Our Story

Our Mission

Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County supports people to overcome homelessness and achieve independence.

Our Vision

Ending homelessness takes a collective effort; together, we can spread awareness, and build a community by eliminating stigmas and barriers that prevent unhoused from opportunities.

Our Story

Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County (HIS-OC) has a remarkable history of helping unhoused and housing-insecure families since 1989. The organization began to take shape by a vision that Placentia Presbyterian Church had by advocating for a local family living in a park. They purchased a farmhouse neighboring their church, which became HIS House, a transitional shelter for underprivileged, unhoused families.

For almost 35 years, our transitional housing program has continued to grow and provide comprehensive wraparound services for families, including:

  • The transitional house consists of a private bedroom for each family; the rest of the home is shared living.
  • On-site weekly Case Management.
  • Job skills and placement assistance
  • Connections to physical and mental health services
  • Documentation assistance
  • Family reunification 
  • Parenting classes
  • Financial literacy classes.

After 30 years in operation, thousands of people served, and numerous additions to the house, in 2020, HIS House became its own 501 (c)(3) nonprofit to expand services beyond the transitional shelter. Our new name is Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County or HIS-OC. While the mission remains the same, we have implemented several new programs to help more people overcome homelessness and achieve independence.

Transitional Aged Youth

A HIS-OC Program

Our Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) program was created out of a long-observed need to provide wraparound services for a unique population 

HomeShare OC

A HIS-OC Program

A matching program pairing homeless college students with local seniors so that both parties can thrive and assist each other in a shared home

Housing Connection

A HIS-OC Program

A networking and referral program for people who need services other than, or in addition to, transitional housing

Increasing Our Support

Resource Connections

Please visit our Centers or call the number listed below:

Whitten Community Center

900 S Melrose St, Placentia, CA 92870

Gomez Community Center

1701 Atwood Ave, Placentia, CA 92870
Contact info: 714-993-5774 x 1023

Transitional Aged Youth

A HIS-OC Program

Our Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) program was created out of a long-observed need to provide wraparound services for a unique population 

HomeShare OC

A HIS-OC Program

A matching program pairing homeless college students with local seniors so that both parties can thrive and assist each other in a shared home

Housing Connection

A HIS-OC Program

A networking and referral program for people who need services other than, or in addition to, transitional housing

Resource Centers

A HIS-OC Program

A networking and referral program for people who need services other than, or in addition to, transitional housing

Recent Developments

As we continually aim to improve HIS-OC, we have become CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal) providers. CalAIM is a long-term commitment to transform Medi-Cal, making the program more equitable, coordinated, and person-centered to help people maximize their health and life trajectories. This program allows us to expand our services to the public by offering Community Support Services: Housing Transition Navigation Services, Housing Deposits, and Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services.

Additionally, since June 2023, we have been under new leadership; we are excited to have Christine Stellino, ASW, as the new Executive Director. She brings a new vision through an equitable, diverse, fair, and inclusive approach.