22 (01)You don't often get email from alejandrap@kennedycommission.org. Learn why this is important
From: Ale jandra Pe re z Matus <
Se nt: We dne sday, May 28, 2025 4:22 PM
To: The re sa Bass <TBass@anaheim.net>
Cc: Ce sar C <ce sarc@ke nne dycommi ssi on.org>; Ke nne dy C <kennedyc@ke nne dycommission.org>
Subje ct: [EXTERN AL] Ite m 22 Busi ne ss Cal e ndar-Approve the Program Guidelines and Allocati on Pl an f or Anahe i m Local Housi ng Trust Fund
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
Hi,
I am writing to submit a public comment letter on behalf of the Kennedy Commission regarding Item number 22 under
Business Calendar for tomorrow night's City Council meeting.
Thank you,
Alejandra Perez Matus
Project Manager
May 28, 2025
Mayor Ashleigh Aitken
Anaheim City Council Members
City of Anaheim
1 Civic Center Plaza
Anaheim, CA 92606
RE: Item 22 Business Calendar-Approve the Program Guidelines and Allocation Plan for
Anaheim Local Housing Trust Fund
Dear honorable Mayor Aitaken 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 of Anaheim’s ongoing efforts to explore different strategies aimed at
increasing access to affordable housing. We believe with the Local Housing Trust Funds the City of
Anaheim will make a meaningful impact to the families that are in dire need of assistance to achieve
housing stability. As the City continues to utilize the funds for its: Builds More Homes Initiative,
First-Time Homeowners Program, Housing Stability Program, we urge the City to prioritize
these funds towards increasing new multi-family housing for extremely low, very low, and
low-income families.
The fund is largely composed of fees generated through the approval of the proposed Disneyland
Resort expansion—an investment expected to bring significant commerce and job opportunities to
the area. However, the resort’s operations will require a large workforce, much of which will be
employed in low-wage positions. It is imperative that the housing impact funds from this
development be reinvested to produce affordable housing for individuals and families whose labor
will sustain and drive the continued success of the Anaheim Resort. Supporting these working
families that fall into the low, very low and extremely low income categories, with stable housing
not only acknowledges their contributions but also strengthens the overall economic and social
fabric of the Anaheim community and local economy..
Ultimately, the City’s focus should remain on increasing the overall production of affordable
housing- especially for families in low, very low, and extremely low income categories.
Multi-family affordable housing needs to be a priority for Anaheim, since they are
disproportionately affected by the lack of affordable housing.
● Over half of the population are renters 55%
● An estimated 75% of renters in Anaheim fall into low-income categories.
● Additionally, over 60% of renters spend 30% or more of their gross household income on
housing costs–these households are rent burden.
● Among households experiencing overcrowding, 79% are renters, underscoring the urgent
need for deeply affordable housing opportunities..
1
● Furthermore, Anaheim has not met meaningful progress towards its lower-income RHNA
allocations compared to its drastic progress for above moderate:
○ RHNA’s allocations for very low is 3,767, the City has completed 399 making up
only 11% of their total allocation.
○ Similarly, their Low category has an 11% completion rate with only 252 out of 2,145
units completed.
The Kennedy Commission urges the City to implement this fund with a deep commitment to
equity—one that ensures the needs of low-wage workers and cost-burdened families are prioritized.
We support the approval of the Program Guidelines and Allocation Plan and look forward to
continued collaboration to ensure that these resources truly serve those most in need.
We look forward to continuing to support your efforts to meet the housing needs of Anaheim’s most
vulnerable residents. 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