Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves Lampson workforce housing loan, requires four RHNA credits for county‑funded units
Summary
The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved financing for the 77‑unit Lampson Workforce Housing project in Los Alamitos and chose option B, requiring the city to transfer four RHNA credits to the county for the county‑funded units after debate with staff, the developer, and public commenters who memorialized unhoused residents.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted on Jan. 27 to approve financing and project‑based voucher assistance for the Lampson Workforce Housing project in Los Alamitos, and required the city to transfer four regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) credits to the county for the county‑funded units.
The county sought approval to provide construction and permanent financing through OC Community Resources, and to allow use of eight project‑based Housing Choice vouchers. The project totals 77 units; county funding supports a subset of those units. Supervisor Jan Nguyen (S7) moved to approve the project under option B — which requires the city to transfer four RHNA credits to the county — saying the county must begin collecting RHNA credit for projects that use county funds to meet broader housing mandates.
Nicole Walsh (S31) of OC Community Resources confirmed staff will present a policy change to the board’s NOFA (notice of funding availability) in the coming months to standardize RHNA credit requirements. Developer Todd Caudle (S33) said timing and city processes explain why Los Alamitos sought to retain the RHNA credits, noting this would be the city’s first new affordable project in more than 30 years. Dylan Wright (S32), director of community resources, said most of the remaining units will produce RHNA credit for the city because they are funded from other sources.
The public comment period before the board vote included numerous speakers who read names of people who died while unhoused and urged the board to move aggressively on housing and shelters. Speakers asked the county to consider bonds and broader measures to scale housing production and to restore field‑based medical teams and other support services for unhoused residents.
After discussion, the board moved and approved the item selecting option B (requiring the transfer of four RHNA credits). The chair announced the motion carries and the project was approved. The meeting record shows the board acted in favor with no recorded objections on the floor; the board vote was announced as carried.
