Press Releases

Friday, March 15, 2019

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) commends the County of Orange Board of Supervisors for their partnership and mutual leadership on the Orange County Housing Finance Trust. The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the Orange County Housing Finance Trust on March 13, 2019, with elected officials from Mission Viejo, Huntington Beach, and Fullerton present at the hearing.

“This legislation is a product of teamwork, and refreshing cooperation in Orange County. This was a bipartisan effort to find permanent housing for our struggling residents,” said Quirk-Silva. “Supportive Housing means having cooperative actions at every level; local and state resources will combine with the efforts of the private sector, as we secure Permanent Supportive Housing as the backbone of our efforts.”

Monday, March 4, 2019

Annual Ceremony held in recognition of Women’s History Month

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County) and the California State Assembly honored Ellen Ahn as the 65th Assembly District Woman of the Year 2018. Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva recognized the Orange County leader for her community involvement during the annual Assembly Floor ceremony.

“Ellen Ahn has been exceptionally talented in bringing valuable resources to the Orange County, and especially to the Korean American community.” said Quirk-Silva. “She has started from small, grassroots organizing to large-scale community organizing in order to provide people with a myriad of resources. She is a living example of a leader that gets results for the people of Orange County.”

Ellen Ahn, and her family, has lived in the Fullerton community of North Orange County for more than 20 years. Ellen is an active member of the Fullerton Korean Presbyterian Church and has been very involved with many local non-profit organizations which, help to strengthen the community.

"I try to live by a verse in the Gospel according to Luke: “to whom much was given, of him much will be required,” said Ellen Ahn. “To me, that means taking what I have; my energy and resources, which at times may not seem much to others, and to seize opportunities to be of help in any situation work towards making the community around me a bit better."

Thursday, February 28, 2019

(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County) has been appointed Chair of the bipartisan Select Committee on Orange County Chronic Homelessness by Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood). Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva’s appointment marks the formation of this committee. Joining Chair Quirk-Silva as committee members, will be Orange County members of the California State Assembly: Cottie Petrie-Norris (D – Laguna Beach), Dr. Steven Choi (R - Irvine), Tyler Diep (R – Huntington Beach), Philip Chen (R – Brea), Bill Brough (R – Dana Point), and more.

“Solving the state’s housing crisis is a priority, and it will demand solutions that are both local and global,” said Speaker Anthony Rendon. “Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva is the ideal person to lead the Legislature’s work to tackle Orange County’s chronic homelessness, and I think her committee’s bipartisan approach will also give us insight into the issues at a state level.”

“I will use my background, experience, and dedication to help get people off the streets in Orange County, give them a roof over their head, and help address the reciprocal public safety implications,” said Quirk-Silva. “There is a lot of work to be done, and we have to constantly strive to do more when confronting the homelessness epidemic in Orange County. I'm glad that my legislative work, and district support, has proved my commitment to this issue, and look forward to my hearings on how we can help Orange County.”

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

 

SACRAMENTO — Today, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D - Orange County) has introduced Assembly Bill 816 (AB 816), with 8 coauthors from the Assembly and the Senate, to establish a Flexible Housing Program (FHP) securing quality housing that Californians experiencing homelessness can afford. The State FHP would consolidate funding for people experiencing homelessness into one centralized resource. Cities, counties, and Continuums of Care would then access this single program for a variety of housing options and services. Eligible uses include operating funds for housing developments, move-in assistance and rental assistance, intensive case management and wrap-around services to support residents and promote housing stability, coordination with case managers, and assistance with landlord/neighborhood relations.

“We need a comprehensive approach to homelessness epidemic in California – the first step in this approach must be affordable, stable rental homes for people experiencing homelessness to get back on their feet. But to make this solution a reality requires resources and coordination. That is why we need a united public and private endeavor such as this flexible funding that helps ensure no one in our state is living without a stable, permanent roof over their head,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva. “We must consider every approach in a comprehensive and compassionate manner, so we can improve the quality of life for every Californian, and also provide flexibility to local government to implement solutions that work.”

Housing programs should cross boundaries of health, criminal justice, and child welfare systems to prevent people who are exiting these systems from falling into homelessness. Housing is crucial to health and well-being, education and successful reentry to communities. The State Flexible Housing Program would provide funds to cities, counties, and Continuums of Care to address the varied needs of California’s most vulnerable residents, while bridging the housing, homelessness, health care, criminal justice, and child welfare systems, and the public and private sectors.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

2.4 million renters to benefit


SACRAMENTO – California renters who have been drowning in unaffordable housing costs would see much-needed relief under a bill unveiled Wednesday by State Senator Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa), Assembly members Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County), Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), and 28 co-authors.

The legislation, SB 248, would increase California’s renter’s credit for the first time in 40 years and would represent significant help to single parents in particular.

“Housing costs are going through the roof in California and families are struggling to pay the rent,” Glazer said. “Forty years have passed since the last time the renter’s credit was increased, so it’s about time we provide this needed financial relief to renters.”

“It is no secret that our state is facing a homelessness epidemic, and a housing shortage,” said Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D – Orange County), a principal co-author. “Hard working families are ending up on our streets because they cannot afford to pay the exorbitant cost of rent in our state. Students in Orange County, in particular, are commuting more than an hour, because their rent is too high. We must do more, and this bill is the solution.”

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

SACRAMENTO – California renters who have been drowning in unaffordable housing costs would see much-needed relief under a bill unveiled Wednesday by State Senator Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa), Assembly members Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County), Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), and 28 co-authors.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

SACRAMENTO — Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D - Orange County) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court reinstated President Trump's ban on transgender service members in the military:

“First off, I thank everyone in military service of this great country for sacrificing so much; including the many transgender people already openly serving. They should understand that they have the support of many of their representatives right now in government.”

“Any citizen with the courage and fortitude to don a uniform of the United States military, and put their life on the line to serve their country deserves the opportunity to do so,” said Quirk-Silva. “No one should be banned from engaging in service to their country solely based on gender identity. This is a civil rights issue, and we should speak out against this discriminatory decision.”