CORRESPONDENCE - 60A (IN SUPPORT)

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• • PUBLIC LAWCENTER PROVIDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ORANGE COUNTY'S LOW INCOME RESIDENTS August 20, 2019 Mayor Miguel Pulido and Members of the City Council City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza P.O. Box 1988, M31 Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: Item 60A: Approve a Density Bonus Agreement to Allow a 552 Unit Affordable Rental Project At 2110, 2114, and 2020 East First Street (Strategic Plan Nos. 3, 2, 5, 3)—LETTER OF SUPPORT Dear Mayor Pulido and Members of the City Council: We again submit this letter of support for a much -needed affordable housing project —the 552 Unit ("Unit") being proposed for 2110, 2114, and 2020 East First Street. As a preliminary matter, we join in the comments provided by the California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund in their letters to the City Council advising the Council of its duty to follow state affordable housing laws when considering the proposal of the proponents of the Unit. As will be set forth below, the Unit, as a one -hundred percent affordable housing proposal, qualifies for the Density Bonus it seeks by right, and a decision to deny this project for arbitrary reasons not only violates the spirit of the Density Bonus Law, it constitutes illegal housing discrimination against low-income people under federal and state law. The Planning Commission and City Council Staff have made an intentional decision to assist in the affordable housing crisis that has crippled State of California. The Council should affirm the Planning Commission's decision and accept the numerous recommendations from City Council staff to approve this project. The Public Law Center is a non-profit pro bono law firm in Orange County that provides access to justice for low-income and vulnerable residents. Our practice includes providing representation to low-income families in housing -related matters, preventing homelessness, and advocating for affordable and inclusionary housing PLC is a non-profit pro bono law firm that provides access to justice for low-income and vulnerable residents in Orange County, California. 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. This proposed project comes at an especially critical time in California, which as you know, is experiencing a severe affordable housing crisis. Recently, the National Low Income Housing 601 Civic Center Drive West • Santa Ana, CA 92701-4002 - (714) 541-1010 -Fax (714) 541-5157