The new city council majority campaigned on a 90-day plan to end homelessness and to fight state mandated housing goals. But advocates have long said housing is a cornerstone in efforts to end homelessness.
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 inCosta Mesa
From Motel 6 to Affordable Housing: Conversion Underway in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is one of the latest Orange County cities to use a state funded program to buy motels and turn them into low income housing for struggling residents in the area.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
This Ramadan, Meet Five of the Newest Members of OC’s Muslim Community
Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, is starting next week. Some Orange County Muslims will celebrate the month for the first time.
Posted inAnaheim
The Push For More Hotel Worker Protections and Pay Knocks on Anaheim’s Door
A hotel worker protections and fair pay law was adopted in Irvine, but was shut down in Laguna Beach. Will hotel maids in Anaheim – home to the Disneyland resort – see those same protections?
Posted inHuntington Beach
Huntington Beach Looks To Limit Who Leads Prayers Before Meetings
Council members are looking at setting up a city approved list of who can and can’t pray before public meetings after the mayor said the current process was being politicized.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Food Assistance Programs in OC, Across California Are On The Chopping Block
As COVID food assistance programs end and inflation costs soar, food banks who are already stretched thin warn of an impending hunger crisis and call on state officials to intervene.
Posted inAnaheim
The Future of a Cultural Oasis: Anaheim Moves to Study Little Arabia and Brookhurst Corridor
Months after Anaheim officials recognized a part of the city as Little Arabia, a new city council is moving forward with a study proposed last year that could alter the future of Brookhurst street.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
HB Continues Fight Against State Housing Mandates, Looks to Ban a State Development Law
The council’s proposed ordinance would stop developers from requiring the city to move forward on their projects if the city doesn’t have a housing plan.
Posted inAnaheim
A Weekend for The Books: Five Anaheim Libraries May Soon Open up For an Extra Day
Come July 1, Anaheim’s Central, Haskett, Canyon Hills, East and Sunkist Libraries may open an extra day on the weekend after calls from some residents for greater community services.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Does Orange County Need Another Homeless Survey? Report Shows Increase in Deaths
Weeks after county officials unanimously voted to move forward with another survey on the OC’s homeless population, a Sheriff commissioned report shows deaths of unhoused people have been climbing for a decade.
