Local homeless‑services leaders offer 'protected space' hotel plan and ask committee to weigh safe‑parking and inclement‑weather policies

Donna Vadrine, speaking as a leader of the San Clemente Homeless Collaborative, told the committee during public comment Oct. 28 that the collaborative is developing a "protected space" program to help people sleeping on the streets by partnering with private hotels, nonprofits and churches.

"We have been working on a program called protected space," Vadrine said and offered to provide the committee with a written copy of the plan and to present in more detail. She said churches had already committed funds and that the collaborative sought funding mechanisms to support placements with hotel partners and service referrals.

Vadrine asked the committee to prepare recommendations on inclement‑weather response protocols and safe‑parking programs and to pass findings to the City Council. She also asked for committee engagement with outreach staff and other stakeholders to ensure the committee’s recommendations reflect best practices and available funding.

Committee members acknowledged the request and indicated homelessness would be part of the committee’s 2026 work plan deliverables for staff to develop narrative reporting and barrier analysis.

No formal committee action was taken during public comment; staff said the homelessness topic would be incorporated into planned work‑plan deliverables and potential future agenda items.