Unsheltered: Orange County homelessness and the efforts to solve it — a five-part series

The first of a five-part series examines some of the major factors that contribute to local homelessness, along with who and where homeless people are.

The second of a five-part series examines what local governments, particularly in Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, are doing to address homelessness.

Though more local cities are moving to open shelters, keeping homeless people off the streets will require additional services and housing, as well as trust among everyone involved, according to experts and advocates.

A city’s “fair share� in contributing to homelessness solutions could take many forms, including an independent shelter, supportive housing, more affordable housing and participating in a cooperative regional effort. Perhaps the trickiest part: Who should determine fair share, and how?

Even with everything the state, counties and cities have done to address homelessness, it hasn’t been enough. But some Orange County homeless advocates say they’re heartened by how the past few years have unfolded and are hopeful about the future.