2014-006 - Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element and Public Safety Element Updates

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PLANNING CONTEXT HOUSING NEEDS HOUSING PRODUCTION NEEDS The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) prepares housing construction needs goals for each city in Southern California as part of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). As set forth in the California Government Code, all local governments are required to set aside sufficient land, adopt programs, and provide funding, to the extent feasible, to facilitate and encourage housing production commensurate with that need. Santa Ana's RHNA for the 2014 -2021 planning period is 204 units with a carryover from the previous planning period of 201 lower income units, for a combined RHNA of 405 units divided into four income groups. As summarized in Table 5 and described below, total housing construction need comprises three components: Population and Job Growth. The first component of the RHNA is the number of units needed to accommodate new households and employment growth. The household growth component is determined by calculating the expected population growth that will occur from 2014 -2021. SCAG projects the job base within Santa Ana will decrease by approximately 11,000 jobs through 2020, stabilizing the demand for housing in the City. Housing Factors. The RHNA housing goals incorporate additional units to encourage a certain number of vacant units. This allows for sufficient choice for consumers, maintains rents and prices at adequate levels, and encourages the desired level of housing maintenance and repair. The RHNA also includes a factor to account for housing units that will be lost due to demolition, fire, or conversion to nonresidential uses. Fair Share Factor. Santa Ana's housing need includes four affordability levels. The RHNA is a complex calculation that accounts for the fact that Santa Ana has a disproportionately higher percentage of affordable units. Thus, the City is required to produce a smaller percentage of affordable units, as compared to jurisdictions with higher income households. Table 5 Regional Housing Needs Allocation 2014 -2021 Source: SCAG, 2012. Note: Household goals based on 2010 Census County Median Family Income ($83,735). CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT 25 Very Low (0- Low (51 -80% Moderate (81- Above Moderate 50% of MR) of MR) 120% of MFI) (120% above MR) Total 2014 -2021 RHNA 45 32 37 90 204 Carryover 2006- 2014 RHNA 111 90 0 0 201 Combined RHNA 156 122 37 90 405 Source: SCAG, 2012. Note: Household goals based on 2010 Census County Median Family Income ($83,735). CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT 25