Costa Mesa candidates weigh immigrant aid and affordable housing

Costa Mesa mayoral and council candidates backed funding a day laborer job center at a community forum Thursday, where residents pressed them on immigrant services and affordable housing, according to Voice of OC.

The forum ahead of the November election put candidates’ proposals against the city’s obligations: Costa Mesa must plan for 11,760 new homes before the 2029 deadline, and the state sued the city in July over its lack of a legally compliant housing plan. Residents also sought answers about help for families affected by immigration enforcement.

Community and nonprofit groups, including Resilience OC and Costa Mesa Mutual Aid, invited all mayoral and council candidates to the forum, Voice of OC reported. Mike Buley, Daniel Morgan, Fisher Derderian and Steve Smith were among those who did not participate.

Loren Gameros, a councilmember running for mayor, proposed strengthening community development programs and seeking Department of Labor workforce development grants. He also said he would support funding legal services for residents who need them, according to Voice of OC.

Council candidate Angely Andrade Vallarta proposed expanding the city’s immigrant aid fund and allocating money to it. The council contributed $100,000 to the fund in 2023, the outlet reported. Data USA figures cited in the article show that 22.3% of city residents were born outside the United States as of 2024.

All participating candidates expressed opposition to Flock cameras, according to Voice of OC. Gameros, however, had voted in July to retain the camera contract until its expected expiration in April 2027.

Vallarta proposed a rental registry to help residents find affordable housing options, and council candidate Cara Stewart agreed. Vallarta, Stewart and fellow council candidate Kelly Brown identified themselves as renters, the outlet reported.

According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development database cited by Voice of OC, Costa Mesa has permitted more than 550 homes toward its state housing goal — less than 5% of the required total. The city also recently approved a plan for 2,300 homes at the Fairview Development Center.

The proposals ranged from legal aid and job services to rental information, while the city still faces a state lawsuit over its housing plan, according to Voice of OC.