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OR 806, <br /> a O, Fighting for a future of abundant housing in Orange County. <br /> peopleforhousi ng.org <br /> Orange County <br /> November 4, 2025 <br /> Mayor Valerie Amezcua <br /> City of Santa Ana <br /> 20 Civic Center Plaza <br /> Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> RE: Oppose Item 21—Amendment to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures <br /> Dear Mayor Amezcua and Honorable Councilmembers: <br /> I am writing to respectfully urge the Council to oppose the proposed amendment to the Affordable <br /> Housing Funds Policies and Procedures that would disqualify any project from receiving City <br /> affordable housing funds unless it is wholly consistent with the City's General Plan and Zoning <br /> classifications. <br /> While I understand the intent to ensure transparency and alignment with adopted land use policies, <br /> this proposed change would have serious consequences for the production of affordable housing in <br /> Santa Ana. Specifically, the amendment would block access to local funding for any project utilizing <br /> state housing laws that expressly allow housing notwithstanding local zoning or general plan <br /> inconsistencies—including SB 4,AB 2011,the State Density Bonus Law, and other streamlining <br /> statutes enacted to accelerate affordable housing production. <br /> Because most affordable housing developments rely on local contributions to compete for state and <br /> federal resources, this policy would effectively eliminate Santa Ana's ability to leverage its <br /> Inclusionary Housing in-lieu fees and other local housing funds for projects that take advantage of <br /> these state tools. In doing so, it would cut off the very pipeline that has made Santa Ana a <br /> recognized leader in affordable housing production in Orange County. <br /> For decades, Santa Ana has stood out for its commitment to meeting the housing needs of <br /> lower-income residents. The City has done more than its fair share—often leading the region with <br />