Orange County Election Priorities
2026 Orange County Candidates Outline Housing and Spending Priorities
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Key Points
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Aliso Viejo candidate Max Duncan said the city is reviewing five housing projects, with one already under construction; he described them as for-sale townhomes and condominiums designed to meet city standards.
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Steven von der Porten argued that state law increasingly limits cities’ ability to alter or reject housing projects, making it important to use the local controls that remain.
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Katrina Foley said an Orange County administrative change in 2024 raised the share of Housing Choice Voucher allocations used for Project-Based Vouchers to 20%, helping finance units and enable people to move from shelters into permanent housing.
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Connor Traut proposed evaluating homelessness spending by tracking transitions from street to shelter, shelter to treatment, and treatment to permanent housing, alongside program costs, to determine what should be expanded or ended.
Orange County candidates running for office in 2026 are laying out plans to expand housing while protecting neighborhood character and keeping tight control of city budgets. In Aliso Viejo, council candidates support meeting state housing requirements through targeted projects like townhomes and condominiums for first-time buyers. For county supervisor, candidates are pushing affordable housing through land partnerships and voucher programs, with one noting a 2024 change that unlocked nearly 1,000 additional vouchers Orange County Register.
Aliso Viejo Candidates Back Housing While Managing Growth
Aliso Viejo City Council candidates broadly support meeting state housing mandates but want to steer projects to suitable locations and mixed-use areas. Max Duncan said the city is already reviewing five housing projects, with one under construction. These are for-sale townhomes and condominiums built to city standards Orange County Register.
Steven von der Porten pointed out that state law now limits how much cities can alter or reject housing projects. He says using the local controls that remain is crucial Orange County Register. Many candidates proposed surveying residents about housing needs before moving forward with approvals.
County Supervisor Candidates Push Voucher Expansion and Accountability
The Orange County supervisor race features candidates advocating for affordable and supportive housing through county land, vouchers, and partnerships with developers. Katrina Foley highlighted a 2024 administrative change that raised the share of Housing Choice Voucher allocations used for Project-Based Vouchers to 20%. This move helped finance units and enabled people to move from shelters into permanent housing Orange County Register.
Supervisor candidates are also calling for performance metrics. Connor Traut proposed evaluating homelessness spending by tracking transitions from street to shelter, shelter to treatment, and treatment to permanent housing, alongside program costs. This approach would determine what programs should be expanded or ended Orange County Register.
City Finances and Budget Discipline Take Center Stage
Across Orange County races, candidates emphasize spending discipline and maintaining city reserves. They want to manage pension obligations carefully and pursue economic development that fits each community. One candidate proposed tying county funding to measurable housing outcomes and prioritizing cities that approve new homes Orange County Register.
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