Correspondence- #26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

occco Discussion Item #1: Create a Rental Housing Board We support the implementation of a Rent Board. A balanced Rent Board is essential in many jurisdictions' RSO and JCEO programs including providing guidance and recommendations for enforcement and future amendments. The Rent Board must have enforcement powers to reduce instances of harassment and ensure tenants are protected under these ordinances. We recommend creating a 7-member board appointed by City Council which should include 3-4 tenants, no more than 2 landlords or persons that manage rental units, and 1-2 at large members with no financial interest. Discussion Item #2: Create a Rental Registry We support the creation of a rental registry to better enforce the ordinances and track housing patterns and violations in the City. The City must also consider expanding the rent registry beyond rental units covered under the RSO and JCEO to create a comprehensive database of rental units. This would ensure an understanding of how all rental units are managed, and any violations of state and local law, price gouging, or instances of harassment within the City. Discussion Item #3: Adopt a Rental Registry Fee We do not support the adoption of a rental registry fee that would add yet another fee on tenants that are already struggling to make ends meet. According to the SCAG's 2021 Local Housing Data, across Santa Ana's 41,200 renter households, 61.2% spend 30% or more of gross income on housing costs while 28.9% of renter households in Santa Ana spend 50% or more of gross income on housing costs'. Adding to the price increase of utilities, trash costs, water, and other items tenants are already experiencing as retaliation, another fee for families already struggling is incomprehensible. According to the National Low-Income Coalition Out of Reach Study, full-time minimum wage workers can't afford to rent anywhere in the US. In Santa Ana and surrounding areas, tenants would have to work 119 minimum wage hours to afford a two-bedroom apartment2. The rental registry fee is just that, a registration fee for those that own rental units. Rental units are structured and used as a business model and a pathway to building wealth that tenants do not benefit from. Adding a rental registry fee on tenants of any percentage is unacceptable. Discussion Item #6 Expand Compliance Activities - We support the expansion of compliance activities. As stated in the staff report, the success of the RSO and JCEO are dependent upon effective compliance with the ordinances. As mentioned above, the current absence of a clear enforcement process is allowing for inconsequential violations of the ordinances and, more importantly, abuse of Trecertified Local Housing Data Santa Ana 2021,SCAG. National Low Income Housing Coalition.Out of Reach The High Cost of Housing 2021,.01 u1 0l]�.�;�h 202 (nlrh...;yyrp Orange County Congregation Community Organization 310 W Broadway,Anaheim CA 92805 www.occcopico.org (714) 491-0771