How We Do It

Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County (HIS-OC) currently runs four programs that assist people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Our shelters and supportive service programs provide assistance to our community’s most vulnerable population. HIS-OC does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

What Sets Us Apart

We are different from an emergency shelter or single program shelter because we provide a longer-term guided process to achieve self-sufficiency. Our programs require a commitment on the part of our clients and provide tools so that a return to homelessness is prevented. Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County integrates job training, therapy, case management, and education into a continuum of care that addresses each client’s specific needs.

Help is Available

We’ve been helping people find their way home since 1989.
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Helped Out of Homelessness
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Individuals Helped Last Year
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Guided to Housing

Providing Shelter and Reunification for Families

Transitional Housing Program

We have 54 beds in 3 shelters that provide a safe place to stay for families. Residents can stay 4 to 6 months, in a home-like environment, while they establish themselves in a career and build up savings in order to transition into permanent housing. We house over 150 men, women and children each year in a spirit of dignity and love through our three residences.

Supporting Transitional Age Youth

CHESS Program

Combining Housing Education and Skills for Students. A transitional 12-24 month program for 18-24-year-old men. Residents attend college, trade school, or complete a high school diploma/GED requirements. Many of our residents were in the foster care system and do not have help navigating the education system. Our case managers help them set personal goals and connect them to appropriate resources.

Helping College Students

Home Share OC

An intergenerational home-sharing program for students and homeowners aged 55+, the first of its kind in Orange County. This program matches homeowners that have an available room to rent with a college student in need of an affordable place to live. In exchange for reduced rent, up to $500 a month, the student will provide up to 5 hours of household chores or companionship.

Guiding to Services and Support

Housing Connection Program

Our Housing Navigators are the initial point of contact for people needing housing assistance.  One of the  first questions they ask is “where did you sleep last night.” They begin a dialogue to help determine how to assist each individual whether it’s admission to one of our programs or guidance to services of one of our partners.   

All of our programs empower at-risk and homeless men, women, and children to:

  • Sleep safely and comfortably off of the streets
  • Eat nutritious meals
  • Improve their mental health
  • Increase their earning potential
  • Create and maintain a sustainable family budget
  • Develop and achieve short and long-term goals
  • Reunite with their children
  • Rebuild their lives for a better, brighter future
  • Secure permanent, stable housing

Humans of HIS-OC

Tom’s Story

Tom had made an epic mess of his life. From a young age, Tom began using drugs, and his addiction eventually sent him to jail. For 30 years, Tom’s life had veered around addiction to heroin and a life behind...

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The Richardson’s Story

It takes a village to raise a family. HIS House is that village to many. The Richardson parents had worked hard to support their family but when one of them lost their job, their world turned upside down. No longer...

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The Norig Family Story

Can you imagine having two kids but not being able to hear them? This is the story of the Norig family. The mom and dad of two beautiful children (1 & 3 years old) are both deaf and they also...

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News & Announcements

Last year we helped over 1000 people with our programs and guided 85% of those in our resident programs to permanent housing. Since 1989, we have guided over 5000 people out of homelessness and back into productive and fulfilling lives.

Best Community Organization

Best Community Organization 2022 – Yorba Linda

What a way to wrap up 2022! Carrie Buck our Executive Director, and board members Cathy Suh, Barb Buckley and Debye Payne accepted our award for Best Community Organization of Yorba Linda 2022! Thank you Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce...

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The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. This last year has been one of the most difficult ones for many of us but especially for the poor and housing insecure.

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Campout Under the Stars Fundraiser

We are hosting our inaugural Virtual Campout Under The Stars on August 29th to raise funds/awareness for college students experiencing homelessness in Orange County.

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