November 17th to November 23rd is Homelessness Awareness Week this year and across Orange County, numerous organizations are drawing attention to our local homelessness crisis. According to the Everyone Counts OC’s 2024 Point in Time Summary, there are currently 7,322 people experiencing homelessness in Orange County as of 2024. 4,173 of those people are unsheltered. Since 2019, the homeless population in Orange County has increased by 5% while homelessness in California overall has increased by 20%.
Unlike what popular misconceptions say, homelessness is not primarily caused by mental illness or drug addiction. According to a UCI Cost Study, 75% of people experiencing homelessness are on the streets because they couldn’t secure affordable housing or a job with a sustainable wage. Familial issues are also a contributing factor, as the second most-reported reason for women’s homelessness is domestic violence. Contrary to what many think, people experiencing homelessness are often on the streets because of circumstances out of their control. There is a need to acknowledge their dignity as human beings because living on the streets should not define who they are
The Sisters of St. Joseph’s Housing Advocacy Team is a collaborative effort that includes advocates and community leaders who meet monthly to discuss issues and find ways to engage the community. The team’s purpose statement is simple: “We ascertain and articulate the impact of the housing shortage and affordability crisis on our ‘dear neighbor’ in our local and wider community.” Other local organizations that the Housing Advocacy Team works with include the Kennedy Commission and United to End Homelessness. One of the priorities for the Housing Advocacy Team is to collaborate with faith, community leaders, and housing advocates to provide affordable housing in the City of Orange.
The Sisters have also converted their former motherhouse into an affordable housing community for senior citizens. Villa St. Joseph is made up of fifty high-quality apartment-style homes and over one-third of those homes are available for homeless seniors. It has on-site supportive services, community rooms, and a beautiful garden for residents to enjoy. To apply for residency at Villa St. Joseph, please visit 490 S Batavia Street and pick up an application there.
Unfortunately, not every person experiencing homelessness is lucky enough to receive the aid they need to get off the streets. For eight years now, the Sisters of St. Joseph have been a part of a group that includes Our Father’s Table and the Diocese of Orange to hold annual memorial services for those who have died on the streets of Orange County. This memorial is held on December 21st, the longest night of the year, to symbolize the struggles that people experiencing homelessness are fighting against. Their health and safety are at constant risk as they sleep on the streets, unsure of when their next meal is going to be. It is heartbreaking to know that so many of them die cold and hungry.
People experiencing homelessness are our brothers and sisters, despite differences in life circumstances. Every human being has the right to shelter. You can help by signing up to support Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week with this link for an opportunity to be involved and advocate for our unhoused dear neighbors.
Comments