HOMELESSNESSin Huntington Beach

Addressing

HOW WE GOT HERE

Most cities are experiencing challenges in addressing the increase in homelessness The County of Orange and nine cities have been sued over the lack of emergency shelter beds in their citiesThese lawsuits are based on a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that held anti-camping ordinances that preclude homeless individuals from sleeping on public property are unenforceable if a City lacks immediately available shelter beds Huntington Beach has been informed that they may be added to the pending lawsuit as a defendantOur police officers need the ability to offer homeless individuals emergency shelter beds in order to enforce certain ordinancesThe Navigation Center for the homeless is being done in order to ensure our police officers can enforce our anti-camping, trespassing and loitering laws This solution will allow placement for those in need, allow officers to enforce laws that keeps our parks, open spaces and beaches safe, and allow the City to avoid the costly litigation that has plagued other cities

WWW.HUNTINGTONBEACHCA.GOV/HOMELESSNESS