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Rev. N. Adiel A. DePano <br />Lead Pastor <br />saumdeanpastor@gmail.com <br />Rev. Ruben Esponda <br />Spanish Language <br />rubenesponda@gmail oarn <br />Pastor David Kann <br />Cambodian Language <br />DKann7@gmaii.com <br />Rev. Adel Torino <br />Tagalog/English Language <br />revtorino@yahoo.com <br />Rev. Dr. Siosaia Tu'itahi <br />Tongan Language <br />stuitahi@hotmaii.com <br />Cecil Arceo <br />Director of Children's <br />Ministry <br />arceoceciib@gmaii.com <br />Bri Uipi <br />Youth Ministry Intern <br />bnuipr123@gma# com <br />David Jaimes <br />Community Organizer <br />sa umccomm uni ty@gmaiL com <br />Kerry Wright <br />Business Manager <br />saumcbusiness@gmad com <br />SA A ANA <br />UNITED METHODIST CHURCH <br />A Multi -Cultural, Multi -Language Ministry <br />2121 North Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705 <br />(714) 542-2219; santaanaumcgrandsite@gmail.com; www.santaanaumc.com <br />August 18, 2020 <br />Mayor Pulido and City Council Members <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />Re: OPPOSITION to Agenda Item 7513: AMENDMENTS to Housing Opportunity <br />Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures <br />Dear Mayor Pulido and City Councilmembers, <br />Santa Ana United Methodist Church is a Christ -centered community of people from <br />many places and generations that unites to be God's hands and feet in Santa Ana. One <br />of ourvalues is reaching others. We believe all people are of sacred worth and have <br />purpose in service to God and God's people. We express love and care for those <br />around us through means of social justice, acts of mercy, and ministries of <br />compassion. We write this letter directly informed by this vision and value. <br />Our letter of opposition to the proposed amendments to the Housing Opportunity <br />Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures is joined by over 80 <br />letters of opposition sent to the Planning Commission on Monday, August 3rd from <br />Santa Ana residents and organizations that serve Santa Ana residents. All those in <br />opposition understand that as working families continue to face economic uncertainty <br />because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic it is crucial that the City preserve its <br />Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) as a funding source for creating new <br />affordable housing. The creation of housing at all income levels is vital to our <br />recovery. Creating new affordable housing needs to continue to be a top housing <br />priority in Santa Ana. Santa Ana United Methodist Church is proud to be in <br />partnership with the city, county, and state in building Legacy Square at our <br />downtown site —a 93-unit complex of affordable housing and retail! <br />The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city and despite the City's progress towards <br />meeting its Regional Housing Needs Assessment(RHNA) allocation for very low and <br />income housing there continues to be a great need for housing that is affordable to its <br />residents. The current pandemic has increased the economic and housing pressures <br />on low-income families in Santa Ana. As incomes are decreasing and jobs are being <br />lost, many low-income families are struggling to remain housed. This is especially true <br />for most Santa Ana's low-income households that are suffering with the impacts of <br />housing cost and economic uncertainty. As an example, according to the City's local <br />data, 70 percent of Santa Ana renters are low and very low-income renters. While the <br />city has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a larger <br />