In what appears to be a first nationwide, home furnishing giant IKEA will donate furnishing and design features for the new permanent Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter on Airway Avenue that is currently under construction.

Vanessa Flores, the Loyalty Manager of the Costa Mesa IKEA, said she was approached last year by City officials regarding home furnishing solutions for the shelter.

Flores was excited about the opportunity and met with Mayor Katrina Foley, City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison and others to get the project going. Flores confirmed that this will be the first homeless shelter furnished with interior design features by IKEA.

“I’m truly grateful that our collaboration with IKEA this year, to serve the needs of food insecure families with weekly grocery distributions, is expanding to help us furnish and design our new permanent Shelter we will soon open in partnership with Newport Beach,” Mayor Katrina Foley said. “Costa Mesa has led the way with our Housing-First approach to assisting those experiencing homelessness and we value this new partner joining our efforts to provide quality care to our most vulnerable residents.”

IKEA leaders were impressed by Costa Mesa’s approach to addressing homelessness through the Network for Homeless Solutions. This grass roots community collaboration is unique and effective.

That factor was a big selling point in getting the company to offer its support to the Bridge Shelter project, Flores said. IKEA has globally prioritized actions to support leading emergency relief efforts which includes vulnerable groups such as those experiencing homelessness.

Every year, IKEA Costa Mesa selects two initiatives to support in the local community, Flores said. Prior to the pandemic, the local Costa Mesa store selected homelessness and hunger, two initiatives that are big priorities in the community.

“The City of Costa Mesa is excited to be working with IKEA as a corporate partner in this effort to address homelessness,” Assistant City Manager Susan Price said.  “The Bridge Shelter is more than just a building, we want to create an environment for healing, inspiration and hope.  IKEA has contributed greatly so that this program will be successful.”

IKEA will be donating all home furnishing for the Bridge Shelter communal spaces. The company will be providing the bedding sheets and towels and all of the office furniture, including desks, chairs, office accessories and shelving units.

“We estimate this project to be a little over $85,000 in furniture donations,” Flores said. “We are also donating paint for the sleeping areas, inspirational graphics for the walls, as well as an investment cost of paid staff hours providing our co-workers with the opportunity to be hands-on and volunteer by building the furniture and creating the inspiration.”

“IKEA is honored and privileged to be a part of this effort to support our community. We believe everyone deserves a safe and healthy place to call home, even if it is temporary. We hope this is one of many ways we are able to positively impact Costa Mesa and its future growth.” Market Manager, Laurie Helm stated.

Indeed, IKEA has been a great partner to the City of Costa Mesa, opening up its parking lot to food and toy drives that have been so critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. It recently hosted the city’s annual Snoopy House holiday display.

“They have been such a great partner and we are so thrilled to be working together to ensure our community is well served,” Price concluded.