ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 15, 2018) — Working with federal Judge David Carter on homelessness across Orange County, Anaheim and other North County cities are identifying sites that could serve as first-stop assessment centers as part of a larger strategy to address the impact of homelessness on our parks, streets and other public places.

Anaheim has identified three potential sites that could serve as assessment and temporary shelter spaces serving 50, 75 and 200 people.

If pursued, the sites would be a resource for Anaheim’s social services and public safety outreach teams as they work each day to help get people off the streets across the city.

Working with Judge Carter, locations of the sites will be made public after the city works through an initial evaluation process. The potential sites would be in areas suitable for homeless facilities.

Should the sites prove to be viable options, we will share locations and other details with the community. Prior to going forward on any sites, we would do extensive community outreach, hold required hearings and seek approvals from Anaheim’s Planning Commission and/or the City Council.

While the sites would play a different, more immediate role than Bridges at Kraemer Place — Orange County’s first year-round, indoor homeless shelter that opened in Anaheim in early 2017— the city would follow the same planning and public safety approach as we undertook with Bridges.

Bridges has proven to be a successful part of Anaheim’s comprehensive approach to addressing homeless, with minimal impact on neighboring businesses and the community.

Since 2014, Anaheim has helped transition nearly 1,300 people from homelessness into stable housing through outreach and case management, as well as enforcement where needed to address impacts on parks and other public spaces.

Pursuing additional sites will allow Anaheim to continue these efforts and ensure that our parks, streets and other public spaces remain safe and welcoming for everyone.

More at Anaheim.net/homeless.