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Council approves $900,000 in state homelessness funds for ‘Irvine Cares’ housing pilot targeting local families and students
Summary
The council voted 5-1 to allocate Homelessness Assistance and Prevention (HAP) grant funds to three pilot programs—supportive family housing, student housing, and a youth wraparound program—and to pursue policy changes to prioritize Irvine-connected residents for future affordable housing.
The Irvine City Council voted 5-1 on April 8 to allocate $900,000 in state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HAP) funds to launch Irvine Cares pilot programs targeting local at-risk populations.
Health and Wellness Director Heather Dionne outlined three initial initiatives under the Irvine Cares umbrella: a Family Housing Assistance pilot that would place up to 25 families with children currently identified as homeless or housing-insecure in rent-restricted Irvine Company apartments and provide case management and supports; a Housing for Higher Learning pilot to assist up to 25 at-risk students at Irvine Valley College with rent stipends and case management; and a Roadmap to Success mentoring program for youth enrolled in Irvine Cares, to be run in partnership with Stand Up for Kids.
Dionne said Irvine’s initial outreach to the Irvine Unified School District identified 103 students in 88 families who met McKinney-Vento criteria. The Irvine Company has agreed to provide 25 existing apartment units restricted for the program’s initial phase. The staff requested $500,000 for the family program, $250,000 for the higher-education pilot over four years, and $150,000 for the youth wraparound program; council approved the staff proposal to appropriate $900,000 in HAP funds and to pursue regulatory changes to prioritize Irvine-connected populations for future affordable housing.
Vice Mayor Mai and other council members praised the collaborative approach with the Irvine Unified School District, Irvine Valley College and nonprofit partners. Council member Carroll voted no, citing concerns raised during the meeting; the motion passed 5-1.
City staff said HAP round 4 and round 5 funds must be spent by mid-2027 and mid-2028, respectively, and that additional HAP round 6 funds were expected. Staff will return with more detailed implementation plans, timelines and agreements with partner agencies.
