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December 1, 2020 www.kennedycommission.org 17701 Cowan Ave., Suite 200 Mayor Pulido and City Council Irvine, CA 92614 949 250 0909 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: 19G: Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element Update Dear City Councilmembers: The Kennedy Commission (the Commission), a broad-based coalition of residents and community organizations, advocates for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than $27,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has successfully partnered and worked with Orange County jurisdictions to create effective housing and land-use policies that have led to the new construction of homes affordable to lower-income working families. As you are aware, Housing Elements for the 6th cycle planning period (2021-29) are due to the California Department of Housing and Community Development by October 2021. The programs, policies, zoning, and funding, as well as in reducing current obstacles to affordable housing development. We also understand the importance of Housing Elements in addressing racial equity in housing, particularly with the new statutory requirements mandating the inclusion of 1 programs that affirmatively further fair housing in 6th cycle Housing Elements. Our work focuses on ensuring that each jurisdiction increases affordable housing opportunities by implementing proven strategies, policies, and incentives that encourage affordable housing development. Further, the Commission seeks to ensure that jurisdictions engage the public in revising their Housing Elements. Public engagement is a necessary component of the Housing Element process as California Housing Element law states: The local government shall make a diligent effort to achieve public participation of all economic segments of the community in the development of the housing element...Broad participation and true engagement of the public increases the likelihood that the community members involved in the discussion and planning processes will support new housing strategies and housing developments. Public engagement should include participation from residents of diverse communities, housing consumers, service providers, and advocates. As the City embarks upon the 2021-29 Housing Element update, the Commission requests that the City include us in the upcoming Housing Element review and evaluation of the current 5th cycle planning period goals, policies, and accomplishments. The Commission further requests that the City conduct a robust public participation process for the 6th cycle Housing Element update and that it incorporate the Commission, affordable housing advocates, and residents of low-income communities in this process. We believe that you will achieve a stronger Housing Element update through diverse community participation, outreach, and community planning process. To ensure adequate public participation the Commission recommends the following: 1 California Government Code § 8899.50 (Assembly Bill 686). -income households