Newsletter: TimesOC: Tax cuts undermine funding for affordable housing

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, March 14. Here’s what’s been happening around O.C.

Top story

Affordable housing projects are threatened as tax cuts undermine a funding source

On First Street in Santa Ana — not far from where authorities recently cleared a tent encampment along the Santa Ana River — developer Caleb Roope wants to build nearly 1,000 apartments that will be affordable for low-income seniors and families. But Roope, chief executive of Pacific Cos., isn’t sure he can break ground on the two subsidized projects. The problem? The federal government. Los Angeles Times

Around the county

‘Eye-popping’ number of hypodermic needles cleared from homeless camp

Crews from the Orange County Public Works department have collected nearly 14,000 hypodermic needles and cleared more than 5,000 pounds of hazardous waste — including human waste — from the vast homeless encampment along the Santa Ana River trail. Los Angeles Times

Working with homeless let him help the most people, retiring deputy says

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Chet Parker — homeless liaison officer for Lake Forest — plans to retire at the end of this month after 25 years with the department. TimesOC

Politics

Well-known O.C. Republican files to challenge Rep. Rohrabacher

It’s official: Well-known Orange County Republican Scott Baugh has filed papers to run against GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, his onetime friend and mentor. Los Angeles Times

Legal complaint questions Costa Mesa Councilman Mansoor’s residency

Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Allan Mansoor has been hit with a legal complaint alleging he didn’t live in the city for part of last year, which would be a violation of state law. Daily Pilot

Arts & culture

‘Hamilton’ star to celebrate fearlessness and love of song

Mandy Gonzalez is starring on Broadway as Angelica Schuyler in the mega-hit Lin-Manuel Miranda musical “Hamilton,” but the New York City-based performer is heading to Southern California for an additional special engagement. TimesOC

Travis Barker’s Musink festival brings music, tattoos and custom cars to O.C.

Blink-182, the Descendants and Lil Yachty are among the headliners slated to perform at the 11th annual Musink festival at the OC Fair & Event Center Friday through Sunday. TimesOC

Buddy Guy is ready to play the blues at Musco Center

Blues legend Buddy Guy, who will play Wednesday evening at Musco Center for the Arts in Orange, says that even after decades on the road, eight Grammys and a reverential place in the rock pantheon, his hands still shake before going on stage. TimesOC

Opinion

His Royal Trumpness visits Southern California, but not Orange County?

“Now, thanks to Trump, OC has turned into the GOP’s graveyard,” columnist Gustavo Arellano writes about the president’s decision to bypass Orange County on his California visit. “Enjoy the Golden State, 45, and don’t let the California burritos hit you on the way out.” Los Angeles Times

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