People for Housing Orange County

Founded in 2017, our mission is to advocate for more home building and to foster innovations to improve housing access in Orange County, California to end the shortage, reduce housing costs, and make room for current and future Orange County residents. Through grassroots efforts, strategic partnerships, and community-driven initiatives, we strive to create a more equitable and prosperous region where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Our organization aims to bring an end to the housing shortage, which is the primary driver of high housing costs, housing instability, housing overcrowding, and ultimately homelessness. These issues disproportionately affect lower-income communities and people of color and have led to the hollowing out of the middle class in California. Our vision for Orange County is for more inclusive cities and integrated communities where every person can find stable, affordable housing near jobs, community services, and quality education opportunities.

People for Housing OC was co-founded in January 2017 by Elizabeth Hansburg and other Orange County residents, who were inspired to take action after learning about California’s growing housing shortage and the emerging pro-housing movement at the California Housing Summit hosted by SCAG in 2016. Since the organization’s inception, Elizabeth has served as Director, leading the YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) movement in Orange County with the guidance of a seven-member board representing diverse perspectives—housing developers, social service providers, advocates, and dedicated community volunteers.

The organization's work centers on community outreach, education, and advocacy to address the impacts of the housing shortage and advance policy solutions that increase the supply of homes affordable to low- and moderate-income households, particularly in high-opportunity areas. We train and mobilize volunteers to engage with local decision-makers, support housing production, and champion housing-enabling policies throughout Orange County.

In addition to supporting affordable housing for low-income families, we advocate for a range of housing options—including mixed-income and mixed-use developments, first-time homebuyer opportunities, and innovative models like community land trusts—to create inclusive, sustainable communities where everyone can thrive.

Since 2023, we have taken up the challenge of improving housing access in Orange County. We have heard first-hand from residents and the community-based organizations (CBOs) with which we partner that access to affordable and attainable housing is obscured by barriers in language, technology access, and fragmented information. We have mobilized to help improve access and train community volunteers to connect residents with housing resources and opportunities. This upstream, systems-change work is critical to addressing residents' housing challenges before they reach crisis level. We know that empowering residents with knowledge and improving access to housing resources will help families make informed decisions to meet their housing needs.

People for Housing OC envisions an equitable and inclusive Orange County where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing close to jobs, community services, and quality schools. Through advocacy and grassroots organizing, we work to expand the supply of multifamily homes in high-opportunity areas—creating real pathways to housing stability and economic mobility. Our efforts address the deep affordability gap that continues to burden young people, low-income families and seniors, and communities of color, helping to build a more connected, thriving, and just region for all who call Orange County home.

In recent years, we have established People for Housing OC as the go-to advisor for CBOs navigating the housing landscape in service of their clients and residents. These CBOs have the trust of the populations and communities they serve, be it specific neighborhoods or ethnic groups, but they lack housing expertise. Building upon relationships established during the Equity in OC initiative, we have advised and trained more than 25 CBOs in the landscape of housing programs and options in Orange County to help these CBOs better serve their communities.

Orange County stands at a pivotal moment in addressing its housing crisis. To meet the growing demand for affordable and attainable homes, People for Housing OC is seeking support to expand our advocacy, strengthen grassroots leadership, and build coalitions that elevate the voices of those most affected by the shortage. With increased resources, we can deepen community engagement, influence policy change, and accelerate the movement for inclusive housing solutions that ensure everyone has a place to call home.

People for Housing OC serves the entirety of Orange County, California, engaging communities countywide to promote equitable housing access and sustainable growth.

As a housing advocate and urban planner, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful planning and community collaboration can transform underused spaces into vibrant neighborhoods. I co-founded People for Housing OC because I believe Orange County can make room for everyone — and that good housing policy strengthens the very fabric of our communities.

Our work is grounded in research, civic engagement, and a deep respect for the people and places that make Orange County unique. From repurposing vacant sites into mixed-use housing to championing policies that make homes more attainable, we’re proving that progress and preservation can coexist.

At People for Housing OC, we’re building consensus, empowering residents, and helping shape a future where everyone has the opportunity to live near jobs, schools, and the communities they love. Together, we can build more housing and keep all the things that make Orange County special — just with more people to enjoy it.

With gratitude,
Elizabeth Hansburg
Executive Director, People for Housing OC

As Chair of the Board for People for Housing Orange County, I’m proud to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the challenges we continue to face in our mission to expand housing opportunities across our region. Our success lies in our ability to serve as a connector in a housing landscape that is often fragmented—bridging divides between public and private sectors, affordable and market-rate development, and for-sale and rental housing.

In a space where stakeholders can be siloed by priorities or politics, People for Housing offers a platform for collaboration. We provide support, perspective, and a shared language that helps move housing production forward. This spirit of cooperation adds wind to the back of housing efforts that might otherwise stall. By fostering dialogue and understanding across these divides, we help communities see housing not as a zero-sum game, but as a shared opportunity to build a healthier, more inclusive future.

Of course, the challenges are real. One of the biggest challenges we face is that few foundations are willing to fund advocacy efforts—they tend to prefer tangible outcomes like “sticks and bricks.” However, our work is essential to ensuring those buildings can happen in the first place. People for Housing is vital to a healthy housing ecosystem in Orange County. We serve as the connective tissue that enables affordable housing development by advancing policy, coordinating stakeholders, and removing systemic barriers. Without our advocacy, the opportunity to build simply wouldn’t exist.

My dedication to this work is rooted in personal experience. Growing up in Ohio, my family benefited from affordable and stable housing, which provided a foundation for our growth and aspirations. My parents initially worked second jobs to finance the purchase of their first home. However, as their incomes increased and housing costs remained steady—due in part to a 30-year fixed mortgage—they were able to transition away from secondary employment and devote more time to community involvement. This experience has informed my belief that housing serves as more than just a basic necessity; it is fundamental to creating opportunities. I am committed to serving in this leadership role because I support People for Housing’s mission and its long-term vision to help families achieve stability, well-being, and hope for future generations.