HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 18 - Memorandum of Understanding Between the County of Orange, acting as the Administ_20251126164013709 Community Development Agency
www.santa-ana.org/cd
Item # 18
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
December 2, 2025
TOPIC: MOU Between the Orange County Continuum of Care, the County of Orange,
the City of Anaheim, the City of Irvine, and the City of Santa Ana for Homeless Housing,
Assistance and Prevention – Round 6 Program Regional Coordination
AGENDA TITLE
Memorandum of Understanding Between the County of Orange, acting as the
Administrative Entity for the County of Orange and the Orange County Continuum of
Care, the City of Anaheim, the City of Irvine, and the City of Santa Ana for the
Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Regional Coordination
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding with the
County of Orange, the City of Anaheim, and the City of Irvine, to support regional
coordination to address homelessness challenges (Agreement No. A-2025-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
On February 24, 2025, the California Department of Housing and Community
Development (HCD) announced the availability of funding under the Homeless Housing,
Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Program, Round 6 (HHAP-6). HHAP-6 will create a
Regionally Coordinated Homelessness Action Plan to implement homelessness
programs and resources through a coordinated approach across Orange County that
will coordinate housing solutions and prevention services.
Pursuant to HCD’s Notice of Funding Availability, the Orange County Continuum of
Care (CoC), the County of Orange, the City of Anaheim, the City of Irvine, and the City
of Santa Ana are eligible applicants for HHAP-6. HCD requires that these applicants
apply jointly as part of a “region.” Since the inception of the HHAP Program that HCD
administers, the Orange County region has successfully received five (5) rounds of
HHAP funding.
As part of the application requirements, each eligible applicant must execute a joint
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize participation, roles, and
responsibilities under the HHAP-6 Regionally Coordinated Homelessness Action Plan.
To meet this requirement, staff from each of these jurisdictions collaborated to draft an
MOU for consideration by their respective governing bodies. The MOU authorizes the
MOU Between the Orange County Continuum of Care, County of Orange, and the Cities
of Anaheim and Irvine for HHAP-6 Funding
December 2, 2025
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regional application and establishes a partnership to strengthen regional goals and
coordinate efforts to address the needs of homeless individuals and families through the
use of HHAP-6 funds. These goals include working closely with the CoC and
strengthening systemic efforts and processes to demonstrate a reduction in the number
of persons experiencing or entering homelessness annually.
To date, the City of Santa Ana has received a total of $33,665,250 from HHAP Rounds
1 through 5. The City anticipates receiving an additional $5,947,585 once the HHAP
Round 6 regional application is approved, and the City intends to continue implementing
the same activities that were funded under HHAP Rounds 1–5. The exact scope will
depend on the amount of funding awarded. If funding levels are lower than prior rounds,
the City will still prioritize maintaining the same core activities in order to sustain existing
programs and meet ongoing service needs. This regional approach promotes
coordination while maintaining local control over funds, ensuring that each jurisdiction
can address homelessness within its community while contributing to countywide goals
of reducing and preventing homelessness.
Through HHAP funding from Rounds 1 through 5, the City has assisted nearly 14,000
individuals and families who are either experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk
of becoming homeless. These funds have been instrumental in supporting the City’s
ongoing efforts to promote housing stability and improve outcomes for vulnerable
residents. Services include, but are not limited to:
shelter operations at the Carnegie Navigation Center;
rapid rehousing that provides case management to help homeless with housing
search services, and temporary financial assistance for rent and move-in
expenses;
life skills development that assist the unhoused prepare for employment and
become document ready for the housing application process;
street outreach and engagement to encourage the unhoused to accept shelter
and/or medical/substance use disorder treatment;
landlord engagement to identify available housing; and
transitional housing that provides temporary housing with supportive services for
a few months up to two years.
The CoC Board presented this MOU (Exhibit 1) for approval on October 22nd. The City
of Irvine received City Council approval to enter into an MOU for HHAP Round 6 on
November 12th, followed by the City of Anaheim on November 18. The County of
Orange will present this MOU (Exhibit 1) to the Board of Supervisors for approval on
December 16th.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with the action.
MOU Between the Orange County Continuum of Care, County of Orange, and the Cities
of Anaheim and Irvine for HHAP-6 Funding
December 2, 2025
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FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. MOU HHAP Round 6
Submitted By: Michael L. Garcia, Executive Director – Community Development Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE ORANGE COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE,
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE,
THE CITY OF ANAHEIM,
THE CITY OF IRVINE,
AND THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
FOR ROUND 6 OF THE HOMELESS HOUSING, ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM
COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION IN A REGIONALLY COORDINATED HOMELESSNESS
ACTION PLAN
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into, by and between the County of Orange
(County), acting as the Administrative Entity for the County of Orange and the Orange County Continuum
of Care (CoC); the City of Anaheim; the City of Irvine; and the City of Santa Ana. The Orange County CoC,
County, City of Anaheim, City of Irvine, and City of Santa Ana may be referred to individually as “Party”
and collectively as “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, on February 24, 2025, the California Department of Housing and Community Development
(HCD) announced the availability of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Round 6
(HHAP-6) grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the general purpose of HHAP-6 is to create and implement a Regionally Coordinated
Homelessness Action Plan that organizes and deploys the full array of homelessness programs and
resources comprehensively and effectively; and
WHEREAS, the HCD Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) identifies the Orange County CoC, the County,
the City of Anaheim, the City of Irvine, and the City of Santa Ana as eligible applicants for the HHAP-6 grant
funding. HCD requires eligible applicants to apply jointly as part of a “region”. “Region” is further defined
in the NOFA as the geographic area served by the county including all cities and CoCs within it; and
WHEREAS, the HHAP-6 grant funding requires the submission of a Regionally Coordinated Homelessness
Action Plan, amongst other documents, including this MOU; and
WHEREAS, by entering into this MOU, the Parties intend to participate in and comply with the Regionally
Coordinated Homelessness Action Plan and commit to uphold, participate in, and comply with the actions,
roles, and responsibilities of each Party as described in the HHAP-6 Regionally Coordinated Homelessness
Action Plan and summarized below;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties mutually agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
The Parties acknowledge and hereby commit to participate and comply with the actions, roles and
responsibilities of the Regionally Coordinated Homelessness Action Plan, which is incorporated by
reference herein and made a part of this MOU as Attachment I. The Parties’ agreement and commitments
to the Regionally Coordinated Homelessness Action Plan are summarized below and shall constitute the
entire MOU between the Parties.
EXHIBIT 1
1. The roles and responsibilities of each Party within the Orange County Region, as specified in
Section 3.a. in Attachment I, for outreach and site coordination, siting and use of available public
land, the development of interim and permanent housing options, and coordinating, connecting,
and delivering services to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing
homelessness within the Orange County Region are summarized below:
a. Outreach and Site Coordination
i. The Orange County CoC will invest and expand outreach and coordination
services for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness with the goal of
connecting them to emergency shelter, housing, and/or other supportive
services.
ii. The County will continue to fund regional care coordination services, which
provides targeted street outreach and engagement strategies for individuals
experiencing unsheltered homelessness and will continue to facilitate discussions
on how to best improve coordination amongst the County, cities and community-
based organizations to strengthen regional capacity and collaboration in the
delivery of services.
iii. The City of Anaheim will continue to fund an array of housing solutions to ensure
resources are available to serve the needs of unsheltered people, while
continuing to fund outreach to promote linkage.
iv. The City of Irvine will provide s outreach and engagement to people at risk of or
experiencing homelessness to provide connection to an array of services.
v. The City of Santa Ana will continue to provide outreach and engagement services
to unsheltered individuals and will exit homeless individuals from the streets by
linking persons to shelter and housing within their jurisdiction.
b. Land Use and Development
i. The Orange County CoC has no direct role or responsibility as it relates to land
use and development; however, the Orange County CoC will continue to work
collaboratively to support the Parties in fulfilling their land use and development
roles and responsibilities.
ii. The County will continue to identify available land and support development
opportunities with the County jurisdiction and support the County’s Housing
Funding Strategy, which prioritizes the development of permanent supportive
housing and affordable housing for people experiencing or exiting homelessness.
iii. The City of Anaheim will continue to identify, acquire, and develop available land
and structures in the city including prioritizing opportunities to dedicate units to
households experiencing or exiting homelessness while partnering with housing
developers.
iv. The City of Irvine will identify city-controlled property that can be made available
to promote housing opportunities to meet the needs of vulnerable populations.
v. The City of Santa Ana will also continue to identify, acquire, and develop available
land and structures in the city including prioritizing opportunities to dedicate
units to households experiencing or exiting homelessness
c. Development of Interim and Permanent Housing Options
EXHIBIT 1
i. The Orange County CoC will continue to work collaboratively with the Parties to
support them in the development of interim and permanent housing options and
invest in services for people experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness
that provide interim and permanent housing options.
ii. The County will continue to invest in services for people experiencing or at-risk of
experiencing homelessness that provide interim and permanent housing options.
iii. The City of Anaheim will continue to prioritize increasing access to permanent
affordable and supportive housing in the community, including incorporation of
funding that would bolster development either through entitlement allocations
or grant opportunities that arise. The City of Anaheim will also continue its work
with the Anaheim Housing Authority.
iv. The City of Irvine will continue to prioritize expanding access to affordable and
supportive housing in the community by leveraging a variety of funding options,
including entitlement allocations, grant opportunities, and other strategic
investments to support development.
v. The City of Santa Ana will continue to prioritize access to permanent affordable
and supportive housing in the community through a variety of funding options
and investments. The City of Santa Ana will continue to work with the Santa Ana
Housing Authority.
d. Coordination of and Connection to Service Delivery
i. The Orange County CoC will continue to strengthen collaboration with Service
Providers and stakeholders, including those with lived experience, transitional
aged youth, and veterans and emphasize the utilization of the Homeless
Management Information System and the expansion of the Coordinated Entry
System (CES) to support coordination practices that improve the delivery of
services.
ii. The County will continue to invest in services for people experiencing or at-risk of
experiencing homelessness, including regional street outreach and engagement
coordination, homelessness diversion and prevention strategies and
programming, interim and permanent housing solutions.
iii. The City of Anaheim will continue to improve and expand on the network of
homeless services in the city including evaluating gaps in services and barriers to
engagement in existing services.
iv. The City of Irvine will continue to connect individuals experiencing homelessness
or those at risk of homelessness to CalAIM services while forming partnerships
with providers.
v. The City of Santa Ana will continue to work with service providers that deliver
housing navigation services and resources to those who are housing insecure
while coordinating and delivering a wide range of services through community
partnerships.
e. Addressing Encampments
i. Parties will work to ensure that efforts to address encampments comply with the
California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) Guidance on Addressing
Encampments.
EXHIBIT 1
2. The Parties’ roles and responsibilities for Key Actions, as specified in Section 3.b. in Attachment I,
to improve the system performance measures are described below:
a. Number of people experiencing homelessness who are accessing services.
i. Parties will invest in street outreach and engagement strategies, including
regional care coordination services and partnerships with specialized outreach
teams, with a focus on reducing homelessness for those exiting an institution
such as hospitals, jails and prisons.
ii. Parties will invest in permanent housing solutions, such as rapid rehousing
programs and affordable housing development that assist people transition from
homelessness into permanent housing and homelessness prevention programs.
iii. Parties will invest in services coordination activities, including but not limited to
programs that provide compensation to people with lived experience of
homelessness, programs that support the CES activities, and life skills training
programs.
iv. The Orange County CoC and the County will invest in the Homeless Management
Information System (HMIS) to support HMIS administration activities and
strengthen the infrastructure of the homeless service system.
b. Number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on a single night.
i. Parties will invest in street outreach and engagement strategies, including
regional care coordination services and partnerships with specialized outreach
teams, with a focus on reducing homelessness for those exiting an institution
such as hospitals, jails and prisons.
ii. Parties will invest in the critical infrastructure of emergency shelters serving
individuals, families, transitional aged youth, and survivors of domestic violence
and their operations.
iii. The Orange County CoC and the County will invest in the HMIS to support HMIS
administration activities and strengthen the infrastructure of the homeless
service system.
c. Number of people accessing services who are experiencing homelessness for the first
time.
i. Parties will invest in services coordination activities, including but not limited to
programs that provide compensation to people with lived experience of
homelessness, programs that support the CES activities, and life skills training
programs.
ii. The Orange County CoC and County will invest in the HMIS to support HMIS
administration activities and strengthen the infrastructure of the homeless
service system.
d. Number of people exiting homelessness into permanent housing.
i. Parties will invest in permanent housing solutions, such as rapid rehousing
programs and affordable housing development that assist people transition from
homelessness into permanent housing and homelessness prevention programs.
ii. The Orange County CoC and County will invest in the HMIS to support HMIS
administration activities and strengthen the infrastructure of the homeless
service system.
EXHIBIT 1
e. Average length of time that people experienced homelessness while accessing services.
i. Parties will invest in street outreach and engagement strategies, including
regional care coordination services and partnerships with specialized outreach
teams, with a focus on reducing homelessness for those exiting an institution
such as hospitals, jails and prisons.
ii. Parties will invest in permanent housing solutions, such as rapid rehousing
programs and affordable housing development that assist people transition from
homelessness into permanent housing and homelessness prevention programs.
iii. Parties will invest in the critical infrastructure of emergency shelters serving
individuals, families, transitional aged youth, and survivors of domestic violence
and their operations.
iv. The Orange County CoC and County will invest in the HMIS to support HMIS
administration activities and strengthen the infrastructure of the homeless
service system.
f. Percent of people who return to homelessness within six (6) months of exiting the
homelessness response system to permanent housing.
i. Parties will invest in permanent housing solutions, such as rapid rehousing
programs and affordable housing development that assist people transition from
homelessness into permanent housing and homelessness prevention programs.
ii. Parties will invest in the critical infrastructure of emergency shelters serving
individuals, families, transitional aged youth, and survivors of domestic violence
and their operations.
iii. The Orange County CoC and the County will invest in the HMIS to support HMIS
administration activities and strengthen the infrastructure of the homeless
service system.
g. Number of people with successful placements from street outreach projects.
i. Parties will Invest in street outreach and engagement strategies, including
regional care coordination services and partnerships with specialized outreach
teams, with a focus on reducing homelessness for those exiting an institution
such as hospitals, jails and prisons.
ii. The Orange County CoC and the County will invest in the HMIS to support HMIS
administration activities and strengthen the infrastructure of the homeless
service system.
3. The Parties’ roles and responsibilities for Key Actions as specified in Section 3.b. in Attachment I
to ensure racial and gender equity in implementation of each Key Action detailed below:
a. Key Action 1: Invest in street outreach and engagement strategies, including regional care
coordination services and partnerships with specialized outreach teams, with a focus on
reducing homelessness for those exiting an institution such as hospitals, jails and prisons.
i. Parties will prioritize culturally responsive and trauma-informed outreach and
engagement strategies to better serve racial and gender groups
disproportionately affected by homelessness and incarceration. Outreach teams
will include staff who reflect the community’s racial, ethnic, and gender diversity
and receive ongoing training on implicit bias, anti-racism, and gender sensitivity.
Data collection via HMIS and CES will be analyzed to monitor equitable access and
EXHIBIT 1
outcomes. Partnerships with culturally specific organizations will ensure services
are accessible and respectful of diverse backgrounds.
ii. Parties will work to ensure housing navigation and placement efforts will
implement equity-focused prioritization within CES policies to ensure
overrepresented racial and ethnic groups, including Indigenous peoples,
Black/African American, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer or questioning, and more) individuals, receive timely access to interim and
permanent housing options. The Key Action will track placement rates and adjust
outreach and referral strategies to reduce disparities. Engagement with landlords
and housing developers to expand culturally affirming housing options will be
prioritized.
iii. Parties will work to ensure that case management will be individualized and
trauma-informed, with wraparound services such as mental health care,
substance use treatment, and peer support that are sensitive to cultural and
gender needs.
iv. Parties will monitor data to identify and intervene early in cases where retention
disparities appear.
v. Parties will work to implement requests for proposals (RFPs) will include equity
criteria and scoring that reward culturally competent service models
b. Key Action 2: Invest in permanent housing solutions, such as rapid rehousing programs
and affordable housing development that assist people transition from homelessness into
permanent housing and homelessness prevention programs.
i. Parties will implement culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches to
service delivery, ensuring staff receive ongoing training on implicit bias, cultural
humility, and gender sensitivity. Outreach and engagement strategies will
prioritize historically underserved and overrepresented populations.
ii. Parties will work to address inequities in housing placements by establishing
targeted referral pathways and prioritization criteria that focus on those
disproportionately impacted by homelessness.
iii. Parties will promote equitable housing retention by providing culturally
competent case management and wraparound supportive services that address
specific needs related to race, gender, and trauma history.
iv. Parties will work to implement equity-focused procurement policies that evaluate
vendors on their capacity to deliver equitable outcomes and commitment to
diversity, equity, and inclusion.
c. Key Action 3: Invest in the critical infrastructure of emergency shelters serving individuals,
families, transitional aged youth, and survivors of domestic violence and their operations.
racial and gender equity in housing retention.
i. Parties will prioritize culturally responsive and trauma-informed service delivery
within emergency shelters by investing in staff training focused on implicit bias,
cultural humility, and gender sensitivity. Shelter operations will implement
tailored engagement strategies to meet the unique needs of overrepresented
groups, women, and gender-diverse individuals, including survivors of domestic
violence and transitional aged youth.
EXHIBIT 1
ii. Parties will work to strengthen CES to ensure transparent, fair, and prioritized
referrals that address systemic barriers faced by racial and ethnic minorities and
gender-diverse populations. Data-driven decision-making will monitor placement
rates by demographic groups to identify and address disparities.
iii. Parties will ensure that programs integrate supportive services, including
behavioral health, case management, and peer support, that are culturally
competent and gender affirming.
iv. Parties will work to incorporate equity-focused procurement policies for shelter
infrastructure projects, technology vendors, and service providers.
d. Key Action 4: Invest in services coordination activities, including but not limited to
programs that provide compensation to people with lived experience of homelessness,
programs that support the CES activities, and life skills training programs.
i. Parties will prioritize culturally responsive and trauma-informed service delivery
by incorporating training for all staff and peer specialists on implicit bias, cultural
humility, and gender sensitivity.
ii. Parties will use data-driven approaches to monitor placement outcomes,
identifying disparities and informing corrective actions.
iii. Parties will support ongoing, culturally competent case management and peer
support that address the specific challenges faced by overrepresented
populations, including trauma, discrimination, and systemic inequities.
iv. Parties will work to implement equity-focused procurement policies will be
adopted to increase contracting opportunities for disadvantaged business
enterprises.
e. Key Action 5: Invest in the HMIS to support HMIS administration activities and strengthen
the infrastructure of the homeless service system.
i. Parties will work to expand HMIS functionality to capture more detailed
demographic and needs-based data, so that providers will be able to identify
disparities in service access and tailor outreach to underrepresented groups
disproportionately experiencing homelessness.
ii. Parties will work to Improve data quality and follow-up tracking within HMIS will
make it possible to monitor housing retention rates by demographic group.
iii. Parties will work to integrate equity requirements into vendor and subrecipient
procurement processes for HMIS administration and related services.
4. The parties will ensure that programs and projects funded with HHAP-6 are consistent with
Housing First and that all subgrantees will employ the required core components of Housing First,
per HSC section 50241(f).
ARTICLE II
Term. This MOU shall become effective upon signing by all Parties and shall terminate on June 30, 2029,
unless extended in whole or in part by all Parties, as provided in this MOU.
ARTICLE III
EXHIBIT 1
Fiscal. There shall be no renumeration between the Parties related to the execution and implementation of
the terms of this MOU.
ARTICLE IV
Changes to the MOU. This MOU may be amended, including amendments that incorporate future HHAP-6
requirements that may be requested by HCD, by mutual consent of the Parties, hereto. Said amendments
shall become effective only when in writing and fully executed by duly authorized officers of the Parties
hereto.
ARTICLE V
Authorized Signatories. The Parties to this MOU represents that the undersigned individuals executing this
MOU on their respective behalf are fully authorized to do so by law or other appropriate instrument and to
bind upon said Parties to the obligations set forth herein.
EXHIBIT 1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this MOU as of the last date and year written below.
ORANGE COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE
By:______________________________
Dr. Shauntina Sorrells
Chair
Orange County Continuum of Care
Dated:___________________________
By:______________________________
Douglas Becht
County of Orange, County Executive Office
Office of Care Coordination
Dated:___________________________
Approved As To Form
CEO Counsel
County of Orange, California
By:________________________________
Deputy
Dated:______________________________
COUNTY OF ORANGE
By:______________________________
Douglas Becht
County of Orange, County Executive Office
Office of Care Coordination
Dated:___________________________
Approved As To Form
CEO Counsel
County of Orange, California
By:________________________________
Deputy
Dated:______________________________
EXHIBIT 1
CITY OF ANAHEIM
ATTEST: CITY OF ANAHEIM
____________________________ ____________________________
THERESA BASS JAMES VANDERPOOL
City Clerk City Manager
Dated:_______________________ Dated:_______________________
APPROVE AS TO FORM: RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL:
____________________________ _____________________________
RYAN HODGE GRACE RUIZ-STEPTER
Deputy City Attorney Director
Dept of Housing and Community Development
Dated:_______________________ Dated:_______________________
CITY OF IRVINE
Dated: _____________________
CITY OF IRVINE,
a California municipal corporation
By: ___________________________
Sean P. Crumby, Interim City Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
RUTAN & TUCKER, LLP
____________________________
Jeffrey T. Melching, City Attorney
ATTEST:
____________________________
Carl Petersen, City Clerk
EXHIBIT 1
CITY OF SANTA ANA
ATTEST:
________________________________
Jennifer Hall
City Clerk
Dated:____________________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
SONIA R. CARVALHO
City Attorney
By:_______________________________
Andrea Garcia-Miller
Senior Assistant City Attorney
CITY OF SANTA ANA
____________________________________
Alvaro Nuñez
City Manager
Dated:________________________________
RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL:
___________________________________
Michael Garcia
Executive Director
Community Development Agency
EXHIBIT 1