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February 6th, 2018 Mayor Miguel Pulido and Councilmembers, RE: Work Study Session on Rent Control/Stabilization - Support Tenant Protections Ordinance The Orange County chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America supports the efforts by community groups and stakeholders to pass an ordinance that will afford tenants the protections that. they need. Santa Ana has a large renter population with 56% of the city's total households serving as rental homes (2017 American Community Survey). We believe that tenants have the right to live in dignified housing; and we need a Tenant Protections Ordinance immediately as Santa Ana tenants live in fear of recurring rent increases and retaliation in the form of unjust evictions. The city's Housing Element illustrates the need for such ordinance for renters, especially our low income residents. 'Approximately 54 percent of households earn lower incomes... Renters typically have the highest percentage of very low income households...' (pg A-10) These low income households have very high rates of rent burden, as they're paying well over 30 percent of their household income on rent. 'The 2011 ACS reports 31,676 households (43 percent) overpaid for housing. Of this total, 57 percent were renters (21,496 households)... Housing overpayment is most severe among extremely low and low income households and special needs groups.' (pg. A-20) It is important to protect our immigrants, workers, and youth from the traumatic effects that displacement has on our communities. Policies such as Just Cause Evictions have been successfully implemented in jurisdictions throughout California while protecting the rights of tenants and property owners. The City needs to deepen its commitment to working alongside the community in the development process, to ensure that the community's needs are being met and that tenants are being protected. Policies that include Just Cause Evictions, Rent Control, and Rent Stabilization represent a key opportunity to do this. Santa Ana has the opportunity to lead the way and set a high standard for tenant protections in Orange County. The Orange County DSA strongly encourages the City of Santa Ana to establish a workgroup that includes community stakeholders such as: affected residents, non -profits organizations, and community groups that will create a Tenant Protections Ordinance. Sincerely, Josh Galiley Co-chair, Orange County Democratic Socialists of America