View Orange County Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (PDF)

Executive Summary

Orange County’s Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) is a thorough examination of structural barriers to fair housing choice and access to opportunity for members of historically marginalized groups protected from discrimination by the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). The AI also outlines fair housing priorities and goals to overcome fair housing issues. In addition, the AI lays out meaningful strategies that can be implemented to achieve progress towards the County’s obligation to affirmatively furthering fair housing. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), in consultation with Orange County jurisdictions and with input from a wide range of stakeholders through a community participation process, prepared this AI. To provide a foundation for the conclusions and recommendations presented in this AI, the following information was reviewed and analyzed:

  • Data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2013-2017 and other sources about the demographic, housing, economic, and educational landscape of the County, nearby communities, and the broader Region;
  • Various County and city planning documents and ordinances;
  • Data reflecting housing discrimination complaints;
  • The input of a broad range of stakeholders that deal with the realities of the housing market and the lives of members of protected classes in Orange County.

As required by federal regulations, the AI draws from the sources listed above to conduct an analysis of fair housing issues such as patterns of integration and segregation of members of protected classes, racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty regionally, disparities in access to opportunity for protected classes, and disproportionate housing needs. The analysis also examines publicly supported housing in the County as well as fair housing issues for persons with disabilities. Private and public fair housing enforcement, outreach capacity, and resources are evaluated as well. The AI identifies contributing factors to fair housing issues and steps that should be taken to overcome these barriers.

The Orange County AI is a collaborative effort between the following jurisdictions: Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, La Habra, Lake Forest, La Palma, Mission Viejo, Orange, Rancho San Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin, Westminster, and the County of Orange. Although this is a county-wide AI, there are jurisdiction-specific versions that include goals specific to each jurisdiction.