Costa Mesa will introduce an ordinance to temporarily ban evictions during the Coronavirus pandemic at a city council meeting tonight.
Author Archives: Hosam Elattar
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC/ Report For America reporter covering Anaheim & North Orange County, food insecurity, housing & homelessness, the Arab & Muslim American community and education.
Elattar started at Voice of OC as an intern in January, 2020 and has covered local food banks’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, School board debates on how to teach history, the decades long push by Arab American business owners to recognize Little Arabia and a corruption scandal at Anaheim City Hall.
He has won several awards from the OC Press Club including Best News Story, Best Political Story and Best Religion Story.
Elattar is Egyptian American and has lived in Botswana, Nepal, Uganda, The Dominican Republic and India.
Posted inCENTRAL COUNTY, Emergencies & Disasters, Newport Beach, Top Stories
Newport Beach Bans Short Term Rentals During Coronavirus Local Emergency
The Newport Beach City Council has unanimously adopted an ordinance temporarily banning short term rentals with exceptions made for medical workers and emergency responders with the intention of slowing the spread of the virus and protecting residents.
Posted inCENTRAL COUNTY, Newport Beach, Top Stories
Newport Beach May Ban Short Term Rentals During Coronavirus Local Emergency
Newport Beach may prohibit short term rentals during the local emergency with exceptions for medical workers and emergency responders to help slow the spread of the virus.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Top Stories
Food Bank Relies on Temporary Workers to Feed Orange County’s Most Vulnerable
120 temporary workers were hired to fill volunteer shifts after the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County had to suspend its volunteer operation at its distribution center amid concerns of spreading the coronavirus.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Top Stories
Drive Through Food Pantry Reorganizes After Long Lines
The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County will be retooling their drive through food pantry designed to help those in need during the coronavirus pandemic and are prepared to serve 8,000 people.
Posted inAnaheim, Costa Mesa, Emergencies & Disasters, Irvine, Top Stories
Cities Across Orange County Adopt Eviction Ban Ordinances
Cities across Orange County cities are adopting bans on evictions due to the economic fallout from the state’s stay home order. To date, Santa Ana, Anaheim and Costa Mesa have adopted bans while cities like Irvine and Garden Grove have adopted softer consumer protections. Meanwhile, questions mount about what the bans will do to smaller property owners.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Top Stories
Weekly Drive Through Food Pantry Starts at Honda Center
Second Harvest Food Bank has launched weekly drive through service at the Honda Center to help them feed the hungry while maintaining the safety of the volunteers, staff and those coming to pick up the food through social distancing.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Top Stories
How to Get Financial Help in OC During the Coronavirus
Amid a state mandate for all California residents to stay home, social service help like Medi-Cal and CalFresh can be applied for online.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Top Stories
Volunteer Opportunities In Orange County Amid Coronavirus Shutdowns
Despite county-wide shutdowns of nonessential government offices and encouragement to stay indoors, nonprofits and other local organizations are still searching for volunteers and funding.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters, Top Stories
Coronavirus Updates: To Slow Spread, Public is Asked to Stay Home When Possible
Public life in OC changes to put brakes on coronavirus’ spread. Health experts say lives will be saved from the people staying 6 feet from others as much as possible, and washing hands frequently.
