Homeless Services

The City of Laguna Niguel is committed to doing its fair share to provide assistance and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness in the City of Laguna Niguel. 

A Brief Recent History

On July 1, 2024, the City transitioned its homeless outreach and division efforts to an in-house Human Services model. Since then, the Human Services team has expanded the City's capacity to engage directly with residents in need, strengthen connections with the Continuum of Care, and coordinate comprehensive support across prevention, diversion, housing navigation, and community partnerships.

Since July 1, 2024, Human Services has provided 264 direct senior center service and resource hours, made 164 unique contacts with individuals experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness, and facilitated temporary housing linkages for 18 residents. The division has permanently housed 3 individuals and supported 9 residents with prevention assistance through partnerships with South County Outreach, Family Assistance Ministries and faith-based partners. In total, 225 linkages have been made to community support, other mental health, substance abuse, and other essential services.

Through these efforts, the City of Laguna Niguel demonstrates an unwavering commitment to ending homelessness in the community. By working hand-in-hand with residents, non-profits, faith-based partners, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and City Code Compliance, Human Services delivers compassionate, coordinated, and results-driven support ensuring every individual has the opportunity for safety, stability, and a permanent place to call home.

 


                                                                                  City Seal

                                               OCSD logo

FAM logo

south county outreach logo


   


The City’s efforts to end homelessness focus on a three-pronged, collaborative partnership that includes City Administration, Local Service Providers and Behavioral Health Liaisons (BHLs), formerly known as Homeless Liaison Officers.  This collaborative approach to providing resources, outreach, and diversion services to individuals experiencing homeless is safe, supported, and dignified.  The goal of this partnership is to secure temporary and/or permanent housing for individuals in need while maintaining the community's safety.

Diagram including City Administration, Behavioral Health Liaisons, and Service Provider Partners

City Administration

The City Manager’s Office is the lead Department on homelessness-related issues in the City of Laguna Niguel. On June 4, 2024, the City Council approved its first in-house Management Analyst focusing on Human Services. The City is dedicated to addressing community concerns as they relate to individuals experiencing homelessness, at-risk seniors needing assistance, veterans, families, or troubled youth. In this new staff position, the critical responsibility will be to maintain the continuity of care by collaborating with local service provider partners and Behavioral Health Liaisons (BHLs). The public can contact Management Analyst — Human Services, Stacy Lumley, at slumley@cityoflagunaniguel.org or Assistant City Manager, Justin Martin, at jjmartin@cityoflagunaniguel.org.  

Key Local Service Provider Partners

The City’s Key Local Service Provider Partners play a pivotal role in providing ongoing services and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness and to community members who may be on the verge of homelessness. Local service providers work with youth, families, and single adults to identify and meet their needs related to housing, mental health, nutrition, government programs, subsidy assistance, substance abuse, relocation, transportation, etc. Key local service providers include:

  • Family Assistance Ministries

    • Providing rental assistance, utility assistance, food subsidy programs, and job skills training to Laguna Niguel residents
    • Collaborate with City of Laguna Niguel Management Analyst — Human Services

  • South County Outreach

    • Providing rental assistance, utility assistance, food subsidy programs, and outreach services to Laguna Niguel residents
    • Collaborate with City of Laguna Niguel Management Analyst — Human Services

Behavioral Health Liaisons (BHLs)

Behavioral Health Liaisons, formerly known as Homeless Liaison Officers (HLOs), are Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department who are assigned to Patrol and other assignments. They recognize the need in the community for the rapid provision of resources to individuals experiencing homelessness in the community. BHLs receive additional training on mental illness and how to connect the homeless population with available services and resources. The efforts are completed by communicating and collaborating with multi-disciplinary service providers and partnering governmental agencies including, but not limited to, Family Assistance Ministries, South County Outreach, Orange County Mental Health, Veterans Services, and Families Forward, to name a few. These organizations help provide the individualized and specific support needed to address unmet life necessities. These necessities include short-term and long-term housing, employment opportunities, mental health services, food gift cards, gas cards, socks, clothing, and hygiene kits, which the BHLs have access to for those in need. BHLs work closely with the City and its key local service provider partners to help secure transportation to the local Department of Motor Vehicles, the Social Security Office, and various courts and government offices. They can assist individuals with navigating the system to receive identification cards, renew driver's licenses, pay court fines, and setting the individuals up with employment opportunities to help them get life on track and to move through a housing plan and into temporary and/or permanent housing.

  • The public is encouraged to call the Laguna Niguel Police Services Non-Emergency phone number to report non-emergency issues related to homelessness: (949) 770-6011
  • The public is encouraged to call 911 in the event of any emergency.
  • Email: HLO@cityoflagunaniguel.org
   

Additional Resources and Partners

Crisis Hotlines

  • OC Links - Behavioral Health Crisis Assessment Team (CAT)

    • 24 hours a day/7 days a week: (855) 625-4657 

  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline

    • 24 hours a day/7 days a week: Dial 988

  • OC Health Care Agency - Emotional Support Warmline

    • 24 hours/7 days a week: (877) 910-9276

  • City of Laguna Niguel Business & Resident Homeless Resource Guide

    • This homeless resource guide is intended to be of benefit to Laguna Niguel businesses and residents. The guide discusses the City's approach to homelessness as well as provide businesses and residents with helpful information as it relates to impacts of homelessness in the community. The guide also includes a variety of useful telephone numbers for non-profit partners, shelters, and City departments.

  • City of Laguna Niguel Community Resources Homeless Prevention Services

    • A comprehensive Resource Guide including:
      • Shelter & Housing Resources
      • Rental & Financial Resources
      • Meals for Seniors Resources
      • Food Pantry & Hot Meals Resources
      • Mental & Physical Health Resources
      • Crisis Hotline Resources


  • Families Forward

    • Families Forward exists to help families in need achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through housing, food, counseling, education, and other support services. For more information on receiving family assistance, please call (949) 552-2727.

  • StandUp for Kids

    • StandUp for Kids is a national non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cycle of youth homelessness in local communities. This organization serves unaccompanied homeless and at-risk youth — and young parents with children of their own — up to their 25th birthday. For more information about a nearby program, please call 1-888-365-4543.

Local Orange County Emergency Shelter Resources

  • Friendship Shelter — Laguna Beach

    • Providing shelter and supportive services for single men and women age 18+, the Friendship Shelter helps homeless adults achieve self-sufficiency and become more productive members of the community. The program includes providing a home, three meals daily, and a wide range of support services for 32 men and women. For more information on securing a daily reservation, please contact the Friendship Shelter directly, or call (949) 494-6928.

  • SAFEPlace by WISEPlace for Women

    • WISEPlace for Women in Santa Ana entered into a contract with the County to provide up to 60 beds for single women and will be able to accommodate women with small to medium size pets. The new program SAFE Place for Women is a low barrier shelter with supportive services and offers an opportunity for the women to enter transitional housing also operated by WISE Place for Women. For more information on securing a reservation, please contact WISEPlace directly, or call (714) 542-3577.


  • Colette's Children's Home

    • Providing single women and mothers with children emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing opportunities. For more information on securing a reservation, please contact Colette's Children's Home directly, or call (714) 596-1380.

  • Olive Crest - Strong Families

    • Strong Families provides temporary housing for children (0-17 years old) whose families are in crisis. Parents can arrange for their children to stay with a pre-screened family while they focus on resolving crisis situations and work stability back to their home. For more information, please visit www.olivecrest.org. If you are in need of assistance, please contact Strong Families' 24/7 Hotline Number at (714) 543-5437 ext. 1234.

  • County of Orange Housing Resource Guide

    • A comprehensive resource guide including services throughout the County of Orange, including:
      • Housing Resources: Long-term/Independent Living; Single Room Occupancy Facilities; Roommate Referral; Rental Assistance Programs; Shelter and Transitional Living; Residential Recovery/Detox Programs; Skilled Nursing/Assisted Living; Adult Day Centers; Residential Services for the Mentally Ill.
      • Homeless Resources Quick Reference Guide
      • Supportive Resources: Utility Assistance; Landlord/Tenant Issues; Transportation Assistance; Miscellaneous
      • Meetings and Organizations
      • Commonly Used Housing Terms

  • 211 - Resource & Services Information – Call or visit website

    • 211 is the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country. Call lines are open 24 hours per day.


Local Food Pantries

 
 

 

Human Services Data Reports

 
 

 

Orange County Continuum of Care - Homeless Management Information System (OC HMIS)

The City of Laguna Niguel Human Services Division is a participating agency in HMIS. To view the: