Homelessness & Affordable Housing

Mayor Amezcua led the development of two Quality of Life Teams (QOLT)—homeless outreach units working seven days a week to make Santa Ana safer by directly engaging with the homeless population, providing assistance, and reducing street-level challenges. These teams have made a meaningful impact by reducing the number of homeless individuals living on the streets and improving public safety across the city.

Santa Ana is on track to meet its housing goals far ahead of California’s state-mandated 2029 deadline because of Mayor Amezcua’s leadership. The number of Permanent Supportive Housing units has expanded to 399 completed units and 117 currently in progress since she took office.

• Mayor Amezcua supported the opening of the award-winning Legacy Square Project developed by Santa Ana United Methodist Church, National CORE, Mercy House, and other Santa Ana community organizations, which transformed underutilized church land into housing for individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

• She oversaw the construction of The Crossroads at Washington, a mixed-use affordable and homeless housing project and private-public partnership with the County of Orange, Related California, and A Community of Friends. 

• Mayor Amezcua also supported the Illumination Foundation Renovation Project, another permanent supportive housing development for transitional-aged youth and seniors, which includes two residential buildings and a preschool.

Mayor Amezcua’s proactive approach to addressing the housing crisis through strategic partnerships has improved the quality of life and safety for all residents across Santa Ana.

Public Safety and Community Trust

Public safety is the cornerstone of Mayor Amezcua’s leadership and she has worked tirelessly to ensure that our first responders work hand-in-hand with the community. This is why she is the only candidate for Mayor who is endorsed by Santa Ana’s Firefighters, Paramedics, Police Officers, and over 100 trusted community leaders.

Mayor Amezcua understands that a safe city is built on trusting relationships. She has shored up direct lines of communication between the Mayor’s Office, community organizations, and first responders across Santa Ana during her tenure.

• Under Mayor Amezcua’s leadership, Santa Ana has seen targeted efforts to reduce gun violence through initiatives like increased patrols in high-crime areas and the expansion of community policing strategies.

• Mayor Amezcua led the Santa Ana City Council to adopt a resolution in support of Proposition 36. If enacted, this measure would expand rehabilitation treatment options and allow for the expungement of records.

• As a former Supervising Probation Officer with the Orange County Probation Department, former President of the Santa Ana Unified School District Board (SAUSD), and as Harvard certified specialist in Family Engagement in Education, Mayor Amezcua knows that the safety and well-being of our families is only possible with the support of our community. 

• Mayor Amezcua’s reforms over the eight years that she served on the SAUSD improved high school graduation rates, campus safety, and increased parental involvement. As Mayor, she continued her work supporting youth by partnering with community leaders and the Santa Ana Police Department to develop youth outreach and intervention programs. 

• Recognizing the connection between mental health and public safety early on, Mayor Amezcua spearheaded funding allocation for 56 Wellness Centers throughout SAUSD while serving on the SAUSD Board. As Mayor, she established a multi-disciplinary response program that provides support to homeless individuals seven days a week.

Economic Development

Mayor Amezcua is a fiscally responsible leader committed to protecting Santa Ana residents and businesses. Over the course of her tenure, she secured historic investments in Santa Ana’s infrastructure, road repairs, public transit, and upgrades to public facilities as well as in critical resources for emergency services and public safety measures.

• 2023 saw a record-setting development surge in Santa Ana, with a $772 million permit valuation. Under Mayor Amezcua’s guidance, the City Council unanimously approved the 2024-25 budget, a comprehensive plan designed to improve the quality of life for Santa Ana residents. Additionally, she established the Same Day Express Permit Program, streamlining the permit process for local residents and small businesses to make improvements, boosting economic growth citywide.

• Mayor Amezcua worked closely with Representative Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif), and the Department of Transportation to secure $25 million in federal funding earlier this year to facilitate the reconstruction of the current rail crossing at Santa Ana Boulevard.

Community Engagement

• Monthly Neighborhood Association Meetings: Mayor Amezcua has been a champion of direct community engagement. She organizes monthly meetings with Neighborhood Association Leadership, providing a regular platform for residents to voice their concerns, share feedback, and participate in shaping the future of their neighborhoods. These meetings have strengthened community input and built trust between the city government and its residents.

• Faith-Based Collaboration: Mayor Amezcua created quarterly faith-based meetings, establishing a first-of-its-kind direct line of communication between the Mayor’s office and religious institutions across Santa Ana. This initiative has fostered greater collaboration between city leadership and faith-based organizations, ensuring that community values and needs are reflected in city policies.

• Monthly Coffee with the Mayor: She holds Monthly Coffee with the Mayor events throughout the city, making herself accessible to residents in an informal setting. These gatherings have become a cornerstone of her community outreach, offering Santa Ana residents the opportunity to connect directly with the Mayor, share their concerns, and discuss important issues affecting their neighborhoods.

Committees & Boards

Mayor Amezcua serves on several key regional and state boards, ensuring that Santa Ana’s interests are represented at all levels:

• Chairwoman, Housing and Homelessness Committee, Association of California Cities, Orange County (ACCOC)

• Board Member, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)

• Board Member, Discovery Cube

• Board Member, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)

• Board Member, Orange County Water District (OCWD)

• Member, Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG)

• Member, U.S. Conference of Mayors