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NaMrA�d.�r,� �'rPu�,:drd� �•�ra�,r�r,uu��w� 7101 Wyoming Street, Westminster, CA 92683 Telephone (714) 893-3581 Fax (714) 893-4819 Discussion Item 41: 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 42: 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 43: Adopt a Rental Registry Fee We do not support the adoption of a rental registry fee that would add yet another fee to tenants 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 struggling families 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 must 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 tenants do not benefit from. Adding a rental registry fee on tenants of any percentage is unacceptable. Discussion Item 46 Expand Compliance Activities - We support the expansion of compliance activities. As stated in the staff report,the success of the RSO and JCEO depend on effective compliance with the ordinances. As mentioned above, the absence of a clear enforcement process allows for inconsequential violations of the ordinances and, more importantly, abuse of power and harassment by landlords. These �Precertified Local Housing Data Santa Ana 2021,SCAG. 2National Low Income Housing Coalition.Out of Reach The High Cost of Housing 2021,.011.t__(..i f I�e �h_20.2.r_..nli.hc.or�