City staff briefed the Santa Ana City Council on a city‑led homelessness census conducted Oct. 28–29 and summarized shelter outcomes, reporting hundreds of street‑to‑shelter exits and a multi‑partner response involving CityNet and nonprofit operators.

The presentation, led by staff identified on the record as Ken and Mike, described a GIS‑based canvass and deduplication process. The presenters said the survey identified 592 unsheltered individuals (as stated in the presentation) and reported a 15.4% reduction compared with the prior year. Staff said 83.9% of respondents who answered duration questions reported being homeless for one year or longer.

The report included service‑outcome figures. Staff said there were 697 exits from street outreach into emergency shelter, 168 exits to temporary housing and a smaller number of permanent placements; they also said 48 individuals were connected with residential rehabilitation or detox services. City staff told the council that CityNet was a major outreach partner and that the Illumination Foundation is contracted to operate the emergency shelter and case‑management functions.

Councilmembers pressed staff on operational details: how the city defines a "positive exit," whether substance‑use testing at shelters is routine, how the 120‑day shelter stay policy is implemented and what happens when participants still have no permanent housing after 120 days. Staff replied that a "positive exit" can include reunification with family, shelter placement or transitional housing; testing is performed only when staff suspect intoxication, not on a universal or forced basis; and the shelter has a stated 120‑day limit with case management and re‑entry allowed if an individual demonstrates progress and space is available.

Councilmembers also asked for more detailed breakdowns on veteran status and employment history. Staff said veteran counts fluctuated year to year and agreed to provide the requested demographic breakdowns and the county coordination plan for veteran services.

Mayor Amezcua and multiple councilmembers urged staff to return with clearer financial accounting of shelter costs and funding sources. During the presentation and Q&A staff provided approximate contract figures on the record (discussion referenced multi‑million‑dollar operating and contract numbers), and agreed to follow up with itemized funding and a plan to report on outcomes at future council meetings.

The council did not take a separate vote on policy changes at the conclusion of the presentation but directed staff to provide follow‑up information on counts, funding sources and program outcomes at a future meeting.