Irvine spends 20 million to buy a building and build a homeless shelter, plans to acquire it before November 5_1
The Irvine City Council recently passed a resolution with a 4-to-1 vote to allocate $20 million for the purchase of two buildings on Armstrong Street. This decision aims to establish a temporary shelter for the homeless and at-risk individuals, marking the city’s first dedicated homeless shelter.
During the city council meeting on Tuesday, City Manager Oliver Chi presented the proposal to the council members. He emphasized that acquiring these two properties is part of Irvine’s commitment to addressing the homelessness issue. Chi urged the council to approve the plan that evening, highlighting the challenges and delays in locating alternative shelter options.
Chi referred to the city’s approach to tackling homelessness as “The System,” a concept introduced two years ago. The two buildings acquired that night are being called “The Sanctuary.” Chi expressed the goal of finalizing the purchase by November 5 and having “The System” operational by early 2026, which will provide emergency services, transitional housing, and permanent accommodations for the homeless. Additional components of “The System” are expected to be presented to the council in the coming months.
The buildings purchased by the city are located at 17572 and 17622 Armstrong Street, adjacent to each other, covering a combined area of 3.7 acres in the Irvine Business Complex. While the purchase has been approved, specific renovation plans are still pending discussion in the planning commission. However, Chi shared with the Orange County Register that unlike other crowded shelters, each family will have its own private space.
Councilmember Mike Carroll voted against the purchase, arguing that such a significant expenditure had not undergone adequate discussion in any city committees, nor had local residents and property owners been given the opportunity to voice their opinions. He stated, “You shouldn’t agree to a $20 million purchase without fully presenting it to the public first.”
The city plans to spend $18.5 million on the buildings, with an additional $1.5 million allocated for inspections, renovations, and insurance costs. As of now, Irvine has not released any designs for the homeless shelter. Following the council’s approval, the city will pay a non-refundable deposit of $1 million to the property owners within two days.
During the meeting, Oliver Chi reported that Irvine has a population of 320,000, with 124 individuals experiencing homelessness. Additionally, 60,000 residents use California’s Medi-Cal program, 300 students meet federal standards for homelessness, and 25,000 individuals are on the waiting list for affordable housing. A family of four earning below $126,250 is considered low income in the area, underscoring the urgent need for affordable housing solutions.
On November 26, the city council plans to discuss legislation aimed at prohibiting homeless individuals from setting up tents on the streets. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that cities can legislate the removal of homeless encampments.
