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52 <br /> Orange County's only emergency shelter is run by the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC). <br /> IFC also offers a transitional housing program for men.The Freedom House Recovery Center <br /> provides residential mental health and substance use services for men,women, children, and <br /> families (in addition to outpatient and crisis services), and there are several Oxford Houses in the <br /> county that provide transitional housing for people in recovery from substance use disorder.The <br /> county does not have a domestic violence shelter. <br /> Helping people experiencing homelessness(especially people and families experiencing <br /> chronic homelessness;families with children;veterans and their families; and <br /> unaccompanied youth)make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, <br /> including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience <br /> homelessness,facilitating access to affordable housing units,and preventing individuals and <br /> families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again. <br /> The Continuum of Care(CoC) in Orange County operates a Rapid Re-Housing(RRH) program, <br /> which provides short-term rental assistance and supportive services to individuals and families <br /> experiencing homelessness. However,the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness <br /> (OCPEH) has identified significant gaps in funding and service alignment, noting the need for more <br /> flexible, individualized support that includes financial assistance, case management, and housing <br /> navigation. Expanding these components and integrating best practices into the RRH program <br /> would improve housing stability outcomes and ensure that clients receive the level of assistance <br /> they need to remain housed long-term. In Fiscal Year 2023, 198 individuals and families exited <br /> homelessness,with a relatively low return-to-homelessness rate of 6.5%within two years.This <br /> success reflects the strength of case management services provided by organizations such as <br /> Inter-Faith Council for Social Service(IFC),the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), and <br /> Cardinal Innovations (the LME/MCO for Orange County).These agencies work closely with clients <br /> to navigate the housing process, connect to supportive services, and stabilize their living situations. <br /> Orange County has also seen success in its homeless diversion program,which prevents <br /> homelessness for approximately 25%of households seeking emergency shelter.This program uses <br /> a strengths-based, guided conversation approach, coupled with flexible financial assistance,to <br /> help households identify immediate alternative housing solutions without entering the shelter <br /> system. <br /> Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless,especially extremely <br /> low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly <br /> funded institutions and systems of care(such as health care facilities, mental health <br /> facilities,foster care and other youth facilities,and corrections programs and institutions);or, <br /> receiving assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health,social <br /> services, employment,education, or youth needs. <br /> Orange County administers an Emergency Housing Assistance(EHA) program designed to support <br /> individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity by providing financial assistance to <br /> prevent homelessness and eviction.The fund helps cover rent and utility arrears, security and utility <br /> deposits,first month's rent, and other essential one-time expenses that enable at-risk households <br /> to secure or maintain stable housing. By intervening before eviction or displacement occurs,the <br /> 49 <br />