Kristine Ridge CITY ATTORNEY CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Thai Viet Phan CITY .

Introduction This chapter introduces the Housing Element: its purpose, content, public outreach process, and relationship to other City planning efforts. AF T OVERVIEW Incorporated in 1886, the City of Santa Ana has a rich historical and cultural heritage. The City of Santa Ana is the county seat, and it boasts an eclectic urban environment, burgeoning employment centers, transit hub, historic neighborhoods and downtown, and a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s. These features distinguish Santa Ana as Orange County’s downtown. D R The City of Santa Ana has seen significant changes in its housing market and housing conditions during the last decade. Housing and apartment rents have increased steadily during this time. As an urban center, the revitalization of housing and neighborhoods is also a critical concern. At the same time, the City of Santa Ana has one of the most diverse international populations of all communities in the County of Orange. The Housing Element recognizes the community’s housing needs and the complexity of programs needed to address them. The vision, goals, policies, and programs are designed to address the following issues: Adapting to changing housing market conditions. Meeting state-mandated regional housing needs goals. Furthering quality housing and neighborhoods. Accommodating social and economic diversity. Assisting residents with special housing needs. Supporting the City’s long-term economic development. The Housing Element seeks to address each of these planning issues, while balancing them with other City goals and objectives that will further the City’s long-term vision as “Downtown Orange County.” TY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT 1

POLICY FRAMEWORK PURPOSE AND CONTENT OF ELEMENT California law requires that cities develop housing programs to meet their fair share of housing needs for the community. A key part of this goal is addressing the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) and state law requirements to plan, facilitate, and encourage housing production commensurate with their assigned need. Santa Ana has been assigned a planning goal of accommodating 3,095 (3,157 with transfer from County of Orange) housing units for the planning period of 2021 to 2029. AF T To comply with state law, Santa Ana prepares a housing element every eight years. The Housing Element must contain goals, policies, and programs to facilitate the development, improvement, and preservation of housing. State law prescribes the scope and content of the housing The Housing Element is organized into the following sections: Housing Element Framework. This introduces Santa Ana’s housing needs and contains an analysis of resources to address those needs. This is followed by the Policy Framework, which is a series of goals and policies, and a Housing Plan of implementation programs. Appendix A: Housing Needs. This appendix contains an analysis of demographic, economic, neighborhood, and housing characteristics; special needs of residents; and other housing needs in the community. R Appendix B: Housing Constraints. This appendix contains an analysis of potential and actual market, government, and environmental constraints to the development, maintenance, and improvement of housing. D Appendix C: Housing Resources. This appendix contains an inventory, analysis, and assessment of the City’s resources to address its housing needs, including land, preservation opportunities, and financial resources. Appendix D: Program Evaluation. This appendix contains a summary of progress toward meeting the City’s 2014–2021 housing goals, and contains an evaluation of the appropriateness of those goals and programs. Appendix E: Affirmatively Affirming Fair Housing. This appendix includes an Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) consistent with the core elements of the analysis required by the federal Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) to ensure fair housing choice. 2 CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT

POLICY FRAMEWORK Appendix F: Public Outreach. This appendix details the venues provided to residents and stakeholders to discuss housing needs and opportunities, including workshops, stakeholders groups, study sessions, and visioning. D R AF T CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT 3

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Policy Framework AF T HOUSING VISION & POLICY PLAN Santa Ana’s vision is to be the dynamic urban center of Orange County, acclaimed for its investment in children, neighborhood pride, enriching cultural experiences, appreciation of diversity, thriving economic climate, quality governmental services, and leadership among California cities. This vision underpins the Santa Ana General Plan—the blueprint for community development—and guides decision making regarding how resources should be allocated to different priorities. D R Santa Ana community and civic leaders recognize the importance and value of together creating a community that provides opportunities for residents and workforce to meet their varied needs. The following is the overall housing vision that acknowledging the importance of equity, health and sustainability in all housing policies: Santa Ana residents have an equal right and opportunity to find suitable housing in quality residential neighborhoods that allow themselves, their families, and neighbors to live the fullest lives. We support an inclusive community that is multigenerational, culturally diverse, healthy, sustainable, and economically broad. The City will facilitate the production, rehabilitation, and improvement of rental and homeownership opportunities at different affordability levels consistent with these principles. Santa Ana is committed to this vision of a diverse community that increases housing choice, addresses housing insecurity, and improves neighborhoods for all residents. This Housing Element is the City’s approach to achieving this vision. The following describes key topic areas for the Housing Element and provides goals and policies to provide a foundation for the Housing Plan. TY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT 5

POLICY FRAMEWORK HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS The City of Santa Ana has a rich mosaic of neighborhoods distinguished by their history, architecture, housing types, and amenities. The City has a number of neighborhoods with historic resources, including French Park, Floral Park, Wilshire Square, West Floral Park, Washington Square, and Heninger Park. The City is also known for its original Mexican barrios, including the Logan, Lacy, Delhi, and Santa Anita neighborhoods, some of which date back to the later 1880s. Rich in history and culture, Santa Ana’s neighborhoods are more than simply collections of housing; in fact, our neighborhoods are the fundamental building blocks of the community. They profoundly define the quality of life experienced. Neighborhoods are where residents feel safe, where friendships and social ties develop, and where people identify with their community. Ultimately, neighborhoods are home. Therefore, the design and maintenance of neighborhoods—their buildings, streets, parks, open space, trees, and infrastructure—are critical to quality of life. AF T Vintage home in north Santa Ana R Some residential neighborhoods in Santa Ana are well preserved: streets are lined with trimmed canopy trees; physical infrastructure is sufficient in size and in proper working order; and housing is well maintained. Some neighborhoods are stable, but are beginning to show signs of deterioration and could benefit from neighborhood improvement. Yet other neighborhoods require significant reinvestment in housing, infrastructure, parks/open space, and public services. D Recent research also underscores how neighborhood conditions directly influence health. Important features that improve health include, among others: 1) rental housing that is affordable to residents; 2) affordable and available homeownership opportunities; 3) the availability of parks, trails, and recreational facilities; 4) the availability of affordable and healthy food options; 5) safety of residents from crime and traffic; and 6) the mitigation or removal of environmental hazards. All of these pieces are as essential as the quality of housing and are critical to promoting more complete and healthy neighborhoods. Quality neighborhoods provide a safe place of children As a City committed to fostering neighborhood pride, investing in the lives of children and families, and providing a safe and supportive environment for its residents, Santa Ana’s highest priority is creating livable neighborhoods. This will require the implementation of multifaceted strategies tailored for different neighborhoods. The City continues to direct substantial resources to achieving these objectives and has set forth the following goals and policies to guide quality and sustainable housing and neighborhoods in Santa Ana. 6 CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT

POLICY FRAMEWORK Goal 1 Livable and affordable neighborhoods with healthy and safe housing conditions, community services, well-maintained infrastructure, and public facilities that inspire neighborhood pride and ownership. Policies Housing Conditions. Support the rehabilitation, repair, and improvement of single-family, multiple-family, and mobile homes. HE-1.2 Neighborhood Involvement. Encourage active and informed participation in neighborhood organizations to help identify needs and implement programs aimed at the beautification, improvement, and preservation of neighborhoods. AF T HE-1.1 Complete Neighborhoods. Improve neighborhood quality by locating or providing access to complementary services and public facilities, including the integration of community gardens and access to healthy food options in neighborhoods. HE-1.4 Healthy Neighborhoods. Create and maintain parks and open spaces; plant trees, green parkways and medians; support access to healthy food options, and maintain a continuous pattern of pathways that encourage an active and healthy lifestyle. HE-1.5 Infrastructure and Public Services. Provide quality community facilities, physical infrastructure, traffic management and parking control, and other public services to promote the livability, safety, and vitality of neighborhoods. HE-1.6 Proactive Code Enforcement. Enforce building and property maintenance standards by proactively conducting property inspections, educating landlords and tenants, and removing blight, unhealthy or dangerous housing conditions. HE-1.7 Historic Preservation. Support preservation and enhancement of residential structures, properties, street designs, lot patterns, and other visible reminders of neighborhoods that are considered local historic or cultural resources. D R HE-1.3 CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT 7 Neighborhood projects

POLICY FRAMEWORK Public Safety. Support efforts to improve neighborhood safety through environmental design, housing maintenance, rent stabilization, community-oriented policing, youth diversion activities, traffic safety, and other violence prevention measures. HE- 1.9 Tenant Protections. Provide information and resources to residential tenants regarding landlord-tenant laws that provide protection against unjust evictions. HE-1.10 Parking Management. Support innovative and creative strategies that proactively minimize parking impacts and deficiencies within residential neighborhoods, including parking management requirements, installation of parking lifts, and incentives for active transportation. D R AF T HE-1.8 8 CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT

POLICY FRAMEWORK HOUSING SUPPLY AND DIVERSITY Where should we live? Near work, family, or community amenities? What kind of housing can we afford? Does this neighborhood, size of home, or quality of housing meet our household needs? Where would be the safest or most desirable place to retire? All of us ask these housing questions at different times in our lives— as we look for the first job, as we begin to have families, when our children move out of town, as we contemplate retirement, or when other life-changing events occur. AF T As expressed in the City’s vision, an adequate housing supply for our children, our workforce, our families, and our parents is a critical goal. Housing products and prices must also be diverse, providing a range of choices and price points suited to the different incomes, lifestyles, and needs of our residents and workforce. A broad housing stock includes single- and multiple-family housing, mobile homes, mixed/multiuse, and special needs housing. Providing affordable housing will help foster an inclusive community that welcomes people of all ages and income levels. D R To protect and enhance residential neighborhoods, the City is committed to growing strategically. Residential development is directed toward locations that can accommodate population growth, and that growth must support larger, community-wide goals. The Metro East Mixed-Use Overlay Zone, Downtown Santa Ana, MacArthur Place, and other similar areas support our economy and burgeoning job centers. Infill housing is encouraged along selected transit corridors and within existing neighborhoods as a means to reinvest in the community and create thriving neighborhoods. Facilitating various housing solutions requires creative approaches. Market forces drive up land and construction costs, increasing the cost of housing. Although necessary to guide growth, land use regulations, development standards, building codes, local fees and taxes, and permit procedures also increase costs. Environmental and transportation issues influence where housing should be located and how it is designed. Santa Ana will encourage housing projects that meet the needs of our residents and workforce. Through the implementation of design guidelines, new housing will include the latest in creative designs and site planning techniques. Increasing efforts will be placed on making housing accessible and suitable to people of all abi

SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL Vicente Sarmiento Mayor vsarmiento@santa-ana.org David Penaloza Mayor Pro Tem, Ward 2 dpenaloza@santa-ana.org Thai Viet Phan Ward 1 tphan@santa-ana.org Jessie Lopez Ward 3 jessielopez@santa-ana.org Phil Bacerra Ward 4 pbacerra@santa-ana.org Johnathan Ryan Hernandez Ward 5 jryanhernandez@santa-ana.org Nelida Mendoza