The City of Laguna Beach remains committed to addressing homelessness within the community through sustained local action and regional coordination. For more than a decade, the City has invested directly in services designed to provide safety, stability, and pathways to housing for individuals experiencing homelessness in Laguna Beach. While no single jurisdiction can resolve homelessness independently, progress depends on coordinated efforts among Orange County, its cities, and service providers.

Alternative Sleeping Location Emergency Shelter

Since November 2009, the City of Laguna Beach has owned, funded, and contracted for the operation of a low barrier emergency shelter known as the Alternative Sleeping Location. The ASL is one of the few emergency shelters in Orange County that is both owned and funded by a city, with additional funding support from the County. The facility is located at 20652 Laguna Canyon Road and operates pursuant to a service provider agreement with Friendship Shelter.

The ASL provides up to 20 overnight beds. The program operates as a housing focused shelter, enrolling participants in time limited stays structured around individualized housing plans. Enrollment periods occur in renewable increments for individuals who actively engage in case management and housing placement efforts.

In addition to overnight shelter operations, the ASL includes a structured daytime program that provides access to support staff, County mental health resources, hygiene facilities, laundry services, computer and internet access, and referrals to community based services. These services support stabilization and advance participants toward permanent housing outcomes.

Through the combined efforts of the City of Laguna Beach and Friendship Shelter, the ASL has assisted more than 200 individuals in transitioning to more stable housing situations, including permanent housing placements and reunification with family or friends.

Access to the ASL is limited to enrolled participants during program operating hours. The facility does not operate as a drop in shelter, and unregistered guests are not permitted on site.