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Support Letter re Development of a Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program Item 75D: Public Hearing- Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report September 18, 2018 p. 2 its renter households are lower income and 84 percent of residents held moderate and low- income occupations that paid less than $53,500 per years. This has resulted in a large percentage of lower-income residents in the City of Santa Ana -57 percent, being rent burdened, which is defined as overpaying or spending more than 30 percent of one's income towards their housing costs 6. It is vitally important that the City of Santa Ana create a Tenant -Based Rental Assistance program to assist rent burdened residents in the City of Santa Ana who are at grave risk of homelessness for no other reason than being unable to afford their monthly rent. A HOME Investment Partnerships Program funded Tenant -Based Rental Assistance Program in the City of Santa Ana would provide a rental subsidy to those residents at risk of losing their housing due to an inability to pay their monthly rent. Further, the money is available to make this Tenant -Based Rental Assistance Program a reality. We are informed and believe that in fiscal year 2017- 2018, the City of Santa Ana received 1,207,942 in HOME funds, and that for fiscal year 2018-2019, the City has received $1,783,000 in HOME funds. Accordingly, the City of Santa Ana has the ability to use these funds to provide direct assistance to low-income households who need help paying their rent, and should use a portion of its HOME funds to help its people at risk of homelessness because of an inability to make their rental payment, remain housed. Further, development of a Tenant -Based Rental Assistance Program will help the City of Santa Ana meet its Strategic Plan Goal No. 5 Community Health, Livability, Engagement & Sustainability), and Objective No. 3 (Facilitate diverse housing opportunities and support efforts to preserve and improve the livability of Santa Ana neighborhoods.) We therefore strongly urge the City Council for the City of Santa Ana to direct the Housing Development Analyst to develop and design a Tenant -Based Rental Assistance Program alongside a community partners and impacted community member workgroup. Sincerely, s/ Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson Directing Attorney, Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit City of Santa Ana General Plan and Housing Element, 2014-2021, p. 14. e Id. at p. 12 Id. at p. 20. 601 Civic Center Drive West • Santa Ana, CA 92701-4002 • (714) 541-1010 • Pax (714) 541-5157