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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - Item 21 Becerra, Alexis From: pjl < Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 12:09 PM To: eComment Subject: COUNCIL MEETING NOV 4 ITEM 21 Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. 1 AM IN FAVOR OFAPPROVAL OF ITEM 21. THIS IS THE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO. WE NEED ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE TO AVOID CONFLICTS, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST,AND ENSURE THAT DEPARTMENTS DO NOT ENABLE THE COMMITMENT OF TAXPAYER MONEY WITHOUT ADEQUATE VETTING AND APPROVAL. THE CURRENT PROCESS CAN ALLOW PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT WELL DEFINED, OR IN CONFORMANCE WITH PLANNING,ZONING, OR THE GENERAL PLAN TO EARMARK CITY FUNDS. THE CURRENT PROCESS CAN PLACE INDIVIDUALS IN A POSITION OF TEMPTATION. PRE APPROVAL SAYS IT ALL. IT BYPASSES OUR PROCESSES,AND ERODES THE AUTHORITYAND OVERSIGHT OF BOTH PLANNING AND THE COUNCIL. IT POTENTIALLY PLACES COUNCIL AND PLANNING IN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST;AND COULD CAUSE COUNCILMEMBERS TO ABSTAIN FROM VOTING. IFA PROJECT IS SUBSEQUENTLY DENIED, IT COULD MEAN THE LOSS OF FUNDS TO THE ENTITY WITH THE "PRE- COMMITMENT,'OR, FORCING THE APPPROVAL OF NON-CONFORMING PROJECTS OR ELEMENTS,AND THE INCREASED EXPENSE OF EXTENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS AND LEGAL FEES. WE NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE RECEIVING BEFORE COMMITING CITY FUNDS. THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE IN CLOSED SESSIONS DISCUSSING VARIOUS CONTRACTORS AND PROJECTS KNOW. CONTRACTORS THAT DON'T DELIVER ON TIME OR ON BUDGET, SLOW OR STOP WORK TO BASICALLY EXTORT ADDITIONAL FUNDS, OR INFLATE COSTS. IN VIEW OF ANTICIPATED FUTURE BUDGET DEFICITS, CURRENT AND FUTURE INCOME SHORTFALLS,AND UNANTICIPATED EXPENSES FOR OUR POPULACE PRECIPITATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FOR LEGAL, FOOD, HOUSING,AND MEDICAL, WE NEED TO TAKE EVERY STEP POSSIBLE TO HAVE A ROBUST RESPONSIBLE FISCAL PROCESS IN PLACE. Pete "His private character is not defended by his most partial friends. He is bankrupt beyond redemption except by the plunder of his country. His public principles have no other spring or aim than his own aggrandizement...If he can he will certainly disturb our institutions to secure himself permanent power and with it wealth. He is truly the Catiline of America." Alexander Hamilton Please help prevent spam. Use the BCC feature if you need to broadcast e mail. Please do not forward this e mail address. If you have received this in error, please notify sender and delete the original. This message is confidential and should not be rebroadcast without permission. i Becerra, Alexis From: Elizabeth Hansburg P41-1 <elizabeth@peopleforhousing.org> Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 1:20 PM To: !City Clerk; eComment Subject: Item #21 Oppose -- letter attached Attachments: OPPOSE Santa Ana Item 21 11-4-2025.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Dear City Clerk, Please find attached our letter of opposition on the policy change proposed in Item#21 for distribution to the city council members. Thank you for your consideration of our position. Kind regards, Elizabeth Hansburg Co-Founder & Director 714-872-1418 0 i OR 806, a O, Fighting for a future of abundant housing in Orange County. peopleforhousi ng.org Orange County November 4, 2025 Mayor Valerie Amezcua City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: Oppose Item 21—Amendment to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures Dear Mayor Amezcua and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to respectfully urge the Council to oppose the proposed amendment to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures that would disqualify any project from receiving City affordable housing funds unless it is wholly consistent with the City's General Plan and Zoning classifications. While I understand the intent to ensure transparency and alignment with adopted land use policies, this proposed change would have serious consequences for the production of affordable housing in Santa Ana. Specifically, the amendment would block access to local funding for any project utilizing state housing laws that expressly allow housing notwithstanding local zoning or general plan inconsistencies—including SB 4,AB 2011,the State Density Bonus Law, and other streamlining statutes enacted to accelerate affordable housing production. Because most affordable housing developments rely on local contributions to compete for state and federal resources, this policy would effectively eliminate Santa Ana's ability to leverage its Inclusionary Housing in-lieu fees and other local housing funds for projects that take advantage of these state tools. In doing so, it would cut off the very pipeline that has made Santa Ana a recognized leader in affordable housing production in Orange County. For decades, Santa Ana has stood out for its commitment to meeting the housing needs of lower-income residents. The City has done more than its fair share—often leading the region with creative policies, strong partnerships, and bold action to preserve and produce affordable homes. Santa Ana's track record has earned it a well-deserved reputation as a progressive leader in addressing Orange County's housing shortage and affordability crisis. The proposed amendment, however, represents a step backward. It would limit the City's flexibility, hinder partnerships with mission-driven developers, and undermine the very state housing laws designed to help jurisdictions like Santa Ana meet their housing goals. I urge the Council to reject this amendment and instead continue Santa Ana's proud tradition of innovation and compassion in housing policy. This change is inconsistent with the City's long history of caring for the housing needs of its residents—especially those with low incomes—and would jeopardize the City's ability to sustain its leadership in affordable housing. Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to ensuring that Santa Ana remains a place where all residents can afford to live and thrive. Sincerely, Elizabeth Hansburg Cofounder& Director EOR /Y0 2 Fighting for a future of abundant housing in Orange County. peopleforhousing.org 2 Orange County Zuniga, Diana From: Joshua Wyatt Levering <jleverin@uci.edu> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2025 1:59 PM To: !City Clerk Cc: Cesar C; kennedyc@kennedycommission.org Subject: Amendment to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures Attachments: Amendment to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures - Santa Ana.docx.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana.Use caution when opening attachments or links. Good afternoon, On behalf of the Kennedy Commission, I am submitting a public comment letter for Business Calendar Item#21 in tonight's City Council meeting. Thank you, Joshua Levering Housing Policy Intern 1 ,--Kennedy • M M I S S 1 • r.kennedycwm ssion,org November 4, 2025 17701 Oman Ave„Sadie 200 Lyine,CA 92614 Mayor Valerie Amezcua 949 250 0909 Santa Ana City Council Santa Ana City Hall 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: Consent Calendar Item 21 —Adopt an Amendment to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures Department(s): Community Development Agency 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 are writing to oppose the changes to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures. The considered changes to the policy language will further limit the scope of potential available sites and add uncertainty to acquiring property for the production of affordable housing within the City of Santa Ana. While it is ideal for affordable housing developers to acquire sites that are already appropriately zoned, many times that may not be the case for a variety of reasons. For one, affordable housing developers traditionally face greater challenges when competing with market rate developers in acquiring sites for development. Market rate developers are profit driven and are therefore best positioned to afford to pay more for zoned sites that are higher land-value residential sites. As a result, affordable housing developers must frequently pursue properties that may not yet have the appropriate zoning, but are otherwise well-suited for affordable housing—often at lower land values that make projects financially feasible. These purchase agreements between affordable housing developers on opportunity sites are also conditioned on closing the purchase only if the zoning is approved. Additionally, it is acknowledged that the city has put forth tremendous efforts to update its General Plan, Zoning Code and Specific Plans, despite these efforts that reality is that Santa Ana is a built out city and does not have vacant sites purely zoned for multifamily residential development. Most housing opportunity sites under identified under its updated general plan and specific plans create residential development opportunities over sites that currently have a different use, for example commercial or industrial uses. Since Santa Ana is a built out city, it is very likely that other potential sites that could be appropriate for affordable housing may be currently not zoned for residential. The proposed language changes to the Affordable Housing Guidelines will exclude creative land reuse strategies and innovative partnerships that will help address affordable housing needs not addressed by the traditional market rate developments. 1 The existing language in the Affordable Housing Guidelines allow for the flexibility for affordable housing developers to evaluate strong potential sites and condition the potential funding upon obtaining the appropriate zoning. This flexibility is essential to ensure that strong potential affordable housing sites are not excluded from consideration prematurely. Eliminating the existing language would restrict or limit the scope of sites where these developers can support the production of affordable units through the funding conditions. Additionally, this flexibility in the guidelines is necessary to assist and incentivize affordable housing since it takes more time and multiple funding sources with different requirements and deadlines to fully fund. Many of these state and federal affordable housing funding sources also look for local government funding commitments before committing their funds. In addition, current state laws such as SB 4 and AB 2011, further encourage property owners, the city and affordable housing developers to partner and be creative in using land not zoned residential to address the affordable housing crisis. The proposed changes to the Affordable Housing Guidelines will contradict CA State Housing Laws, the City's Housing Element commitments and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing policies and goals. We urge the City Council to retain the existing language within the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures to preserve flexibility and maximize opportunities for affordable housing development. Santa Ana has made significant progress toward addressing housing needs, and maintaining these provisions is critical to sustaining that momentum and ensuring that all potential affordable housing sites can be fully evaluated. Thank you for your consideration and for your continued leadership in advancing equitable housing opportunities across Santa Ana. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at(949) 250-0909 or cesarc(a�kennedycommission.org. Sincerely, Cesar Covarrubias Executive Director 2 Flores, Dora From:Joshua Wyatt Levering <jleverin@uci.edu> Sent:Tuesday, November 4, 2025 4:43 PM To:!City Clerk Cc:Cesar C; kennedyc@kennedycommission.org Subject:Re: Amendment to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures Attachments:(Updated) Amendment to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures - Santa Ana.docx.pdf Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Hello, On behalf of the Kennedy Commission, I am submitting an updated public comment letter for Item #21 in tonight's city council meeting. Thank you, Joshua Levering Housing Policy Intern On Tue, Nov 4, 2025 at 1:59 PM Joshua Wyatt Levering <jleverin@uci.edu> wrote: Good afternoon, On behalf of the Kennedy Commission, I am submitting a public comment letter for Business Calendar Item #21 in tonight's City Council meeting. Thank you, Joshua Levering Housing Policy Intern 1 November 4, 2025 Mayor Valerie Amezcua Santa Ana City Council Santa Ana City Hall 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 RE: Consent Calendar Item 21 – Oppose - Adopt an Amendment to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures Department(s): Community Development Agency 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 are writing to oppose the changes to the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures. The considered changes to the policy language will further limit the scope of potential available sites and add uncertainty to acquiring property for the production of affordable housing within the City of Santa Ana. While it is ideal for affordable housing developers to acquire sites that are already appropriately zoned, many times that may not be the case for a variety of reasons. For one, affordable housing developers traditionally face greater challenges when competing with market rate developers in acquiring sites for development. Market rate developers are profit driven and are therefore best positioned to afford to pay more for zoned sites that are higher land-value residential sites. As a result, affordable housing developers must frequently pursue properties that may not yet have the appropriate zoning, but are otherwise well-suited for affordable housing—often at lower land values that make projects financially feasible. These purchase agreements with affordable housing developers on opportunity sites are also conditioned on closing the purchase only if the zoning is approved. Additionally, it is acknowledged that the city has put forth tremendous efforts to update its General Plan, Zoning Code and Specific Plans, despite these efforts the reality is that Santa Ana is a built out city and does not have vacant sites purely zoned for multifamily residential development. Most housing opportunity sites identified under its updated general plan and specific plans create residential development opportunities over sites that currently have a different use, for example commercial or industrial uses. Since Santa Ana is a built out city, it is very likely that other potential sites that could be appropriate for affordable housing may be currently not zoned for residential. The proposed language changes to the Affordable Housing Guidelines will exclude creative land reuse strategies and innovative partnerships that will help address affordable housing needs not addressed by the traditional market rate developments. 1 The existing language in the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures allow for the flexibility for affordable housing developers to evaluate strong potential sites and condition the potential funding upon obtaining the appropriate zoning. This flexibility is essential to ensure that strong potential affordable housing sites are not excluded from consideration prematurely. Eliminating the existing language would restrict or limit the scope of sites where these developers can support the production of affordable units through the funding conditions. Additionally, this flexibility in the guidelines is necessary to assist and incentivize affordable housing since it takes more time and multiple funding sources with different requirements and deadlines to fully fund. Many of these state and federal affordable housing funding sources also look for local government funding commitments before committing their funds. In addition, current state laws such as SB 4 and AB 2011, further encourage property owners, the city and affordable housing developers to partner and be creative in using land not zoned residential to address the affordable housing crisis. The proposed changes to the Affordable Housing Guidelines will contradict CA State Housing Laws, the City’s Housing Element commitments and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing policies and goals. We urge the City Council to retain the existing language within the Affordable Housing Funds Policies and Procedures to preserve flexibility and maximize opportunities for affordable housing development. Santa Ana has made significant progress toward addressing housing needs, and maintaining these provisions is critical to sustaining that momentum and ensuring that all potential affordable housing sites can be fully evaluated. Thank you for your consideration and for your continued leadership in advancing equitable housing opportunities across Santa Ana. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (949) 250-0909 or cesarc@kennedycommission.org. Sincerely, Cesar Covarrubias Executive Director 2 Flores, Dora From:Ellen Immergut <ellen@habitatca.org> Sent:Tuesday, November 4, 2025 4:28 PM To:eComment; !City Clerk Cc:Debbie Arakel; Velma de la Rosa; Michael Valentine; ACejaVilla@habitatoc.org Subject:OPPOSITION | Agenda Item 21 | 11/3/25 Attachments:Letter Opposing Item 21 Amending Housing Grant Procedures_Habitat for Humanity California.pdf Importance:High Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. Madame City Clerk- Please find attached a letter from Habitat for Humanity California in opposition to agenda item 21 on today's City Council docket. Thank you, Ellen Immergut Director of Communications | Habitat for Humanity California 619-379-5793 (mobile) | ellen@habitatca.org | habitatca.org facebook | twitter (x) | instagram | linkedin 2 November 4, 2025 Mayor Valerie Amezcua Members of the City Council City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 Dear Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council, On behalf of Habitat for Humanity California, I respectfully urge you to oppose Agenda Item 21 on today’s docket , which proposes an amendment to the City’s Affordable Housing Fund Policies and Procedures to exclude from local funding any project that is not “wholly consistent” with the City’s General Plan and Zoning. This change would move Santa Ana in the wrong direction. It would restrict, rather than expand, opportunities to create affordable homes, contradicting state housing law, undermining the City’s adopted Housing Element goals, and creating compliance risks related to the City’s obligation to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH). At a time when every community in California is being called upon to accelerate housing production, this policy would make it harder, not easier, to meet that need. Conflict with State Law and Housing Policy State leaders have recognized that outdated zoning and planning constraints often prevent affordable housing from being built where it is most needed. That’s why laws such as SB 4 (2023), AB 2011 (2022), and the State Density Bonus Law were enacted - to provide pathways for affordable housing even when local zoning is not fully aligned. By conditioning local funding on complete zoning consistency, the proposed amendment would penalize developers for using these state-authorized tools. It would effectively disqualify many worthy projects from competing for City funds, putting Santa Ana out of step with statewide housing policy and slowing progress toward meeting both RHNA and Housing Element commitments. Conflict with Fair Housing Obligations The City also has a continuing duty under state and federal law to “affirmatively further fair housing,” taking proactive steps to overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive, opportunity-rich neighborhoods. Limiting funding to projects that already fit within existing zoning does the opposite - it entrenches existing land use barriers and discourages investment in diverse, mixed-income areas. The proposed amendment would work against both the spirit and the letter of the City’s AFFH responsibilities. Creates Unnecessary Red Tape Santa Ana’s existing review and funding processes already include multiple checks and safeguards to ensure accountability and proper timing of funding. Adding another certification step by the Executive Director of Planning and Building would be redundant and would create new administrative delays for affordable housing partners - delays that ultimately drive up project costs and make housing unaffordable. Erodes the City’s Leadership on Affordable Housing Santa Ana has earned recognition across the region for its strong record of supporting affordable housing. The proposed amendment would risk reversing that progress. The staff report’s reference to a recent Habitat for Humanity proposal as a reason for the policy change is particularly troubling. Habitat for Humanity and other nonprofit builders are mission-driven partners that follow standard pre-loan procedures to ensure projects are feasible and responsible. Singling out a nonprofit affordable housing developer sends the wrong signal to affordable housing partners who have long viewed Santa Ana as a reliable collaborator. For these reasons, we urge the City Council to reject Agenda Item 21 and instead direct staff to work with affordable housing developers, advocates, and community partners to strengthen policies that facilitate, not hinder, the creation of affordable homes. Santa Ana’s leadership on housing can and should continue to serve as a model for other cities working to meet state housing goals and uphold fair housing principles. Thank you for your consideration and for your ongoing leadership on housing issues. Habitat for Humanity stands ready to collaborate with the City to promote solutions that expand homeownership opportunities and advance housing equity and inclusion for all Santa Ana residents. Sincerely, Debbie Arakel Executive Director