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renters. 80% of renters in Santa Ana fall into the moderate, low- and very low-income categories <br /> and 84 % of residents hold low-income occupations that pay less than $53,500 per year'. Santa <br /> Ana's households are predominantly families comprising 81% of households.' These households <br /> are also rent burdened and live-in overcrowded conditions'. <br /> While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a <br /> disproportionate production of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above moderate <br /> units produced between 2013-2021, the City exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638% per the <br /> City's RHNA progress reports submitted to the state. With average rents of$2000 - $4000, none <br /> of these above market rental units are affordable to most of Santa Ana's working families. <br /> Housing costs in Santa Ana have been out of reach and will continue to be out of reach in this <br /> current economic climate. Households in Santa Ana must earn $44.83 an hour to afford <br /> two-bedroom housing.4 The proposed amendments further incentivize housing units with market <br /> rate rents and are not affordable to the majority of the City's residents. <br /> The Commission supports the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to $15 per sq ft to be in line <br /> with a fee that is fair and allows the City to fund much needed affordable housing for Santa Ana <br /> residents. We also support the wider application of the Housing Opportunities Ordinance in the <br /> City of Santa Ana. This will continue to facilitate the development of affordable housing in <br /> various areas of the city. The Commission also recommends that the HOO apply to all residential <br /> developments in the City. At a minimum the HOO affordable housing requirements should apply <br /> to all residential and mixed use developments that are asking for zone changes, upzonings, <br /> following city initiated specific plans, general plan updates or those asking for other <br /> development incentives. <br /> In addition, the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City initiated land <br /> use and zoning changes, specific plans and general plan updates and amendments. Land use <br /> changes may create higher land values, profit, and incentives for market rate developers. At the <br /> same time many of these market developments are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's <br /> residents. In exchange for these development incentives, new affordable housing for Santa Ana <br /> residents must be created. <br /> The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the construction <br /> of affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income families. These are the families <br /> that have the most pressing needs in the City of Santa Ana. In addition, the fund should also <br /> prioritize addressing housing insecurity, eviction prevention, and housing legal assistance for <br /> 1 City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014-2021,p. 14,January 2014. <br /> 2 City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014—2021 page 11 <br /> 3 City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014—2021 page 20 <br /> 4 National Low Income Housing Coalition.Out of Reach The High Cost of Housing 2021,pg.18.Out of Reach 2021(nlihc.ora) <br />