Article and Photo By Alicia Robinson / Orange County Register

Originally published in Orange County Register.

Costa Mesa could become the latest Orange County city to try to satisfy its obligations in addressing the region’s homeless crisis by building an emergency shelter.

The City Council on Tuesday is expected to consider a two-pronged solution that would cost $5.7 million: improving and expanding existing facilities for the homeless at Lighthouse CM Church of the Nazarene, which would operate for about nine months; and buying an industrial property at the end of West 17th Street to create a new shelter for long-term use.

Both locations are on the city’s west side and each would have about 50 beds, a number determined by discussions with U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter, who is overseeing lawsuits filed against Orange County and its cities over the clearing of the Santa Ana River encampment last year.

Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley said she met with Carter on Friday to secure his approval for the plan, which also includes general improvements to the Westside.

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