Board renews PATH contract for Yale Navigation Center after county staff justify added costs

The Board of Supervisors voted May 7 to approve an amendment renewing PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) as operator of the Yale Navigation Center in Santa Ana. County staff described the request as the final renewal the operator is eligible to receive under the contract and said the adjusted budget reflects rising costs for wages, security and program operations.

Doug Beck, Director of the Office of Care Coordination, told the board the proposed renewal "allows for us to stay in compliance with the contractual good neighbor policy" and that Yale is a 425-bed shelter requiring sufficient staffing and resources. Beck said the budget adjustments were intended to ensure PATH can compensate employees at competitive rates and cover rising food and security costs.

Supervisor comments noted the negotiated bed cost per night in the proposed budget is approximately $62 for fiscal year 24'25, which a supervisor contrasted with other jurisdictions' per-bed figures. "Even with this adjustment... it's forecasted to be approximately $62 per night to operate those beds," a supervisor said; Beck confirmed that figure.

Public commenters urged increased security, walk-in access for shelters, and stronger oversight of shelter operations. One speaker noted the board had previously approved $1,071,000 earlier in April and cited a new total figure of $7,800,000 for PATH funding this fiscal cycle.

Why it matters: The renewal keeps PATH as the operator for the county's largest navigation center and adjusts funding to address operational pressures. Supervisors framed the vote as balancing fiscal stewardship and neighborhood impacts.

Outcome: The board moved and approved the PATH amendment unanimously; staff will finalize amendments and continue coordination with city partners on "good neighbor" obligations and shelter security measures.