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$�P ANAL.„,, , P ]N� INN Building Healthy Communities June 20, 2017 Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities 1505 E 1711 St, Suite 111, Santa Ana, CA 92705 PHONE: (714)617-88911 FAX: (714)647-0901 www.sa-bhc.org Mayor Pulido and Santa Ana City Council Members City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza P.O. Box 1988, M31 Santa Ana CA, 92701 RE: 80A Support for a policy and criteria for the allocation of Affordable Housing Funds Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities (SABHC) is committed to addressing health inequities and improving opportunities for a healthy, thriving Santa Ana. SABHC understands that health is directly shaped by the circumstances in which people are born, raised, live, and work. Improving these circumstances is a collective responsibility and one that must be led by those directly affected. We applaud the City's efforts to provide more affordable housing; and we support the development of a policy and criteria for the allocation of Affordable Housing Funds. It is crucial that the monies in our Inclusionary Housing Fund and Affordable Housing Asset Fund are used efficiently, these funds are limited and they must be used in an intentional way to serve our population with the most needs. The city is well aware of the need for more affordable housing. The 2014 - 2021 Housing Element draft notes that 32 percent or 23,856 of Santa Ana's Households fall within the Extremely Low and Very Low Income Category (Page A-14). Of these households, 11,370 or 15 percent are extremely low income with a median income of $27,850 for a four -person household. While 12,486 or 17%, are very low income with a median income of $46,450 for a four -person household. The Housing Element also notes that "approximately 64 percent of lower income renters allocate more than 30 percent of their income towards housing costs.” (Page A-20) The policy that is developed must include criteria for affordable housing that will ensure it is accessible to our residents that fall in the Extremely Low and Very Low Income category. As the City moves forward in allocating affordable housing funds today, and in the future, we urge the City Council to support affordable housing projects that will be accessible to our residents with the most needs. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach me at ruben.barretogsa-bhe.org or (714) 617-8891 Ext 122. Sincerely,