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52 <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, OCPEH has identified significant gaps in funding and service <br /> alignment, noting the need for more flexible, individualized support that includes financial <br /> assistance, case management, and housing navigation. Expanding these components and <br /> integrating best practices into the RRH program would improve housing stability outcomes and <br /> ensure that clients receive the level of assistance they need to remain housed long-term. In Fiscal <br /> Year 2024, 198 individuals and families exited homelessness,with a relatively low return-to- <br /> homelessness rate of 6.5%within two years.This success reflects the strength of case <br /> management services provided by organizations such as Inter-Faith Council for Social Service <br /> (IFC),the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), and Alliance Healthcare.These agencies work <br /> closely with clients to navigate the housing process, connect to supportive services, and stabilize <br /> their living situations. Orange County has also seen success in its homeless diversion program, <br /> which prevents homelessness for approximately 25%of households seeking emergency shelter. <br /> This program uses a strengths-based,guided conversation approach, coupled with flexible <br /> financial assistance,to help households identify immediate alternative housing solutions without <br /> entering the shelter 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 /> program plays a crucial role in preventing homelessness and reducing housing instability in the <br /> county. <br /> The county also operates an Eviction Diversion Program (EDP),which provides legal assistance and <br /> case management to tenants facing eviction.Through legal representation, mediation services, and <br /> 49 <br />