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The city must retain a $15 in -lieu fee and secure this funding source for much needed affordable <br />housing. The city risks losing state and federal housing matching funds by lowering the in -lieu fee, <br />at a time we face economic uncertainty as a result of the pandemic. <br />(c)(2)(ii) The proposed amendments allow for Entitled Residential Projects to pay a reduced fee of <br />$10 per square foot as an incentive to obtain building permits during the current economic climate. <br />Santa Ana residents are those that are most affected by the current economic climate. The entitled <br />projects in the pipeline would generate well over $30 million in in -lieu fees that is needed urgently to <br />create new affordable housing. Providing this incentive until April 20201 may result in a loss of 33% <br />of the in -lieu fees expected to be collected, or over $10 million dollars, that would be used to build <br />much needed affordable housing in the city. <br />Sec. 41-1909. - Inclusionary Housing Fund <br />(a)(1)The proposed amendment allows for the use of inclusionary housing for `... one-time <br />programs for code enforcement, and quality of life, and general health and safety activities' <br />The creation of new affordable housing for Santa Ana residents needs to continue to be a priority to <br />address the critical housing shortage for lower income working families. Affordable housing monies <br />should not be diverted to fund code enforcement and health and public safety programs that are <br />funded from the City's budget. The City should not deplete the Inclusionary Housing Fund's limited <br />funds for these programs. Such an amendment goes against the purpose of the HOO. Since its <br />inception the HOO has been clear in its language and purpose in that it states "Monies deposited into <br />the inclusionary housing fund must be used to increase and improve the supply of housing affordable <br />to moderate, low, very low, and extremely low income housings in the city..." (Sec. 41-1909. (a) <br />(1))• <br />We urge you to vote against the proposed amendments to the Housing Opportunity Ordinance. The <br />proposed amendments are inconsistent with the intent of the ordinance and do not advance its goals. <br />Sincerely, <br />Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities (SABHC) <br />Ruben A Barreto <br />Communications Director <br />Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities <br />1505 E 17" St, Suite 117 <br />Santa Ana, CA 92705 <br />www.sa-bhc.org <br />