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Alcala, Abigail From: Michelle Gonzalez < Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 3:41 PM To: eComment Subject: Item #26 (Super -Majority Vote) 10/17/2023 Hello, City Council Members of Santa Ana, My name is Michelle Gonzalez and I am here to give a voice to the mom-and-pop landlords that have been, and will continue to be, greatly affected by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. My mom who has been a landlord for over 30 years, immigrated here to raise a family and pursue the American dream. She has valued long-standing tenants over price gouging, and has had 3 evictions in total. She has provided housing for her tenants from generation to generation and it is wrong to group her in the same category as a corporate landlord. She is being punished for doing all these years what you are trying to accomplish with this RSO and sadly enough, there hasn't been any attempt to correct the imperfections but rather, the focus is on a Super Majority Vote that will lock it into place. Currently, the allowable rent increase is 2.54 percent, which does not cover the cost of inflation with property tax, insurance, inspection fees, the cost of maintenance not to mention the utilities that are included in her rent. At this rate, it will take her over 30 years before her rents reach Fair Market Rent according to HUD for 2023 Small business owners are beginning to feel discouraged and are considering selling or doing a 1031 exchange to relocate their investment. Unfortunately, the ones who are interested in these building are corporate giants. The political drama occurring here in Santa Ana, has overshadowed the importance of protecting these mom-and-pop landlords during the rushed efforts to implement the RSO and enforce a Supermajority Vote. Also, it doesn't make sense for a Rental Registry Board that is made up of more tenants than landlords, to be making decisions for a business they may not have any experience in. Not to mention a Rental Registry that can be harmful to the residents of Santa Ana if made public. Take a look at Inglewood's RSO Section 8-128. They have taken the time to include provisions for the landlords Below Market Rent Inglewood is allowing them to increase their rents until it reaches 81 % of Fair Market Rent according to HUD. This is in addition to the Fair Return and Capitol Improvement Petition.