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Santa Ana renters are low and very low-income renters. 80% of renters in Santa Ana fall into the <br /> moderate, low- and very low-income categories and 84 % of residents hold low-income occupations <br /> that pay less than $53,500 per yearE'l. Santa Ana's households are predominantly families comprising <br /> 81% of households.E2J These households are also rent burdened and live-in overcrowded conditionsE'l. <br /> While the City has seen increased production of affordable housing there has been a disproportionate <br /> production of above moderate housing with a total of 3,274 above moderate units produced between <br /> 2013-2021, the City exceeded its RHNA allocation by 3,638% per the City's RHNA progress reports <br /> submitted to the state. With average rents of$2000 - $4000, none of these above market rental units <br /> are affordable to most of Santa Ana's working families. Housing costs in Santa Ana have been out of <br /> reach and will continue to be out of reach in this current economic climate. Households in Santa Ana <br /> must earn $44.83 an hour to afford two-bedroom housing.E41 The proposed amendments further <br /> incentivize housing units with market-rate rents and are not affordable to the majority of the City's <br /> residents. <br /> SABHC supports the amendments to update the in-lieu fee to $15 per sq ft to be in line with a fee that <br /> is fair and allows the City to fund much needed affordable housing for Santa Ana residents. We also <br /> support the wider application of the Housing Opportunities Ordinance in the City of Santa Ana. This <br /> will continue to facilitate the development of affordable housing in various areas of the city. The <br /> Commission also recommends that the HOO apply to all residential developments in the City. At a <br /> minimum the HOO affordable housing requirements should apply to all residential and mixed use <br /> developments that are asking for zone changes, upzonings, following city initiated specific plans, <br /> general plan updates or those asking for other development incentives. <br /> In addition, the HOO should apply to all developments taking advantage of City initiated land use and <br /> zoning changes, specific plans and general plan updates and amendments. Land use changes may <br /> create higher land values, profit, and incentives for market rate developers. At the same time many of <br /> these market developments are not affordable to the majority of Santa Ana's residents. In exchange for <br /> these development incentives, new affordable housing for Santa Ana residents must be created. <br /> The City must also ensure that the Inclusionary Housing Fund monies prioritize the construction of <br /> affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income families. These are the families that have <br /> the most pressing needs in the City of Santa Ana. In addition, the fund should also prioritize <br /> addressing housing insecurity, eviction prevention, and housing legal assistance for residents that <br /> would directly help current Santa Ana residents with the exception of code enforcement. Diversion of <br /> these funds to other programs unrelated to housing and direct help for families would not increase or <br /> improve the supply of affordable housing. <br /> We urge you to take into consideration the amendments and proposed recommendations to the <br /> Housing Opportunity Ordinance. These recommendations will help the city increase affordable <br /> housing options for residents and help the city meet equitable housing production goals. <br /> I'J City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014-2021,p.14,January 2014. <br /> 121 City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014-2021 page 11 <br /> 131 City of Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element 2014-2021 page 20 <br /> 14J National Low Income Housing Coalition.Out of Reach The High Cost of Housing 2021,pg.18.Out of Reach 2021 Inlihc.or2l <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities (SABHC) <br />