FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alexa Pratt
Public Information Officer, OC Community Resources
(714) 480-2941

Orange County Housing Authority Opens their Waiting List for the Housing Choice Voucher Program

OCHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List is accepting applications starting September 18, 2023, and ending September 29, 2023

Santa Ana, Calif. (September 1, 2023) – The Orange County Board of Supervisors is excited to announce that Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) will be opening the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) waiting list and accepting applications beginning September 18, 2023, 8:00 a.m. PDT and ending September 29, 2023, 11:59 p.m. PDT. The federal government’s Housing Choice Voucher Program assists very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford healthy, safe, and suitable housing.

“For the first time in over a decade, the OC Housing Authority Waiting List is going to be reopened,” said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Third District Supervisor of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, “For thousands of people and families who have been waiting to apply for rental assistance, this comes as a welcomed relief.”

“Orange County is keeping our promise of addressing homelessness and supporting more affordable housing,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District. “In 2017 the waitlist for housing vouchers was over 40,000, but thanks to the diligent work from the OC Housing Authority that list went down significantly this year. Re-opening the housing waitlist will help thousands of our neighbors with safe and stable housing opportunities.”

Application preference will be given to those living or working in OCHA’s jurisdiction and in the order listed to applicants who are U.S. Veterans; Elderly, Disabled, or Working Families; and Non-Working Families. OCHA’s jurisdiction includes all cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County except for the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana. These cities each operate a separate Housing Choice Voucher Program.

“Orange County is seeking to honor those who have served and those in the most need by providing application preference to those who are veterans, elderly, disabled, and working families,” said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Second District.

Submitted applications are not considered on a first come, first served basis, and timing of the application submittal has no bearing on waiting list position or how soon an applicant may receive assistance. The waiting list will be limited to 12,000 applicants. OCHA will group the applications by preference, apply the
random placement within the preference group, and select the first 12,000 applicants by preference to be placed on the waiting list.

“Given it’s been more than a decade since the waiting list has been opened, it is critical for those having a hard time making ends meet put in an application for rental assistance. Please share this opportunity with your friends, family or anyone in Orange County that you know who might need the help,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District.

Applications can be submitted beginning September 18, 2023, 8:00 a.m. and ending September 29, 2023, 11:59 p.m. PDT in three ways:

• Online at Waitlistcheck | Orange County Housing Authority
• Mailed to P.O. Box 11387, Santa Ana, CA 92711. Must be postmarked from September 18, 2023, through September 29, 2023.
• Via email to OCHA.WaitingList2023@occr.ocgov.com

The online application may be accessed from any computer, smart phone or tablet with internet access. If you do not have internet access, you may visit the Orange County Public Library and many community partners. Applicants must have a valid email account prior to completing the online application. An online application is strongly encouraged; this method will provide an immediate confirmation of receipt of your application. Paper applications are available at participating City Halls, branches of the Orange County Public Library and select community organizations.

"We must address housing affordability for our workforce, families, Veterans, seniors, and homeless neighbors by using all the tools at our disposal. By opening the list for housing choice vouchers for the first time in more than a decade, the County creates a pathway to housing stability for our workforce and vulnerable community members,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Fifth District.

Individuals with disabilities that require a Reasonable Accommodation to participate in the application process may contact OCHA from September 18 - 29, 2023, at 714-480-2798 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more information on how to apply, please visit www.ochousing.org or call OCHA at 714-480-2798.

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About Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA)
OCHA administers federally funded programs to provide rental assistance to qualified tenants in privately owned rental housing. The largest such program is referred to as the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Participants who receive a Housing Voucher can use this rental assistance in a variety of rental dwellings and locations with almost any property owner who is willing to participate in the program.

About the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government’s largest program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and persons with a disability to afford healthy and safe housing in the private market. With a housing voucher, participants are able to choose their own housing, including single-family homes, townhomes and apartments. Housing assistance is then provided on behalf of the family or individual to the landlord.

(Santa Ana, CA) – A female resident of the City of Orange has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) infection, becoming the first human WNV infection in Orange County this year. The woman is asymptomatic.

In 2022 there were 11 reported human infections of WNV, and 2 WNV-related deaths reported in Orange County.
 
“West Nile Virus is endemic in Orange County, recurring every year during the summer months and continuing into the fall,” said Dr. Matthew Zahn, Deputy County Health Officer. "The best way to avoid West Nile Virus infection is to take precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites.”

Recommended WNV precautions include:

• Emptying all standing water on your property to reduce areas in which mosquitoes may breed, including flowerpots and pet bowls
• Making sure your window and door screens are in good condition
• Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or products containing IR3535, always following label directions
• Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

Most people who become infected with WNV do not experience symptoms, but about 20% will develop fever and may have headache, body aches, nausea, tiredness and sometimes a skin rash. More serious symptoms, such as severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness or paralysis, occur more rarely, but people who develop these symptoms should seek medical care immediately. People over 50 years of age and those with certain medical conditions are at increased risk of serious complications from WNV infection.

Information on mosquito control is available on the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s website at  www.ocvector.org. Other websites with helpful information about WNV include:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/westnile
• State of California: www.westnile.ca.gov
• OC Health Care Agency: http://ochealthinfo.com/wnv

About: The OC Health Care Agency is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. Visit www.ochealthinfo.com  to learn more about services and resources.

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SANTA ANA, Calif. (August 20, 2023) - Due to the weather forecast for Tropical Storm Hilary, OC Public Libraries will observe the following hours for Sunday, August 20, 2023: 

San Clemente Library will be closed at 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672 

All Sunday libraries will close at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2023 which includes: 

• Costa Mesa Donald Dungan - 1855 Park Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 
• Costa Mesa Mesa Verde - 2969 Mesa Verde Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 
• Cypress - 5331 Orange Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630 
• Garden Grove Main - 11200 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840 
• Irvine Heritage Park - 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, CA 92604 
• Irvine University Park - 4512 Sandburg Way, Irvine, CA 92612 
• Irvine Katie Wheeler - 13109 Old Myford Road, Irvine, CA 92602 
• La Habra - 221 East La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631 
• Laguna Niguel - 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 
• Tustin - 345 E. Main Street, Tustin, CA 92780 

For updates or access to the libraries robust 24/7 digital resources is available at ocpl.org. 

Updates on Hurricane Hilary/Tropical Storm Hilary can be found at ocgov.com/hilary

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: CEO Communications
CEOCOM@ocgov.com

Effective Monday, August 21 at 5 am:

All Evacuation Orders Lifted for Canyons in Bond Fire Burn Area

Santa Ana, Calif. (August 21, 2023): Effective Monday, August 21 at 5 am all evacuation orders have been lifted for Silverado Canyon and Williams Canyon in the Bond Fire burn area.

To report storm-related issues with a County road or flood control channel, call the Orange County Public Works Storm Center 714-955-0200 during standard business hours and 714-955-0333 during flash flood events and emergencies when OC Public Works’ Department Operations Center is activated.

A map and more information about the order being lifted may be found at: www.ocsheriff.gov/bondfire.

Voluntary Evacuation Areas

• Silverado Canyon - Evacuation Lifted
• Williams Canyon - Evacuation Lifted

Sheltering

The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) will close its Care and Reception Center today at 5 am at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center in Mission Viejo.

Orange County Public Works, Orange County Animal Care, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are working in Unified Command.

Residents are encouraged to check regularly for updates through local media and on Facebook and Twitter following #OCCanyonFlood at:

            Twitter: @OCGovCA               Facebook:@OCGov                Instagram: @OCGov

            Twitter: @OCSheriff                Facebook: @OCSheriff

            Twitter: @OCPublicWorks      Facebook: @OCPublicWorks

            Twitter: @OCAnimalCare      Facebook: @OCAnimalCare

            Twitter: @OCFireAuthority    Facebook: @OCFireAuthority

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: CEO Communications
CEOCOM@ocgov.com

Effective Saturday, August 19 at 4:30 pm: Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) Issued for Bond Fire Burn Area

Santa Ana, Calif. - Effective Saturday, August 19 at 4:30 pm, an Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) will be issued for Silverado Canyon and Williams Canyon in the Bond Fire burn area due to possible debris flows along or near the burn scar. A map with detailed depictions of the areas under Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) can be found at www.ocsheriff.gov/bondfire.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Orange County including the burn scar area for Saturday, August 19 through late Sunday, August 20 due to Tropical Storm Hilary. The Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) is expected to be in place through early Monday, August 21.

Canyon residents are strongly encouraged to prepare and voluntarily evacuate on Saturday, August 19 at 4:30 pm, especially those with disabilities, access and/or functional needs, and canyon residents with large animals.

Any person with disabilities and those with access and/or functional needs requiring evacuation assistance should call Orange County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch at 714-647-7000.

Orange County Animal Care encourages animal owners in voluntary evacuation areas to implement their personal evacuation plans at this time. Pet evacuation tips are available at: https://ocpetinfo.com/education-resources/disaster-preparedness.

Any person needing assistance with information about animal or large animal evacuations should call Orange County Animal Care at 714-935-6848 during normal hours from 8 am to 5 pm or 714-259-1122 during after-hours from 5 pm to 8 am.

To report storm-related issues with a County road or flood control channel, call the Orange County Public Works Storm Center at 714-955-0333 during flash flood events and emergencies when OC Public Works’ Department Operations Center is activated.

Evacuation Areas
• Silverado Canyon - Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of Saturday, August 19 at 4:30 pm)
• Williams Canyon - Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of Saturday, August 19 at 4:30 pm)

Road Closures
• Soft road closures will be put into place at entrances to the Silverado and Williams Canyons. The roads will be open to residents and businesses only.

Sheltering
Residents living in the evacuation areas are encouraged to leave early and plan for alternate shelter with friends, family or at a local hotel outside of the evacuation area. Depending on conditions, the Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) may transition to Evacuation Order (Mandatory) with little or no notice, so residents leaving the area are encouraged to plan accordingly.

In coordination with the Orange County Social Services Agency and the City of Mission Viejo, the American Red Cross will open a congregate (dormitory style) shelter location for evacuated residents of the Canyons on August 19 starting at 7:30 pm. The shelter will be located at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center in Mission Viejo. The center is located at 24932 Veteran’s Way, Mission Viejo 92692.

Orange County Public Works, Orange County Animal Care, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are working in Unified Command.

Residents are encouraged to check regularly for updates through local media and on Facebook and Twitter following #HilaryOC at:

            Twitter: @OCGovCA               Facebook:@OCGov                Instagram: @OCGov

            Twitter: @OCSheriff                Facebook: @OCSheriff

            Twitter: @OCPublicWorks      Facebook: @OCPublicWorks

            Twitter: @OCAnimalCare      Facebook: @OCAnimalCare

            Twitter: @OCFireAuthority    Facebook: @OCFireAuthority

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(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Communicable Disease Control Division is reporting an increase in the percentage of positive COVID-19 PCR tests in Orange County residents over the past month. To minimize the severity of the recent increase, the HCA is reminding residents to take preventative actions to reduce the risk of severe illness or hospitalization.
 
The recent increase resembles previous seasons where the disease activity rises during both the summer and winter months. Additionally, the age distribution of recent cases follows the pattern seen over the past year with the highest rates occurring among those 0-3 years of age and 75 years and older. Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are not currently experiencing an increase.
 
“To reduce the potential for increased hospitalizations, the community is encouraged to take precautions to protect those at higher risks,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, HCA’s Chief of Public Health Services and County Health Officer. “As people spend more time gathering with friends, there will be more opportunities for viruses to spread. If we all take precautions, we can keep each other safe.”

• If you recently attended a large gathering/event, traveled, or came into close contact with someone who has COVID-19, self-monitor for symptoms and get tested.
• If you are sick, stay home and get tested. 
• Wearing a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor spaces has been shown to be an effective intervention at decreasing the risk of acquiring or spreading COVID-19.
• All individuals should continue to practice good cough and hand hygiene.
• We strongly recommend all individuals 6 months and older stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. The current COVID-19 vaccine schedule, including for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, can be found here: Interim COVID-19 Immunization Schedule. To schedule a vaccine appointment, visit myturn.ca.gov.
• Adults and Children at risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 disease should be assessed for appropriate COVID-19 treatment. For more information about COVID-19 treatment, go to covid19.ca.gov/treatment.

For more information on COVID-19, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid. Additionally, the HCA responds to community inquiries through the Agency’s Health Referral Line at 1 (800) 564-8448, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Clinicians are advised to remain informed of updated COVID-19 guidance: Link to CDC.
 
About: The OC Health Care Agency is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. Visit ochealthinfo.com  to learn more about services and resources.

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(Orange County, CA) – The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) announced today that its Cypress Regional Center at 6100 Chip Ave. will not reopen. The office first closed for repairs in late 2022.

Clients can continue to contact their assigned case worker or obtain services through:

• BenefitsCal.com, the new statewide portal to apply for and check on benefits,
• SSA’s Call Center at (800) 281-9799, available from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, or
• Other SSA offices: ssa.ocgov.com/about-us/office-locations/office-location-list.

For additional information on SSA programs, visit: ssa.ocgov.com.

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The County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) provides Adult Services, Assistance Programs, Public Health Insurance, Children & Family Services and Family Self-Sufficiency programs to the County’s residents. SSA employs over 4,400 staff across Orange County. For more information, visit us at ssa.ocgov.com.

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(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency Environmental Health Division has closed the bay water area at Aloha Drive bridge in the City of Newport Beach. The spill of approximately 140 gallons was caused by a breakage in a force main sewer line.

The affected ocean water area will remain closed to ocean water contact sports for a minimum of 3 days and until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.

For information regarding Orange County ocean, bay or harbor postings and closures, please call (714) 433-6400 or visit ocbeachinfo.com. To report a sewage spill, please call (714) 433-6419.

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Orange County, CA - By performing certain flood control related activities, the County of Orange has helped homeowners in the unincorporated areas of Orange County receive a 25 percent discount in flood insurance premiums.

The County of Orange is a participant in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System (CRS). Property owners are eligible to receive a discount in flood insurance premiums each year depending on the level of the activities performed by their local jurisdiction.

The CRS program requires completion of various flood control related activities, including construction and maintenance of flood control channels. Additionally, it requires CRS participants to provide an Annual Progress Report (Report) to inform the public of recent achievements in reducing flood risk in their communities. The Report summarizes the activities that the County is undertaking to reduce or eliminate its largest floodplains. The County manages and maintains approximately 380 miles of flood control channels throughout Orange County.

The Report includes activities for projects that are in the design phase or completed construction projects from the County’s 7-Year Flood Control Capital Improvement Program. Major improvements are in the Westminster East Garden Grove watershed, which is the largest remaining floodplain in Orange County.

Information about the Report and summary of completed projects can be found under “Annual Progress Report for Floodplain Management Plan” on the OC Flood Protection section of the Orange County Public Works (OCPW) website at https://bit.ly/44KUeYn

For more information about OCPW, visit www.OCPublicWorks.com or follow us on social media using #OCPublicWorks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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CONTACT INFORMATION

714.667.8800 | Info@OCPW.ocgov.com
601 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
www.ocpublicworks.com
P.O. Box 4048, Santa Ana, CA 92702-4048

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(SANTA ANA, CA) – Airline passenger traffic at John Wayne Airport increased in June 2023 as compared to June 2022. In June 2023, the Airport served 1,059,277 passengers, an increase of 5.8% when compared with the June 2022 passenger traffic count of 1,001,249.

Commercial aircraft operations in June 2023 of 8,282 increased 2.4% and commuter aircraft operations of 414 decreased 9.4% when comparing with June 2022 levels.

Total aircraft operations decreased in June 2023 as compared with the same month in 2022. In June 2023, there were 22,899 total aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) an 11.6% decrease compared to 25,893 total aircraft operations in June 2022.

General aviation activity of 14,191 accounted for 62% of the total aircraft operations during June 2023 and decreased 18.1% compared with June 2022.

The top three airlines in June 2023 based on passenger count were Southwest Airlines (326,481), American Airlines (179,224) and United Airlines (153,916).

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