Orange County has a desperate need for more affordable and supportive housing.

On February 28, the Board unanimously approved changes to the 2023 Supportive Housing Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) that will make it easier for new housing projects to move forward by expanding access to $67.1 million in funding for loans and 210 Project Based Vouchers with an estimated value of $68.5 million.

Although Orange County still struggles to provide affordable housing, we have made significant progress. In 2017, the waitlist for housing vouchers was more than 40,000. Thanks to the diligent work of the OC Housing Authority, that list has gone down to 2,600.

Since 2018, Orange County has invested more than $155 million in 36 projects, representing more than 1,200 supportive housing units and 1,000 affordable housing units at various stages of construction, completion, and financing through the County.

The County has successfully leveraged its capital funding investment by an incredible ratio. For every $1 invested by the County, outside sources have contributed approximately $5.50 in other public subsidies and private investments.

Click here to read the full press release.

Last month, my Chief of Staff, Van Tran, met with City of Westminster officials and the Community Action Partnership of Orange County to go over current assistance programs available to low-income families and senior residents.

If you live in Orange County, you may be eligible to receive assistance with the following:

• Gas, electric, and/or water bills
• No-cost home improvements to keep your home safe while helping you save energy and money.

To apply and for more information, contact CAP OC via phone at 714-839-6199 or email at LIHWAP@capoc.org. Assistance is available in multiple languages.

Orange County is following the federal government’s guidance to ban TikTok from government devices and equipment.

On March 14, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal I brought forward with OC Sheriff Don Barnes to prohibit the downloading, viewing, or using of TikTok on any County device or equipment, except as necessary for law enforcement purposes.

We are taking proactive steps to ensure the County of Orange follows the best security practices to protect our County and the residents we serve.

Last December, the United States House of Representatives ordered staff to delete TikTok from any House-issued mobile phones. And earlier this month, a dozen U.S. senators unveiled bipartisan legislation expanding President Biden’s legal authority to ban TikTok nationwide under the RESTRICT Act.

Click here to read the full press release.

Tax season is ramping up!

If you made less than $60,000 last year, did you know you may be eligible for FREE tax prep assistance?

Click here to find a place near you.

**The deadline to file your income tax is Tuesday, April 18, though you can file an extension for October 16. Remember that even if you file an extension and owe money, you must make income tax payments by April 18, 2023, to avoid interest and penalties.

Last year, I allocated $1 million from the First District’s discretionary funding to the County’s Equity in OC Initiative to help fund small community-based organizations addressing social determinants of health.

I am happy to announce that the application to apply for the fund has opened again. Nonprofits based in Orange County with an annual operating budget of at most $500,000 and have not been a recipient of the Power Building Fund, are eligible to apply for up to $50,000. Recipients of this Fund will receive financial support to engage in the Equity in OC Initiative.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 12, at 12:00 p.m.

Click here for more information.

Are you an employer or employee needing assistance with recruiting, interviewing, job search, resume and cover letter development, and other career training services? The OC Workforce Solutions Center offers free assistance to all Orange County residents.

Click here for a complete list of the nearest OC Workforce mobile unit dates.

Attention all small business owners!

The County of Orange is awarding one-time $2,500 grants to small businesses. The application closes on June 30 or once all program funds have been exhausted, whichever occurs first.

Click here to learn more about the grant.

Are you a small business looking to fill labor gaps with work-ready talent?

The OC Workforce & Economic Development Division has funding for on-the-job training for local small businesses. Employers who qualify may receive up to 50%-75% in wage reimbursements for participating employees.

Click here for more information.

For more information, contact the OC Workforce Solutions team via phone at 714-480-6500 or via email at BusinessServices@ocworkforcesolutions.com.

Are you interested in earning a credential that can lead to jobs in high-growth fields?

The OC Workforce & Economic Development Division is offering competitive Google Certificates in the following:

• Data Analytics
• Digital Marketing
• IT Automation
• IT Support
• Project Management
• UX Design

If you are interested in signing up for a class, contact the OC Workforce Solutions Center at 714-840-6500 or visit www.ocworkforcesolutions.com.

Attention all CalFresh recipients:

During the pandemic, Congress authorized CalFresh Emergency Allotments to help families meet their food needs. Since March 2020, households have received a monthly increase of at least $95 in CalFresh benefits.

However, that has now changed due to the federal government enacting the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

While the regular CalFresh benefits you are eligible for are not changing, beginning in April, you will no longer get the additional CalFresh benefit you have been getting due to the Emergency Allotments ending.

If you need additional food assistance, call 2-1-1 for the nearest food pantry near you.

Last month, my Chief of Staff, Van Tran, and my Director of Community Engagement, Ofelia Garcia, provided a district update to Huntington Beach residents on County services and resources.

Despite the inclement weather, more than 20 residents were in attendance and inquired about the following issues:

• 405 Improvement and Bridge Construction – OCTA and Caltrans will provide shorter commute times once the project is complete. For more information on the project, please call 888-400-8994 or email 405project@octa.net. Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign-up for project updates and alerts at @405Improvement.
• Homelessness – The County’s Mobile Crisis Assessment Team provides prompt response throughout the county when an individual is experiencing a health crisis, 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. The CAT Team can respond to private residents, police stations, health clinics, and doctor/therapists’ offices. For more information, please call the OC Links Behavioral Health Line at 855-625-4657.

A special thank you to the City of Huntington Beach and the staff at the Huntington Beach Library for hosting our community coffee.

Last month, Westminster residents enjoyed pastries and coffee while listening to a district update on County services and resources by my Chief of Staff Van Tran and my Director of Community Engagement Ofelia Garcia.

• Residents learned about the development of the Central Cities Navigation Center, a homeless navigation center that will serve the three cities of Westminster, Garden Grove, and Fountain Valley. As part of the effort to build capacity to help the homeless, I directed the allocation of $5.3 million from the County for the construction of the navigation center, plus an annual supplement of $625,000.00 for the facility’s operation and management for the next ten years. The center is part of my regional approach to serving the homeless throughout Orange County.
• My staff also provided updates on my continued efforts in making mental health services accessible and on some of the opportunities offered by the County’s OC Workforce & Economic Development Division – such as the re-launch of the $2,500 microbusiness grants, scholarship opportunities for Google IT certifications, and the On-The-Job Training program for employers seeking new talent.
• Staff from the OC Community Service Center were also present to provide an overview of all the services and resources available at this one-stop-shop in Westminster.
• A special thank you to the OC Public Libraries’ Westminster Library staff for hosting our community coffee and to Councilwoman Amy Phan West for stopping by.

If you missed my previous coffees and would like more information, please reach out to my office at 714-834-3110.

This year’s theme for Women’s History Month, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” acknowledges the pioneering women, past and present, who have achieved significant milestones that have paved the wave for future generations.

I would like to highlight that here in Southern California, the commanders of all military bases in the greater Los Angeles / Orange County area are women. It is inspiring to see women from four branches ascend to base command positions in one of the country's largest metropolitan areas. 

• Jessica O'Brien, Commander of Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach (U.S. Navy, Active Duty)
• Col. Manju Vig, Garrison Commander of Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos (California National Guard)
• Mia Walsh, Commander of U.S. Space Force Space Base Delta 3 Los Angeles Air Force Base (U.S. Space Force, Active Duty)
• Lisa M. Sharkey, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Base Los Angeles / Long Beach (U.S. Coast Guard, Active Duty)

In commemoration of Black History Month in February, my colleagues and I presented a resolution at our February 7th board meeting. On behalf of the Orange County Black community, a handful of prominent Black leaders were present to accept the recognition.

I would like to recognize the following elected officials and commissioners from the First District:

• Rhonda Bolton, Huntington Beach Councilmember
• Marshall Goodman, La Palma Mayor Pro Tem
• Tanya Doby, Los Alamitos Mayor
• Trisha Murphy, Los Alamitos Councilmember
• Alberta Christy, First District Commissioner and Chairperson of CAPOC

Join me in honoring past and present Black Americans' legacies, achievements, courage, and resilience. Black history is American history.