OC Housing Finance Trust To Receive $5 Million

Today, my colleagues and I conducted the annual Budget Hearing to discuss the $6.7 billion Fiscal Year 2019-20 budget for the County. The final adoption of the budget will will occur at the June 25 Board of Supervisors meeting.

Given the critical juncture the County is at with building our System of Care to address homelessness, it is absolutely vital that we prioritize permanent supportive housing and affordable housing.

To accomplish this, I requested that our Board consider a $5 million allocation to the recently-formed Orange County Housing Finance Trust. This request will be incorporated into the final budget and the funds will be used as seed money to kick start the financing of permanent supportive and affordable housing. The Trust allows the County and its 34 cities to collectively compete for hundreds of millions of dollars from funding sources including Proposition 1 Housing Programs and Veterans' Loans Bond which requires local match dollars from Housing Trusts. With this new allocation, the Trust will be able to better leverage local dollars and bring critical funding to Orange County. 

Keeping a Steadfast Commitment to Public Safety

Public safety has always been a top priority of mine. As a former Deputy District Attorney and Deputy Public Defender, I've seen firsthand how the public safety system impacts people's lives. This is why we must make the appropriate investments to ensure that we provide the highest level of service and safety for our communities.  

At today's budget hearing, we allocated over $1.5 billion to various aspects of public safety throughout Orange County. This is our largest commitment to date. In light of recent changes at the State we must stay especially vigilant in ensuring our public safety professionals have the resources they need. 

This week I'm hosting three more neighborhood coffees to talk about what matters to you here in Orange County. I have had a great experience listening to your ideas and priorities. I also appreciate you sharing your concerns with me. Your input is valued. I look forward to seeing more familiar faces and meeting new ones!

Below is a list of coffees I'll be hosting for the next three weeks. I hope we get the opportunity to get to know each other at one of them. If you have any questions please contact my office, I hope to see you there! 

This week: 

What: Magnolia St Neighborhood Coffee with Supervisor Andrew Do 

Where: Bolsa Grande High School, Garden Grove 

When: June 12, 6 PM to 7 PM

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: North East Santa Ana Neighborhood Coffee with Supervisor Andrew Do 

Where: The Coffee Bean, Santa Ana 

When: June 13, 6 PM to 7 PM

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: Washington Neighborhood Coffee with Supervisor Andrew Do 

Where: Marie Callender's, Westminster 

When: June 18, 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

Next Week: 

What: Plavan Neighborhood Coffee with Supervisor Andrew Do 

Where: Cambalache Grill, Fountain Valley 

When: June 17, 10 AM to 11 AM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: Washington Neighborhood Coffee with Supervisor Andrew Do 

Where: Marie Callender's, Westminster 

When: June 18, 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: Garden Grove Neighborhood Coffee with Supervisor Andrew Do 

Where: Assistance League of Garden Grove, Garden Grove 

When: June 19, 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

Two Weeks Out:

What: Midway City Neighborhood Coffee with Supervisor Andrew Do 

Where: Chick-Fil-A

When: June 24, 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: Artesia Pilar Neighborhood Coffee and Ice Pop Social

Where: Templo Calvario Santa Ana 

When: June 26, 5 PM to 6 PM 

Visit the Facebook events page here.

What: Nutwood Neighborhood Coffee with Supervisor Andrew Do

Where: Waterfront Cafe

When: June 27, 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM

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The $1.5 billion budget approved by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors on Monday will make it easier for OC residents, commuters, and tourists to get around Orange County. 

The budget includes funding for improved shade, lighting, and seating at 100 of the most popular bus stops in Orange County; walk audits of the top 100 bus stops in OC; and bike safety trainings at 25 schools across Orange County. It delivers improved Metrolink service, with additional mid-day and evening service between Orange County and Los Angeles. Additionally, the budget includes funding for the new lanes on the I-405 and I-5, new buses and ACCESS vans, the construction of the OC Streetcar, and over $150 million in local street improvements.This budget also lays the foundation for the use of alternative energy sources to power buses.

As the Chairman of OCTA’s Transit Committee, I requested the budget include $450,000 for an assessment of how well our bus service meets the needs of Orange County’s diverse communities.

Access to effective mobility is critical to the economic vitality and social health of our communities. OCTA's budget will make investments that directly benefit the residents of Central Orange County.

Westminster Mayor Tri Ta was appointed as the First District representative to the Orange County Waste Management Commission. In addition to serving as Mayor, he is currently the Director for District 4 of the Orange County Water District. Mayor Ta is committed to supporting environmentally responsible waste management practices and promoting eco-friendly initiatives. His 12 years of public service make him an exemplary appointment for this position. I'm excited to see such a qualified individual helping represent the residents of the First District. 

Serving our seniors is a crucial component to healthy communities. Westminster City Councilman Chi Charlie Nguyen was appointed to represent the First District on the Orange County Senior Advisory Council. Councilman Nguyen, who also serves as president of the Midway City Sanitary District, has been serving seniors for over three decades performing volunteer work through the faith-based community and other organizations. I'm glad to see an individual who cares deeply about serving our seniors be appointed to this important and impactful Council. 

Chuko is a handsome guy who’s looking for his fur-ever family! A home with older children and large dog experience would be best for this cutie! He would love to go to training with you where he could be the best dog that he could be! Treats and back scratches are among his favorite things. If you think Chuko is the perfect fit for you, come visit him at OC Animal Care today!

Chuko

Animal ID# A1619785

Pit Bull Mix

Neutered Male

2 Years Old

Intake jurisdiction: Santa Ana