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14 Public Comment From:Cesar C <cesarc@kennedycommission.org> Sent:Tuesday, November 10, 2020 6:39 PM To:City Clerk; Public Comment; McDougall, Paul@HCD; Kirkeby, Megan@HCD; Anixter, Harrison@HCD Subject:Item # 14 Housing Authority Sites Attachments:Housing Authority Sites- Anaheim Ball.pdf Please see the Kennedy Commission comment on Item #14 AMENDED AND RESTATED EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM AND GREENLAW DEVELOPMENT, LLC FOR DEVELOPMENT AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF ANAHEIM BOULEVARD AND BALL ROAD -- Cesar Covarrubias Executive Director Staff Report Link http://local.anaheim.net/docs_agend/questys_pub/28091/28121/28122/28167/28169/Staff%20Report28169.pdf 1 November 10, 2020 Mayor Sidhu and City Council www.kennedycommission.org City of Anaheim 17701 Cowan Ave., Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92614 200 South Anaheim Boulevard 949 250 0909 Anaheim, CA 92805 Fax 949 263 0647 Re: Item #14: PROPOSED AMENDED AND RESTATED EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM AND GREENLAW DEVELOPMENT, LLC FOR DEVELOPMENT AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF ANAHEIM BOULEVARD AND BALL ROAD Mayor Sidhu and Councilmembers, The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad coalition of residents and community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than $27,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has been successful in partnering and working with jurisdictions in Orange County to create effective policies that have led to the production of new homes affordable to low income working families. We are writing in regards to the proposed Amended and Restated Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (Amended ENA) by and between the City of Anaheim and Greenlaw Development, LLC for a future development on the southeast corner of Anaheim Boulevard and Ball Road. As the City Council reviews the proposal the Kennedy Commission urges the City Council to prioritize the creation of exclusively new affordable housing for Extremely Low, Very Low and Low Income families on theses Housing Authority sites. These sites have been acquired by the ANAHEIM HOUSING AUTHORITY with housing funds to facilitate the production of housing for lower income working families. The lower income housing needs are not being addressed by the market rate developments being incentivized in the housing market in Anaheim. Affordable housing development on these sites is critical since current policies and programs have not facilitated the development of homes affordable to lower income households in the traditional development in the City. The City of Anaheim 2019 Annual Housing Element Progress Report, prepared by the City on April 2020 outlines the huge housing imbalance and 1 for lower income families. 1 City of Anaheim of Anaheim 2019 Annual Progress Report on the Housing Element, April 2020. 1 Mayor Sidhu and Councilmembers City of Anaheim November 10, 2020 Page 2 of 3 of affordable housing. The City has permitted over 7,477 housing units during the current Housing Element period and only 245 have been in the affordability level of low and very low. The vast majority of the housing units, 7,232 have been approved at moderate and above moderate income levels. With only a year left in the planning period and with the City lacking site capacity for its remaining affordable housing needs, it is imperative that the City of Anaheim prioritize affordable housing on the few City owned opportunity sites and in new sites being With a remaining RHNA need of rezoned and being incentivized for housing development. 1,918 lower income homes, it is important the City prioritize the development of new affordable homes for lower income families on the agency owned sites. The CA Surplus Land Act Requires that Surplus Land Be Offered for Affordable Housing or Open Space Our position is that the sites at the corner of Beach Boulevard and Ball Rd. (land owned the Anaheim Housing Authority) needs to be developed for affordable housing. In the event that The CA Surplus Land Act, Cal. Gov. Code, § 54220, et seq., requires that when a local agency wishes to dispose of land it no longer requires, the agency must send a written offer to sell or lease the property to certain entities for affordable housing or park purposes. In adopting the Act, ewide importance to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of this state and . . . provision of a decent home and a suitable living environment for every Californian is a priority of the government land, prior to disposition, should be made Code, § 54220(a). Specifically, the Act requires that a local agency disposing of surplus land must send a offer to sell or lease for the purpose of developing low and moderate-income public agencies and, upon request, to individuals or organizations Conclusion We ask that the City of Anaheim use the Housing Authority sites exclusively for new affordable housing for Extremely Low, Very Low and Low Income familiesto address affordable housing needs for low, very low and extremely low families in Anaheim. We also request for a formal disposition of the agency owned land in a manner that complies with the Surplus Land Act if by, at a minimum, offering a priority to sell, lease or use the land for affordable housing. The City needs to prioritize its City owned land to create much needed affordable housing. 2 Mayor Sidhu and Councilmembers Anaheim City Council November 10, 2020 Page 3 of 3 Lower-income families in Anaheim are likely to bear the brunt of the economic impacts of the present and expanding health crisiswith significant numbers of workers expected to lose their jobs and find themselves unable to pay for high rent, health care, and other necessities. This is a crucial time to continue plan and investment in affordable housing development. We urge you to approve new housing developments in a way that will help the City of Anaheim meet housing needs and Housing Element goals in and equitable manner. With growing concerns about housing and economic insecurity we believe that the City can prioritize the development of affordable homes that residents desperately will need, during and after this crisis. The Kennedy Commission thanks you for your partnership and all your ongoing efforts to improve quality of life and expand affordable housing options for residents in Anaheim. If you have any questions please contact Cesar Covarrubias at cesarc@kennedycommission.org Sincerely, Cesar Covarrubias Executive Director Cc: Ms. Megan Kirkeby, Deputy Director, Housing Policy Development, CA HCD Mr. Paul McDougall, Housing Manager, CA HCD Working for systemic change resulting in -income households 3