Orange County’s Registrar of Voters certified the election results for the 2024 Presidential Election yesterday. I want to thank Bob Page, the Registrar, for the efficient and well-run election and thank all the dedicated staff for their individual and collective commitment to making sure all votes were counted.

This was an election marked by some very closely contested races, including many local elections and even Congressional contests ultimately decided by just a few hundred votes. A reminder of the importance of registering to vote and the need to participate in every election.

Though voter turnout topped 76% countywide, not all areas of the County reached that level of turnout. Historically, the Second District trails other areas of the County in voter participation. Your participation is key for our communities to be heard. If you are a citizen, register to vote, if you are eligible to become a citizen, apply, and always participate to make your voice heard.

The Orange County Registrar of Voters mission is to provide election services for the citizens of Orange County to ensure equal access to the election process, protect the integrity of votes, and maintain a transparent, accurate and fair process.

Voting isn’t just a right; it’s a responsibility. My wife and I cast our ballots on election day.

Our office hosted Michael Tubbs and a diverse group of seniors for a wide-ranging discussion on the issues affecting low-income seniors in Orange County. Michael is the founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC) and serves as a special adviser for economic mobility and opportunity for Governor Gavin Newsom. This was the first listening session conducted by EPIC in Orange County and the input will help inform policy recommendations in California.

The participants shared heartfelt stories about housing challenges, public transportation, safety, and more. Held in Santa Ana, and conducted in multiple languages, the session highlighted the challenges faced by older adults in the County, across their diverse backgrounds.

Thank you to the seniors who shared their experiences and the local organizations that supported the session including ABRAZAR, The Cambodian Family, Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center, CalOptima Health, OC Social Services Agency, and the OC Office on Aging.

Michael Tubbs and my Chief of Staff Yasie Goebel served as moderator for the conversation.

I celebrated the grand opening of the Estrella Springs housing development, a collaborative effort between the developer Jamboree, the City of Santa Ana, the County, the Orange County Housing Finance Trust, CalOptima, and other partners. This development will provide Permanent Supportive Housing for formerly homeless veterans and individuals living with a mental health diagnosis.

Renovation plans for the existing buildings included a new community building for property management offices, onsite services, case management, an activities center, and a lounge area for residents. In addition to three onsite services staff, residents will have access to services to ensure the health and stability necessary for these formerly homeless veterans to successfully live independently.

Elected officials and community partners joined in the grand opening and in celebrating the successful partnership.

I joined Pastor Ivan Pitts from Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana at their event, “Dialogue Across Differences.” This event fostered a healthy dialogue on how individuals from diverse perspectives can engage in constructive conversations about our differences. This month’s focus was on racial and ethnic differences, aiming to create a respectful space for people from various backgrounds to share their views and experiences.

November is Family Engagement Month and is a time to recognize the important role families, caregivers, educators, and community members have in the education and well-being of their children. The Board took the opportunity to recognize the vital role our families play in fostering a positive learning environment.

During the presentation, we were joined by representatives of the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) program from the Santa Ana Unified School District. The FACE liaisons work tirelessly to bridge the gap between schools and families to promote family engagement within the community.

Elisa Briseno-Sandoval, Coordinator of Family and Community Engagement, provided words of inspiration and encouragement for the role families play in education and the positive assets they bring to serve their children and students. The liaisons play an essential role in the community by collaborating with health facilities and community resource centers throughout Santa Ana. They ensure families have access to the comprehensive support they need to address the academic needs and the health, social, and emotional well-being of students.

Ximena Luna, FACE Liaison, Godinez High School, Elisa Briseno-Sandoval, Coordinator of Family and Community Engagement, and Ivan Sifuentes, FACE Liaison, Garfield Elementary School.

I joined the Santa Anita Neighborhood Association’s Thanksgiving Resource and Food Distribution event at Cesar Chavez Park. Special thanks to Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Phan and Councilman Hernandez for including youth in community service.

The event was the perfect reminder of how serving the community makes us stronger. It was so inspiring to see members of Santa Ana Youth in Government participating in service!

It was great to join Pastor Nati Alvarado and Santa Anita Neighborhood Association President Felipe Guerrero, at the event.   

Santa Ana Unified School District, Santa Ana Public Schools Foundation & SAUSD School Police need your support this holiday season!

The goal is to collect 10,000 toys for Santa Ana students. You can help spread holiday cheer by donating new, unwrapped toys for local children this Christmas season! You can support by donating toys, providing financial support, or volunteering.

I truly enjoyed attending the United Across Borders Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. It was a special evening where volunteers brought their families together to celebrate before the busy holiday season.

UAB continues to provide food, clothing, and essential materials throughout Orange County, and the dinner was a rare moment to pause and appreciate the incredible people behind the work. I had the opportunity to spend time with and extend a special thanks to every volunteer for their tireless dedication. I am immensely proud of the work they do, and I am confident that together we will achieve even greater accomplishments.

I thanked the volunteers for their compassion and support of the community. 

One of the key issues we have been addressing is public safety concerns related to people congregating along the riverbed and in flood control channels. We are faced with the challenge of opening access to bike paths while controlling access to these areas to prevent criminal activity, as well as ensuring we are providing services for those who need them. 

I wanted to share some of the latest before and after images of that ongoing work in Santa Ana.

Before                                                        After

County Housing & Community Development Seeks Input from Residents for 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan

The County of Orange receives approximately $4 million in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) each year for housing and community development projects in certain County unincorporated areas, which includes El Modena and North Tustin.

These annual grants can be used to provide decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanded economic opportunities, for low- and moderate-income persons. In creating the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, the County needs your help to identify the priorities for improvements and public services for these areas.

Please complete the Resident Needs Survey by December 31, 2024.

English: 

Spanish: 

Chinese: 

Korean: 

Vietnamese: 

Supervisor Sarmiento’s Homeless Prevention and Stabilization Program has launched.

This vital initiative aims to keep individuals and families housed by providing direct assistance to pay rental arrears, past due utility bills (electricity, gas, water, and trash), and rent and/or utility bills based on financial need, so they can remain in their home. Not only does the program benefit families, but recent research indicates it is less costly than providing services once an individual has lost their housing.

This is a 12-month pilot program that offers stabilization payments of $400 per month. Additionally, the program is being evaluated by UC Irvine to study the impacts of homelessness prevention.

The program seeks to serve OC residents who are currently in formal eviction proceedings or received notice they will be forced out of their home within 21 days. Additional criteria include head of household seniors, age 60 and older, single-parent households, and households at imminent risk of homelessness.

We encourage you to share this information with anyone who is at risk of becoming homeless. To check eligibility and for further details, individuals can call 211.

The County of Orange Social Services Agency Adult Services office has moved to a new location at 2020 W. Walnut St. in Santa Ana.  

The location, previously housed on Warner Avenue, supports Adult Protective Services (APS), In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and IHSS Public Authority programs.

You can get more information or apply for services by calling 714-825-3000. Need to report elder/adult abuse? Call 800-451-5155.

Interested in applying for IHSS? Download an application at www.ssa.ocgov.com/IHSS/Apply and submit by Email: IHSSapplications@ssa.ocgov.com.

For more information on SSA programs, visit SSA's website. 

Qualified California homeowners can save money on energy bills and make their homes more energy efficient through new heat pump rebates. In addition to saving money on energy bills and increasing energy efficiency, the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEEHRA) aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor air quality.

Income-qualified, single-family homeowners may receive rebates of up to $8,000 to reduce the cost of purchasing and installing a new, energy-efficient home heating and cooling heat pump. Rebates for multifamily building owners for a wider array of electric appliances became available on October 8, and rebates for single family homeowners became available on November 12, 2024.

California homeowners with household incomes between 80% and 150% area median income (AMI) will be eligible for up to $4,000. Those with incomes less than 80% AMI will be eligible for up to $8,000. Californians can find more programs to save money and take climate action at climateaction.ca.gov.

Community Wellness Event

Saturday, December 14

Location:

1010 N Tustin Ave.

Santa Ana

Chicano Art on Display - Free Admission 

August - December

Location:

211 W. Santa Ana Blvd.

Santa Ana