow and thrive, Program focused on teen pregnancy prevention and preparation for adult responsibilities, Safe and welcoming places where teens heal through nurturing, accountability, and guidance, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) youth are dramatically over-represented in the homeless youth population, Care and support for youth and their families through prevention, crisis intervention and long-term service. All that said, when it opens early next month the shelter that will serve as a temporary home for as many as 70 men and women figures to be a special place. Officials hope to have it up and running in about a year, at which point they would close the Lighthouse church facility. Costa Mesa, CA - 92626 Avery recalled how some residents shouted out the cruel suggestion to just round them up and take them to the desert., It was a dark time, he told the crowd. Up to 50 people of various ages visit the facility every day for shelter and other services such as healthcare, job connections, legal advice, mental health resources and transportation. Volunteers making a difference each year. Costa Mesa has to zone for 11,760 new homes of which over 4,700 have to be very low income to low income homes. The city settled the riverbed lawsuit last month. Join ourFacebook discussion. The facility opened in April. Can we do something like this?. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece. Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley, who this month was elected to represent the 2nd District on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, said the ribbon cutting would be her last public act as her citys mayor. The proof is that we dont have a lot of affordable housing and certainly permanent supportive housing in our city so we have a long way to go, he said. Faith E. Pinho is a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times. Though it began service Wednesday, city officials will tie the proverbial bow on the 50-bed shelter at Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene on Friday, the official opening day for a space they say will not only be a safe and warm place to sleep but also a service center for clients and an additional source of security for the community. Weitzman added the programs shes seen so far in the county still involve police and still has a ways to go. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). The creation of the shelter is a result of a lawsuit filed against the County of Orange, and the cities of Anaheim, Orange, and Costa Mesa in 2018 over the removal of homeless people from the Santa Ana riverbed. The latest countywide homeless count, which took place in January, documented 187 unsheltered people in Costa Mesa. Many cities throughout the county, and even the state, are looking to Costa Mesa for advice on how to address the root causes of homelessness while enforcing their anti-camping ordinances.. All hinted at huge expectations. To prepare the property to serve as a shelter, the city installed additional fencing, lighting and cameras. CLICK HERE to learn more about how to volunteer with Brackens Kitchen. Mercy House is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility including the provision of services related to locating, securing and maintaining permanent housing; identifying and mitigating barriers to housing and employment; referrals to third-party services and resources; providing extracurricular activities and modes of entertainment for shelter guests; overseeing security in and around the facility; as well as facilitating the transportation of guests to and from the shelter. She was a reporter and editor at the San Bernardino Sun from 1986 to 1992. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Weitzman said the question now is what cities will do to address affordable housing needs and reduce the amount of people becoming homeless. Contact him @helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. Did you know that volunteer activity increases during the holiday season, but decreases after December? 2212 Placentia Ave. He previously was a reporter and assistant city editor for the Daily Pilot, a Times Community News publication in Orange County, and before that wrote for the Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Flores wants to replace the black industrial-looking storage bins beneath the beds with something more homelike. Just as vital, however, has been buy-in from civic leaders and residents at large. Since 2019, Costa Mesa temporarily used the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene to provide beds until their permanent shelter opened earlier this year. 949-852-0700 The lowest point in my time on the council has been over this issue.. The frustration started after the state tasked the Southern California Association of Governments made up of city council members across the region to come up with zoning for 1.3 million homes across six counties, including more than 180,000 in Orange County by October 2029. We provide inclusive and affirming care for all young people, and every young person and family are treated with dignity and respect. Irvine, CA - 92614 Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece. As we move into the autumn and winter months, more and more shelters become over-crowded and many homeless people and families are left out in the cold without food or protection from the [], In its continuing efforts to serve the homeless population and needy in Orange County, Stanbridge College has created a new partnership with Free Pantry Organization in Costa Mesa. Children, youth and families served each year. 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Costa Mesa may buy West 17th Street property for homeless shelter; City Council considering expanded homeless efforts on Tuesday The City Council on Tuesday will consider additional amenities at Lighthouse CM Church of the Nazarene for now and buying property for a long term solution. Other funding includes a $300,000 contribution from Hoag Hospital and a $2.5 million homelessness grant awarded by the county. Its certainly something to consider, Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens said in a phone interview Thursday. Those who havent taken steps to provide emergency shelter could be barred from enforcing rules against camping in public. Her crew had outfitted the place with some homey touches potted flowers on dining hall tables; designs on the walls; sheets, comforters and carefully folded towel sets on the dorm beds (four to each semi-private pod). Costa Mesa, which purchased the property in 2019 for $6.9 million and spent $4.5 million on capital improvements, has use of 50 beds.