Orange County and Cities Receive Funding to Address Immediate Homelessness Challenges

Orange County: Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Fullerton) is proud to announce that the County of Orange, City of Anaheim and Santa Ana, Anaheim/Orange County Continuum of Care will be receiving funding to address immediate homelessness

FULLERTON, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom announced his plans to re-open the Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa as part of California’s plan to build surge capacity to combat the Coronavirus outbreak.

AltaMed Health Services Ensures Safety of Patients and Staff During Outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva's Housing Legislative Package: From Homelessness to Home Ownership

SACRAMENTO –Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) introduced a package of housing bills that seek to provide protection, stabilization, treatment, evaluation, and state funding to address a range of our state's housing crisis issues from homelessness to home ownership.

“California has been grappling with a housing shortage, a growing homeless population and a poverty rate that is one of the highest in the nation,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva. “Rent increases have increased at unprecedented rates and homeownership has become unattainable to millions of Californians.  Statistics show that 40 percent of Americans are one paycheck away from poverty and/or homelessness."

ASSEMBLYWOMAN QUIRK-SILVA INTRODUCES MOBILE HOME PARK RENT STABILIZATION LEGISLATION

ORANGE COUNTY – Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D – Fullerton) has introduced legislation addressing mobile home parks in California. Assembly Bill 2895 (AB 2895) will provide rate increase protections for Californians who own a mobile home but rent the land that the home resides on from the "land or park" owner.  The bill also provides the same protection to those who rent a mobile home from an owner.

“California has been grappling with a housing shortage, a growing homeless population and a poverty rate that is one of the highest in the nation,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva. “This is not a problem affecting only low-income people - it affects the middle-class and even people with higher income who may not have enough savings.”

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva Responds to Governor's State of the State Address

SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Newsom presented his 2020 State of the State address, and discussed his vision for the State of California. The Governor dedicated most of his speech to the homeless and its profound effects, including health and mental health. 

Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Medina Introduced Legislation to Increase Oversight of California Public University Admission Policies

SACRAMENTO –Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), together with Assemblymember Jose Medina (D-Riverside) introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1930, to protect students if any admission requirement policy changes are sought by Ca

SACRAMENTO –Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D- Sacramento) unveiled legislation in which California State University (CSU) students and the State of California would obtain transparency and improved oversight of state funds and student tuition and fees.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN QUIRK-SILVA AND SELECT COMMITTEE ADDRESSES OC CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (Fullerton) hosted the first hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on Orange County Chronic Homelessness at the Buena Park City Council Chambers. Approximately 125 people attended the hearing to discuss the growing concerns about chronic homelessness in Orange County, including representatives of county agencies; city governments and law enforcement; homeless advocates; members of nonprofit organizations; and other constituents.

“I sought to create the Select Committee with my colleagues to identify opportunities to strengthen on going working relationships between advocates, non-profits, the private sector, as well as local and state government, to combat Orange County’s chronic homeless population,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “The goal of this hearing is to focus on the progress that the region has made over the last year, what we need to continue to work on, and the role each of us play.”

Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva's Request for State Audit on Education Supplemental Funding Released

Orange County, CA - Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva's (Fullerton) request to the California State Auditor's Office to complete an audit on Local Education Agencies and the use of supplemental funding has concluded.  As a teacher for more than 30 years, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva initiated the request last year, as it was necessary to ensure that the sub funds get to specified groups.  As a champion and leader in the achievement gap conference over ten years ago, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva understands it is more crucial than ever that we provide a high quality education for students and provide students with resources in order to support a well prepared workforce, safer communities, and a thriving economy.

There are close to six-million students in California’s public schools from grades K - 12.  Educational funding is complex, with funding from the Federal government and state allocations.  A large portion of California’s billion dollar state budget is allocated for Kindergarten through 12 education.  In the 2013-14 budget, California began funding K -12 education, in part through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).  This was to provide more local control over the spending of funds and to improve educational outcomes and close the education gap among certain groups.  

“As an educator, I believe we must ensure that the intended student groups benefit from the supplemental funds that have been given to the school agencies,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva.  “The Legislature should address the concerns of requiring local educational agencies to identify those unspent funds by annually reporting on estimated and actual spending.”