Unsheltered Homelessness in Anaheim

The Challenge

According to the latest Orange County Point-in-Time data, 1,417 people were experiencing homelessness in Anaheim in 2024 — including 601 people who were unsheltered and 816 who were sheltered. How can key public systems work more effectively, compassionately, and collaboratively to provide shelter, services, recovery, and reintegration into society?

Research & Discovery

This project explores unsheltered homelessness through five key systems within the local response network. My specific focus is the Anaheim Access Court — a collaborative model designed for people who are justice-involved and also experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges.

The Access Court offers meaningful intervention, individualized diversion plans, and accountability. I'm currently in the research and empathy stage — interviewing prosecutors, case workers, and partner nonprofits, and witnessing cases in person.

"The court is designed to offer meaningful intervention — not punishment, but a path forward that accounts for the whole person."

Key Insights

Early research reveals the complexity of serving people at the intersection of homelessness, substance use, mental health, and the justice system. The Access Court represents a promising model, but system coordination remains the central challenge.

What's Next

Continuing empathy interviews and in-person observation. The next phase will involve synthesizing insights across all five system lenses and developing design recommendations for more effective, compassionate collaboration.