It’s a debate cities throughout Orange County grapple with during the housing crisis: Should old commercial centers be replaced by housing or should they be a mix of housing and retail?
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 inAnaheim
What Made Anaheim’s Chamber Tick?
A look at the history and leadership over the years of a local business organization now sitting frozen in the spotlight of an FBI corruption investigation.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim’s Little Arabia Could be Officially Recognized
Councilman Jose Moreno asked for the recognition to be added to a future meeting – a debate the Arab American community and residents have been long advocating for.
Posted inCypress
A Public Records Battle Brews in Cypress as a Councilwoman Demands Records From Colleagues
Following a censure for allegedly not responding to a public records request, Frances Marquez had filed her own information request, saying it’s an effort to root out alleged corruption.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Might Reform Campaign Finance to Curb ‘Significant Influence’ From Special Interests
Facing intense resident pressure to make various reforms after an FBI corruption probe surfaced in late May, city officials are deadlocked on making changes to their campaign finance policy.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do Faces $12,000 State Fine Over ‘Pay to Play’ Politics
Do lands on state radar for attempting to steer lobbyist contracts to two donors and also failing to report his fundraising for statues at Mile Square Park. The FPPC takes up his case on July 21.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
Will OC’s Green Energy Agency Release the Findings of CEO Whistleblower Complaint Investigation?
As member cities support an audit into the agency and criticize its leadership, some board members are calling for the release of an investigation into the CEO’s concerns.
Posted inHuntington Beach
HB Voters to Decide if City Council Can Hire Outside Attorneys & Other Charter Changes
After clashes between Huntington Beach City Council members and elected City Attorney Michael Gates, Surf City voters will decide if they want to make changes to their city charter.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Fullerton City Council Members Consider Mandating Affordable Housing in New Developments
As cities struggle to get their housing plans approved by the state, Fullerton might mandate affordable housing in new developments as some city council members oppose the idea.
Posted inAnaheim
Who Will Be Anaheim’s Next Mayor Following an FBI Corruption Probe?
The clock is ticking for Anaheim’s city council to appoint a new mayor more than a month following Harry Sidhu’s resignation after revelations he’s the subject of an FBI corruption probe.
