Correspondence - #33 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orozco, Norma From: William Prescott <will@japrescott.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2021 10:20 AM To: eComment Subject: Oppose Item 33 - Rent Control and Just Cause Ordinances Dear City Clerk Gomez, My family has operated two Mobilehome parks in the city of Santa Ana since 1966 and since then we have prided ourselves in providing safe and affordable housing to residents of Santa Ana. Out of the total of 207 housing units we provide, only 1 single resident has fallen behind on their rent payments over the last 2 years despite the effects of COVID on the economy. We are working with that resident and are confident that they will be able to stay in their home. We already provide affordable housing, including through the Section 8 program. Limiting our ability to operate our parks safely and reinvest in necessary infrastructure through this unjust rent control and just cause ordinance will only result in a less safe environment for our residents. There is over 30 million dollars in unused housing aid available to any deserving residents in Santa Ana who need rent relief. Rent control is not the answer and it will only result in the further degradation of the city. As a city taxpayer and housing provider, I strongly oppose the rent control and just cause ordinances. I am extremely disappointed by the lack of community and stakeholder outreach. Especially since rent control has historically lacked community interest and voter support. The residents of Santa Ana have rejected rent control four times. The price controls are excessive. They will not allow housing providers to generate enough income to keep up with the cost of inflation or our actual expenses of operating rental housing. Current state law at least provides a balance by allowing for a fair and reasonable rate of return and a cap against excessive rent increases. In addition, the City of Santa Ana has $35 million to help renters who are in need. The just cause ordinance creates too many loopholes for bad actors to vandalize our properties and endanger other renters without consequence. The just cause ordinance makes it nearly impossible to remove dangerous elements from the community without a bureaucratic and lengthy legal process. It is also unclear what the cost is to manage this bureaucracy. The few cities in California that have adopted rent control spend millions of dollars per year on regulatory enforcement. This money could be better used to improve parks, libraries, and public safety. Please vote NO on the rent control and just cause ordinances. Sincerely, William Prescott 2934 W 1st St Santa Ana, CA 92703 will@japrescott.com