Regional Effort to Address Homelessness

Background

In an effort to comply with a Federal Mandate as well as recent case law, Martin v. Boise (2018), the North Specific Planning Area (SPA), comprised of the cities of Placentia, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Orange, Villa Park, Stanton, and Yorba Linda have collaborated on a regional approach to address homelessness in the North SPA.

This decision, along with the recent Orange County Federal Court case presiding under Judge Carter, significantly limits the City’s ability to manage and control homeless proliferation and public camping in our community. In order to comply with these Federal requirements and court decisions and to ensure that the City maintains local control over the enforcement of its own anti-camping ordinance in public areas, including public sidewalks, the City of Placentia, along with the North SPA cities identified two locations for Navigation Centers – one in Placentia with 100 beds and one in Buena Park with 149 beds. 

Management and Operations of the Placentia Navigation Center

The management and operational plan for the Placentia Navigation Center specify certain requirements to ensure local control for providing safe and secure housing as well as providing comprehensive programs and services. The Placentia Navigation Center, operated by The Salvation Army, is a referral-only based facility with managed and controlled access in and out via transportation only.  The Navigation Center works to not only house the homeless but to provide health resources, counseling, job and social skills, and opportunities to reunite with family and friends, with the goal of integrating North Orange County’s homeless to become productive members of society while decreasing the number of homeless in public areas. 

Reporting Homelessness In Placentia

Placentia PD has partnered with the HOPE Center for homeless outreach services. The Hope Center is designed as a centralized hub for service workers and specialized resources to respond in real-time to street homelessness. The goal is to align homeless outreach efforts and strategies to increase efficiency and provide more reliable relief and consistent support to individuals experiencing homelessness in North Orange County and assist them from the street to housing. Currently the HOPE Center Dispatch Center, (657) 243-1884, is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and takes messages during times they are not open. After-hours requests will be followed up during hours of operation. For any non-emergent homeless concerns or to provide resources to an individual, contact the HOPE Center Dispatch during their hours of operation. For emergency situations regarding homeless individuals, please call 911.

The City’s mobile App, iPlacentia, has a Homelessness Concerns section as well as the ability to report Abandoned Items or report Homeless Encampments in the City. Visit the App Store or GooglePlay to download iPlacentia today and stay up-to-date, as well as report concerns.

Additional Resources