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

To learn more about the North OC Public Safety Task Force visit NOC Public Safety.

Based on the local mandate by U.S. District Federal Judge David Carter, cities in the North SPA are required to work on a homeless housing plan for the region, which shall include creating Navigation Centers designed to house and service North Orange County cities' homeless population.

The City has dedicated significant time and resources to regional collaboration efforts, including partnering with the 13 cities of the North SPA on a Memorandum of Understanding that have resulted in the development of two homeless navigation centers providing a total of 250 beds serving the North Orange County homeless population. Construction and/or renovation of those facilities is underway with the Placentia facility currently open and the Buena Park facility scheduled to open in July. The North SPA was also able to reach a settlement agreement in the Federal Court case involving homeless individuals which specifies the percentage of shelter beds that must be available in order to reinstate enforcement of the City’s anti-camping regulations on public property.

The management and operational plan for the Navigation Centers specify certain requirements to ensure local control for providing safe and secure housing as well as providing comprehensive programs and services. The Navigation Centers will be referral-only based facilities with managed and controlled access in and out via transportation only. Th Navigation Centers will work not only to house the homeless, but to provide health resources, 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.

To learn more about the lawsuits visit our information page.