More homeless than city thought

My recent column detailing Yorba Linda's official “homeless strategy” drew a valuable response from a local church worker who is able to provide up-to-date information on the number of homeless individuals seeking help within this community.

In the Aug. 8 article, I noted the city strategy focuses on preventing homelessness, by providing 521 affordable rental units and working with the county Housing Authority to furnish Section 8 rental aid to 95 low-income households, among other tools.

I mentioned that Yorba Linda's homeless population was estimated at four individuals out of a countywide number of about 35,000. The “four” figure, I said, was based on a 2009 survey of 571 homeless individuals who answered a question about their last place of residence.

The data came from the recently adopted Annual Action Plan, part of a City Council-approved Consolidated Plan that outlines how the city spends federal Housing and Urban Development grants, totaling $212,515 for the 2013-14 fiscal year, out of some $3 billion spent countrywide.

But Rieta Moreno, administrative assistant at Yorba Linda's First Baptist Church, is in a position to supply present-day information regarding the city's homeless population, based on her interviews and conversations with local homeless individuals.

Moreno estimates the city's homeless as from 17 to 21 individuals, a number she says is confirmed by her contacts with other local churches within the past couple of weeks. She noted, “Some are seeing more people than we have been.”

A majority of the homeless are in their 20s, Moreno explained. “Many do not look homeless, as they use the laundromat to keep their clothes clean and stash their personal items during the day in a safe place. Only a couple of them carry their items around with them.”

One of Moreno's contacts has been homeless since October 2012: “It wasn't his choice, nor does he want to stay homeless. It was a series of unfortunate life issues that caused this. He is very intelligent and willing to work.”

Moreno noted the individual has received help from local churches in the form of gift cards for food and daily bus passes, with several churches and groups offering hot meals and pantries. Basics such as clothing, toiletries, phone cards and hotel vouchers are needs less well met.

“I am contacting all the local churches to find out exactly what they provide. There are a lot of lists floating around, but so many of them are outdated and services are too far for most to travel. We want to know exactly what is offered here in this community and how we can help these people, so I am gathering that information,” Moreno stated.

Moreno added her contact said for the most part people treat the homeless poorly: “There are some good people who do kind things, but most people don't want to deal with them.”