COSTA MESA : Share Our Selves Still Lacks New Site

With little more than two weeks remaining before the scheduled eviction of Share Our Selves from the Rea Community Center, the social welfare agency has yet to agree with the city on a new location, officials said.

The city has recommended several available properties as sites for the anti-poverty agency, city spokeswoman Cheryl Friedling said.

Among the sticking points is the question of whether the city will help pay the rent at a new site. The City Council is expected to take up that issue at its next meeting, Tuesday night.

Jean Forbath, SOS executive director, would not comment on negotiations with the city.

SOS, which provides food, clothing, medical and financial assistance to the needy, has been the object of heated dispute among residents who contend that its services have disrupted the neighboring community.

The City Council voted in July to terminate SOS’s lease at the Rea center, which is managed by the city, and gave the group six months to relocate.

At the same time, SOS’s medical and dental clinics were allowed to maintain operations at the community center until 1991.

Officials at SOS have argued that its present home is the most suitable location for its operations, that relocating would be too expensive and that it is likely to draw opposition no matter where it moves.

But officials said they will not fight the city’s order to vacate the community center by Jan. 15.