At least 250 people protested Sunday against plans for a homeless shelter at a former military base in Irvine, raising concerns about drug use and potential risks to children in nearby athletic fields and neighborhoods. Supervisor Shawn Nelson said no drug use or sex offenders would be allowed in the shelter.
Author Archives: Nick Gerda
Nick covers the city of Santa Ana, as well as the County of Orange, often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics.
Since joining Voice of OC in 2011, Nick has regularly shed light on topics that are often kept in the shadows. He’s reported on systemic problems in the county’s mental health system. He also led a reporting team that produced sophisticated looks at how the Disney corporation campaign contributions influenced recent elections in Anaheim.
Nick also revealed evidence of elected leaders using their official powers to apparently pressure government contractors into donating to their election campaigns, in an article that was awarded best news story of the year by the Orange County Press Club. He firmly believes journalism should inform the public and help hold the powerful accountable.
An Orange County native, Nick first started covering local government in his mid-teens, before attending Santa Ana College, the American University in Cairo, and UC Irvine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Languages spoken: English, elementary Spanish, minimal Arabic and minimal Japanese
Areas of expertise: Local government, local politics, homelessness, mental health policy, campaign finance, California Public Records Act, Ralph M. Brown Act, County of Orange government, Santa Ana city government and municipal finance.
Posted inAnaheim, Costa Mesa, Government, Housing & Homelessness, Huntington Beach, Investigative, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Safety, Security & Justice, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Judge Expects County to Keep Promise of Beds for Riverbed Homeless
Judge David O. Carter noted county officials had 30 days to prepare for the new shelter beds. His announcement puts pressure on the supervisors to have a plan ready before an April 3 meeting with Carter and city officials.
Posted inGovernment, Housing & Homelessness, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Santa Ana, Top Stories
County to Debate Making Irvine Only New Site For Emergency Homeless Shelter
All three of the proposed shelter sites could be eliminated Tuesday, but another vote on re-selecting the location for the beds is expected at a later date, after county and city officials gather on April 3 for a court-organized meeting.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
OC Supervisors Consider Fighting California’s Sanctuary State Law
Supervisor Shawn Nelson’s lawsuit proposal is expected to be discussed in closed session at Tuesday’s supervisors meeting, and public comment will be heard before the item is considered.
Posted inCountywide, Economy, Government, Housing & Homelessness, Top Stories
Orange County Declares Housing Shortage a Threat to Residents and Businesses
The lack of affordable housing threatens the quality of life and upward mobility of residents, and puts the county’s economic future at risk, according to a declaration by county supervisors.
Posted inPolitics & Elections, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Sues Mayor for Blocking Ballot Measure
The city is seeking court orders forcing the mayor to sign paperwork to allow the measure to proceed onto the June ballot.
Posted inTop Stories
OC to Add Homeless Shelters in Irvine, HB & Laguna Niguel; Spend $70.5 Million on Mental Health
Orange County supervisors to create up to 400 new emergency shelter beds on county-owned properties and spend about $70.5 million in stockpiled money for housing and services for homeless people with serious mental illnesses.
Posted inGovernment, Top Stories
OC Supervisor Michelle Steel Welcomed President Trump at LAX
Steel and her husband, the high-profile Republican Shawn Steel, were two of the three people who welcomed Trump on the airport tarmac Tuesday afternoon and spoke with the president, according to news reports.
Posted inGovernment, Housing & Homelessness, Top Stories
County Plans to Move Former Santa Ana Riverbed Homeless to Shelters
The Orange County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved up to $2 million to use toward additional shelter beds, as part of a plan to move hundreds of Santa Ana Riverbed homeless people from motels to other types of shelter.
Posted inPolitics & Elections, Santa Ana
Santa Ana Asking Court to Put District Elections on June Ballot
The city is seeking a court order to force Mayor Miguel Pulido to sign paperwork allowing a June ballot measure in which voters could change Santa Ana’s election system to district-based voting. The case could be filed in Superior Court as soon as Tuesday.
