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In recent months,the situation has intensified significantly. What began as helping Mr.Venegas from losing his home in foreclosure,this situation has escalated into a pattern of intimidation,surveillance, repeated complaints made to city authorities, and actions that the family believes may constitute retaliation under Santa Ana's tenant protection laws. Additionally,troubling interactions with individuals identifying themselves as representatives of the City have raised further questions about the handling of this matter. Because the City of Santa Ana has taken important steps to strengthen tenant protections through the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, Mr. Higareda and his family are respectfully seeking the oversight and assistance of the City Council to ensure that these protections are being applied fairly and consistently. The following information provides a detailed account of the events that have occurred. Tenant Issues+Inconsistent Rental Payments Made Tenant Jose Higareda had previously received verbal authorization from property owner Constantino Venegas Castorena allowing Mr. Higareda and my family to rent rooms within the property as they deemed appropriate at 1002 Virginia Ave, Santa Ana CA 92706. The reason Mr. Venegas allowed this arrangement was because, in or around 2019,he was at risk of losing the property to foreclosure and personally sought out Mr.Higareda to help him maintain the home by renting it. At that time, Mr. Venegas was quickly running out of time and needed someone willing to assume occupancy and responsibility for the property. When Mr.Higareda explained that the home contained more rooms than his family needed,Mr.Venegas persistently encouraged him to rent the home and eventually convinced him to move in under the understanding that he would be allowed to rent out the additional rooms. Relying on this verbal authorization and agreement, Mr. Higareda and my family moved into the home and began renting the other rooms in order to afford the monthly rent. Ms. Brenda Dyane Castellanos has been residing at 1002 Virginia Ave, Santa Ana CA 92706 since November 2025, renting a room from Mr. Jose Higareda and my family. At the time she moved in, she presented herself as a young single mother with two small children — approximately four years old and seven months old —who had recently been displaced and had nowhere to go. Out of compassion and good faith, Mr. Higareda and my family agreed to rent her a room for$1,200 per month. Given the circumstances she described,we did not require a security deposit. Ms. Castellanos initially stated she would pay her first month's rent on November 16, 2025, and although payment was ultimately made in full on November 18, subsequent payments quickly became inconsistent. For December 2025,she paid$300 on December 3 and the remaining$900 on December 5. However,for January 2026,no payment was made at all. When approached regarding the unpaid rent, Ms. Castellanos responded by stating, "I am not going to pay you the rent," "I am not going to give you the money," and "If you want to,you can file this legally." She further stated that Mr. Higareda should speak with"Tino," referring to property owner Constantino Venegas Castorena, and indicated that he was fully informed about the situation. Ms. Castellanos also stated that she no longer needed to speak with Mr.Higareda or his family regarding her decision not to pay rent. There is video evidence of this interaction available upon request. Mr. Higareda and his family were taken aback by Ms. Castellanos' instruction to contact Mr. Venegas, as they are unaware of any agreement or arrangement between Mr. Venegas and Ms. Castellanos regarding the verbal rental terms established solely between Mr. Higareda and Ms. Castellanos. This situation has created significant confusion and economic hardship for my family, who acted in good faith and are now left without January's rent and without clarity on how to proceed. As of February 27, 2026, Ms. Castellanos remained delinquent on rent in the agreed amount of$1,200 for both January and February. 4