Homeless shelter in Anaheim now open

Homeless people who sleep in the streets, parks and other outdoor spots around Anaheim have another option for a safer place to rest and can find other services at a shelter the city opened in January to accommodate up to 224 people. The newly christened Anaheim Emergency Shelter opened near the Salvation Army s Adult Rehabilitation Center on South Lewis Street. The city is contracting with the Salvation Army Orange County to operate the new $13.1 million shelter, set on 1.7 acres at 1455 S. Salvation Place. The first group of about a half-dozen guests, as the Salvation Army refers to the shelter residents, migrated from the interim emergency shelter the city fast-tracked in December inside an empty warehouse near Angel Stadium. Six to 10 people were expected to be moved in daily after that. The goal is to give people a safe place and assistance to find what they need to help rebuild their lives housing, employment or recovery from substance abuse. There will be no settim l can stay while they progress to ward independence, said Renay K. Panoncialman, the Salvation Army s director of social services for Orange County. Design Unlike other existing and planned shelters in Orange County, Anaheim Emergency Shelter has an open-campus style design. Freestanding modular units can house up to 20 people each, or, in the case of couples, up to 10 adults. The units rest on decomposed granite, lotted with shade trees in containers donated through the city s Tree Power Program. Restrooms, showers and a laundry facility are housed in separate units; a dining area, lounge and meeting space share a triple wide module. Pets will be allowed; a dog run was created for exercise, and volunteer veterinary services are planned, along with dog training. A recreation area for the residents will include picnic tables and outdoor games such as corn hole bean bag toss. A hot breakfast and dinner, along with a sack lunch for those who desire one, will be provided by the nearby rehabilitatioperson works in a counseling room at the 224-bed Anaheim Emergency Shelter, which the Salvation Army will be operating at its Lewis Street campus.