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June 12, 2014 <br />The Honorable Miguel Pulido and City Council Members <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />SUBJECT: Support for Mixed -Use Development at 923 North Santiago Street <br />Dear Mayor Pulido, <br />On behalf of our membership, I would like to express our support of the mixed -use <br />development proposed at 923 North Santiago Street. The project conforms to the <br />General Plan, has many merits (LEED Gold design), and is uniquely well suited to <br />address local economic and planning goals. <br />The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Orange County Chapter <br />(BIA /OC) is a non -profit trade association of over 1,000 companies employing over <br />100,000 people affiliated with the home building industry. The Orange County <br />Chapter represents the largest member base within BIA Southern California. Our <br />mission is to champion housing as the foundation of vibrant and sustainable <br />communities. <br />ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF HOUSING <br />New housing will significantly contribute to Santa Ana's economic well- being. <br />Orange County led the nation last year by creating over 8,600 jobs in construction, <br />which was a substantial factor in lowering the County's unemployment to 5.0 %' <br />According to research by the National Association of Home Builders, approximately <br />80 jobs and over $2.9 million in taxes would be created from the project at 923 North <br />Santiago'. Additionally, nearly three- fifths of a household income is spent within the <br />local economy, which is a direct benefit to local businesses and city sales tax revenue. <br />These economic benefits from housing are sustainable and affect various sectors of the <br />economy. <br />DEMOGRAPHICS & HOUSING AFFORDABILITY <br />Presently, there is a housing shortage in Orange County. On average, home prices <br />have risen by 21.1% in one year. While housing supply remains constrained, Orange <br />County is expected to see a population increase of over 432,000 people in the next 20 <br />to 25 years. While there are many factors affecting affordability, producing homes is <br />the most direct approach to remedy affordability challenges. Producing homes in <br />Santa Ana at all income levels is necessary to address the City's needs as outlined in <br />the Housing Element. The proposed development will expand housing opportunity <br />I Construction pumps O.C. job growth to 2.2% annual rate. OC Register, 12 Mar 2013 <br /><http: / /www.ocregister.com /articles /percent- 606548 - jobs -year. html> <br />z Impact of Home Building and Remodeling on the U.S. Economy, National Association of Home Builders. <br />1 May 2014. < http:// www. nahb .org /generic.aspx ?sectionlD= 784 &genericContentlD= 227858> <br />Orange County <br />Chapter <br />nuilding Indusny As.;ociaFion <br />of $oath,,,, cMflb,nm <br />17744 Sky Park Circle <br />Suite 170 <br />Irvine, California 92614 <br />949.553.9500 <br />fax 949.769.8943 <br />www.biaoc com <br />PRESIDENT <br />DONNA KELLY <br />LENNAR <br />VICE PRESIDENT <br />JOAN MARCUS- COLVIN <br />THE NEW HOME COMPANY <br />TREASURER <br />JIM YATES <br />RANCHO MISSION VIEJO <br />SECRETARY <br />MIKE GARTLAN <br />KB HOME <br />IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT <br />DAVE BULLOCH <br />STANDARD PACIFIC HOMES <br />TRADE CONTRACTOR COUNCIL V.P. <br />ALAN BOUDREAU <br />BOUDREAU PIPELINE CORPORATION <br />ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT <br />MARK HIMMELSTEIN <br />NEWMEYER & BILLION, LLP <br />MEMBER -AT -LARGE <br />BRIAN GEIS <br />MEMSER�ADLARGE <br />MIKE WINTER <br />SARES -REGIS GROUP <br />CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER <br />MICHAEL BALSAMO <br />