Irvine was one of five cities in South Orange County sued on Wednesday Feb. 27 for refusing to build a homeless shelter to house its homeless residents.
The plaintiffs, consisting of homeless individuals and homeless advocacy groups, claimed they filed the lawsuit due to a lack of shelter provided in Irvine and the anti-camping ordinances prohibiting homeless families and individuals from pitching tents on the streets.
“Cities have land use authority over 90 percent of the county,” Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do said. “Homelessness is a regional issue that cannot be addressed without city involvement.”
North Orange County cities are in the process of adding more homeless shelters according to Voice of OC; however, South Orange County cities have not taken the same actions.
Orange County supervisors had approved of a plan to build a shelter just south of the Orange County Great Park on March 19, 2018, but it was rescinded about a week later because of protests by local Irvine residents.
“You need to at least get some beds,” Plaintiff Attorney Carol Sobel said according to Voice of OC. “The only beds right now are at the Laguna Beach facility and what’s happening is everybody is dumping their people there.”
A 2017 report from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) revealed that the homeless population in Orange County increased from 3,028 in 2016 to 4,792. The plaintiffs stated that Irvine’s inadequate supply of housing and the criminalization of the homeless population infringe upon their civil rights.
To facilitate Irvine’s involvement, Irvine Mayor Don Wagner proposed that Irvine should help implement a proposed site for a regional homeless shelter in Tustin, which is still being discussed by Irvine officials and United States District Judge David Carter.
In the meantime, the city of Irvine is working to mitigate its lack of action. The Irvine Police Department started directing the homeless they encounter to shelter and services. Wagner said that the city hopes to see 5,500 housing units for formerly homeless people built by 2020.
“We got a fair amount of transitional housing and we’re increasing our stock,” Wagner said. “So I think significant progress is being made in Irvine.”