The proposal comes as citizens struggle to make ends meet.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley recently introduced a measure to spend $5 million of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding to help county employees purchase their own houses, as many residents struggle to purchase homes.
Her proposal involved providing $100,000 mortgage down payments for eligible employees, which would come from the county’s $49 million surplus, which supervisors can do essentially whatever they want with. County employees already receive a number of benefits, such as generous pay, perks, and pensions.
Foley’s proposal did not receive a “second” from any other supervisor, which came as Orange County residents are already struggling to make ends meet due to the last few years of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also comes as Orange County homeowners have been paying more in property taxes than ever before.
Prior to the proposal being shot down, Foley defended the idea.
“We currently have a mortgage assistance program, but this is different,” Foley said.
“I am disappointed that my colleagues did not support this initial proposal in the budget, but I intend to continue advocating with our coalition…to get this done and ensure that Orange County residents have the opportunity to achieve home ownership and afford to live in the County where they work,” she said in a statement.
