2 Churches to Offer Cots for the Homeless

Starting next month, two local churches will open their doors to the homeless, officials said last week.

South County Community Church and St. Clement’s Episcopal Church will begin accepting homeless people who need overnight shelter when the weather turns rainy and freezing, and will be the first in the city to offer such help.

“San Clemente is a community that does try to take care of . . . the people who live here,” said Leslie Davis, housing coordinator, adding that about 50 people live on the city’s streets.

The program was established by the San Clemente Homeless Task Force, set up by the city in February to address homeless issues.

City officials say they are still considering whether to introduce an anti-camping ordinance, which would ban people from sleeping overnight in parks and on beaches.

“We’re sitting on it right now,” said Bruce Wegner, director of beaches, parks and recreation. “It will come forward in the near future. But right now, we’re watching what [the task force] is doing.”

The two churches will take turns making 50 beds available from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. whenever the weather dips below 50 degrees. Blankets and cots will be provided, and visitors will be expected to clean up after themselves.

“We don’t think there will be more than 10 or 15 people using it at a time,” said the Rev. James King, chairman of the task force, which is also trying to set up a jobs program for the homeless.

South County Community Church is at 101 Avenida Serra. St. Clement’s Episcopal Church is at 202 Avenida Aragon.