A new census of Orange County’s homeless population found nearly 7,000 people living in shelters or on the streets countywide — a significant uptick from the last such count in 2017 as the county has struggled to deal with the issue.
The number of unsheltered people recorded in Costa Mesa, for instance, went from 103 in 2017 to 187 this year. In Huntington Beach, the unsheltered population more than doubled, from 119 to 289.
The Point in Time count is a federally required biennial census of the homeless that collects demographic data and other information so agencies can update their practices and resources. The tally also helps determine how much funding Orange County will receive to address homelessness issues. “We have a lot better accuracy in terms of the data,” she said. “When you get the opportunity to talk to the population directly, you’re talking to the homeless person about their issues, things they’re struggling with, what their barriers are, what their needs are.”Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach have taken steps to open homeless shelters in recent months.
In Costa Mesa, that meant providing 62 beds. However, applying the same standard using the 2019 count would raise the target to 112.It’s unclear how, or if, the more recent figures will affect Costa Mesa’s shelter plans. As city spokesman Tony Dodero pointed out, “We already have a finalized settlement agreement.”
Huntington Beach spokeswoman Julie Toledo said in an email Wednesday that officials are “still looking over the numbers and the report at this time.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Orange County district attorney begins internal probe of informant scandalOrange County’s top prosecutor launched an internal review of alleged misuse of informants in the county’s jails, after statements last week that the state attorney general’s office had closed its years-long criminal investigation into the scandal.
Read more »
Five years later, some fear Orange County jail snitch scandal will go unpunishedNearly five years since the jail informant scandal rocked Orange County, spawning multiple investigations, no one has been disciplined, fired or prosecuted for misconduct, and the state investigation into the case has been closed.
Read more »
Measles cases investigated by L.A. County public health officialsAn announcement about the cases was made because the chance of being exposed to measles has increased, given the sudden jump in local reports of the virus, along with widespread outbreaks in the U.S. — including in New York, Washington state, New Jersey and Michigan — and internationally.
Read more »
Oregon county to pay $100,000 to black employee over Blue Lives Matter flagKarimah Guion-Pledgure said in her January lawsuit against Multnomah County that the flag demeans the Black Lives Matter movement. She said she was harassed by others in the office after she and other black co-workers complained.
Read more »
Oregon county pays $100K over Blue Lives Matter flagPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon county has agreed to pay $100,000 to a black employee who sued alleging she was harassed after asking that a Blue Lives Matter flag not be displayed in the office.
Read more »
Imperial County government website has been down for 5 days, prompting investigationThe website for Imperial County has been down for five days, due to a possible hacking, and has affected residents and staff.
Read more »
Coke Zero, new flavors lift Coca-Cola results; shares riseStrong demand for Coca-Cola Co's low-calorie Coke Zero, new orange-vanilla ...
Read more »
Fast track: Indonesia, Malaysia rail projects may give China more dealsIn a rural part of Indonesia's Java island, two orange-clad workers confer ...
Read more »