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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 /> QOL T 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 regardin services for individuals who are wheelchair bound. <br /> CITY COUNCIL 5 DECEMBER 2, 2025 <br />