2026 Point in Time Count
The Point In Time (PIT) Count is a federally mandated biennial count conducted in communities nationwide to estimate the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on a single night, and an annual count of people experiencing sheltered homelessness. In Orange County, this effort is led by the County of Orange and the Orange County of Continuum of Care in partnership with all 34 Orange County cities, homeless service providers, law enforcement agencies, and community volunteers. The results of the PIT Count provide a snapshot of homelessness throughout Orange County and help inform program planning, funding, and policy development.
On May 18, 2026, the 2026 PIT Count Report detailing the results of the count was released by the Office of Care Coordination. The 2026 PIT Count identified 6,321 people experiencing homelessness, which represents a 13.7% decrease in overall homelessness and a 26.6% reduction in unsheltered homelessness compared to 2024. Additionally, for the first time in Orange County history, more individuals experiencing homelessness were staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing than were living unsheltered on the streets and places not meant for human habitation.
Completing the 2026 PIT Count was a complex and highly coordinated logistical effort that relied on strong collaboration across the community. The report highlighted this collective effort and commitment to address homelessness by recognizing how nearly 900 volunteers across approximately 1,400 volunteer shifts came together to canvass Orange County. The full 2026 PIT Count Report is available on the Office of Care Coordination website, please click HERE to view.
Annual Supplier Outreach Event
On April 15, 2026, the Orange County Procurement Office hosted the 5th Annual Supplier Outreach Event at the Anaheim Convention Center. This event allowed vendors and community members to learn about the County of Orange’s (County) procurement and contracting processes and how to successfully procure a contract with the County. The event was well attended by vendors from various industries, as well as numerous County departments and agencies. The Office of Care Coordination hosted a table at the event in support of efforts to increase participation and engagement from Human Services vendors. Attendees were able to learn more about the Office of Care Coordination's programs and services and potential partnership opportunities.
Request for Proposals: Emergency Shelter Operations and Services for Individuals, Families, Survivors and Transitional Age Youth
On May 27, 2026, the Office of Care Coordination released a Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting qualified organizations to submit proposals for the Emergency Shelter Operations and Services (ESOS) for Individuals, Families, Survivors and Transitional Age Youth (TAY). The goal of the ESOS Program is to provide access to emergency shelter beds combined with supportive and stabilizing services that address the complex needs of participants experiencing homelessness in Orange County. The ESOS Program will provide trauma-informed and evidence-based case management services that support linkage to permanent housing and increased income. Proposals are due on July 8, 2026. The Office of Care Coordination looks forward to working with providers to support successful implementation of the ESOS Program through this RFP process.
Rapid Rehousing Services Request for Proposals (RFP)
In the summer of 2026, the Office of Care Coordination plans to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking proposals for rapid rehousing programs that address homelessness in Orange County. The RFP will support transitional age youth (TAY), families, and individuals, while prioritizing services for older adults. The Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funds will support programs selected through the RFP. This RFP is intended to emphasize programs that demonstrate clear and direct channels to permanent housing through temporary rental assistance combined with supportive and stabilizing services. The Office of Care Coordination looks forward to working with providers to support successful implementation of these programs through this RFP process.
Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Round 6 Award
The Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Round 6 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) was released on February 24, 2025. In collaboration with the cities of Anaheim, Irvine and Santa Ana, and the Orange County Continuum of Care, the Office of Care Coordination completed the application process for this funding in August 2025. In April 2026, the Office of Care Coordination received notification that the HHAP Round 6 application was approved with an award of $35.1 million for the Orange County region. HHAP Round 6 funds can be used to support activities such as emergency shelter operations, rapid rehousing, and homelessness prevention. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) receives HHAP funding from the California State Legislature and allocates these funds to eligible Continuums of Care, counties and large cities.
Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Round 5 Application
On June 29, 2026, the Office of Care Coordination submitted an application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Round 5. The Office of Care Coordination’s Outreach and Engagement team collaborated with local partners to identify an encampment zone that would benefit significantly from this ERF funding. If awarded, the program will focus on supporting individuals within the encampment to transition to stable permanent housing. ERF is a competitive grant program available to assist local jurisdictions to provide services and support to people experiencing homelessness within encampments that results in meaningful paths to safe and stable housing. Eligible applicants include counties, Continuums of Care, and cities of any size.
Commission to Address Homelessness Updates
New Appointment
The Commission to Address Homelessness (Commission) is dedicated to promoting an effective countywide response to preventing and ending homelessness through comprehensive coordination and collaboration among local leaders to address homelessness in Orange County. The Commission is comprised of nineteen voting members representing a broad range of stakeholder organizations.
On May 19, 2026, the Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Karen Loddby, Behavioral Health Bureau Lieutenant, as the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department representative to serve on the Commission for a term beginning May 19, 2026, and ending December 10, 2027.
Lieutenant Loddby has nearly 20 years of experience in the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department and brings a well-rounded background spanning custody operations, patrol operations, training, and investigations, with a strong emphasis on leadership, interagency collaboration, and crisis response.
In her current role, Lieutenant Loddby works closely with individuals experiencing homelessness and acute mental health crises, where she emphasizes the importance of de-escalation, stabilization, and connections to appropriate services and resources. She oversees and ensures delivery of ongoing training programs including the Crisis Intervention Team and Homeless Liaison Officers, ensuring personnel are equipped with best practices for engaging individuals experiencing homelessness.
Lieutenant Loddby also leads coordinated, multidisciplinary responses through partnership with Orange County Outreach & Engagement, Orange County Health Care Agency, Orange County Public Works, Orange County Community Resources, and community organizations thereby helping implement systemwide strategies that address the complex needs of vulnerable populations.
CES Operator Transition
The County of Orange (County) serves as lead agency for the Coordinated Entry System (CES), as designated by the Orange County Continuum of Care (CoC). The County’s Office of Care Coordination is the direct grant recipient and contract administrator with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for CES. The Office Care Coordination released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for CES Administrator(s) for individuals, families, and survivors of domestic violence. The RFP for CES services was divided into three programs: (1) Program A: CES Administrator for Individuals, (2) Program B: CES Administrator for Families, and (3) Program C: CES Administrator for Survivors of Domestic Violence (Survivors). The RFP was released on February 4, 2026, and closed on March 6, 2026.
On May 19, 2026, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the Office of Care Coordination to begin contract negotiations with the highest-ranked respondent for each Program component of the RFP and identified the second-highest ranked respondents as alternatives should contract negotiations be unsuccessful.
PATH was the highest-ranked respondent for Programs A, B, and C. Friendship Shelter was the second-highest ranked respondent for Programs A and C, while Orange County United Way was the second highest ranked respondent for Program B.
On June 1, 2026, the Office of Care Coordination successfully completed negotiations with PATH for all three Programs. As PATH continues the initial ramp-up process, including hiring and training new CES Administrative staff, the Office of Care Coordination is prepared to support the day-to-day operations of CES to ensure there are no interruptions to the critical CES services. On July 1, 2026, the Office of Care Coordination will oversee the operations of CES, until PATH is fully onboarded, which is estimated to take 60 – 90 days.
Friendship Shelter has served as the administrator for CES for Individuals since 2021, and the CES for Survivors since 2025. Friendship Shelter’s dedication, collaboration, and client-centered approach have been instrumental in strengthening access and coordination for individuals and survivors.
Orange County United Way has served as the administrator for CES for Families since 2025. Its leadership, responsiveness, and focus on family-centered solutions have significantly enhanced the functioning of the CES for Families.
The contracts with Friendship Shelter and Orange County United Way expired on June 30, 2026. The Office of Care Coordination extends sincere appreciation to both Friendship Shelter and Orange County United Way for their commitment, leadership, and service to the Orange County community. Words cannot express gratitude for the meaningful contributions both organizations have made to advancing the Orange County CES and supporting the shared mission to end homelessness in Orange County.
Questions regarding the CES transition can be submitted to CoordinatedEntry@ceo.oc.gov with the subject line “CES Transition”.
Cartwright Family Apartments Complete Lease Up
Move-ins for housing units began in March 2026 at Cartwright Family Apartments, a new community developed by C&C Development located in the Irvine Business Complex. In addition to general affordable housing units for low-income households, the community included Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units that received eight (8) referrals for Project-Based Vouchers, and two (2) non-Project-Based Vouchers through the Orange County Coordinated Entry System (CES). Thanks to the collaboration of the Orange County Health Care Agency, Orange County Housing Authority, and other partners, 10 Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) qualified households have successfully moved into their new units at Cartwright, ending their homelessness. These households will receive ongoing case management and supportive services onsite while maintaining their housing.
Avon River in Costa Mesa
Avon River Apartments is a new permanent housing community in Costa Mesa owned and operated by American Family Housing. In partnership with the Orange County Health Care Agency, the cities of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, and the Orange County Housing Authority, Avon River will provide housing for 76 community members, helping them end their homelessness.
All 76 community members will be referred to permanent housing at Avon River through the Orange County Coordinated Entry System (CES). Ten units are reserved for Veterans of the United States Armed Forces, 24 units are for Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) qualified households, 16 units are for Costa Mesa residents, 12 units are for Newport Beach residents, and the remaining 14 units are reserved for the highest prioritized households enrolled in CES.
Referrals for Avon River began in March 2026 and all 76 households will be moving into their new units in summer 2026.
Persistence in Outreach Leads to Transformative Results
A recent client success story from the Orange County Outreach and Engagement (OC O&E) team underscores the profound impact of patience and consistent support. The individual, who had been experiencing homelessness and living in their vehicle until it was eventually towed, had initially declined assistance when first contacted by the team.
Over time, ongoing engagement and trust building opened the door to meaningful progress. Through coordinated efforts, staff connected the client to mental health services, regional care coordination, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) resources, hygiene access through a local church, a cellphone provider, temporary shelter, and support in securing necessary documents. Each step required persistence, collaboration, and a commitment to meeting the client at a pace that reflected their individual needs and readiness.
After months of support, the efforts culminated in a significant milestone: the client was matched to housing and successfully moved into their new home. Shortly afterward, the client contacted the team to express their appreciation for the team’s ongoing patience and guidance, sharing that the experience had been life changing.
This success story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that persistence, trust, and cross program collaboration can make. It also reflects the dedication of team members who continue to show up, build rapport, and walk alongside individuals as they navigate complex challenges.
OC O&E is proud of this outcome and of the collective commitment that made it possible.
    OC Same-Day Solutions Fair
The Office of Care Coordination supports the monthly OC Same-Day Solutions Fairs (SDSF), an ongoing collaborative event aimed at connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with critical services that promote stability, empowerment, and pathways to self-sufficiency. By offering multiple services in a single, accessible location, the event streamlines coordination among service providers and helps individuals experiencing homelessness address immediate needs while establishing longer term goals. Every other month, the Office of Care Coordination partners with The HUB Resource Center in Orange to co-host an OC SDSF and facilitate consistent access to resources.
The OC SDSF brings together County of Orange (County) and State Departments, along with community-based organizations, to provide comprehensive support to help reduce barriers and improve access to programs and services. Additionally, the event expands access to the Homeless Court, offering individuals the opportunity to resolve outstanding infractions, misdemeanors, and warrants. Providers include representatives from the County’s departments include the Orange County Social Service Agency, Orange County Clerk-Recorder, Orange County Health Care Agency, Orange County Child Support Services, Orange County Public Defenders, and Orange County District Attorney, and Orange County Community Resources.
So far in 2026, OC SDSF events have been held in the cities of Placentia, Costa Mesa, Orange, and San Juan Capistrano. If you are interested in receiving notifications about upcoming SDSF events, please contact CareCoordination@ceo.oc.gov and request to be added to the distribution list.
Annual Monitoring Completed
The Office of Care Coordination has successfully completed the annual monitoring of 19 shelter programs countywide to ensure adherence with federal and state funding regulations, as well as compliance with the County of Orange’s Standards of Care for Emergency Shelter Providers. The goal of the annual monitoring process is to ensure quality assurance in the operation of emergency shelters. Throughout the monitoring process, the Office of Care Coordination is committed to offering technical assistance to program providers while reviewing services, operations, and activities.
The Office of Care Coordination would like to extend its gratitude to every agency that has been part of this process. The Office of Care Coordination will provide annual monitoring training in advance of the monitoring schedule for fiscal year 2026-2027. As monitoring approaches, County of Orange -funded shelter programs will receive notification of their scheduled monitoring.
Bridges at Kraemer Shelter Operations Transition
Following a competitive recruitment process, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the Office of Care Coordination’s contract for the operations of Bridges at Kraemer Place to PATH on March 24, 2026. The Request for Proposals (RFP), originally released on September 8, 2025, sought a qualified provider to continue delivering high-quality emergency shelter operations and comprehensive support services to the County of Orange’s 200-bed emergency shelter serving adults experiencing homelessness in the North Service Planning Area.
PATH officially began shelter operations on June 1, 2026. While the shelter operator has changed, Bridges at Kraemer Place will continue to provide the same evidence-based case management services, including motivational interviewing, progressive engagement, trauma informed care, and harm reduction and risk management, to support participants in identifying and overcoming barriers to housing stability and economic self-sufficiency. The transition of shelter operators was carefully planned by the Office of Care Coordination to ensure continuity of care, and all current shelter participants continue to receive services without interruption.
The Office of Care Coordination extends its sincerest gratitude to Mercy House for its years of dedicated service operating Bridges at Kraemer Place. Their commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness has made a meaningful impact on participants and helped to strengthen the Homeless Service System.
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