HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - #40 �. an S.,
X ASIAN AMERICAN SENIOR CITIZENS SERVICE CENTER
' 85o N. Birch Street, Santa Ana, California 92701-3477
s 1989 www.aasese.org
e�`lce Ceo'
4/5/2022
City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40: Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable
Housing Funds Policies and Procedures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
The Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center (AASCSC) is a non-profit
organization founded in 1989 with the philosophy"caring for elders as if they were our
own".AASCSC is entrusted to serve, protect, and celebrate our elders, youth, and
families as they progress through different stages of life.AASCSC believes in an
intergenerational approach to building a stronger and healthier community through
direct services, advocacy, and capacity building.
We are writing to support the amendments to the Housing Opportunity
Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies. The changes will ensure that
development in the City addresses housing needs for all residents in a balanced manner.
Many working families in Santa Ana continue to be impacted by the rising cost of
housing and the scarce housing opportunities available at rents they can afford. In
addition, many continue to face economic uncertainty because of the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic. The creation of housing at all income levels is vital to our recovery and will
provide stability for the majority of Santa Ana residents that are struggling with housing
availability and cost that existed long before the pandemic. It is crucial that the City
strengthen the Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) to ensure that housing
opportunities are available for all residents in Santa Ana along with new housing
options being created in the City.
The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city and despite the City's progress towards
meeting its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation for very low- and
low- income housing, there continues to be a great need for housing that is affordable to
its residents. The current pandemic has increased the economic and housing pressures
on low-income families in Santa Ana. As incomes are decreasing and jobs are being lost,
many low-income families are struggling to remain housed. This is especially true for
"Caring for elders as if they were our own"
the majority of Santa Ana's low-income households that are suffering with the impacts
of housing cost and economic uncertainty. According to the City's local data, 70 % of
Santa Ana renters are low and very low-income renters. 8o% of renters in Santa Ana fall
into the moderate, low- and very low-income categories and 84 % of residents hold low-
income occupations that pay less than $53,500 per year. Santa Ana's households are
predominantly families comprising 81% of households. These households are also rent
burdened and live-in overcrowded conditions.
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a
disproportionate production of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above
moderate units produced between 2013-2021, the City exceeded its RHNA allocation by
3,638% per the City's RHNA progress reports submitted to the state. With average rents
Of $2000 - $4000, none of these above market rental units are affordable to most of
Santa Ana's working families. Housing costs in Santa Ana have been out of reach and
will continue to be out of reach in this current economic climate. Households in Santa
Ana must earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing. The proposed
amendments further incentivize housing units with market rate rents and are not
affordable to the majority of the City's residents.
The Commission supports the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to $15
per sq ft to be in line with a fee that is fair and allows the City to fund much
needed affordable housing for Santa Ana residents. The in-lieu fees have
generated over $21 million in funding (and helped leverage millions of
federal and state housing resources) to help the City fund the development
of new housing opportunities and address housing insecurity. The City's
February 2021 Quarterly Report for Housing Division demonstrated that,
some of these in lieu fees supported the Santa Ana Arts Collective, Tiny Tim
Plaza, Link Interim Emergency Shelter, Legacy Square, Habitat for
Humanity "Lacy & Vance", Westview House, Wise Place Steps to
Independence Public Service Program, and the City's Down Payment
Assistance Program.
We also support the wider application of the Housing Opportunities Ordinance in the
City of Santa Ana. This will continue to facilitate the development of affordable housing
in various areas of the city. The Commission also recommends that the HOO apply to all
residential developments in the City. At a minimum the HOO affordable housing
requirements should apply to all residential and mixed use developments that are
asking for zone changes, upzonings, following city initiated specific plans, general plan
updates or those asking for other development incentives.
In addition, the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City
initiated land use and zoning changes, specific plans and general plan updates and
amendments. Land use changes may create higher land values, profit, and incentives
for market rate developers. At the same time many of these market developments are
not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's residents. In exchange for these
development incentives, new affordable housing for Santa Ana residents must be
created.
"Caring for elders as if they were our own"
The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the
construction of affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income families.
These are the families that have the most pressing needs in the City of Santa Ana. In
addition, the fund should also prioritize addressing housing insecurity, eviction
prevention, and housing legal assistance for residents that would directly help current
Santa Ana residents with the exception of code enforcement. Diversion of these funds to
other programs unrelated to housing and direct help for families would not increase or
improve the supply of affordable housing.
We urge you to take into consideration the amendments and proposed
recommendations to the Housing Opportunity Ordinance. These recommendations will
help the city increase affordable housing options for residents and help the city meet
equitable housing production goals.
Sincerely,
9--e-4 -9/07
Jennifer S. Wang
Chief Operating Officer
"Caring for elders as if they were our own"
0
PUBLIC PLAW CENTER
PROVIDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE
FOR ORANGE COUNTY'S LOW INCOME RESIDENTS
4/5/2022
City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40: Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds
Policies and Procedures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
We are a non-profit pro bono law firm that provides access to justice for low-income and
vulnerable residents in Orange County. In our Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit, we
represent low-income families in housing-related matters and advocate for sensible strategies to
end houselessness in Orange County. We also collaborate with community organizations,
statewide advocates, and law firms to push Orange County jurisdictions to create and maintain
effective housing policies for lower-income working families.
Along with other organizations, we write to support the amendments to the Housing Opportunity
Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies. The changes will ensure that development in
the City addresses housing needs for all residents in a balanced manner. Many working families
in Santa Ana continue to be impacted by the rising cost of housing and the scarce housing
opportunities available at rents they can afford. In addition, many continue to face economic
uncertainty because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The creation of housing at all income
levels is vital to our recovery and will provide stability for the majority of Santa Ana residents
that are struggling with housing availability and cost that existed long before the pandemic. It is
crucial that the City strengthen the Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) to ensure that
housing opportunities are available for all residents in Santa Ana along with new housing options
being created in the City.
The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city and despite the City's progress towards meeting
its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation for very low- and low- income
housing, there continues to be a great need for housing that is affordable to its residents. The
current pandemic has increased the economic and housing pressures on low-income families in
Santa Ana. As incomes are decreasing and jobs are being lost, many low-income families are
struggling to remain housed. This is especially true for the majority of Santa Ana's low-income
households that are suffering with the impacts of housing cost and economic uncertainty.
According to the City's local data, 70 % of Santa Ana renters are low and very low-income
renters. 80% of renters in Santa Ana fall into the moderate, low- and very low-income categories
601 Civic Center Drive West•Santa Ana,CA 92701-4002•(714)541-1010•Fax(714)541-5157
Letter of Support Housing Opportunity Ordinance
April 5, 2022
p. 2
and 84 % of residents hold low-income occupations that pay less than $53,500 per year'. Santa
Ana's households are predominantly families comprising 81% of households.2 These households
are also rent burdened and live-in overcrowded conditionS3.
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a
disproportionate production of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above moderate
units produced between 2013-2021, the City exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638% per the
City's RHNA progress reports submitted to the state. With average rents of$2000 - $4000, none
of these above market rental units are affordable to most of Santa Ana's working families.
Housing costs in Santa Ana have been out of reach and will continue to be out of reach in this
current economic climate. Households in Santa Ana must earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-
bedroom housing.' The proposed amendments further incentivize housing units with market rate
rents and are not affordable to the majority of the City's residents.
Further, the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to $15 per sq ft are in line with a fee that is fair
and allows the City to fund much needed affordable housing for Santa Ana residents. The in-lieu
fees have generated over $21 million in funding (and helped leverage millions of federal and
state housing resources) to help the City fund the development of new housing opportunities and
address housing insecurity. The City's February 2021 Quarterly Report for Housing Division
demonstrated that, some of these in lieu fees supported the Santa Ana Arts Collective, Tiny Tim
Plaza, Link Interim Emergency Shelter, Legacy Square, Habitat for Humanity "Lacy & Vance",
Westview House, Wise Place Steps to Independence Public Service Program, and the City's
Down Payment Assistance Programs.
We also support the wider application of the Housing Opportunities Ordinance in the City of
Santa Ana. This will continue to facilitate the development of affordable housing in various areas
of the city. The Commission also recommends that the HOO apply to all residential
developments in the City. At a minimum the HOO affordable housing requirements should apply
to all residential and mixed-use developments that are asking for zone changes, upzonings,
following city initiated specific plans, general plan updates or those asking for other
development incentives.
In addition, the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City initiated land
use and zoning changes, specific plans and general plan updates and amendments. Land use
changes may create higher land values, profit, and incentives for market rate developers. At the
same time many of these market developments are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's
residents. In exchange for these development incentives, new affordable housing for Santa Ana
residents must be created.
The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the construction
of affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income families. These are the families
that have the most pressing needs in the City of Santa Ana. In addition, the fund should also
1 City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014-2021,p. 14,January 2014.
2 City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014-2021 page 11
3 City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014-2021 page 20
4 National Low Income Housing Coalition.Out of Reach The High Cost of Housing 2021,pg.18.Out of Reach 2021(nlihc.ora)
5 City of Santa Ana Quarterly Report for Housing Division page.4.February 2021.
601 Civic Center Drive West•Santa Ana,CA 92701-4002•(714)541-1010•Fax(714)541-5157
Letter of Support Housing Opportunity Ordinance
April 5, 2022
p. 3
prioritize addressing housing insecurity, eviction prevention, and housing legal assistance for
residents that would directly help current Santa Ana residents with the exception of code
enforcement. Diversion of these funds to other programs unrelated to housing and direct help for
families would not increase or improve the supply of affordable housing.
We urge you to take into consideration the amendments and proposed recommendations to the
Housing Opportunity Ordinance. These recommendations will help the city increase affordable
housing options for residents and help the city meet equitable housing production goals.
Sincerely,
/s/Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson
Directing Attorney, Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit
601 Civic Center Drive West•Santa Ana,CA 92701-4002•(714)541-1010•Fax(714)541-5157
The Cambodian Family Community Center
VL JJ
V A Multi-Ethnic Human Services Agency Promoting Social Health
1626 East Fourth Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 571-1966
e C17 odian`Family www.cambodianfamily.org
4/5/2022
City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40: Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies
and Procedures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
TCFCC is a 501(c) (3)non-profit, multi-ethnic, human services agency that has been serving the refugee
and immigrant communities of Orange County, California for over 42 years. We were established in
1980 by a group of Cambodian refugees who had escaped the Khmer Rouge regime in their native
country. Since then, we have expanded our services to immigrants and refugees from around the world,
all the while establishing deep roots in our community. We serve a unique population that need a variety
of mental health services, but usually have trouble navigating the health care system, or suffer from the
stigma mental health. The culturally and linguistically competent resources in mental health care
services/navigation that SB 1019 is a crucial step in achieving health equity for all Californians, and
especially for the immigrant and refugee communities we serve.
We are writing to support the amendments to the Housing Opportunity Ordinance and
Affordable Housing Funds Policies. The changes will ensure that development in the City addresses
housing needs for all residents in a balanced manner. Many working families in Santa Ana continue to
be impacted by the rising cost of housing and the scarce housing opportunities available at rents they can
afford. In addition, many continue to face economic uncertainty because of the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic. The creation of housing at all income levels is vital to our recovery and will provide stability
for the majority of Santa Ana residents that are struggling with housing availability and cost that existed
long before the pandemic. It is crucial that the City strengthen the Housing Opportunity Ordinance
(HOO) to ensure that housing opportunities are available for all residents in Santa Ana along with new
housing options being created in the City.
The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city and despite the City's progress towards meeting its
Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation for very low- and low- income housing, there
continues to be a great need for housing that is affordable to its residents. The current pandemic has
increased the economic and housing pressures on low-income families in Santa Ana. As incomes are
decreasing and jobs are being lost, many low-income families are struggling to remain housed. This is
especially true for the majority of Santa Ana's low-income households that are suffering with the
impacts of housing cost and economic uncertainty. According to the City's local data, 70 % of Santa
Ana renters are low and very low-income renters. 80% of renters in Santa Ana fall into the moderate,
low- and very low-income categories and 84 % of residents hold low-income occupations that pay less
than $53,500 per year. Santa Ana's households are predominantly families comprising 81% of
households. These households are also rent burdened and live-in overcrowded conditions.
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a disproportionate
production of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above moderate units produced between
2013-2021, the City exceeded its R14NA allocation by 3,638% per the City's RHNA progress reports
submitted to the state. With average rents of$2000 - $4000, none of these above market rental units are
affordable to most of Santa Ana's working families. Housing costs in Santa Ana have been out of reach
and will continue to be out of reach in this current economic climate. Households in Santa Ana must
earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing. The proposed amendments further incentivize
housing units with market rate rents and are not affordable to the majority of the City's residents.
The Commission supports the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to $15 per sq ft to be in line
with a fee that is fair and allows the City to fund much needed affordable housing for Santa Ana
residents. The in-lieu fees have generated over $21 million in funding (and helped leverage
millions of federal and state housing resources) to help the City fund the development of new
housing opportunities and address housing insecurity. The City's February 2021 Quarterly
Report for Housing Division demonstrated that, some of these in lieu fees supported the Santa Ana
Arts Collective, Tiny Tim Plaza, Link Interim Emergency Shelter, Legacy Square, Habitat for
Humanity "Lacy & Vance", Westview House, Wise Place Steps to Independence Public Service
Program, and the City's Down Payment Assistance Program.
We also support the wider application of the Housing Opportunities Ordinance in the City of Santa Ana.
This will continue to facilitate the development of affordable housing in various areas of the city. The
Commission also recommends that the HOO apply to all residential developments in the City. At a
minimum the HOO affordable housing requirements should apply to all residential and mixed use
developments that are asking for zone changes, upzonings, following city initiated specific plans,
general plan updates or those asking for other development incentives.
In addition, the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City initiated land use and
zoning changes, specific plans and general plan updates and amendments. Land use changes may create
higher land values, profit, and incentives for market rate developers. At the same time many of these
market developments are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's residents. In exchange for these
development incentives,new affordable housing for Santa Ana residents must be created
The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the construction of
affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income families. These are the families that have
the most pressing needs in the City of Santa Ana. In addition, the fund should also prioritize addressing
housing insecurity, eviction prevention, and housing legal assistance for residents that would directly
help current Santa Ana residents with the exception of code enforcement. Diversion of these funds to
other programs unrelated to housing and direct help for families would not increase or improve the
supply of affordable housing.
We urge you to take into consideration the amendments and proposed recommendations to the Housing
Opportunity Ordinance. These recommendations will help the city increase affordable housing options
for residents and help the city meet equitable housing production goals.
Sincerely,
Vattana Peong, MPH
Executive Director
4/5/2022
City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40: SUPPORT Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2021-03 - Housing
Opportunity Ordinance
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Chispa is a brave organizing political home for young Latinx identifying peoples. Chispa seeks
to engage with excluded peoples to uproot systems of oppression and cultivate systems grounded
in community accountability, solidarity, and self-determination for our communities to thrive.
We are writing in support of a strengthened Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO).
The changes to the HOO will ensure that new development in the City of Santa Ana(City)
addresses the housing needs of residents of all income levels in a balanced manner. The City is a
renter majority city and despite the City's progress towards meeting its Regional Housing Needs
Assessment(RHNA) allocation for very low- and low-income housing, there continues to be a
great need for housing that is affordable to its residents. The COVID-19 pandemic increased
economic and housing pressures on Santa Ana's low-income families.
New affordable housing is vital to our COVID-19 pandemic recovery; and can provide stability
for residents that continue to struggle with decreasing housing availability and increasing
housing costs, issues that existed long before the pandemic. It is crucial that the City strengthen
the HOO to ensure that housing opportunities are available for all residents in Santa Ana.
According to the City's local data, 70% of renters have low and very low-incomes with 84% of
residents holding low-income occupations paying less than $53,500 per year.
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing, new housing development
has been overwhelmingly for units with market-rate rents. There has been a disproportionate
City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014-2021,p. 14,January 2014.
1
production of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above moderate units produced
between 2013-2021, the City exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638%per the City's RHNA
progress reports submitted to the state. With average rents of$2000 - $4000, none of these above
market rental units are affordable to most of Santa Ana's working families. Housing costs in
Santa Ana have been out of reach and will continue to be out of reach in this current economic
climate. Households in Santa Ana must earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing.2
Chispa supports the amendments increasing the in-lieu fee to $15 per square foot. This is a fair
fee that allows the City to fund much needed affordable housing for Santa Ana residents without
impeding development. The HOO in-lieu fees are essential as they have generated over $21
million in funding (and helped leverage millions of federal and state housing resources)to help
the City fund new housing opportunities such as the Legacy Square development in the Lacy
neighborhood and the expansion of the City's Down Payment Assistance Program. and address
housing insecurity.
We urge you to adopt Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2021-03 that will strengthen the
Housing Opportunity Ordinance. These recommendations will help the city increase
affordable housing options for residents and help the City develop new housing in an equitable
manner.
Sincerely,
Chispa
Penelope Lopez
Organizing Director
2 National Low Income Housing Coalition.Out of Reach The High Cost of Housing 2021,pg.18.Out of Reach 2021(nlihc.org)
2
4/5/2022
41
City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31 Veo L• • 4
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40: Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds
Policies and Procedures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Vecindario Lacy en Accion (VeLA) is a group of residents from the Lacy neighborhood that have
united to advocate for their community. The group includes: mothers,fathers, students,individuals
with special abilities and community leaders that share the vision of improving the quality of life
in their neighborhood and the city of Santa Ana. All with the purpose of creating more
opportunities for families to succeed.
We are writing to support the amendments to the Housing Opportunity Ordinance and
Affordable Housing Funds Policies. The changes will ensure that development in the City
addresses housing needs for all residents in a balanced manner. Many working families in Santa
Ana continue to be impacted by the rising cost of housing and the scarce housing opportunities
available at rents they can afford. In addition, many continue to face economic uncertainty because
of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The creation of housing at all income levels is vital to our
recovery and will provide stability for the majority of Santa Ana residents that are struggling with
housing availability and cost that existed long before the pandemic. It is crucial that the City
strengthen the Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) to ensure that housing opportunities are
available for all residents in Santa Ana along with new housing options being created in the City.
The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city and despite the City's progress towards meeting its
Regional Housing Needs Assessment(RHNA) allocation for very low- and low- income housing,
there continues to be a great need for housing that is affordable to its residents. The current
pandemic has increased the economic and housing pressures on low-income families in Santa
Ana. As incomes are decreasing and jobs are being lost,many low-income families are struggling
to remain housed. This is especially true for the majority of Santa Ana's low-income households
that are suffering with the impacts of housing cost and economic uncertainty. According to the
City's local data, 70 % of Santa Ana renters are low and very low-income renters. 80% of renters
in Santa Ana fall into the moderate, low- and very low-income categories and 84 % of residents
hold low-income occupations that pay less than $53,500 per year. Santa Ana's households are
predominantly families comprising 8 1% of households. These households are also rent burdened
and live-in overcrowded conditions.
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a
disproportionate production of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above moderate units
produced between 2013-2021, the City exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638% per the City's
RHNA progress reports submitted to the state. With average rents of$2000 - $4000,none of these
above market rental units are affordable to most of Santa Ana's working families. Housing costs
in Santa Ana have been out of reach and will continue to be out of reach in this current economic
climate. Households in Santa Ana must earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing. The
proposed amendments further incentivize housing units with market rate rents and are not
affordable to the majority of the City's residents.
We support the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to $15 per sq ft to be in line with a fee
that is fair and allows the City to fund much needed affordable housing for Santa Ana
residents. The in-lieu fees have generated over $21 million in funding (and helped leverage
millions of federal and state housing resources)to help the City fund the development of new
housing opportunities and address housing insecurity. The City's February 2021 Quarterly
Report for Housing Division demonstrated that, some of these in lieu fees supported the
Santa Ana Arts Collective, Tiny Tim Plaza, Link Interim Emergency Shelter, Legacy
Square, Habitat for Humanity "Lacy & Vance", Westview House, Wise Place Steps to
Independence Public Service Program, and the City's Down Payment Assistance Program.
We also support the wider application of the Housing Opportunities Ordinance in the City of Santa
Ana. This will continue to facilitate the development of affordable housing in various areas of the
city. We also recommend that the HOO apply to all residential developments in the City. At a
minimum the HOO affordable housing requirements should apply to all residential and mixed use
developments that are asking for zone changes, upzonings, following city initiated specific plans,
general plan updates or those asking for other development incentives.
In addition, the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City initiated land use
and zoning changes, specific plans and general plan updates and amendments. Land use changes
may create higher land values, profit, and incentives for market rate developers. At the same time
many of these market developments are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's residents. In
exchange for these development incentives, new affordable housing for Santa Ana residents must
be created.
The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the construction
of affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income families. These are the families
that have the most pressing needs in the City of Santa Ana. In addition, the fund should also
prioritize addressing housing insecurity, eviction prevention, and housing legal assistance for
residents that would directly help current Santa Ana residents with the exception of code
enforcement. Diversion of these funds to other programs unrelated to housing and direct help for
families would not increase or improve the supply of affordable housing.
We urge you to take into consideration the amendments and proposed recommendations to the
Housing Opportunity Ordinance. These recommendations will help the city increase affordable
housing options for residents and help the city meet equitable housing production goals.
Sincerely,
Vecindario Lacy en Accion (VeLA)
.w-Kennedy
4/5/2022
www.kennedycommission.org
17701 Cowan Ave.,Suite 200
Irvine,CA 92614
City Council 949 250 0909
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40: Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds
Policies and Procedures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad-based coalition of residents and
community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families
earning less than$27,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has been
successful in partnering and working with Orange County jurisdictions to create effective housing
and land-use policies that has led to the new construction of homes affordable to lower-income
working families.
We are writing to support the amendments to the Housing Opportunity Ordinance and
Affordable Housing Funds Policies. The changes will ensure that development in the City
addresses housing needs for all residents in a balanced manner. Many working families in Santa
Ana continue to be impacted by the rising cost of housing and the scarce housing opportunities
available at rents they can afford. In addition, many continue to face economic uncertainty because
of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The creation of housing at all income levels is vital to our
recovery and will provide stability for the majority of Santa Ana residents that are struggling with
housing availability and cost that existed long before the pandemic. It is crucial that the City
strengthen the Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) to ensure that housing opportunities are
available for all residents in Santa Ana along with new housing options being created in the City.
The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city and despite the City's progress towards meeting its
Regional Housing Needs Assessment(RHNA) allocation for very low- and low- income housing,
there continues to be a great need for housing that is affordable to its residents. The current
pandemic has increased the economic and housing pressures on low-income families in Santa
Ana. As incomes are decreasing and jobs are being lost,many low-income families are struggling
to remain housed. This is especially true for the majority of Santa Ana's low-income households
that are suffering with the impacts of housing cost and economic uncertainty. According to the
City's local data, 70 % of Santa Ana renters are low and very low-income renters. 80% of renters
in Santa Ana fall into the moderate, low- and very low-income categories and 84 % of residents
hold low-income occupations that pay less than $53,500 per year. Santa Ana's households are
predominantly families comprising 8 1% of households. These households are also rent burdened
and live-in overcrowded conditions.
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a
disproportionate production of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above moderate units
produced between 2013-2021, the City exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638% per the City's
RHNA progress reports submitted to the state. With average rents of$2000 - $4000, none of these
above market rental units are affordable to most of Santa Ana's working families. Housing costs
in Santa Ana have been out of reach and will continue to be out of reach in this current economic
climate. Households in Santa Ana must earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing. The
proposed amendments further incentivize housing units with market rate rents and are not
affordable to the majority of the City's residents.
The Commission supports the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to $15 per sq ft to be in
line with a fee that is fair and allows the City to fund much needed affordable housing for
Santa Ana residents. The in-lieu fees have generated over$21 million in funding(and helped
leverage millions of federal and state housing resources) to help the City fund the
development of new housing opportunities and address housing insecurity. The City's
February 2021 Quarterly Report for Housing Division demonstrated that, some of these in
lieu fees supported the Santa Ana Arts Collective, Tiny Tim Plaza,Link Interim Emergency
Shelter, Legacy Square, Habitat for Humanity "Lacy & Vance", Westview House, Wise
Place Steps to Independence Public Service Program, and the City's Down Payment
Assistance Program.
We also support the wider application of the Housing Opportunities Ordinance in the City of Santa
Ana. This will continue to facilitate the development of affordable housing in various areas of the
city. The Commission also recommends that the HOO apply to all residential developments in the
City. At a minimum the HOO affordable housing requirements should apply to all residential and
mixed use developments that are asking for zone changes, upzonings, following city initiated
specific plans, general plan updates or those asking for other development incentives.
In addition, the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City initiated land use
and zoning changes, specific plans and general plan updates and amendments. Land use changes
may create higher land values, profit, and incentives for market rate developers. At the same time
many of these market developments are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's residents. In
exchange for these development incentives, new affordable housing for Santa Ana residents must
be created.
The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the construction
of affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income families. These are the families
that have the most pressing needs in the City of Santa Ana. In addition, the fund should also
prioritize addressing housing insecurity, eviction prevention, and housing legal assistance for
residents that would directly help current Santa Ana residents with the exception of code
enforcement. Diversion of these funds to other programs unrelated to housing and direct help for
families would not increase or improve the supply of affordable housing.
We urge you to take into consideration the amendments and proposed recommendations to the
Housing Opportunity Ordinance. These recommendations will help the city increase affordable
housing options for residents and help the city meet equitable housing production goals.
Sincerely,
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director
Latino Health Access
LATINO qRT
450 W. Fourth Street, Suite 130
HEALTH Santa Ana, CA 92701
ACCESS 714-542-7792
www.latinohealthaccess.org
Apr 5, 2022
Mayor Sarmiento and City Council Members
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40 Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies and
Procedures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Latino Health Access partners with community members to improve the social determinants of health in
the City of Santa Ana through service delivery and advocacy for policies that provide equitable access to
resources. For Santa Ana families with low, very low and extremely low incomes, finding affordable
housing is very challenging and many are left resorting to overcrowded living conditions, being rent
burdened and sacrificing basic necessities in exchange for shelter. It is crucial that the City strengthen
the Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) to ensure that housing opportunities are available for
all residents in Santa Ana along with new housing options being created in the City.
We are writing to support the amendments to the HOO and Affordable Housing Funds Policies. The
changes will ensure that development in the City addresses housing needs for all residents in a balanced
manner. Many working families in Santa Ana continue to be impacted by the rising cost of housing and
the scarce housing opportunities available at rents they can afford. In addition, many continue to face
economic uncertainty because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The creation of housing at all income
levels is vital to our recovery and will provide stability for the majority of Santa Ana residents that are
struggling with housing availability and cost that existed long before the pandemic.
The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city and despite the City's progress towards meeting its Regional
Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation for very low- and low- income housing, there continues
to be a great need for housing that is affordable to its residents. The current pandemic has increased the
economic and housing pressures on low-income families in Santa Ana. As incomes are decreasing and
jobs are being lost, many low-income families are struggling to remain housed. This is especially true for
the majority of Santa Ana's low-income households that are suffering with the impacts of housing cost
and economic uncertainty. According to the City's local data, 70% of Santa Ana renters are low and very
low-income renters. 80% of renters in Santa Ana fall into the moderate, low- and very low-income
categories and 84% of residents hold low-income occupations that pay less than $53,500 per year. Santa
Ana's households are predominantly families comprising 81% of households. These households are also
rent burdened and live-in overcrowded conditions.
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a disproportionate
production of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above moderate units produced between 2013-
2021,the City exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638%per the City's RHNA progress reports submitted
to the state. With average rents of$2000 - $4000, none of these above market rental units are affordable
to most of Santa Ana's working families. Housing costs in Santa Ana have been out of reach and will
PREVENTION EDUCATION ACTION
Latino Health Access
LATINO 450 W. Fourth Street, Suite 130
HEALTH Santa Ana, CA 92701
ACCESS 714-542-7792
www.latinohealthaccess.org
continue to be out of reach in this current economic climate. Households in Santa Ana must earn $44.83
an hour to afford two-bedroom housing. The proposed amendments further incentivize housing units with
market rate rents and are not affordable to the majority of the City's residents.
Latino Health Access supports the following amendments:
1. Update the in-lieu fee to $15 per sq ft to be in line with a fee that is fair and allows the City to fund
much needed affordable housing for Santa Ana residents. The in-lieu fees have generated over
$21 million in funding (and helped leverage millions of federal and state housing resources) to
help the City fund the development of new housing opportunities and address housing insecurity.
The City's February 2021 Quarterly Report for Housing Division demonstrated that, some of these
in lieu fees supported the Santa Ana Arts Collective, Tiny Tim Plaza, Link Interim Emergency
Shelter, Legacy Square, Habitat for Humanity "Lacy & Vance", Westview House, Wise Place
Steps to Independence Public Service Program, and the City's Down Payment Assistance
Program.
2. The wider application of the HOO. At a minimum the HOO affordable housing requirements
should apply to all residential and mixed use developments that are asking for zone changes,
upzonings, following city initiated specific plans, general plan updates or those asking for other
development incentives.
3. The HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City initiated land use and zoning
changes, specific plans and general plan updates and amendments. Land use changes may create
higher land values, profit, and incentives for market rate developers. At the same time many of
these market developments are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's residents. In exchange
for these development incentives,new affordable housing for Santa Ana residents must be created.
The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the construction of
affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income families. These are the families that have the
most pressing needs in the City of Santa Ana.The fund should also prioritize addressing housing insecurity
through services that would directly help current Santa Ana tenants with the exception of code
enforcement. Diversion of these funds to other programs unrelated to housing and direct help for families
would not increase or improve the supply of affordable housing.
We urge you to take into consideration the amendments and proposed recommendations to
the Housing Opportunity Ordinance.These recommendations will help the city increase affordable
housing options for residents and help the city meet equitable housing production goals.
Nancy Mejia, MPH, MSW
Chief Program Officer
nmejiaglatinohealthaccess.org
PREVENTION EDUCATION ACTION
Orozco, Norma
From: Hope Community <info@giveushope.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2022 8:00 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies and
Procedures
HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES
Hai Hy Vong Phyc Vu Cong D08 ng
714-265-1181
W-A 1538 N. Century Blvd., Santa Ana. CA 92703
www.GiveUsHope.org
4/5/2022
City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40: Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies and
Procedures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
We are Hope Community Services, an organization that serves and supports Vietnamese Americans and
the neighboring communities in Orange County so they may grow and excel, through our educational,
cultural, social, and charitable activities.
We are writing to support the amendments to the Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable
Housing Funds Policies. The changes will ensure that development in the City addresses housing needs for all
residents in a balanced manner. Many working families in Santa Ana continue to be impacted by the rising cost
of housing and the scarce housing opportunities available at rents they can afford. In addition, many continue to
face economic uncertainty because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The creation of housing at all income
levels is vital to our recovery and will provide stability for the majority of Santa Ana residents that are struggling
with housing availability and cost that existed long before the pandemic. It is crucial that the City strengthen the
Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) to ensure that housing opportunities are available for all residents in
Santa Ana along with new housing options being created in the City.
The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city and despite the City's progress towards meeting its Regional
Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation for very low- and low- income housing, there continues to be a
great need for housing that is affordable to its residents. The current pandemic has increased the economic and
housing pressures on low-income families in Santa Ana. As incomes are decreasing and jobs are being lost,many
1
low-income families are struggling to remain housed. This is especially true for the majority of Santa Ana's low-
income households that are suffering with the impacts of housing cost and economic uncertainty. According to
the City's local data, 70 % of Santa Ana renters are low and very low-income renters. 80% of renters in Santa
Ana fall into the moderate, low- and very low-income categories and 84 % of residents hold low-income
occupations that pay less than $53,500 per year. Santa Ana's households are predominantly families comprising
8 1% of households. These households are also rent burdened and live-in overcrowded conditions.
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a disproportionate production
of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above moderate units produced between 2013-2021, the City
exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638% per the City's RHNA progress reports submitted to the state. With
average rents of$2000 - $4000, none of these above market rental units are affordable to most of Santa Ana's
working families. Housing costs in Santa Ana have been out of reach and will continue to be out of reach in this
current economic climate. Households in Santa Ana must earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing.
The proposed amendments further incentivize housing units with market rate rents and are not affordable to the
majority of the City's residents.
The Commission supports the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to $15 per sq ft to be in line with a fee
that is fair and allows the City to fund much needed affordable housing for Santa Ana residents. The in-
lieu fees have generated over $21 million in funding (and helped leverage millions of federal and state
housing resources)to help the City fund the development of new housing opportunities and address housing
insecurity. The City's February 2021 Quarterly Report for Housing Division demonstrated that, some of
these in lieu fees supported the Santa Ana Arts Collective, Tiny Tim Plaza, Link Interim Emergency
Shelter, Legacy Square, Habitat for Humanity "Lacy & Vance", Westview House, Wise Place Steps to
Independence Public Service Program, and the City's Down Payment Assistance Program.
We also support the wider application of the Housing Opportunities Ordinance in the City of Santa Ana. This will
continue to facilitate the development of affordable housing in various areas of the city. The Commission also
recommends that the HOO apply to all residential developments in the City. At a minimum the HOO affordable
housing requirements should apply to all residential and mixed use developments that are asking for zone changes,
upzonings, following city initiated specific plans, general plan updates or those asking for other development
incentives.
In addition, the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City initiated land use and zoning
changes, specific plans and general plan updates and amendments. Land use changes may create higher land
values, profit, and incentives for market rate developers. At the same time many of these market developments
are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's residents. In exchange for these development incentives, new
affordable housing for Santa Ana residents must be
created.
The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the construction of affordable
housing for extremely low- and very low-income families. These are the families that have the most pressing
needs in the City of Santa Ana. In addition,the fund should also prioritize addressing housing insecurity, eviction
prevention, and housing legal assistance for residents that would directly help current Santa Ana residents with
the exception of code enforcement. Diversion of these funds to other programs unrelated to housing and direct
help for families would not increase or improve the supply of affordable housing.
We urge you to take into consideration the amendments and proposed recommendations to the Housing
Opportunity Ordinance. These recommendations will help the city increase affordable housing options for
residents and help the city meet equitable housing production goals.
2
Katie Tran
Chief Operating Officer
Hope Community Services
3
0 COMMUNITY
ACTION
11870 Monarch Street PARTNERSHIP
ORANGE COUNTY
Garden Grove,CA 92841
April 4, 2022
City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40: Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable
Housing Funds Policies and Procedures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Born of the War on Poverty, Community Action Partnership of Orange County
(CAP OC) has worked to enhance the quality of life here since 1965. Through
our broad network of community partners, we boldly address the root causes
of poverty and advocate for change through systemic reforms, social justice,
and racial equity. We live and work in the neighborhoods we so passionately
serve—coming together from all backgrounds and experiences to stabilize,
sustain and empower individuals and families so they may build stronger
communities.
Every two years, we conduct a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) to
capture the problems and conditions of poverty in Orange County. Our last
CNA conducted in 2021 determined the lack of access to affordable housing to
be a top concern for our respondents. With many respondents feeling as if
they were "one check away from homelessness".
We are writing to support the amendments to the Housing Opportunity
Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies. The changes will ensure
that development in the City addresses housing needs for all residents in a
balanced manner. Many working families in Santa Ana continue to be
impacted by the rising cost of housing and the scarce housing opportunities
available at rents they can afford. In addition, many continue to face
economic uncertainty because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The
creation of housing at all income levels is vital to our recovery and will provide
stability for the majority of Santa Ana residents that are struggling with
housing availability and cost that existed long before the pandemic. It is
crucial that the City strengthen the Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) to
ensure that housing opportunities are available for all residents in Santa Ana
along with new housing options being created in the City.
9
0 COMMUNITY
ACTION
11870 Monarch Street PARTNERSHIP
ORANGE COUNTY
Garden Grove,CA 92841
The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city and despite the City's progress
towards meeting its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation
for very low- and low- income housing, there continues to be a great need for
housing that is affordable to its residents. The current pandemic has increased
the economic and housing pressures on low-income families in Santa Ana. As
incomes are decreasing and jobs are being lost, many low-income families are
struggling to remain housed. This is especially true for the majority of Santa
Ana's low-income households that are suffering with the impacts of housing
cost and economic uncertainty. According to the City's local data, 70 % of
Santa Ana renters are low and very low-income renters. 80% of renters in
Santa Ana fall into the moderate, low- and very low-income categories and 84
% of residents hold low-income occupations that pay less than $53,500 per
year . Santa Ana's households are predominantly families comprising 81% of
households. These households are also rent burdened and live-in
overcrowded conditions .
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has
been a disproportionate production of above moderate housing with a total
of 3,274 above moderate units produced between 2013-2021, the City
exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638% per the City's RHNA progress reports
submitted to the state. With average rents of$2000 - $4000, none of these
above market rental units are affordable to most of Santa Ana's working
families. Housing costs in Santa Ana have been out of reach and will continue
to be out of reach in this current economic climate. Households in Santa Ana
must earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing. The proposed
amendments further incentivize housing units with market rate rents and are
not affordable to the majority of the City's residents.
The Commission supports the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to $15
per sq ft to be in line with a fee that is fair and allows the City to fund much
needed affordable housing for Santa Ana residents. The in-lieu fees have
generated over$21 million in funding (and helped leverage millions of
federal and state housing resources)to help the City fund the development
of new housing opportunities and address housing insecurity. The City's
February 2021 Quarterly Report for Housing Division demonstrated that,
some of these in lieu fees supported the Santa Ana Arts Collective, Tiny Tim
Plaza, Link Interim Emergency Shelter, Legacy Square, Habitat for Humanity
"Lacy&Vance", Westview House, Wise Place Steps to Independence Public
Service Program, and the City's Down Payment Assistance Program.
We also support the wider application of the Housing Opportunities
Ordinance in the City of Santa Ana. This will continue to facilitate the
development of affordable housing in various areas of the city. The
Commission also recommends that the HOO apply to all residential
developments in the City. At a minimum the H00 affordable housing
requirements should apply to all residential and mixed use developments that
9
0 COMMUNITY
ACTION
11870 Monarch Street PARTNERSHIP
ORANGE COUNTY
Garden Grove,CA 92841
are asking for zone changes, upzonings, following city initiated specific plans,
general plan updates or those asking for other development incentives.
In addition, the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of
City initiated land use and zoning changes, specific plans and general plan
updates and amendments. Land use changes may create higher land values,
profit, and incentives for market rate developers. At the same time many of
these market developments are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's
residents. In exchange for these development incentives, new affordable
housing for Santa Ana residents must be created.
The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies
prioritize the construction of affordable housing for extremely low- and very
low-income families. These are the families that have the most pressing needs
in the City of Santa Ana. In addition, the fund should also prioritize addressing
housing insecurity, eviction prevention, and housing legal assistance for
residents that would directly help current Santa Ana residents with the
exception of code enforcement. Diversion of these funds to other programs
unrelated to housing and direct help for families would not increase or
improve the supply of affordable housing.
We urge you to take into consideration the amendments and proposed
recommendations to the Housing Opportunity Ordinance. These
recommendations will help the city increase affordable housing options for
residents and help the city meet equitable housing production goals.
Sincerely,
Curtis Gibbs
Director of Planning
9
FOR yoG�Z
a in Fighting for a future of abundant housing in Orange County
peopleforhousi ng.org
Orange County
Hon. Vicente Sarmiento, Mayor
City of Santa Ana
22 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
April 4th, 2022
RE: Comment on Item #40: Housing Opportunity Ordinance
Dear Mayor Sarmiento and City Councilmembers,
People for Housing Orange County is a network of housing advocates organized to
advocate for more homebuilding, lower housing costs, and more inclusive housing
policies across all of Orange County's communities. By legalizing the construction of
multifamily housing, streamlining permitting, and increasing funding for subsidized,
affordable housing, we believe a future of abundant housing is possible. We envision
an integrated society where every person has access to a safe, affordable home near
jobs, services, and opportunity.
I am writing to express concerns regarding the union labor requirement in the
proposed housing opportunity ordinance (HOO). If the Santa Ana City Council follows
through on the proposal to require privately funded, unsubsidized housing
development to use union labor, it will distort the regional labor market in Orange
County and make it harder to build unsubsidized housing in Santa Ana. Under a
union labor requirement, the cost to build market-rate housing will become
prohibitive in Santa Ana, especially because a similar project will have lower labor
costs across the city line in Irvine or Costa Mesa, where rents are actually higher.
Perhaps some would see the reduction in market rate housing development in Santa
Ana as a positive outcome. However, those market rate developments bring in-lieu
fees paid to the city to help defray the cost to build affordable housing for lower
income households, and it is those market-rate developments paying in-lieu fees that
are targeted by this union labor requirement in the HOO.
The City of Santa Ana is counting on those fees to serve as the local matching funds
when affordable housing projects compete for the tax credits that fund their
development. If no new market-rate housing is built, no new fees are paid, and the
city has no funds with which to compete. Lastly, in cities with union labor
requirements for all residential projects, it takes longer to approve new housing and
rates of homelessness are higher. While these relationships are not causal, their
correlation is noteworthy.
To be clear, I am not contesting paying union-level wages on housing projects that
are subsidized with public funds; this policy is already required. Nor am I opposing
monitoring construction sites to ensure safe working conditions and preventing wage
theft; compliance with Cal/OSHA regulations and workers' compensation policies are
critical. I am pushing back against the city bestowing a "most favored status" upon
union contractors when there is already a shortage of construction labor, and there
are not enough workers to elicit multiple bids from union shops. Project contracts
oR\�F0R No,,,�
W 2 Fighting for a future of abundant housing in Orange County
a c+
peopleforhousing.org 2
Orange County
should be given to the company that can negotiate a deal that works for both parties
when appropriate labor, health, and safety codes are followed.
I encourage the Santa Ana City Councilmembers to enact policies that will expedite
project approvals and shore up the city's ability to provide the subsidized, affordable
housing residents need, but they should avoid at all costs policies that create a
monopoly on construction within the city. We have seen how devastating that level of
control has been to the building of individual housing developments in places like
San Francisco and Los Angeles. Do not let it take root in Orange County.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Hansburg
Co-Founder & Director
oR\�F0R No,,,�
W 2 Fighting for a future of abundant housing in Orange County
a c+
peopleforhousing.org 3
Orange County
•r
7101 Wyoming Street,Westminster,CA 92683
Telephone(714)893-3581 Fax(714)893-4819
April 2, 2022
City Council
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Bo 1988, M31
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Re: Item 40: Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies and
Procedures
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Abrazar(means to Embrace in Spanish) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Abrazar is dedicated to
embracing the diversity of families in our community, educating them on the resources we provide
through our community collaborations, and empowering them to improve the quality of their life.
Abrazar's goals are to Embrace, Educate and Empower children,families, and individuals with the
necessary tools to attain financial stability; physical, dental, and mental health; educational success;
engage citizens in civic participation; provide or facilitate access to affordable and decent housing and
prevent hunger and malnutrition. Diversity and delivery of collaborative services are critical to the
success of our programs.
We are writing to support the amendments to the Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable
Housing Funds Policies. The changes will ensure that development in the City addresses housing needs
for all residents in a balanced manner. Many working families in Santa Ana continue to be impacted by
the rising cost of housing and the scarce housing opportunities available at rents they can afford. In
addition, many continue to face economic uncertainty because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The
creation of housing at all income levels is vital to our recovery and will provide stability for the majority
of Santa Ana residents that are struggling with housing availability and cost that existed long before the
pandemic. It is crucial that the City strengthen the Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) to ensure that
housing opportunities are available for all residents in Santa Ana and new housing options are being
created in the City.
The City of Santa Ana is a renter majority city, and despite the City's progress towards meeting its
Regional Housing Needs Assessment(RHNA) allocation for very low-and low-income housing,there
continues to be a great need for housing that is affordable to its residents. The current pandemic has
increased the economic and housing pressures on low-income families in Santa Ana. As incomes are
decreasing and jobs are being lost, many low-income families struggle to remain housed. This is
especially true for most of Santa Ana's low-income households suffering from the impacts of housing
costs and economic uncertainty. According to the City's local data, 70%of Santa Ana renters are low
and very low-income renters. 80%of renters in Santa Ana fall into the moderate, low-and very low-
ABRAZAR
7101 Wyoming Street,Westminster,CA 92683
Telephone(714)893-3581 Fax(714)893-4819
income categories and 84%of residents hold low-income occupations that pay less than $53,500 per
year. Santa Ana's households are predominantly families comprising 81%of households. These
households are also rent-burdened and live-in overcrowded conditions.
While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing,there has been a disproportionate
production of above moderate housing,with a total of 3,274 above moderate units produced between
2013-2021, the City exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638% per the City's RHNA progress reports
submitted to the state. With average rents of$2000-$4000, none of these above-market rental units
are affordable to most of Santa Ana's working families. In this current economic climate, housing costs
in Santa Ana have been out of reach and will continue to be out of reach. Households in Santa Ana must
earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing. The proposed amendments further incentivize
housing units with market-rate rents that are not affordable to most of the City's residents.
The Commission supports the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to$15 per sq ft to be in line with a
fair fee and allows the City to fund much-needed affordable housing for Santa Ana residents. The in-lieu
fees have generated over$21 million in funding (and helped leverage millions of federal and state
housing resources)to help the City fund the development of new housing opportunities and address
housing insecurity. The City's February 2021 Quarterly Report for Housing Division demonstrated that
some of these in lieu fees supported the Santa Ana Arts Collective,Tiny Tim Plaza, Link Interim
Emergency Shelter, Legacy Square, Habitat for Humanity"Lacy &Vance," Westview House,Wise Place
Steps to Independence Public Service Program, and the City's Down Payment Assistance Program.
We also support the broader application of the Housing Opportunities Ordinance in the City of Santa
Ana. This will continue to facilitate the development of affordable housing in various areas of the city.
The Commission also recommends that the HOO apply to all residential developments in the City. At a
minimum,the HOO affordable housing requirements should apply to all residential and mixed-use
developments asking for zone changes, upzonings,following city initiated specific plans,general plan
updates, or those asking for other development incentives.
In addition,the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City initiated land use and
zoning changes, specific plans, and general plan updates and amendments. Land-use changes may
create higher land values, profit, and incentives for market-rate developers. At the same time, many of
these market developments are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's residents. New affordable
housing for Santa Ana residents must be created in exchange for these development incentives.
ABRAZAR
7101 Wyoming Street,Westminster,CA 92683
Telephone(714)893-3581 Fax(714)893-4819
The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the construction of
affordable housing for extremely low-and very low-income families. These families have the most
pressing needs in the City of Santa Ana. In addition,the fund should also prioritize addressing housing
insecurity, eviction prevention, and housing legal assistance for residents that would directly help
current Santa Ana residents,with the exception of code enforcement. Diversion of these funds to other
programs unrelated to housing and direct help for families would not increase or improve the supply of
affordable housing.
We urge you to consider the amendments and proposed recommendations to the Housing Opportunity
Ordinance. These recommendations will help the city increase affordable housing options for residents
and help the city meet equitable housing production goals.
Sincerely,
Mario Ortega
Chief Executive Officer
Work: (714) 278-4672
Fax: (714) 893-4819
Email: m.ortega(aabrazarinc.com