OC officials have just two years to build nearly 1,400 affordable housing units to make good on a much-publicized promise from 2018.
Author Archives: Brandon Pho
As a Voice of OC reporter, Brandon Pho covered north/central Orange County, as well as broader regional issues around law enforcement, transportation, the environment, the OC Fair and Little Saigon.
He joined in 2018 as an intern, shedding light on turmoil and corruption claims in Westminster and uncovering a now-fired OC Fair executive’s suspect fundraising relationship with a nearby, private Christian college that the Fair had sponsored with public money.
Later, he published a number of investigative stories on local law enforcement agencies; detailed political jockeying around a controversial seawater desalting plant proposal in Huntington Beach; narrated a racial reckoning inside one of the county’s largest school districts; and tracked various quality of life issues across the region.
Before Voice of OC, Brandon worked as a reporter and editor at Cal State Fullerton’s independent student newspaper, the Daily Titan, and won a number of accolades for his reporting in 2018, including a 1st and 2nd place Los Angeles Press Club award and 1st place national College Media Association award.
While at Voice of OC, Brandon was a member of Report for America, a national network of local reporters committed to bolstering democracy throughout the U.S.
Posted inAnaheim
You’d Be Surprised How Many Local Government Workers May Qualify for Subsidized Housing in OC
It’s a window into housing affordability in Orange County – an issue that even touches those in the halls of local government.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Voters to Decide if Hotel Workers Will Get a $25 Minimum Wage in Special Election
Anaheim city council members called for an estimated $1.6 million special election for residents to decide on the proposed minimum wage increase. Critics say it will result in low voter turnout.
Posted inSanta Ana
Will Two Santa Ana Council Members Be Recalled Over Rent Control, Police Policies?
The filing of signatures this week may lead to a search for residents’ pulse on two city council members’ stances on housing and law enforcement in Santa Ana.
Posted inALL TOP STORIES
Santa Ana Expands Local Hiring for Workers on City Projects
The move was applauded by electricians and metal workers who spoke of driving hours to work and missing family without work opportunities in their hometown.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Federal Judge: Santa Ana Might be Violating Religious Rights of Homeless Service Center
It comes after the U.S. Dept. of Justice has waded into the case and taken aim at the city’s barring of religious groups from helping people living on the streets.
Posted inSanta Ana
Differing Ideas of Youth Services Collide in Santa Ana
It captures an ongoing debate in town over how exactly to serve young people in a city with one of OC’s youngest populations.
Posted inGovernment
OC Supervisors Ban Pride Flag at County Properties Under New Policy
In the beginning of LGBTQ+ Pride month, OC officials narrowly voted to implement a new policy restricting what flags can be raised over county government properties.
Posted inEquality & Equity
Will OC Supervisors Keep the Pride Flag From Flying Outside County Offices?
It comes right at the start of Pride Month – a time of celebration for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender visibility.
Posted inTransportation
Passenger Trains on South OC’s Coastal Railway Stopped by Another Landslide
It comes more than a week since train service resumed after an April 27 landslide shut down the same area – and the day after construction crews put the finishing touches on their weeks-long emergency work.
