HomeMy WebLinkAboutCORRESPONDENCE - 19G
December 1, 2020
www.kennedycommission.org
17701 Cowan Ave., Suite 200
Mayor Pulido and City Council
Irvine, CA 92614
949 250 0909
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: 19G: Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element Update
Dear City Councilmembers:
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission), a broad-based coalition of residents and community
organizations, advocates for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than
$27,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has successfully partnered
and worked with Orange County jurisdictions to create effective housing and land-use policies that
have led to the new construction of homes affordable to lower-income working families.
As you are aware, Housing Elements for the 6th cycle planning period (2021-29) are due to the
California Department of Housing and Community Development by October 2021. The
programs, policies, zoning, and funding, as well as in reducing current obstacles to affordable
housing development. We also understand the importance of Housing Elements in addressing racial
equity in housing, particularly with the new statutory requirements mandating the inclusion of
1
programs that affirmatively further fair housing in 6th cycle Housing Elements. Our work focuses
on ensuring that each jurisdiction increases affordable housing opportunities by implementing
proven strategies, policies, and incentives that encourage affordable housing development.
Further, the Commission seeks to ensure that jurisdictions engage the public in revising their
Housing Elements. Public engagement is a necessary component of the Housing Element process
as California Housing Element law states: The local government shall make a diligent effort to
achieve public participation of all economic segments of the community in the development of the
housing element...Broad participation and true engagement of the public increases the likelihood
that the community members involved in the discussion and planning processes will support new
housing strategies and housing developments. Public engagement should include participation from
residents of diverse communities, housing consumers, service providers, and advocates.
As the City embarks upon the 2021-29 Housing Element update, the Commission requests that the
City include us in the upcoming Housing Element review and evaluation of the current 5th cycle
planning period goals, policies, and accomplishments. The Commission further requests that the
City conduct a robust public participation process for the 6th cycle Housing Element update and
that it incorporate the Commission, affordable housing advocates, and residents of low-income
communities in this process. We believe that you will achieve a stronger Housing Element update
through diverse community participation, outreach, and community planning process.
To ensure adequate public participation the Commission recommends the following:
1
California Government Code § 8899.50 (Assembly Bill 686).
-income households
1. The City should engage community participation and feedback at all stages of the
Housing Element review and update. Participation should not be limited to public
hearings.
2. The City should allow for various methods of engagement to encourage public
participation. For instance, for members of the public who may not have access to the
internet or a computer, or who are unable to use video applications, consistently
provide an adequate telephone option available in multiple languages and generally
ensure that members of the community who lack adequate technology can participate
in meetings about the Housing Element review.
3.
create various platforms (for example, virtual, written, workshops, webinars,
community meetings, and public hearings) for the engagement of community members
who reside in lower-income communities, affordable housing partners, Legal Aid
organizations, and advocates.
4. The City should create a diverse Housing Element Working Group to evaluate the
current Housing Element policies and accomplishments. This Working Group could
help create policies and recommendations for the new Housing Element update to
ensure that you meet the housing needs of those who are most vulnerable in the City.
5. The City should include The Commission in any anticipated Housing Element
Working Group and provide the opportunity for the Commission to provide its
analysis on 5th cycle RHNA progress and be a part of developing policy
recommendations on the 6th cycle update.
6. The City should engage community organizations representing and advocating for
families and individuals residing in lower-income communities to ensure that members
of these communities can directly participate and that the City considers their
perspective as part of the evaluation and creation of policies that create affordable
housing.
We would appreciate the City giving us notice of any public meetings regarding the Housing
Element. We look forward to working with the City of Santa Ana to encourage effective housing
policies that will help create balanced housing development and create much-needed affordable
housing in our local communities. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (949)
250-0909 or cesarc@kennedycommission.org.
Sincerely,
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director
2
Working for systemic change resulting in the producti-income households