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�q��mSO��I•� May 4th, 2020 Qccco Miguel Pulido, Mayor Juan Villegas, Mayor Pro Tem, Ward 5 David Penaloza, Council Member, Ward 2 Jose Solorio, Council Member, Ward 3 Phil Bacerra, Council Member, Ward 4 Cecilia Iglesias, Council Member, Ward 6 Santa Ana. City Council 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: COVID-19 response - Extend Freezing rental increases in the City of Santa Ana Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers: Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) works to empower individuals and congregations in Orange County to put their faith in action by making equitable and long-lasting systemic change within our cities. Over the years, we have trained hundreds of faith -based community advocates through our leadership development work and engaged over 35,000 low-income voters of color across Orange County. Our current campaigns are Housing with Dignity for All, Justice in the Education System, and Immigrant Rights. We write today to urge you to stand with low-income families in the City of Fullerton, who are currently impacted financially as a result of COVID-t9. As you are well aware, our local, state, and federal legislation has declared this pandemic a public health emergency and has passed robust legislationto ease some of the economic hardship reaping through our communities. As part of the faith community, we endorse and appreciate the efforts taken by all-- particularly the measures taken Santa Ana on March 17th, when the council passed an eviction moratorium. We are asking the city to take another critical step to protect the most vulnerable in the city. Our organization has learned from local community members that some landlords are increasing rents during this time. Increasing rents in this moment is not prudent considering the current economic distress and severe hardship experienced by Santa Aua's extremely low-income tenants. It is also out of character for a community that takes care of its own, and works to show solidarity and compassion towards one another. It is immoral for anyone to seek added benefit from the most vulnerable residents of Santa Ana as a result of COVID-19. The City of Santa Ana must take immediate and bold action to prevent further rent increases. We strongly urge you to extend freezing all rem increases for a minimum of two months on residential units as a safeguard for families on the brink of homelessness. A city-wide rent freeze is one small and easy step in the direction of stabilizing the lives of Santaneros and its local economy. Our prayers are with you in such a critical time in our city's history. Santa Ana's firture is at stake. Sincerely, Executive Director Miguel Hernandez Orange County Congregation Community Organization 310 W Broadway, Anaheim CA 92805 www.occcopico.org (714)491-0771 M