Here’s where Anaheim plans to put a 2nd homeless shelter

Anaheim plans to pay $4.9 million to buy an industrial building on La Palma Avenue across from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center to operate as a homeless shelter. The nonprofit Illumination Foundation is expected to operate the shelter.

The site, at 3431 E. La Palma Ave., will join a planned homeless shelter on Lewis Street to be run by the Salvation Army, providing a total of 325 shelter beds by early next year.

The two sites, both temporary until the Salvation Army builds a permanent 400-bed shelter at its 1300 S. Lewis St. operation by late 2020, were outlined in the homeless lawsuit settlement approved late last week by a federal judge.

Both sites will offer emergency shelter and supportive services to homeless individuals and families referred by Anaheim police or homeless services provider City Net.

‘Urgency’

The La Palma building is owned by businessman Bill Taormina, who has attended court sessions in the civil rights case being heard by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter over the clearing of tent encampments at the Santa Ana River Trail.

“We don’t have a ton of property owners coming up to us and saying, “Hey my property is available for a homeless shelter,” Lyster said. “He’s helping us meet an urgency for this.”

Anaheim was named as a defendant in the case, along with the cities of Orange and Costa Mesa, and the county. Judge Carter has approved settlement agreements between the plaintiffs — seven homeless people and the homeless outreach organization Orange County Catholic Worker — and the county, Anaheim and Orange.

A settlement with Costa Mesa is expected later this month.

Under the settlement, Anaheim will be able to enforce park curfews and anti-camping ordinances after opening the shelters.

The city’s approach to the homeless population calls for outreach and engagement before issuing warnings that can lead to citations or arrest.

A custom furniture-making manufacturer currently rents Taormina’s La Palma Avenue building, which the city is purchasing at market rate, said Mike Lyster, chief communications officer for Anaheim. Remodeling will be needed to add the beds and other amenities.

The shelter will operate under rules similar to those of the Bridges at Kraemer Place further west off La Palma.

Lyster said there will be no loitering around the shelter and restrictions on coming and going. Illumination Foundation must provide on-site security.

Lyster said informal open-house gatherings to learn about the projects will be held in the Anaheim City Hall lobby, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., on Thursday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon; and Tuesday, 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Other talks will be scheduled in the future.

The Anaheim City Council is expected to take up items related to the shelter sites at its regular Tuesday night meeting.