Deputy City Manager Daisy Perez presented an update on homelessness efforts in Fullerton.

Overview of Fullerton’s Commitment to Addressing Homelessness

Fullerton is implementing a balanced approach to address public safety while supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. The city’s initiatives include encampment cleanups, the provision of social services, and enforcement of local ordinances to maintain public health and safety.

The city collaborates with various shelters in the region and is part of the North SPA planning area, which includes a coalition of 13 cities in northern Orange County. Together, these cities manage 250 regional shelter beds—100 in Placentia and 150 in Buena Park. Fullerton is currently committed to a five-year financial investment of $4.53 million towards this initiative. Most of the funding has historically come from SP2, but recent reductions in these funds may affect the general fund in future fiscal years.

At the Fullerton Navigation Center, there are 40 shelter beds allocated for Fullerton residents. The nightly cost is $80 per bed, resulting in an annual expense exceeding $1.1 million. Given that the property is owned, there is a rent credit of over $380,000, bringing the net annual expense to approximately $700,000. The majority of this funding has originated from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The eventual depletion of ARPA funds may have implications for future allocations from the general fund.

This year, the city is initiating a motel voucher winter program to provide emergency shelter for vulnerable populations, such as families and seniors, during adverse weather conditions. This program is financed through federal resources and does not utilize the general fund.

Regarding outreach and supportive services, Fullerton conducts encampment cleanups in partnership with the Public Works Department and the Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Officer (HLO) unit. During these cleanups, individuals are provided with resources, shelter options, referrals, and various services, with proper notice given to ensure compliance.

Additionally, the city has established homeless case management through a dedicated outreach specialist who aids in service referrals and long-term solutions. This specialist operates from both City Hall and the Hope Center. A social worker pilot program is also underway within the Police Department, funded by a $1 million grant from the county. This program integrates social workers into emergency response teams, with training expected to conclude in the next few months.

The homeless liaison officer unit has been expanded to include four officers and a sergeant, who work in conjunction with mental health clinicians and service agencies to assist homeless individuals and enforce local ordinances.

Fullerton Police Chief Jon Radus provided an overview of the enforcement efforts. In December 2023, the city council enacted a critical infrastructure ordinance to regulate encampments near essential city infrastructure. Following its introduction, 11 individuals were cited for various violations. This figure does not reflect the total number of individuals contacted; rather, it indicates that among those contacted, 11 either refused to leave or did not comply with the officers’ instructions, or they were arrested for other serious violations not related to the critical infrastructure ordinance.

Operation Clean Streets, launched in October 2023, aims to address illicit activity and quality of life concerns. This initiative has led to over 400 enforcement actions, including arrests and more than 150 citations. The city has participated in regional collaborations and is linked to the Hope Center, which, while located in Fullerton, is not city-operated. Since its opening in 2022, the Hope Center has centralized homelessness services and reduced law enforcement responses to non-criminal incidents. In 2024, the center has responded to over 3,000 calls and engaged more than 2,400 clients, with over 1,100 accepting services. They have also engaged proactively with over 500 clients, providing case management to more than 300.

The Executive Director of the Hope Center is available to answer specific questions regarding its operations. Fullerton is also monitoring efforts in neighboring cities, such as Brea, Anaheim, and Garden Grove, which have enacted stricter anti-camping laws and enforcement policies following Fullerton’s critical infrastructure ordinance. Staff is currently evaluating these ordinances and their regional enforcement changes, with plans to propose potential updates based on the impacts observed in these neighboring cities.

In summary, Fullerton is striving to balance public safety with compassionate solutions for homelessness while assessing ongoing strategies for future implementation.

This was a receive and file item. There was no direction given to the staff.

Public comments

Curtis Gamble is an activist focused on helping the homeless, veterans, OCTA bus drivers, students, seniors, and low-income communities. Here are some key recommendations for District 4 regarding homelessness:

1. Fullerton Homeless Update: I suggest that the Hope Center and OCTA bus drivers pick up and drop off clients right in front of the Bulletin Navigation Center.
2. Update Municipal Codes: The Fullerton Municipal Code is about 10 years old. The Planning Commission is trying to update it, but they have not finished yet. They are working on about 20 pages of updates that we need to complete. It is important to update this code to meet state, federal, and local laws.
3. Emergency Shelters: The Planning Commission is also revising five pages about emergency shelters and a low-barrier navigation center.
4. Follow Anaheim Municipal Code: The Anaheim Municipal Code has eight pages of state, federal, and local laws we need to follow. We must include similar language in our codes.
5. Safe Parking Program: We need to create a safe parking program at the Fullerton Park and Ride.
6. Motel Vouchers: I recommend starting a winter program that provides motel vouchers and emergency shelters during extreme weather. The Willow Tree Large Motel at 1015 Harbor Blvd is a good option since clients can reach it using the CTA bus.
7. Funding for Motel Vouchers: We can allocate about $1.1 million for these motel vouchers. The Illumination Foundation is doing excellent work in this area, and we should work with them. They already help people access the Park Hotel, and we have a good contract with them.

In conclusion, we should rely on the Illumination Foundation to manage these services, as they are effective.

Diane Vena discussed the complexity of dealing with people who are homeless. She’s currently reading a wonderful book titled “Cherished Belonging,” which recently came out. The author, Father Gregory Boyle, works with gangs in Los Angeles through his organization, Homeboys and Homegirls.

The premise of the book is that everyone is inherently good and everyone belongs to each other, without exception. Two points that struck her about people who are homeless are as follows:

Firstly, Father Boyle states that people don’t become homeless because they run out of money; they become homeless because they run out of relationships. Vena agrees with this perspective, adding that there are many different situations, but she believes she would never become homeless because she has enough relationships that would prevent it. Unfortunately, many of those who are homeless do not have such support.

Secondly, she mentions that some people refuse services for various reasons. Some may not feel safe if they find themselves newly without a home, while for others, leaving behind their friends and family can feel like giving up everything. Vena understands why someone might refuse help in that situation.

Additionally, Father Boyle shares stories of some homeboys and homegirls he has taken to conventions. One notable example occurred at Niagara Falls, where one of them said, “People won’t mind.” This reflects a deep-seated feeling they have that they do not belong to the world or to the rest of us.

This makes Vena think about how we all want to feel safe. Yet, when we see someone walking down the street who appears to be homeless, we often cross to the other side to avoid them. She believes it’s important for all of us to recognize that a simple, compassionate greeting—like “Hello, how are you?”—can create a moment of connection. Such interactions help people feel valued and worthy, showing that we care about them.

In closing, Diane recommends “Cherished Belonging” as a wonderful read that will help people have more compassion.

Jose Trinidad Casteneda praised the staff’s presentation tonight, noting that many in the public may not grasp the complexities cities face regarding state and federal regulations and funding. He highlighted an important opportunity: the Orange County Health Care Agency will be planning its Behavioral Health Services Act over the next year and a half, focusing on severe behavioral health needs in impacted populations.

Castaneda encouraged city staff, especially the homeless liaison officer and social workers, to engage with the Orange County planning committee. This collaboration could help identify funding opportunities and partnerships for treatment facilities serving the homeless community with severe behavioral health conditions. He emphasized the need for a sustainable partnership between the city and the health care agency, offering to provide more details to city staff after the meeting.

Zee describes his experience working with Father Greg Boyle and his efforts with gangs. He reflects on his family’s struggles with homelessness, noting that despite attempts to help, some relatives have burned bridges due to mental health and other issues. Zee acknowledges the difficulties of taking in relatives who refuse to follow rules, prioritizing family safety. He respects the speaker who claims she will never experience homelessness due to strong relationships and appreciates Father Boyle’s work with Homeboy Industries, mentioning that he has read several of his books and supports his initiatives.