The Stanton City Council last week voted unanimously to approve an additional $37,000 for the demolition of a vacant four-plex building in the Tina Pacific neighborhood. This decision adds to an initial $75,000 contract approved in June, bringing the total expenditure for the demolition to over $100,000. City officials anticipate demolition will commence by mid-September and conclude within a few weeks.
This measure comes roughly two years after Stanton officials declared homelessness an emergency crisis within the city. The vacant building had become a focal point of increasing complaints from nearby residents over the past 18 months. Residents reported that individuals experiencing homelessness were using the property for housing and drug usage. Complaints also included threats of violence, including threats to ignite vacant units if activities were reported, and threats with knives and makeshift weapons.
City Manager Hannah Shin-Heydorn formally requested authorization from the city council to demolish the building. In a June 9 staff report, Shin-Heydorn noted that "Property management and City staff have received numerous complaints from residents regarding concerns for their personal safety, after-hours parties, drug sales, and personal assault." The report further detailed that residents expressed reluctance to call 911 due to fear of retaliation from those occupying the building. Shin-Heydorn stated that demolition was necessary to prevent ongoing trespassing and vandalism at the site, which she described as posing a danger to the Tina Pacific community. City officials confirmed that the property is fully vacant, and no individuals are being affected by the impending demolition.
The demolition of the four-plex is one component of the city's broader response to homelessness and neighborhood safety. Shin-Heydorn noted in a Monday email that Stanton "continues to invest in homeless outreach and services, including support for three Project Homekey developments in town and two regional Navigation Centers." She added that the city also "addresses vacant properties and other conditions that affect neighborhood safety and quality of life."
Recently, the city council also unanimously approved heightened enforcement measures for all vacant buildings in Stanton. These new regulations include increasing vacant building registration fees to nearly $10,000 and, in some cases, requiring on-site property managers. However, Shin-Heydorn clarified in an email that these heightened enforcement measures were not applied to the Tina Pacific four-plex because the property had already been identified for demolition before the new enforcement period began.
During a September 8 council meeting, Shin-Heydorn provided an update on the city’s homeless outreach activities for August. Outreach coordinators engaged with 100 individuals needing homelessness assistance. Of these, 88 declined offers for shelter, and four requests for housing could not be secured by the coordinators. Reported hotspots for homeless individuals in August included the streets of Katella and Mercantile, Western and Cerritos Avenue, and Western and Katella.
Councilmember Donald Torres commented on the outreach efforts at the meeting, stating that "we insist on getting folks resources." He inquired about the availability of shelter beds designated for Stanton residents. Shin-Heydorn responded that there were no specific beds designated for the city, explaining that shelters operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, and individuals are currently staying longer than anticipated. Councilmember John Warren then asked about any informal waiting list for permanent or supportive housing. Shin-Heydorn clarified that Orange County manages all such placements, and Stanton does not control access to shelters. She noted that the city's homeless outreach coordinators serve as advocates for Stanton individuals on the county's waiting list, emphasizing the importance of their presence during placement calls.
