IRVINE : Shelter Agency Plan Sparks Criticism

The city has donated four condominiums at the Metropolitan complex to Irvine Temporary Housing, a nonprofit agency that provides short-term shelter for families on the brink of becoming homeless.

But rather than move people into the condos, ITH officials plan to sell the four units and use the proceeds to buy housing in what they consider a more suitable part of Irvine.

Margie Wakeham, administrator for ITH, said the organization hopes to buy four new condominiums in a residential area closer to schools and parks than the Metropolitan, which is situated amid a forest of office towers near John Wayne Airport.

Some city officials, however, expressed doubt that ITH can afford four new condos, and they predict the group will have to settle for three.

Mayor Michael Ward has criticized the ITH plan, saying it could end up taking away a housing unit that could be used to shelter a family.

“I think our purpose at the City Council is to increase the number of affordable housing (units) in the city,” Ward said.

Despite Ward’s opposition, the council last week agreed to donate the condos, which the city received as part of a development agreement with the Metropolitan’s builders.

Wakeham said the Metropolitan is not a suitable place to shelter families because it contains no open spaces where children can play. Parks and libraries are far away, and the complex is near several busy streets.

“I think these are lovely units for either singles or adult couples,” Wakeham said, “but for a young family with children, it’s just not appropriate. There are no places for children. It’s a business area. . . . This is adult living.”

The city’s donation increases the number of units owned by ITH to 16. Wakeham said the agency provides housing to people who face homelessness because of crises such as divorce, unemployment or illness.

“This gives them the transition to get their lives together and then move on,” she said.