Implement the SOAR – SSI Advocacy Program SSA and Child Support Services contract with an SSI outreach consultant group. However, the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program has not been implemented in Orange County to date. SOAR provides training for existing staff to increase access to the disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration for eligible adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.
Enhance Animal Care Services Low-cost vouchers for spay/neuter, vaccinations and pet food/supplies, as well as providing options such as community service hours for those whose animal required boarding due to hospitalization or the owner’s incarceration could be a motivational engagement tool for the Collaborative Courts, to engage clients in community service and program participation efforts. This ancillary resource could be developed in tandem with community based donors and volunteers willing to work with homeless people and their pet family members.
Emergency Shelter, Transitional and Permanent Housing Solutions Cultivate a strong and diverse Permanent Housing Inventory to meet the needs Along the pathway to self-sufficiency, it is important that the system of care anticipate barriers to housing and address them as early as possible. Some common barriers include: Felonies, prior evictions, sex registrant status, vouchers that expire in 120 days or the unit fails housing habitability inspections, document readiness, move-in and utility deposit assistance, animals, requirements for ADA/mobility issues, accessibility of transit and other related special-needs circumstances.
Increase Emergency Shelter/Bridge Housing Beds to Meet Regional Needs A minimum of 500 year-round beds (emergency/bridge) is needed to support the pathway to housing for homeless individuals living on the streets in Orange County:
North: Kraemer Multi-Service Center –200 beds for single adults in 2017 Central – Santa Ana – Transit Terminal temporary site at “The Courtyard,” 200 – 300 beds South County location to be determined Specialized housing options are needed for those undergoing substance abuse treatment, mental health stabilization and domestic violence, as well as transitional age youth, and discharge planning beds for those existing hospitals, jails and foster youth placements.
End Veterans Homelessness in Orange County The Orange County By-Name Registry list noted there are 478 homeless veterans as of September 22, 2016. Since 2015, 325 homeless veterans have been housed. The County has 694 VASH vouchers managed by the Orange County Housing Authority. Many supportive services for veterans and their families are operated by nonprofits; and the 1736 Family Crisis Center will operate a newly awarded rapid rehousing project to serve veterans with other than honorable and dishonorable discharge status, who are otherwise ineligible for veteran resources from the VA.
Increase Effectiveness of PHA Affordable Housing Resources The County of Orange, Anaheim, Santa Ana and Garden Grove public housing authorities are making contributions to the portfolio of affordable housing resources for homeless populations. However, 13