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Costa Mesa council pauses Measure Q home‑buyer pilot, calls for study session
Summary
Staff proposed a small pilot for first‑time buyers using Measure Q funds, but council members raised legal and policy questions (fund restrictions, program design and scope); the council voted to take no action now and directed staff to return after a study session to consider alternatives and ordinance changes.
Staff presented a proposed Measure Q–funded first‑time homebuyer pilot and asked the council to provide direction on design elements including grant size vs loan, eligible uses (down payment/closing costs), residency rules, income targeting, and application processes. The staff memo said the current Measure Q account balance dedicated to this program is roughly $550,000 with anticipated annual Measure Q revenue of about $242,000.
During debate councilmembers and members of the public questioned whether Measure Q’s implementing ordinance constrains how the money may be used and whether a $30k–$100k direct grant would be the most effective use of limited funds. Council Member Mike Buley and others emphasized the small size of the available fund relative to Costa Mesa housing prices and recommended alternatives (housing trust fund, land set‑asides, rental assistance or partner programs such as Habitat for Humanity). Supporters said even modest grants could help local workers and graduates remain in the city.
Outcome: The council voted to take no immediate action on the pilot. It directed staff to schedule a study session to evaluate alternatives, including potential ordinance amendments (which would require a supermajority to change), and to return with options and a recommended path forward.
