Council to consider funding housing for homeless

The Costa Mesa City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to consider approving a loan of up to $500,000 to help pay for permanent housing for the city’s homeless population.

If approved by the council and the city’s Housing Authority, which replaced the dissolved Redevelopment Agency, the amount would come from HOME funds that the city received in earlier years through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Money from the city’s general fund could also be used.

The federal funds help “fund a wide range of activities that build, buy and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people,” according to HUD’s website.

Mayor Jim Righeimer, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Mensinger and city CEO Tom Hatch are not expected to be at Tuesday’s meeting. The three men and three other city staff members are scheduled to be at a conference in Las Vegas with the aim of attracting retail businesses to the city, according to city documents.

Councilwoman Wendy Leece was appointed to lead Tuesday’s meeting.

—Bradley Zint

Twitter: @bradleyzint