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Specifically, AB 832, signed into law on June 28, 2021, allocates additional federal rent relief dollars to the state rental assistance program for housing providers with qualified tenants, ensures housing -19 eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021. Under AB 832, any local city or county rent moratorium ordinance that was passed in response to COVID that protects tenants from eviction is preempted until April 2022. PRIORITIZING RENTAL ASSISTANCE As you are aware, t provide a broad range of health and financial assistance to residents, businesses and non-profits affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, is funded by federal CARES Act money that was allocated through the state budget. According to the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH), so far the state has provided $375 million of the $1.1 billion that renters have applied for and only a portion of the $5.2 billion in federal funds Assistance (ERA) program, set aside for rent relief that is eligible for distribution before September 30, 2021. Under AB 832, the application process is more streamlined and no longer requires that landlords submit documentation or concurrently apply with tenants to obtain rent relief. More than $42 million of Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program funding from federal and state agencies has been allocated to the City of Santa Ana. Based on communication with City staff, it was reported that the City has spent $5.5 million or 13% of the total funds available and has only approved rental assistance for 2,700 applicants. There were over 6,000 applicants deemed ineligible or who did not complete their applications. In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has launched a new website to help renters and housing providers find rental assistance in their own communities and the federal ERA program allows local programs to cover rent, utilities, and home energy costs. A June 2021 Beacon Economics report, , found that only 9% of households nationwide have missed a rental payment (source: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Survey, March 2021) and that the non-payment rate among renters has only increased by 4% since before the pandemic began (source: National Multifamily Housing Council). ADDRESSING HOUSING SUPPLY Since 1969, California has required that all local governments adequately plan to meet the housing for the private market to adequately address the housing needs and demand of Californians, local governments must adopt plans and regulatory systems that provide opportunities for, and do not unduly constrain, housing development (source: California Department of Housing and Community Development - HCD). In 2018, HCD determined that California needs to add about 180,000 new units of housing annually through 2025 to keep up with demand; however, at best we are producing 80,000 units per year. Estimates from Beacon Economics has put the statewide backlog at about 2.3 million housing units. 2