People for Housing Orange County

Homelessness is a housing problem. 

Housing insecurity, housing-cost burden, and homelessness are the result of the shortage of affordable and attainable homes available in Orange County. Our County Supervisors acknowledge that people are stuck in shelters long after they have completed the steps to exit because there aren't enough homes to move into.

We are the people who show up to public meetings to encourage elected leaders to make room for their neighbors. We advocate for housing and train others to advocate in their communities so that everyone in Orange County has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

All people need places to live -- roofs and doors with locks and keys -- to feel safe and (re)build their lives. Housing production is a long and complex process, and at every turn there is someone saying, "No. Don't build that near me."  We say the opposite. We say, "Yes! Build more housing! In our neighborhood! In our community! In Orange County! Enough homes to house all our neighbors at affordable and attainable price points."

We are People for Housing OC, founded in January 2017 by Orange County residents who were inspired to take action after learning about California’s growing housing shortage and the emerging pro-housing movement in 2016. Under the guidance of a seven-member board representing diverse perspectives – housing developers, social service providers, advocates, and dedicated community volunteers – the organization leads the YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) movement in Orange County. Its work centers on community outreach, education, and advocacy to address the impacts of the housing shortage and advance policy solutions that increase the supply of homes affordable to low- and moderate-income households, particularly in high-opportunity areas. It trains and mobilizes volunteers to engage with local decision-makers, support housing production, and champion housing-enabling policies throughout Orange County. In addition to supporting affordable housing for low-income families, People for Housing OC advocates for a range of housing options – including mixed-income and mixed-use developments, first-time homebuyer opportunities, and innovative models like community land trusts – to create inclusive, sustainable communities where everyone can thrive. Since 2023, the organization has taken up the challenge of improving housing access in Orange County, hearing first-hand from residents and the community-based organizations (CBOs) with which it partners that access to affordable and attainable housing is obscured by barriers in language, technology access, and fragmented information. People for Housing OC has mobilized to help improve access and train community volunteers to connect residents with housing resources and opportunities. This upstream, systems-change work is critical to addressing residents' housing challenges before they reach crisis level. We know that empowering residents with knowledge and improving access to housing resources will help families make informed decisions to meet their housing needs.