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General Plan Amendment No. 2009-O1 <br />September 28, 2009 <br />Page 2 <br />Community Outreach <br />A variety of opportunities were created for the community to participate <br />in the preparation of the Housing Element update - including two Community <br />Workshops, forums with community serving organizations and local <br />employers, and various Commission study sessions. In particular, a City <br />Council Vision Session was held in October 2008 to discuss community <br />needs, public input, and housing policy direction. All those parties <br />expressing interest, including neighborhood and community leaders, were <br />also notified when the Draft Element or related Negative Declaration was <br />released to the public and available for view on the City web site and <br />library. These parties have been duly noticed of the Planning Commission <br />and City Council public hearing dates to consider the adoption of the <br />Draft Element. <br />Policy Plan <br />The Draft General Plan Housing Element was shaped by community outreach <br />resulting in the creation of a new Housing Vision statement for Santa <br />Ana: <br />"Santa Ana residents have an equal right and opportunity to find <br />suitable housing in quality residential neighborhoods that allow <br />themselves, their families, and neighbors to live the fullest <br />lives. We support an inclusive community that is <br />multigenerational, culturally diverse, sustainable, and <br />economically broad. The City will facilitate the production, <br />rehabilitation, and improvement of rental and homeownership <br />opportunities at different affordability levels". <br />The September 2009 Draft Housing Element (Exhibit 1) identifies over 50 <br />Implementation Programs to achieve this New Vision. Some of the key <br />policy programs include: <br />• New Construction and Potential Housing Sites. The City has <br />entitled and/or seen the construction of more than 2,300 new <br />housing units since 2006, the majority serving market rate needs. <br />The draft Housing Element identifies select areas in the City as <br />a menu of "Potential Housing Sites" to meet Santa Ana's 3,393 <br />Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), particularly as it <br />refers to the City's unmet affordable housing need. These areas <br />include Metro East, the proposed Renaissance Specific Plan area, <br />and transit corridors along Harbor Boulevard, First Street and <br />Fifth Street. <br />75B-4 <br />