Countywide : Shelters Schedule May Be Expanded

County officials said Thursday that they will consider allowing the winter armory-shelter program to operate on a more flexible schedule by relaxing temperature criteria and including factors such as wind chill.

The change is one of a number of options being explored to expand shelter operations at National Guard armories in Santa Ana and Fullerton for the remainder of the winter.

“We’re going to look at our resources and some commitments that have been made and see how far the money will take us,” said Maria Mendoza, the county’s coordinator of homeless programs. “We’ll look at all alternatives, but relaxing weather criteria would seem the most feasible option right now.”

The statements were a departure from the county’s position announced last week that no changes would be made in the armory program because of a lack of funds.

Since then, the shelter program has been given a $159,000 federal grant--which was less than hoped for--and a commitment by a local food bank, the Food Distribution Center, to provide breakfast for the program.

Currently, armories open when temperatures dip to 40 degrees or below or 50 degrees when a 50% chance of rain is forecast.

Officials said it is still unlikely that the county would adopt new state guidelines that allow armories to open 24 hours a day, regardless of weather conditions.

“Not unless a real miracle happens,” said Robert A. Griffith, deputy director of the Social Services Agency.

But Griffith said much depends on a fund-raising effort that is being launched by the Orange County Homeless Issues Task Force, which announced that it will try to raise $100,000 to allow the armories to open around the clock.

Task force officials said in a statement released Thursday that even if the money is not raised, the county should review the idea of opening armories on a three-day cycle. They also endorsed the relaxation of weather criteria.

“We’d like to demonstrate that there is community support for the program and hopefully people will respond,” task force coordinator Susan Oakson said.

The nonprofit task force, which helps to coordinate the armory program, had been criticized for not prodding the county on the issue. But Oakson said the task force’s board of directors backed expanding the shelter program at a board meeting held Wednesday.

“Shelter for the homeless is essential and any relaxation of the criteria will result in a benefit to our constituents,” she added.

Oakson said that donations can be sent to the Orange County Homeless Issues Task Force at 18012 Mitchell Ave., Irvine, Calif. 92714, and should be earmarked for the armory program. Interested volunteers may call the task force at (714) 263-1774.