Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
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Name: Hieu Nguyen
Age: 41
Current job title: Founder/Principal Consultant
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Garden Grove
How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower price points, while also preserving local control and the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
On the City Council, I will fight to address the housing crisis from a balanced approach. We face a crisis of both supply and affordability that requires strong collaboration among local, state, and regional governments as well as community partners. We cannot simply build “luxury” units and expect benefits to trickle down; we must be intentional about building affordable housing. This is an issue not only affecting Garden Grove but across Orange County and the entire state, and every level of government needs to work together with swift and long-term solutions.
My approach would include:
1) Streamlining Production: We need to cut unnecessary red tape that slows down the approval process for affordable housing developments and permanent supportive housing.
2) Tenant Protection: We need stronger tenant protections to keep people in their current homes (anti-harassment ordinances, right to counsel, etc.).
3) Historic Preservation: We must invest in preserving existing affordable housing stock and preventing “renovictions” where older, affordable units are flipped into high-cost luxury rentals.
4) Responsible Land Use: We need to re-zone commercial corridors and underutilized city land for mixed-use residential projects, prioritizing transit-oriented development to reduce costs for working families.
How should the city balance rising costs, paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves, all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, economic development, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
I will always prioritize meeting residents’ needs and support our community. I see affordability as a top priority in Garden Grove and across the county and state. To help offset rising costs, I plan to work on spurring city revenue, bringing in smart development, and creating a more equitable local economy to lower costs and raise wages. I plan to push for strong public services to provide direct resources and support to residents that will also help them face rising costs. Policies that aim to support the local community and uplift residents can work to truly build economic security across all of our neighborhoods that will benefit our entire city.
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The public expects transparency from public leaders in spending and governance. How can this be achieved? How can the city do better in this area? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
I am a strong believer in local government prioritizing the community through open communication that listens to residents and creating pathways for every family to thrive in their neighborhood. The first step in reaching this goal is to establish trust in City Hall through an accessible line of transparent communication and public accountability. I want every resident to be equipped with the knowledge and access to reach their city council members, visit City Hall, or submit feedback on the issues that matter to them. Another necessary option is to conduct regular in-language community forums and listening sessions to inform and educate residents on current city issues, spending, and governance. When we create these opportunities to engage with and be more present and accessible in the community, we build trust in our city government and can increase transparency across the community.
In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
The biggest challenge our city faces is the affordability crisis and rising cost of living. That is why my top priority on City Council is to strengthen city services to meet the needs of residents and make Garden Grove more affordable to live and raise our families in. I believe in strong public programming and opportunities to access city services that help people get ahead. Further, we need more affordable housing supply to support the growing need from our community. Paired with smart development, we can build a city that works for everyone and is sustainable for generations to come.
Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
I am running for City Council to deliver long-overdue representation that puts the community first in District 4. Our residents deserve a leader who will listen and fight for them. As a licensed clinical social worker, small business owner, community organizer, and proven public health leader, I have dedicated my career to helping people and bringing power back to our community. Now, I’m running for City Council to make life more affordable, strengthen the services families rely on, invest in more parks and open space for children and families, expand housing opportunities, and fight for a Garden Grove that puts residents first and leaves no one behind.
I will also fight for our city to welcome and embrace all because I deeply value the diversity of our city. No matter what neighborhood, immigration status, ethnic background, or LGBTQ+ identity a resident has, I will be a voice for them and always put Garden Grove first.
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