La Habra's City Council meeting on June 2, 2025, marked a significant shift in the city's housing and economic development strategy with the promotion of Miranda Cole Corona to deputy director. This change will integrate the housing and economic development division into the administrative division next fiscal year, enhancing collaboration with other city departments, including building safety, code enforcement, and planning.

During the meeting, city officials highlighted the busy year for the housing and economic development staff, who managed various programs such as permanent supportive housing, financial assistance for home improvements, and the oversight of city-owned mobile home parks. The team also facilitated an economic development forum and provided high-level service to both prospective and existing developers and retailers.

The council discussed tools to identify available sites for businesses looking to relocate or expand in La Habra. While the city does not own these sites, it processes development requests in compliance with relevant codes. Over the past year, the planning staff presented 22 projects to the planning commission, including a new minor conditional use permit process, which will be further discussed in future meetings.

Updates on private development were also shared, with notable openings this year including La Quinta Inn, Dutch Brothers, and Costco. Several projects are nearing completion, such as Krispy Kreme and Vista Rock Town Homes. The city issued over 1,100 building permits this year, reflecting a robust development environment.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the city's goals for the upcoming fiscal year, emphasizing the continuation of current initiatives while maintaining a modest budget increase of 5%, significantly lower than the citywide average of 11.5%. The council expressed gratitude for the community engagement efforts surrounding the La Habra Boulevard strategic plan, which included multiple outreach events and feedback opportunities for residents.

As La Habra moves forward, the integration of housing and economic development efforts is expected to streamline processes and enhance the city's growth, benefiting both residents and businesses alike.