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Mayor Pulido and City Council Members April 16, 2019 Page 2 of 2 continually rise.3 During 2000 to 2015, Orange County's inflation-adjusted median rent increased by 28 percent while the median renter income decreased by 9 percent .4 Between 2010 and 2016, 2,745 permits (1,195 for single family and 1,550 for multi -family) were issued for residential development in the City.' The majority of these homes were developed to accommodate moderate - to above -moderate income households and do not reflect the needs of lower income households. With high housing costs and the severe lack of affordable homes, many lower income households in the City have relied on mobile homes as an alternative option to living in a stable affordable home. Many of these long-term residents have a desire to continue to live at their mobile home park; however, there are serious concerns regarding the excessive rent increases and the potential negative impacts it will have on mobile home park residents. A majority of the mobile home park residents are comprised of lower income seniors on fixed incomes and lower income working family households who will face great challenges in paying the new excessive rent increases. They may not be able to afford the rent increases and may have no choice but to move elsewhere. Whether they will be able to find alternate affordable housing if they were to be displaced is another major concern that these residents face. Jurisdictions in Los Angeles County have recently taken action to combat the steep rent increases afflicting their residents. On April 9th, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors approved the extension of a temporary cap on rent increases of 3% annually and "just cause" eviction protections in unincorporated areas through 2019.7 Additionally, on March 5th, the City of Inglewood approved an emergency ordinance that would prevent rent increases for a period of 45 days with the possibility of a year-long extension.8 It is imperative that the Santa Ana City Council take immediate action to address the affordable housing and homelessness crisis the City faces. The Commission looks forward to partnering with the City to increase and preserve affordable homes for lower income households in the City. Please keep us informed of any updates and meetings regarding the City's action to effectively address rent increases in mobile home parks. If you have any questions, please free to contact me at (949) 250-0909 or cesarc@kennedycommission.org. Sincerely, Cesar Covarrubias Executive Director 3 Southern Californians Scrimp to Get By As Average Rents Hit $1,900, Orange County Register, February 15, 2018. 4 California Rents Have Risen to Some of the Nation's Highest, Here's How that Impacts Residents, Orange County Register, February 15, 2018. 'Profile of the City of San Clemente- Local Profiles Report 2017, Southern California Association of Governments, p. 12-14, May 2017.