Laserfiche WebLink
0 COMMUNITY <br /> ACTION <br /> 11870 Monarch Street PARTNERSHIP <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> Garden Grove,CA 92841 <br /> April 4, 2022 <br /> City Council <br /> City of Santa Ana <br /> 20 Civic Center Plaza <br /> P.O. Bo 1988, M31 <br /> Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> Re: Item 40: Strengthen Housing Opportunity Ordinance and Affordable <br /> Housing Funds Policies and Procedures <br /> Dear Mayor and City Council Members, <br /> Born of the War on Poverty, Community Action Partnership of Orange County <br /> (CAP OC) has worked to enhance the quality of life here since 1965. Through <br /> our broad network of community partners, we boldly address the root causes <br /> of poverty and advocate for change through systemic reforms, social justice, <br /> and racial equity. We live and work in the neighborhoods we so passionately <br /> serve—coming together from all backgrounds and experiences to stabilize, <br /> sustain and empower individuals and families so they may build stronger <br /> communities. <br /> Every two years, we conduct a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) to <br /> capture the problems and conditions of poverty in Orange County. Our last <br /> CNA conducted in 2021 determined the lack of access to affordable housing to <br /> be a top concern for our respondents. With many respondents feeling as if <br /> they were "one check away from homelessness". <br /> We are writing to support the amendments to the Housing Opportunity <br /> Ordinance and Affordable Housing Funds Policies. The changes will ensure <br /> that development in the City addresses housing needs for all residents in a <br /> balanced manner. Many working families in Santa Ana continue to be <br /> impacted by the rising cost of housing and the scarce housing opportunities <br /> available at rents they can afford. In addition, many continue to face <br /> economic uncertainty because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The <br /> creation of housing at all income levels is vital to our recovery and will provide <br /> stability for the majority of Santa Ana residents that are struggling with <br /> housing availability and cost that existed long before the pandemic. It is <br /> crucial that the City strengthen the Housing Opportunity Ordinance (HOO) to <br /> ensure that housing opportunities are available for all residents in Santa Ana <br /> along with new housing options being created in the City. <br /> 9 <br />