Orange County details homelessness strategy, adds temporary shelter capacity and programs with $10 million in funds

Orange County presented an update on homelessness and mental health initiatives on Sept. 16, describing recent investments, new programs launched with additional county funding, and the county’s process for handling encampment complaints under state law.

Lisa Clara Graham, manager of the county Mental Health and Homelessness Division, briefed the Board of County Commissioners on background, legal context and a portfolio of programs that have launched since the Board approved an additional $10 million for homelessness services. Graham said the county’s FY 2025–26 homelessness-related budget is approximately $51.6 million, and that some federally provided ARPA funds used for programs must be spent by 2026.

Graham noted that the 2025 local point-in-time (PIT) count recorded 1,972 people experiencing homelessness in Orange County (sheltered and unsheltered). Comparing 2024 to 2025 PIT data, staff reported a 2% decrease in the total counted population, a 1.7% decrease in unsheltered individuals, a 3.6% decrease in households with at least one child and an 8.5% decrease in people reporting serious mental illness; Graham cautioned that local trends require further analysis before attributing causation.

Graham reviewed the county’s encampment ordinance (adopted Jan. 7, 2025) and described the county’s complaint-and-response process under state law: residents report concerns through 311 or other channels, complaints are routed to the department that oversees the property and to contracted outreach teams, and outreach teams — including the Coalition for the Homeless, Pathlight Home and…