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Prevention funding. He noted that connecting veterans to VA services is difficult <br />because many have issues with how they exited the military, affecting their eligibility <br />for VA access, and confirmed the adjustment to the CityNet schedule to match the <br />QOLT team's hours, extending their operation until 11:00 P.M. <br />Councilmember Lopez thanked the City Manager and staff for the detailed <br />presentation. She noted the data reflects a growing trend of elderly residents falling <br />into homelessness, mirroring a state trend released two years ago and encouraged <br />staff to utilize the information to implement policy. She requested clarification on the <br />120-day shelter limit, asking what transitional resources are available for a resident <br />whose time is up, is working part-time, but has not yet secured housing or a voucher. <br />Manager Gominsky clarified after the 120-days are complete, individuals are officially <br />exited from the program, and should the individual express a desire to return and is <br />showing forward movement in their plan, they are allowed back into the shelter, <br />provided there is availability. <br />Councilmember Lopez praised the improvements seen in the Santiago Creek over the <br />past five years, noting the City's proactive efforts including cleaning areas outside its <br />jurisdiction. She urged the City Manager to form a collaborative relationship with the <br />City Manager of Orange to share the workload on creek maintenance and issues, and <br />establish a cleaning schedule for the freeway underpass. She suggested the City <br />should acquire the property under the underpass since City staff is already performing <br />necessary cleanup and enforcement there. <br />Councilmember Hernandez stressed the shelter must uphold a housing -first approach, <br />requiring minimal and reasonable expectations for entry, and advocated for treating <br />substance abuse with referrals for detox, counseling, and supportive services. He <br />requested case management for work -ready residents focused on securing <br />employment and housing and an ethical drug testing strategy that encourages <br />voluntary participation and avoids discrimination. <br />Mayor Pro Tern Vazquez thanked staff for the thorough presentation and highlighted <br />Santa Ana achieved a 15% reduction in its unhoused population. He expressed <br />appreciation for the investment and work being done, and stated that as staff gathers <br />more data and focuses on specific demographics such as the elderly, domestic <br />violence survivors, and former foster youth, the City will get better at resolving these <br />issues. <br />Councilmember Bacerra followed up on a request made during the October meeting to <br />post the calls for service quarterly data for the City's Permanent Supportive Housing <br />developments, and asked whether the postings would be available for the community <br />to see by the end of the year. <br />Director Garcia confirmed the information would be made available by the end of the <br />year. <br />Mayor Amezcua inquired regarding services for individuals who are wheelchair bound. <br />CITY COUNCIL 5 DECEMBER 2, 2025 <br />