Supervisor Foley Maximizes County Investments in Affordable Housing and Public Safety
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley commented on today’s Board of Supervisors meeting where the Board appointed Supervisor Foley to serve on the County Executive Search Ad Hoc Committee, a two-person panel that will lead the recruitment process for Orange County’s next Chief Executive Officer.
The Board also voted to maximize the county’s investments in affordable housing projects, approved several new police officer positions for Fifth District cities, and joined an amicus brief in support a Supreme Court case on anti-encampment laws.
Supervisor Foley released the following statements highlighting the votes by the Board of Supervisors from the January 23, 2024 meeting:
County Executive Search Ad Hoc Committee (Supplemental Item S34B): The Board approved Supervisor Foley’s appointment to the County Executive Search Ad Hoc Committee, a two-person panel that will lead the recruitment process for Orange County’s next Chief Executive Officer. The County CEO leads our government staff and agencies on delivering critical program and investments and implementing the vision of the Board of Supervisors.
“The next CEO of Orange County has enormous shoes to fill,” said Supervisor Foley. “Our current CEO, Frank Kim, leaves behind an indelible mark on this county and the people who call it home. His decisive and experienced leadership will be deeply missed. I look forward to working with Chairman Wagner on finding candidates who will lead our county with a professional, experienced, steady hand.”
Maximizing Affordable Housing Investments: Updated the administrative plan for the OC Housing Authority to maximize the number of project-based vouchers available under Section 8. This policy change increases the maximum percentage of project-based vouchers in Orange County from 10% to 20%, a sea change that will spur the production of affordable housing.
“Homelessness is the most pressing crisis we face as a nation and county. Addressing it requires, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and yes, building more affordable housing,” said Supervisor Foley. “Right now, our projects are stuck in a cycle of multiple rounds applying for state investments and tax credits. This policy change modernizes our voucher process and will support development of approximately 1,125 additional homes for our workforce and neighbors on the verge of or currently experiencing homelessness.”
County of Orange Joins Effort to Protect Anti-Encampment Laws – Today, the Board of Supervisors voted to file an amicus brief (friend of the court brief) in support of the petitioner in the U.S. Supreme Court case City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Gloria Johnson, et al. where the City of Grants Pass, Oregon, is being prevented from enforcing public anti-camping laws.
“We must protect the abilities of local governments to humanely address the homelessness crisis,” said Supervisor Foley. “I thank the United States Supreme Court for taking up this important case. I urge them to provide clarity to local governments so we can help our unhoused neighbors get off the streets and protect public health.”
Orange County Mid-Year Budget Report: Approved Orange County’s Mid-Year Budget Report, a routine update that augments our current year's budget to include new positions and spending allocations and gives an overview of the county’s fiscal health.
“This Mid-Year Budget Report demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to fiscal responsibility and fostering of public safety,” said Supervisor Foley. “These fully funded positions will help ensure Fifth District residents remain safe from future potential threats.”
Fifth District Public Safety Investments: Several investments that foster public safety in the Fifth District are included in this budget report, including new Deputy Sherriff positions for San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, an Office Specialist for Laguna Niguel, and a Senior Emergency Management Program Coordinator for Laguna Hills.
Expanding Services: Created 142 new positions to administer recent CalFresh methodology changes, 47 positions for Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis Benefit services, and 29 positions for the Social Services Agency to meet the significant increase in caseloads and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our elderly population.
Permanent Supportive Housing Funding: Directed $8 million in Mental Health Service Act funding to the OC Housing Finance Trust for the development of permanent and supportive housing.
Conflict of Interest Reporting Requirements: Conflict of Interest Item brought forward by Supervisor Sarmiento did not receive majority support. Supervisor Foley supported the measure to add new disclosure requirements for County Supervisors and their Chiefs of Staff, and procedures for procession discretionary funds by the Board of Supervisors offices.
“For our system to function, we must have the trust of our constituents, which requires transparency,” said Supervisor Foley. “These commonsense measures would have required the Board of Supervisors to disclose any familial relationship related to items before the board for approval. I look forward to working with Supervisor Sarmiento on addressing the concerns raised by my colleagues so that a policy on this issue can be passed.”
Supervisor Foley was also re-appointed to the following key (committees): Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Orange County Housing Finance Trust, Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee Vice Chair, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Environmental Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
