ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley commented on today’s Board of Supervisors meeting where the Board certified the election, adopted support positions on four state bills that address abuse in sober living homes, a Civil Rights Plan for John Wayne Airport, and raises for lifeguards at county beaches.
Supervisor Foley released the following statements highlighting the votes by the Board of Supervisors from the March 26, 2024 meeting:
Addressing Sober Living Home Loopholes in State Law: Adopted unanimous support positions on four state bills from members of Orange County’s Legislative Delegation that address the issue of abuse in sober living homes. The County of Orange officially supports Assembly Bill (AB) 2081 by Assemblywoman Davies, AB 2574 by Assemblymember Valencia, Senate Bill (SB) 913 by Senator Umberg. The Board also formally adopted a support position on SB 1334 by Senator Newman, which the County of Orange is sponsoring.
“Orange County leaders from both sides of the aisle and various levels of government agree, more must be done to regulate unlicensed sober living homes,” said Supervisor Foley. “When I was Mayor of Costa Mesa, I led the development and implementation of a comprehensive Sober Living Home Action Plan, and as a County Supervisor created a model ordinance in order to close policy gaps and combat bad actors across Orange County. I look forward to working with our legislative partners on closing loopholes in state law and protecting residents and those seeking care.”
John Wayne Airport’s Civil Rights Plan: Approved the first-ever Civil Rights Plan for John Wayne Airport, which outlines our county airports plan for complying with provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This plan outlines rules and a community outreach strategy for ensuring that no passengers or nearby residents experience discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, or age.
“Whether you are flying through Orange County’s skies or you live in the flight path of John Wayne Airport, you deserve to be treated with respect,” said Supervisor Foley. “I am honored to support the first ever Civil Rights Plan for John Wayne Airport, which ensures that the civil liberties for passengers and residents are respected.”
Raises for OC Lifeguards: Provided raises to lifeguards protecting public safety at our county beaches. Under this agreement, all employee classifications will receive an increase in their rate of pay, and our starting wage will increase from $19.25 per to $20.25 per hour.
“With summer around the corner, we must invest in the lifeguards who keep us safe while we enjoy our beaches,” said Supervisor Foley. “This agreement provides a well-deserved increase in pay for lifeguards at our county beaches who keep tourists and residents safe.”
2024-25 Public Housing Agency Plan: Adopted Orange County’s Public Housing Agency Plan for Fiscal Year 2024-25, our comprehensive guide to public housing agency policies, programs, operations and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals. The item includes a progress report on critical housing issues such as expanding the supply of affordable housing, our Housing Choice Voucher Program, and enhancing access for individuals living with a disability and/or with limited English proficiency.
“In the final year of the Orange County Housing Authority's (OCHA) Five-Year Public Housing Agency Plan, our county sends a clear message to the federal government: Orange County achieved every goal set five years ago and continues to use each tool at our disposal to support the development of affordable and permanent supportive housing,” said Supervisor Foley. “As an example, HUD allows a maximum of 20% of Housing Choice Vouchers to be used as Project Based Vouchers (PBVs) to expedite the development of permanent supportive and affordable housing. In February 2022 the County only used 4.5% of our vouchers as PBVs. This year, following a request from my office, the Board of Supervisors changed the policy to utilize up to 20% of our vouchers for PBVs, which will aid in the development of 1,125 additional units for seniors, families, and our workforce.”
Housing Full Service Partnership Services: Approved continuation of a program that provides permanent supportive housing and integrated, multi-disciplinary case management services to individuals living with a serious mental illness.
“Orange County is committed to providing care and housing to residents in the greatest need,” said Supervisor Foley. “I look forward to continuing our partnership with this contractor, who is located in Laguna Hills in the Fifth District, on providing holistic care to individuals suffering from a serious mental illness.”
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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.
