Orange County Supervisors poised to vote on new approach to homelessness

Orange County is set to tighten its anti-camping regulations aimed at unhoused people. If the Orange County Board of Supervisors approves the new ordinance at its Tuesday meeting, people could face fines and jail time for sleeping along flood control channels and on other county-owned land.

The bigger picture

The move follows dozens of Southern California cities that have done the same in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling last year. The court found it is within the Constitution to punish people for sleeping in public spaces even if they have nowhere else to sleep.

The backstory in Orange County

In 2019, Orange County and more than a dozen cities signed a landmark settlement with homeless advocates that required the county to screen an unhoused person for mental health and other needs, and to offer shelter and services before arresting or ticketing them for violating anti-camping and loitering laws. Tuesday's vote, if successful, signals a shift in direction: Authorities say it gives them another tool to address homelessness.

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What’s next? 

If the Orange County Board of Supervisors approves the new ordinance at its Tuesday meeting, people could face fines and jail time for sleeping along flood control channels and on other county-owned land.

Go deeper on the issue

• 100-plus cities, including in SoCal, banned homeless camping this year. But will it work?
• Cheers and jeers in SoCal to Supreme Court ruling that opens door to wider anti-camping laws
• Supreme Court gives cities in California and beyond more power to crack down on camps of unhoused people

How to watchdog your local government

One of the best things you can do to hold officials accountable is pay attention. Your city council, board of supervisors, school board and more all hold public meetings that anybody can attend. These are times you can talk to your elected officials directly and hear about the policies they’re voting on that affect your community.

• Read tips on how to get involved.
• The next regular meeting of the Orange County Board of Supervisors is Nov. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at 400 West Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana. You can check out the O.C. Board of Supervisors full calendar here.
• Learn how to submit a public comment to the O.C. Board of Supervisors.