Updated to reflect the correct number of permanent supportive housing units that the County voted to fund. – Ed.
Women’s History Month, Sober Living Homes, Climate Action Plan and more
By Katrina Foley, Orange County Supervisor
In March, we celebrated Women’s History Month by recognizing trailblazing women in our legal profession, building a more just, equitable Orange County for all.
Congratulations to Laguna Beach awardees: Jane Fulton as the Nonprofit Advocate; Michelle Reinglass as the Mediator; and Annee Della Donna as the Civil Rights Advocate of the year! Visit our website to learn about their work and their incredible fellow honorees.
At my first quarterly Roundtable on the Status of Women and Girls in Orange County, consensus among local women leaders declared mental health and wellness as top priority for all ages. I agree. Our next discussion in June focuses on mental health initiatives, services and how to close the gaps for women and girls to live healthier stable lives.
My office continues progress on our Fifth District priorities: public safety, reducing homelessness and the addressing affordable housing crisis, climate action, taxpayer oversight and supporting small businesses.
Public Safety: In December, I initiated an E-Bike ordinance at the County of Orange, following a study in coordination with OC Public Works and OCTA. The ordinance will be heard at the OC Traffic Committee this month. Provisions include: grouping restrictions, strict sidewalk speed limits, helmets for minors, requirements for yielding to pedestrians and equestrians and for an audible alarm when overtaking, consequences for driving without a license when required, and more.
During the County of Orange’s annual two-day advocacy trip in Sacramento, my Chief of Staff and I strongly advocated for my County sponsored legislation Senate Bill 1334 carried by California State Senator Josh Newman. SB 1334 will close critical regulatory loopholes in recovery residences to better safeguard vulnerable individuals at risk for abuse and exploitation by profiteering businesses, while better serving the communities in which recovery residences are located. Watch the first Senate Health Committee hearing on April 24 at 1:30 p.m. live or watch the recording here.
As Mayor of Costa Mesa, I led the development and implementation of a comprehensive Sober Living Home Action Plan and model ordinance in order to close policy gaps and combat bad actors across Orange County. Following Costa Mesa, the County of Orange adopted a similar ordinance. Even with reasonable rules to ensure a quality safe system of care, the number of facilities in Orange County remains the second highest just slightly fewer than in Los Angeles County with three times the population.
SB 1334 reflects my decade of dedication to improving care and treatment for residents challenged with substance use disorders, rooting out exploitive practices, and addressing the over-concentration of sober living homes in our communities.
Reducing Homelessness: In 2018, the County set a goal of 2,700 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units. In the past five years, the County funded 1,419 PSH units. In 2022, we set a new goal of 2,396 PSH units by 2029, with2,209 left to build. As the Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, I’ve helped secure more than $12 million in federal and state funds to help build more housing. Stay tuned for our Point in Time count numbers released later this month.
Climate Action: As we celebrate Earth Month, Orange County is turning over a new leaf in combatting climate change.
Last month, Orange County leaped forward historically in reducing carbon emissions by finalizing our first-ever Priority Climate Action Plan, a tool outlining our vision for building projects that address the climate crisis. This plan was developed, in part, by Deputy CEO Lilly Simmering, OC Waste & Recycling Director Tom Koutroulis and our County’s newly hired Environmental Sustainability Officer Tara Tisopulos, with help from me and my Climate Resiliency Task Force. We are mobilizing subject matter experts from UCI, the Building Industry Association and Labor, climate change activists, and policy staff from state and federal offices. We must catch up to combat climate change and plan for a resilient future.
The county also finalized our first South Orange County Regional Coastal Resiliency Strategic Plan. This outlines our vision for creating a regional collaborative on coastal resiliency in south Orange County, to develop a coordinated, proactive, and regional response to coastal erosion.
I also recently met with Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf and Laguna Beach Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi to learn about their study on building a microgrid for their city buildings, electrification of their city fleet, and solar power energy storage. We invited Councilman Rounaghi to pitch to our CPRG steering committee and discussed funding options.
Taxpayer Oversight: Due to the volume of local businesses seeking help from our office to obtain necessary health permits, we noticed lengthy waiting periods for county inspections and visits to restaurants, causing costly delays for business owners. I began working with my Chief of Staff Nick Anas, County staff, and local restauranteurs and chamber representatives to identify solutions to cut the red tape and streamline health permitting for small businesses and restaurants. I’m hosting a round table for restaurant owners and our county team in May. Email my office to attend.
I look forward to spring sunshine and flowers.
Keep up with our latest updates by signing up for my weekly newsletter: d5.ocgov.com.
