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Orozco, Norma <br />From: Maria De Jesus Zacarias Torres <mdzacari@uci.edu> <br />Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2021 1:51 PM <br />To: Phan, Thai; Penaloza, David; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil; Hernandez, Johnathan; <br />Mendoza, Nelida; eComment <br />Subject: Support of Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance <br />Good afternoon, <br />I support Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. I am a graduate student at <br />IJCI. I am a first -generation, independent student. I during undergrad a rented a small dorm -sized <br />room for only $400. I had 9 other roommates, which was stressful during the quarantine but it was all <br />that I could afford. I saved as much as I could because I knew that I needed to move into a place of <br />my own where I would not have to live under crowded living conditions. Once I graduated with my B.A <br />in Social Ecology, I was able to get a job with a nonprofit processing rental assistance applications for <br />the city of Santa Ana. I was able to move out but it took me about 6 months to find an affordable <br />place to rent. All of the other places I was looking at had me competing with potential renters who <br />were making over 3 times the rent. Even though the current place that I moved to is a little over mine <br />and my roommate's budget, we had to rent it because it was coming to the beginning of my grad <br />school program. <br />As I am reviewing the rental assistance applications, I have seen tenants have their rents raised <br />during the pandemic. How is that conscionable while folks are already struggling? <br />If I who ended up finding a good -paying job after graduating, had a hard time finding an affordable <br />place to rent, how do we think that our residents who are getting paid minimum wage or under the <br />table are doing looking for a home? <br />I also work part-time as a Sr. Program Leader for the city's community program where I have built <br />relationships with families who volunteered at the city's community gardens. I know of 3 families who <br />in the last couple of years have had to move out of the city due to the rising rent prices. People's <br />wages cannot keep up with the rising rent prices. <br />That Is why I support Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. <br />Thank you, <br />Maria Zacarias Torres <br />M.Ac in Public Policy <br />University of California, Irvine `23 <br />mdzacarik,uci.edu 1410-441-0339 <br />