CITY HALL — The Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to table taking action on Item 32, a proposal that, if approved, would amend ordinances to update regulations concerning unhoused individuals on public property. Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez was the sole dissenting vote.
City Council discussing Item 32 on 11/19/24. (City of Santa Ana)
The one hour and 33 minute discussion strayed further away from compromise and into turbulent waters, leading to several members on the dais vehemently disagreeing on the amendements.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua and Councilmembers Phil Bacerra and David Penaloza agreed amongst eachother than the item be passed as written, while Councilmembers That Viet Phan, Vazquez, Jessie Lopez, and Johnathan Ryan Hernandez voiced opposition to language in the proposed revisions.
Hernandez pointed out that the City of Santa Ana maintains a the Navigation shelter with 200 beds and the City's point-in-time dashboard. During the meeting, he explained that five beds were left available and lead to him to ask one of the main questions not just on the City’s plan to tackle homelessness, but on the minds of most residents: Where will the unhoused go once all the beds are full?
According to City Manager Alvaro Nuñez, once that one becomes full, they’re referred to the county’s shelter—also located in Santa Ana—that beds 425, called the Yale Navigation Center, it is not a walk-up and the ways in or out are to be referred in and is 18+.
The eight revisions to four City Charter chapters in-line with police enforcing the codes regarding homelessness would alter the way police interact with unhoused individuals, depending if the officer can decipher who’s actually homeless or not and if the officer offers services and resources to them.
Revisions (in brief)
Sec. 10-402: Unlawful camping
Sec. 10-403: Storage of personal property in public places
Sec. 10-550: Limitation of animals in the Civic Center
Sec. 10-551: No vehicles in pedestrian areas in the Civic Center
Sec. 10-552: Permit required to provide organized services in the Civic Center
Sec. 10-95: Loitering on Public Benches, etc
Sec. 10-98: Obstructing Public or Private Access
Sec. 10-100: Prohibition of obstructive matter in the public right-of-way
Click here to read the full amendments.
The City and Olive Crest broke ground in September for the upcoming transitional-aged foster youth apartment complex, opening up in the coming months.
Of the many complexities with homelessness, another factor is the large amount of unhoused individuals rejected by shelters due to restrictions set by the entity or its organization running the shelter. Restrictions may involve pets, personal belongings, and drug-use.
Because Santa Ana is the county seat, the County of Orange likely selected Santa Ana to host its shelter.
Another possibility for the quick and visual surge in homeless population in Santa Ana is surrounding cities ‘bussing’ detained unhoused individuals to Santa Ana jail, releasing them in the early morning hours. Other cities have also jumped on the issue early on, banning encampments months to weeks ago.
The city shelter, county shelter, and jail system being all in Santa Ana leads to a trifecta of visibly rampant and active homelessness, meaning the demand for beds may increase with time and be higher than what is available.
The Council is expected to touch back on this item on Dec. 17th.
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