HOMELESS
AT THE HOA By Janet L. Newcomb
The Homeless Population Have you noticed?
It seems like nearly every
day we read or hear a new story about a home- less person or a neighborhood concerned about the growing impact of the homeless population. Homelessness is by no means a situation unique to Orange County. However, this article will present information and various recommendations gath- ered from our research in the area served by our Orange County Regional Chapter.
“By recent estimates, approximately 4,800 individ- uals were homeless in Orange County….” (Orange County Register, 1-31-18.) One area continually in the news has been the homeless encampment at the Santa Ana River flood control channel. The Orange County Board of Supervisors contracted with City Net, a nonprofit organization that has been working since 2017 to offer resources to the homeless people making their homes there. This area has been recently closed down resulting in le- gal challenges. The County wants to return this area to its original purpose.
Causing the home-
less population to scatter and look for alternative places to reside, which may potentially impact our associations.
Why is Homelessness Increasing?
The reasons for homelessness are many and var- ied and constantly changing. And since services to
help them are voluntary, it is often difficult to gain the cooperation of the homeless population. What are some of the most critical factors affecting the homeless?
Mental health issues definitely have a significant impact. One out of four Orange County inmates suffer from mental illness.
tive Report, December 2017.)
(Stepping Up Initia- Coupled with
prison early-release programs, the lack of sufficient re-entry services and rehabilitation programs has contributed to many of these inmates becoming homeless, or returning to the homeless population.
Drug addiction, often related to and/or coincid- ing with mental health issues, is also a significant factor. Many who are drug-addicted may not be interested in help, or may not have access to in- surance or other medical resources to address their situation. For those who do have insurance or the means to purchase rehabilitation services, sober living homes have inadvertently contributed to the homeless problem. When sober living home oc- cupants exhaust insurance benefits or relapse, they may suddenly find themselves homeless. For those from outside the community, especially those who come from out of state, many decide to stay here because of no family or support in the area. Unfor- tunately, California provides generous entitlement programs and has great weather most of the year, so we are becoming a preferred location for many in the homeless population.
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