IRVINE : Homeless Advocates Seek Tustin Base

Several advocate groups for the homeless in Orange County have decided to work together in seeking facilities at the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station that may be available when the base closes in 1997.

“There is a better voice in numbers,” said Maria Mendoza, the county’s homeless issues coordinator during Friday’s meeting in Irvine as about two dozen representatives of groups for the homeless decided to form the Orange County Homeless Services Coalition.

The coalition will negotiate for use of certain parts of the base, according to Tim Shaw, executive director of the Orange County Homeless Issues Task Force, which called the meeting.

“This will prevent us from stepping on each other’s toes,” Shaw said.

Under federal law, groups providing services to homeless people get first chance at getting surplus military properties. In August, the groups toured the base and indicated interest in the base’s 1,500 housing units and facilities that may be converted into emergency and temporary shelters.

Shaw said that the new coalition will draft a plan that will combine proposals from various groups. A mediation panel will be set up to resolve differences among coalition members, he said.

A common plan will increase the chances for its approval and to be included in the base’s final redevelopment plans, Shaw said.

“It’s healthy; it’s good for everybody,” said Scott Mather, development director of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, who was designated coalition spokesman.

Planning for future use of the 1,620-acre base has recently accelerated. A community workshop has been set from 9 a.m. to noon today at the Tustin Senior Center to allow public comment on three redevelopment plans drafted by Tustin officials and consultants.

The redevelopment plans were presented Tuesday to a 17-member panel of appointed and elected Tustin, Irvine and Santa Ana officials, community and business leaders and representatives from the base.

The panel, which was created last year to draft the redevelopment plans, has yet to consider proposals from the homeless groups, although the Salvation Army and five other groups have submitted preliminary requests.

Mather said the Department of Health and Human Services will decide which proposal from the homeless groups will be approved.