HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - Item 23 Zuniga, Diana
From: Jacki Valentin <jackiv@ ken nedycommission.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2025 3:18 PM
To: !City Clerk
Subject: Comment Letters
Attachments: CBDG Funds letter - Santa Ana.docx.pdf,_Density Bonus Agreement No. 2025-02 (125
and 205 S. Harbor Boulevard) - Santa Ana.docx.pdf
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Hello,
The Kennedy Commission is submitting a comment letter regarding, Agenda Item #23 — Support for FY
2025-29 Consolidated Plan, FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan, and Associated Federal Housing and
Development Budgets and Agenda Item #19 — Density Bonus Agreement No. 2025-02 (125 and 205
S. Harbor Boulevard).
Best Regards,
Jacqueline Valentin
Assistant Projects Manager I she/them
i
,--Kennedy
• M M I S S 1 •
www kennrMyeommismian_nrg
June 3, 2025 1 M I Cowan Avc_,Suite 2W
Irvine,CA 92614
Mayor Valerie Amezcua 9492500909
Santa Ana City Council
Santa Ana City Hall
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: Agenda Item #23— Support for FY 2025-29 Consolidated Plan, FY 2025-26 Annual
Action Plan, and Associated Federal Housing and Development Budgets
To The Honorable Mayor Amezcua and Members of the City Council,
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission)is a broad-based coalition of residents and community
organizations advocating for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than
$30,000 annually in Orange County. Since 2001, we have successfully partnered with jurisdictions
across the county to create housing and land-use policies that increase affordable housing
opportunities for lower-income working families.
We appreciate the City's thoughtful and data-informed approach to developing the FY 2025-29
Consolidated Plan and FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan. The plan's emphasis on expanding and
preserving affordable housing, supporting public services, and investing in homeless services and
facilities is well aligned with Santa Ana's most pressing housing challenges. However, given the
persistent and severe rent burden faced by Santa Ana residents, we urge the City to ensure that
CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds are maximized to support housing opportunities for extremely low-,
very low-, and low-income households.
The city's housing and population data highlight why this focus is necessary. Over half of Santa
Ana residents are considered low-income, and 66.6% of renters fall into that category. Median gross
rent in the city is $1,999, and more than 54% of renters spend over 30% of their income on housing.
Renters also experience disproportionate levels of overcrowding—making up 66.8% of
overcrowded households—and the impacts of housing insecurity are often most acute among
families with children and seniors. Deeply affordable housing production, rental assistance, and
tenant stabilization services must remain top priorities in the coming years.
Additionally, we encourage the City to continue integrating the findings and strategies of the
Regional Assessment of Fair Housing into its funding priorities and project location. Ensuring that
affordable housing is developed throughout all neighborhoods—not just concentrated in historically
lower-income areas—is critical to expanding housing choice and combating patterns of segregation
and displacement.
We appreciate the City's engagement with community stakeholders throughout the plan
development process and look forward to the continued implementation of these strategies in a way
that centers equity, affordability, and the housing needs of the most vulnerable Santa Ana residents.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at(949) 250-0909 or
cesarc&kennedycommission.or .
Sincerely,
1
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director
2