SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed Assembly Bill 448, legislation jointly authored by Orange County Assemblymembers Tom Daly (D – Anaheim) and Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Fullerton) to establish the Orange County Housing Finance Trust.

"This legislation is a product of teamwork, and refreshing cooperation in Orange County. This was a bipartisan effort to find permanent housing for our struggling residents," said Quirk-Silva. "As a mother, teacher, former mayor, and concerned resident, I understand there are many roadblocks to providing housing for the county’s growing population of chronically homeless people. Nevertheless, with optimistic and sensible approaches like this one, we will be able to help the homeless in our community over time."

A 2017 UC Irvine study, commissioned by Orange County United Way, found that 68% of Orange County’s homeless population had lived in the County for 10 years or longer. The UCI study concluded that Orange County could save $42 million a year on healthcare and law enforcement, among other expenses, by moving chronically homeless people from the streets into permanent supportive housing.

FULLERTON – In further efforts to bring state funds back to the people of Orange County, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) secured $5 million from the 2018-19 State Budget’s Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund, to house and assist persons experiencing homelessness. The funds will be used to expand bed and support services for the homeless at the Bridges at Kraemer Place emergency shelter in Orange County. With these funds, the Bridges at Kraemer Place will serve hundreds of men, women, and children of North Orange County.

“Supporting a proven successful shelter, already in operation, is the logical first approach to confront the complicated issue of homelessness,” said Quirk-Silva. “We need beds for people in responsible shelters, such as Kraemer Place. Supporting these shelters with a proven success rate will ease the burden put on our neighborhood streets, in times of crisis.”

Bridges at Kraemer Place in Anaheim is more than an emergency shelter. It has added services to help transition transients into more stable, long-term housing. Homeless people have to be referred, and screened for outstanding warrants, to get into Kraemer’s 24-hour shelter. Also, sex offenders are not allowed, and public safety is paramount.

Digital Days Will Bring Together Grade School Students with Students from California State University, Fullerton

(SACRAMENTO) – In further efforts to bring California tax dollars for Orange County, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (Orange County) is pleased to announce that $19.8 million has officially been approved by the State Assembly in the 2018-19 California budget. The funds will be appropriated to a conservation program with the State. According to the bill language, the money will be used “to enhance public access and for other public purposes concerning the West Coyote Hills area in the County of Orange.” This has been the result of long-lasting efforts by Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva, dating back to her position as Mayor of the City of Fullerton, and the residents’ desire to open up West Coyote Hills for use as a natural preserve.

“It is vital that West Coyote Hills be saved as a park and educational resource for residents and children.  Its unique ecology and community history provide the perfect setting for an outdoor classroom. Children and college students will have a nearby place for field trips and field studies to learn about our local environment,” said Quirk-Silva. “Securing the Open Space will benefit all local residents, and will be widely regarded as a source of pride for the Fullerton community.”

Of the $19.8 million, $15 million has been secured in the Budget Act of 2018 to be used for the purchase of specified property in West Coyote Hills, with legislative oversight. The funding, under the bill language, will be to maintain and preserve West Coyote Hills, and to enhance public access and to keep the land as open space. The other $4.8 million dollars was secured with the voter-approved (June 5, 2018), Proposition 68 State Park Bond.

The California State Budget currently includes $15 million due to the efforts of Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva, and former Senator Josh Newman, for the purpose of acquiring, operating, and maintaining West Coyote Hills Open Space. Currently, the land is owned by Chevron’s subsidiary, Pacific Coast Homes. The budget bill (Senate Bill 862) will next be heard on the floor of the California State Senate.