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Public Comment
From:Cynthia Guerra <cynthiag@kennedycommission.org>
Sent:Tuesday, October 27, 2020 5:17 PM
To:City Clerk; Public Comment
Cc:Cesar C; paul.mcdougall@hcd.ca.gov; Megan.Kirkeby@hcd.ca.gov
Subject:Letter on Items 1 and 18 on Anaheim City Council Agenda for 10.27.2020
Attachments:Ltr_City Council Item 1_10.27.2020.pdf; Ltr_Item 18_ 1122 N Lincoln Avenue_
10.27.2020.pdf
Hi,
Please find attached the comments regarding today's Anaheim City Council meeting (10.27.2020):
Item #1: Approve Purchase and Sale Agreement for Acquisition of Real Property and Escrow Instructions for
Property Generally Located at Anaheim Boulevard & Midway Drive and More Particularly Described as
Assessor Parcel Number 082-185-48, Between the Anaheim Housing Authority and Kinney Family Trust
Item #18: Reclassification No. 2019-00324 Conditional Use Permit No. 2019-06040 and Development Agreement
No. 2020-00003
Please confirm receipt of this email and let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for your help.
Thank you,
Cynthia Guerra
Cynthia Guerra
The Kennedy Commission
Community Organizer
1
October 27, 2020
www.kennedycommission.org
17701 Cowan Ave., Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
Mayor Harry Sidhu and City Council Members
949 250 0909
City of Anaheim
200 S. Anaheim Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92805
RE: Item 18- Reclassification No. 2019-00324 Conditional Use Permit No. 2019-06040 and
Development Agreement No. 2020-00003
Dear Mayor Harry Sidhu and City Council Members:
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad based coalition of residents and
community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families
earning less than $20,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has
been successful in partnering and working with Orange County jurisdictions to create effective
housing and land-use policies that has led to the new construction of homes affordable to lower
income working families.
As the City Council reviews the development proposed at 1122 Lincoln Avenue, the
Kennedy Commission urges the Council to revise the project to include a minimum of 15%
affordable units that are available to low, very low and extremely low-income families. The
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developer is currently proposing only a voluntary contributions of $269,000, which is not
enough to meet the need of Anaheim residents. If the City is unwilling to require the
inclusion of affordable units in the proposed development, then it should require a more
appropriate in lieu fee to build affordable housing off site based on comparable costs
specifically at the low, very low and extremely low-income families
The City9 Annual Housing Element Progress Report for the 2014-2021 planning period
illustrates the urgent need for affordable housing for Anaheim residents and the disproportionate
production of above moderate income units.For the 2014-2021 Housing Element planning
period, the City has a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) of 1,256 very low- and 907
low-income households. To-date, the City has built 124 or 10% of the 1,256 very low-income
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units and 121 or 13% of the 907 low-income units. However, for the above moderate-income
units, the City outperformed and exceeded the RHNA by constructing 7,182 or 287% of the
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2,501 above moderate-income RHNA. While 948 above moderate units were added in 2019,
only 53 units total were added at the very low and low income levels. Permitting all the proposed
269 residential units be placed at the above-moderate income level further exacerbates this
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With a remaining RHNA need of 1,950 lower income homes,
housing production imbalance.
it is important the City prioritize the development of new affordable homes and adopt a
mixed-income housing ordinance to encourage the development of affordable homes for
lower income households in the City.
1 City Council Agenda Staff Report, Item 18, p. 4, October 2020.
9 Annual Housing Element Progress Report, p. 2, April 2020.
2
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4 City Council Agenda Staff Report, Item 18, p. 2, October 2020.
Working for systemic change resulting in the production of homes affordable to -income households
Mayor Harry Sidhu and City Council Members
October 27, 2020
A new and likely larger RHNA allocation will be issued for the City when the new 2021-2029
Housing Element planning period. To-date, the total RHNA allocation for the very low and low
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income level for the upcoming cycle is predicted by SCAG to be 3,757 and 2,391, respectively.
-record of prioritizing above moderate housing on Housing Opportunity
Sites identified in the current Housing Element
RHNA requirements at the very-low and low, the City will have a very difficult time meeting its
current and upcoming RHNA allocation. For example, in 2019the City approved a 20-acre
market-rate residential development in the Residential Opportunity Overlay Zone, depleting the
A multi-
capacity of the City meet its remaining housing needs for lower income households.
prong affordable housing strategy should be developed in the City that includes
implementing effective housing policies and programs (i.e., mixed income ordinance,
especially in the Platinum Triangle and rent stabilization) and adopting an updated
Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (AHSP) that provides specific goals in the construction
of affordable homes.
The Commission looks forward to partnering with the City to increase affordable home
opportunities for lower income households in the City, especially as the City works to address
the impact of COVID-19 on the housing security of residents. Please keep us informed of any
updates and meetings regarding strategies to increase affordable homes for lower income
households in the City. If you have any questions, please free to contact me at (949) 250-0909 or
cesarc@kennedycommission.org.
Sincerely,
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director
cc: Ms. Megan Kirkeby, Acting Deputy Director, Housing Policy Development, CA HCD
Mr. Paul McDougall, Housing Manager, CA HCD
5 SCAG 6 th Cycle Draft RHNA Allocation Based on Final RHNA Methodology & Final Connect SOCAL
http://www.scag.ca.gov/programs/Documents/RHNA/RHNA-Draft-Allocations-090320-Updated.pdf
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