News Summary
Officials in Costa Mesa recently held a town hall focused on homelessness solutions, drawing around 100 residents concerned about local issues. The meeting showcased the city’s efforts, including a bridge shelter, outreach teams, and upcoming supportive housing complexes. Residents expressed their concerns about safety and the management of homeless services, leading to discussions on strategies to enhance community support while balancing public safety needs.
Costa Mesa officials recently hosted a Homelessness Solutions town hall on October 15, attracting around 100 residents concerned about local homelessness issues. The event took place at the Norma Hertzog Community Center and included representatives from public and nonprofit groups dedicated to providing support for the homeless population in the area.
The city of Costa Mesa actively operates a bridge shelter and street community outreach teams, which assist approximately 150 homeless individuals each month. Since 2019, these outreach teams have successfully facilitated the transition of 252 individuals from homelessness to permanent housing. Nate Robbins, the neighborhood improvement manager for Costa Mesa, recognized the dedication of these outreach workers, emphasizing their compassion and commitment to assisting those in need.
As part of its ongoing efforts to combat homelessness, Costa Mesa plans to establish two permanent supportive housing complexes funded through Project Homekey. One of these complexes, the Mesa Vista Apartments, a former Motel 6, currently accommodates 40 individuals, including 10 veterans. By April, this site will expand to include 46 additional units specifically for low-income seniors. The second complex, the Avon River Apartments, which was formerly a Travelodge, will provide 76 supportive housing units and is expected to open in May.
In addition to housing solutions, CalOptima’s street medicine program, launched in August, serves as the primary healthcare provider for 90 homeless individuals in Costa Mesa. However, the town hall also addressed residents’ safety concerns regarding supportive housing sites, particularly at Mesa Vista Apartments, which recorded 188 police calls in the past year. In response to these concerns, the property’s management has been changed, and the city is implementing enhanced security measures, including 24-hour security and improved lighting.
Costa Mesa is active in clearing encampments to prevent the misuse of public property, with 110 encampments cleared in 2024, mainly in Fairview and Talbert parks. The city’s Community Policing Unit focuses on homelessness issues, and in the last year, it assisted 20 individuals in entering detox programs, made 255 arrests, and issued 28 citations. Some residents have expressed concerns regarding the potential increase in punitive measures against homeless encampments, particularly following a recent Supreme Court decision that allows municipalities to enforce anti-camping laws without needing to provide alternative shelter.
City Attorney Kim Barlow stated that Costa Mesa currently prefers to continue its effective approach rather than take on more punitive measures. Concerns were also raised about the possible impact of federal funding cuts on local homelessness initiatives. However, Robbins emphasized that the city does not rely on direct federal funding.
Robbins assured residents that local services prioritize helping Costa Mesa residents while acknowledging that challenges persist for individuals in cities with fewer resources. Research suggests that proactive measures to assist the homeless are more cost-effective than taking no action. This finding supports Costa Mesa’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness within the community.
Overall, the town hall served as an important platform for residents to engage with city officials and discuss strategies and challenges in tackling homelessness, reinforcing the ongoing commitment to improving the situation for individuals experiencing homelessness in Costa Mesa.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Touts Progress in Combatting Homelessness
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- Orange County Register: New Homeless Shelter Draws Praise
- Google Search: Costa Mesa homelessness
- Los Angeles Times: Orange County Focus on Housing and Services
- Google Scholar: Costa Mesa homelessness
- Los Angeles Times: Orange County Unsheltered Series
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
