Recently, the Irvine City Council approved a resolution by a vote of 4 to 1 to spend $20 million to acquire two buildings located on Armstrong Avenue, which will serve as a temporary shelter for the homeless and at-risk individuals. This marks the city’s first dedicated homeless shelter.

During the council meeting held on Tuesday, City Manager Oliver Chi presented information regarding this initiative to the council members. Chi emphasized that purchasing these two buildings is part of Irvine’s commitment to address homelessness. He urged the council members to support the motion, explaining that finding similar shelter locations is both difficult and time-consuming.

Chi referred to the city’s approach to solving homeless housing issues as “The System.” This concept was introduced two years ago, with the two newly acquired buildings designated as “The Sanctuary.” He expressed the goal of completing the acquisition by November 5 and having the full “System” operational by early 2026, which would include emergency services, transitional housing, and permanent housing for the homeless. Additional components of “The System” will be presented to the council in the upcoming months.

The city’s $20 million investment involves two adjacent buildings at 17572 and 17622 Armstrong Avenue, encompassing 3.7 acres in the Irvine Business Complex. While the purchase has been approved, specific renovation plans have yet to undergo review by the planning commission. However, Chi revealed to the Orange County Register that unlike other crowded shelters, each family will have their own private space.

Councilmember Mike Carroll voted against the acquisition. He argued that approving such a large expenditure without any discussions within city committees or allowing residents to voice their opinions is inappropriate. “You shouldn’t agree to a $20 million purchase without fully presenting it to the public first,” he stated.

The city plans to spend $18.5 million to purchase the buildings, with an additional $1.5 million allocated for inspections, renovations, and insurance. As of now, Irvine has not released any design plans for the homeless shelter. Following the council’s approval of the acquisition, the city will pay a non-refundable deposit of $1 million to the building owners within two days.

During the meeting, Chi noted that Irvine currently has a population of 320,000, with 124 individuals experiencing homelessness, 60,000 residents utilizing California’s Medi-Cal program, and 300 students identified as homeless under federal guidelines. There are also 25,000 individuals on the waiting list for affordable housing. He explained that a household of four with an income below $126,250 is considered low income in the area, highlighting the urgent need for affordable housing solutions.

On November 26, the Irvine City Council plans to discuss legislation aimed at prohibiting the homeless from setting up tents on the streets. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that cities have the authority to legislate the removal of homeless encampments.