Residents Can See the Tools in the Battle Against Homelessness on Wednesday

More than a dozen non-profit agencies on the front lines of fighting homelessness in Orange County will join law-enforcement officials and Lake Forest Councilman Robert Pequeno to educate residents on the fight against homelessness on Wednesday.

“Homelessness is a critical issue facing Lake Forest and cities throughout the state, but there’s no single answer,” said Pequeno, the first homeless liaison deputy in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department before his retirement. “Non-profit agencies, law enforcement, and local government all play a critical role. We want to ensure residents are aware of all of the work going into addressing the issue.”

Lake Forest is hosting a “Homeless Resources Information Night” at 6 p.m. on June 28. The public is invited to hear about trends in addressing homelessness and about the critical efforts of non-profit groups.

Ninety percent of respondents to the 2023 Lake Forest Resident and Business Satisfaction Survey said addressing homelessness was the most important task facing the City’s Community Services Department, which manages Lake Forest parks. Lake Forest, like many cities, relies on a team of specially trained OC Sheriff’s Deputies and outreach workers from the non-profit Mercy House to get to know homeless individuals and place them in housing or treatment, whichever is appropriate. The City Council in June approved funding for a new staff member that would work with homeless individuals as well.

Among the non-profit organizations scheduled to attend Wednesday’s meeting are the Orange County Rescue Mission, Saddleback Church, South County Outreach, Friendship Shelter, and the Illumination Foundation. Groups that will attend provide emergency support, long-term housing, and affordable housing.

The Homeless Resources Information Night is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28 at the Lake Forest Community Center, 100 Civic Center Dr. The event includes opening remarks and an overview of the laws guiding government response to homelessness, followed by a period for residents to interact with each of the non-profit organizations.

Join those on the front lines trying to solve homelessness at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. There's no easy answer, no single answer.