Columbus Square - homeless shelter

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navigatn_IHB

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Hey guys,



I was just about to pull the trigger on a property in Columbus Square when I drove down Valencia and saw a sign that read Rescue Mission. I had no idea this was in fact public housing for the homeless. After further research, I was surprised to see plans for building more units in Tustin Legacy for the homeless. I'm not the insensitive type that looks down on transients but how do the residents of Columbus square feel about having the shelters so close to home? Thoughts/concerns?



Hope Village has only been open about 1.5 years so it is relatively still new. My only concern is with the development of more homeless shelter in the area that it may attract more homeless than the facilities can handle and we would start seeing them wander the streets. I'm not saying it will turn into skid row, but the the shelter is only 2 blocks away from the community...
 
The OC Rescue Mission is one of few charities that I donate money to on regular basis.



Please consider donating $ to them so they can build more shelters for our homeless, and help them get back on their feet.



<a href="http://www.rescuemission.org/">http://www.rescuemission.org/</a>
 
I think you should go further into Irvine, it sounds like you don't want to see that kind of stuff. Aside from a random homeless person here and there, I don't think you will see it in most of Irvine. Anyway, you should also check out the threads on this area. Use the search function to the right.
 
It doesn't really bother me. They have that facility pretty well run. You can't just show up and expect a place to sleep or a meal to eat. You need to apply and go through interview processes in order to be accepted. Residents there need to earn their time in the form of allowance in order to leave the facility. It's more of a halfway home than a homeless shelter.



I've volunteered in the kitchen there on Saturdays. It's definitely an experience and if anything, living so close means that I can simply walk over to volunteer some more.



Did it deter me from purchasing in C. Square? Not one bit.
 
[quote author="navigatn" date=1248854764]Hey guys,



I was just about to pull the trigger on a property in Columbus Square when I drove down Valencia and saw a sign that read Rescue Mission. I had no idea this was in fact public housing for the homeless. After further research, I was surprised to see plans for building more units in Tustin Legacy for the homeless. I'm not the insensitive type that looks down on transients but how do the residents of Columbus square feel about having the shelters so close to home? Thoughts/concerns?



Hope Village has only been open about 1.5 years so it is relatively still new. My only concern is with the development of more homeless shelter in the area that it may attract more homeless than the facilities can handle and we would start seeing them wander the streets. I'm not saying it will turn into skid row, but the the shelter is only 2 blocks away from the community...</blockquote>


Which unit were you thinking of buying? CS is pretty well insulated from the whole Redhill area, including a 25 acre community park and a 68 acre education park.
 
Another reason Columbus Square/Villages of Columbus sucks.



Actually, I don't mean that - CS/VoC absolutely suck, but I'm not down on the homeless.
 
[quote author="navigatn" date=1248854764]Hey guys,



I was just about to pull the trigger on a property in Columbus Square when I drove down Valencia and saw a sign that read Rescue Mission. I had no idea this was in fact public housing for the homeless. After further research, I was surprised to see plans for building more units in Tustin Legacy for the homeless. I'm not the insensitive type that looks down on transients but how do the residents of Columbus square feel about having the shelters so close to home? Thoughts/concerns?



Hope Village has only been open about 1.5 years so it is relatively still new. My only concern is with the development of more homeless shelter in the area that it may attract more homeless than the facilities can handle and we would start seeing them wander the streets. I'm not saying it will turn into skid row, but the the shelter is only 2 blocks away from the community...</blockquote>


Reading your comments sent tears down my face. I think you need to seriously think about what you wrote and what it says about your values. Maybe you will be glad one day the shelter is so close to home. If you spent anytime with the homeless you would understand just how quickly people can loose everything. I know of at least two people staying there that were former Irvine dwellers that previous lived in a beautiful home and had a perceived good life.



Not all homeless people wander the streets covered in flith. Unfortunately, we have not been better people and allow many to live horribly. The grungy homeless person you might find on skid row can easily be identified by their outward appearance as having a problem. But how do you know your next door neighbor in Columbus Square with a better exterior doesn't have more problems? My my last neighbor in Irvine was an abusive jerk to his family and we often had to listen to it night after night. He was more of a nuisance to the neighborhood then any homeless person that might wander the streets covered in rags.



I agree with you that I wouldn't want anyone to have to wander the streets. Building more facilities and community involvement should help stop that from happening. When I walk the streets of downtown LA I see the people walking around consumed with their shopping, uninspired to do anything to help the homeless as the real nuisance.
 
[quote author="navigatn" date=1248854764]Hey guys,



I was just about to pull the trigger on a property in Columbus Square when I drove down Valencia and saw a sign that read Rescue Mission. I had no idea this was in fact public housing for the homeless. After further research, I was surprised to see plans for building more units in Tustin Legacy for the homeless. I'm not the insensitive type that looks down on transients but how do the residents of Columbus square feel about having the shelters so close to home? Thoughts/concerns?



Hope Village has only been open about 1.5 years so it is relatively still new. My only concern is with the development of more homeless shelter in the area that it may attract more homeless than the facilities can handle and we would start seeing them wander the streets. I'm not saying it will turn into skid row, but the the shelter is only 2 blocks away from the community...</blockquote>
Wow, just wow. I almost don't know what to say. You basically describe homeless people like they were a virus to be avoided. With this economy I know that there are a lot more people on the brink of being homeless than you may think. Have you ever done any volunteer work? Maybe you should consider giving back a little and see how you can help the Rescue Mission.
 
[quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1248870072]Wow, just wow. I almost don't know what to say. You basically describe homeless people like they were a virus to be avoided. With this economy I know that there are a lot more people on the brink of being homeless than you may think. Have you ever done any volunteer work? Maybe you should consider giving back a little and see how you can help the Rescue Mission.</blockquote>


So... what you are saying is you help out at the Rescue Mission? I'm not calling into question your social/charity work, but I know how busy I am, and I know that you are busy, so I know how tough time is to come by. I wish I had the time for stuff like that, so instead I just donate food and what not to places like Casa Garcia.
 
[quote author="graphrix" date=1248871459][quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1248870072]Wow, just wow. I almost don't know what to say. You basically describe homeless people like they were a virus to be avoided. With this economy I know that there are a lot more people on the brink of being homeless than you may think. Have you ever done any volunteer work? Maybe you should consider giving back a little and see how you can help the Rescue Mission.</blockquote>


So... what you are saying is you help out at the Rescue Mission? I'm not calling into question your social/charity work, but I know how busy I am, and I know that you are busy, so I know how tough time is to come by. I wish I had the time for stuff like that, so instead I just donate food and what not to places like Casa Garcia.</blockquote>


Who cares what T does in his spare time. Even if he doesn't volunteer at Rescue Mission that doesn't discount the message of his post. The truth of the matter is if this poster doesn't want homeless people wandering the streets then he or she is going to have to do something productive to alleviate the problem. An alternative would be to move but the problem is no utopia exisits, at least not on this earth.
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1248875658]Who cares what T does in his spare time. Even if he doesn't volunteer at Rescue Mission that doesn't discount the message of his post. The truth of the matter is if this poster doesn't want homeless people wandering the streets then he or she is going to have to do something productive to alleviate the problem. An alternative would be to move but the problem is no utopia exisits, at least not on this earth.</blockquote>


Whoa!... Just whoa!... The real issue is the shelter the poster mentions has been designated there for years, If they took the time to do a search (but like many of the one hit wonders who troll here to post some BS about cash buyers or to trash VOC to make Ivy look better) then they would know this place exists. I agree, the poster should do what they can to alleviate the problem, but the truth is it is not going any where, especially since the city has said so.



Yeah... I question the guy who just bought an M3, that pimps out his mom, and then talks about volunteering at Rescue Missions. The saying goes... if you are going to talk the talk, then you better walk the walk. He knows this, and everyone else should know this. T man... time to step up to the plate, either you do... or you don't. At least I was honest in saying I wish I had more time to do more.



If you really want to get me started on homeless people... then I have a real personal story to tell, and I'm not sure at this point IHB deserves such a story. There are too many people that have gone away that would appreciate it. The list of who have gone away is too long to mention.
 
[quote author="graphrix" date=1248887472][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1248875658]Who cares what T does in his spare time. Even if he doesn't volunteer at Rescue Mission that doesn't discount the message of his post. The truth of the matter is if this poster doesn't want homeless people wandering the streets then he or she is going to have to do something productive to alleviate the problem. An alternative would be to move but the problem is no utopia exisits, at least not on this earth.</blockquote>


Whoa!... Just whoa!... The real issue is the shelter the poster mentions has been designated there for years, If they took the time to do a search (but like many of the one hit wonders who troll here to post some BS about cash buyers or to trash VOC to make Ivy look better) then they would know this place exists. I agree, the poster should do what they can to alleviate the problem, but the truth is it is not going any where, especially since the city has said so.



Yeah... I question the guy who just bought an M3, that pimps out his mom, and then talks about volunteering at Rescue Missions. The saying goes... if you are going to talk the talk, then you better walk the walk. He knows this, and everyone else should know this. T man... time to step up to the plate, either you do... or you don't. At least I was honest in saying I wish I had more time to do more.



If you really want to get me started on homeless people... then I have a real personal story to tell, and I'm not sure at this point IHB deserves such a story. There are too many people that have gone away that would appreciate it. The list of who have gone away is too long to mention.</blockquote>
Point well made...I'll be the first one to say that it's been too long since I did some volunteer work. That being said, I was speaking with Peter about it when I drop off dinner last week. We IHB folks are very fortunate and should be able to give back. I was very seriously considering created a thread in the Off Topic section about organizing regular IHB volunteer outings and I think this thread gave me the push I needed. So in the next few days you'll see that thread. For those that really don't have the time (even though we can all squeeze in a half a day a month), hopefully they can donate either food, clothing, money, furniture, toys, etc. It's times like these that people who are going through hard times need the most help. I remember how great I felt after doing some volunteer work.
 
I was worried my post would cause some reaction. once again, I repeat I do not look down on the homeless. In fact, I do my part in charitable contributions. Please realize I am not suggesting they close down the rescue mission or scrap the plans to build more. I am merely a concerned home buyer and you cannot fault me for that. I have to think about eventually starting a family and raising my children in a safe environment. After all, isn?t location one of the priorities in home buying?



I would be just as concerned if there was a mental hospital, prison, chemical factory, strip club near my home. Would my concerns with these facilities send tears down your face as well? I am looking at risk, and trying to minimize it to ensure a safe and healthy environment for my fianc? and our future family. Are there plans to build more residential communities in the area or is Columbus Square it? I just wish it was located more towards Jamboree than Red Hill; near the other neighborhoods such as Tustin Field and Columbus Grove. That would have been perfect. I?m also curious if the plans for the new school and park will be built near the shelters. I would think that might be a concern too, wouldn?t it?



Anyways, I had actually opened escrow a place there but after more consideration, I am calling my agent today to have her withdraw the offer. Thank god for laggy escrow companies.
 
[quote author="navigatn" date=1248908943]I was worried my post would cause some reaction. once again, I repeat I do not look down on the homeless. In fact, I do my part in charitable contributions. Please realize I am not suggesting they close down the rescue mission or scrap the plans to build more. I am merely a concerned home buyer and you cannot fault me for that. I have to think about eventually starting a family and raising my children in a safe environment. After all, isn?t location one of the priorities in home buying?



I would be just as concerned if there was a mental hospital, prison, chemical factory, strip club near my home. Would my concerns with these facilities send tears down your face as well? I am looking at risk, and trying to minimize it to ensure a safe and healthy environment for my fianc? and our future family. Are there plans to build more residential communities in the area or is Columbus Square it? I just wish it was located more towards Jamboree than Red Hill; near the other neighborhoods such as Tustin Field and Columbus Grove. That would have been perfect. I?m also curious if the plans for the new school and park will be built near the shelters. I would think that might be a concern too, wouldn?t it?



Anyways, I had actually opened escrow a place there but after more consideration, I am calling my agent today to have her withdraw the offer. Thank god for laggy escrow companies.</blockquote>


Maybe you should focus on the fact that you can't plant a garden in the soil (apologize if this isn't the same Columbus whatever that was discussed previously). I'd be much more concerned about what I was exposing my kids to by living on that land.
 
I believe navigatn has a good reason for his feelings and maybe you should all take it easy on him. Here is why I think that - for seven years I helped the homeless via weekly volunteer work at a soup kitchen / clothing drive. Here is what I learned - MANY of them have mental health issues and would be served well getting the care they need in a mental health facility instead of a shelter or wandering the streets. I don't want to share a lot of details but let's just say I was very disappointed when I had to quit because they were coming in carrying knives and the men became, shall we say, aggressive? They were warned and yet it continued. I have learned enough to know I won't be bringing my little ones around until they are old enough to have the cognizance to handle themselves and absolutely, yes, I'd be concerned if any become regular fixtures near my family residence. That is not to say that I think everyone at the Rescue Mission is dealing with these sorts of issues. As Shooby pointed out, it looks like they are screened before gaining admission so that would make me feel more comfortable. But do not get this romantic idea that the homeless are harmless and as mentally healthy as the next guy because often that is not the case so you do need to protect yourself and your family.
 
[quote author="graphrix" date=1248887472]Yeah... I question the guy [...] that pimps out his mom...</blockquote>
Low blow!!!!



By the way... is it sad that although I thought that was a mean-spirited jab... I want to high-five graph for the creativity of that sucker punch.



Kudos to USC for sidestepping and choosing not to go AZDave on you... your grouchy pants must be extra tight today.
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1248918978]But do not get this romantic idea that the homeless are harmless and as mentally healthy as the next guy because often that is not the case so you do need to protect yourself and your family</blockquote>Yes, as we heard about in Downtown LA this weekend
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1248918978]But do not get this romantic idea that the homeless are harmless and as mentally healthy as the next guy because often that is not the case so you do need to protect yourself and your family.</blockquote>
Yeah... reminds me of when we were walking the streets in NYC and my kids kept asking me if this person or that person was homeless. I tried to explain the circumstances that led to their current status and tried to convince them that they shouldn't be too scared but that didn't stop me from holding them a bit closer to me whenever we passed by one.



I can understand nav's concerns. I don't necessarily like that Columbus Square area due to more of its general location (too close to industrial buildings and the railroad) and so another "negative" would certainly not help the situation. Also the fact that no_vas would haunt me for years if I ever moved there is probably another big factor.
 
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