21 (04)
Susana Barrios
From:Bulmaro Vicente <boomer@chispaoc.org>
Sent:Tuesday, October 8, 2024 1:18 PM
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] Comments Regarding the Proposed Inclusionary Housing Ordinance;
Agenda Item #21
Attachments:Chispa Item 21 - Anaheim Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Letter.pdf
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Hello,
Below is Chispa's letter of support for Agenda Item 21
In Solidarity,
Boomer
Policy and Political Director | Chispa
e: boomer@chispaoc.org
1505 E 17th Street Suite 117 Santa Ana, CA 92705
Chispa is building a political home for young Latinxs in Orange County! Please consider making a
donation to help us build our casita. Chispa is a project of Tides Advocacy, a 501c4 non-profit
organization.
1
10/08/2024
Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and Members of City Council
City of Anaheim
200 S.Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim,CA 92805
Re:Comments Regarding the Proposed Inclusionary Housing Ordinance;
Agenda Item #21
Dear Mayor Aitken and Members of Anaheim City Council,
Chispa is a political organizing home for young Latinxs.We engage with excluded peoples to
uproot systems of oppression,and cultivate systems grounded in community accountability,
solidarity,and self-determination for our communities to thrive.Our values are grounded within
our campaigns on immigration,police accountability,affordable housing,and civic engagement.
We are submitting this letter in strong support of the City of Anaheim’s efforts to adopt and
implement an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance,as well as to offer specific recommendations to
enhance the ordinance’s effectiveness.
Addressing the Critical Need for Affordable Housing in Anaheim
The need for affordable housing in Anaheim,particularly for low-wage earners,remains critical.
The current average fair market rent for an existing two-bedroom apartment in Anaheim is
$2,560 per month1,making housing unattainable for many lower-income working families.In
addition the average rent for new developments of market rate multifamily development are
between $3155.67 -$4333.75.2 Despite rising rents and an increasing number of residents facing
housing instability,the production of affordable housing has not kept pace with this growing
need.Without adopting key affordable housing policies,such as inclusionary zoning,Anaheim
will only continue to develop market-rate housing that remains out of reach for most residents.
During the current 6th Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)cycle,the City has to plan
for a total of 12,453 housing units.Of that RHNA 3,767 units must be allocated for very
low-income households and 2,397 units for low-income households.Per the city’s Draft Housing
Element (July 2024),the city’s current pipeline projects have already met and exceeded its
RHNA for above moderate income families.According to the 2024 Housing Element Annual
Progress Report,Anaheim continues to prioritize above-moderate income housing,producing
1,175 units for this category,while only 137 deed-restricted units have been developed for very
low-income households and 18 units for low-income households.Most of these very low-income
units have been developed as Permanent Supportive Housing,primarily serving formerly
homeless individuals,leaving an unmet need for broader housing opportunities to house lower
income families.The Inclusionary Housing Ordinance should focus on ensuring that low and
very low income housing for working families is produced along with market rate housing.
Support and Recommendations for an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
Chispa strongly supports the City’s efforts to adopt an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.
However,we believe the program should be expanded to better address the gap in housing
production for low-income households that the market is failing to meet.
We recommend that the City of Anaheim adopt inclusionary requirements similar to the
successful models implemented by the City of Santa Ana and the City of Irvine and others
statewide
●For large projects (20+units):
○1)A minimum of fifteen (15)percent of the units shall be rented to low-income
households,or
○2)A minimum of ten (10)percent shall be rented to very low-income households,
or
○3)A minimum of five (5)percent shall be rented to extremely low-income
households,or
○4)A minimum of ten (10)percent shall be available at an affordable housing cost
of which five (5)percent rented to low-income households,three (3)percent
rented to very low-income households,and two (2)percent rented to extremely
low-income households.3
●For for-sale units:10%should be reserved for moderate-income families.
In addition,we believe that the proposed in-lieu fees are essential to alternatively develop
affordable housing through a robust Affordable Housing Trust Fund.We recommend the
following adjustments:
●For smaller projects (Less than 20 units):In-lieu fees should range from $6 to $12 per
square foot,depending on the number of units.
●For larger projects:
○For Ownership units:The in-lieu fee should increase from the proposed $5 to $10
per square foot
○For Rental units:The in-lieu fee should increase from the proposed $10 to $15 per
square foot
Implementing these changes will create a balanced approach to housing development,ensuring
that affordable housing is developed alongside market-rate projects.Similar ordinances have
proven successful in neighboring cities in Orange County and statewide and believe this
approach will help Anaheim meet its affordable housing goals and provide much needed
affordable housing to working families struggling to remain housed.
Chispa looks forward to partnering with the city to increase affordable home opportunities
for lower income households in the city.For more information on collaboration,please
contact me at boomer@chispaoc.org
Sincerely,
Bulmaro Vicente
Policy and Political Director