HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-02-2023_Open Session_Item 16_Nunez, Maribel_any links sanitizedFrom:Maribel Nunez
To:CityClerkDepartment
Cc:Sandra Ibarra; Ben Reynoso; Damon L. Alexander; Kimberly Calvin; Theodore Sanchez; MayorsEvents; Juan
Figueroa; Fred Shorett
Subject:#16 item public comment: Aug 2nd city council meeting public hearing #16. 20212029 Draft Housing Element
Date:Wednesday, August 2, 2023 1:30:22 PM
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Dear Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and City Council:
My name is Maribel Nunez and I work in San Bernardino and speak on behalf of Date Park
Apartment tenants and the San Bernardino chapter from Inland Empire Tenants Union and
Inland Equity. I am here to speak about Item #16 Draft Housing Element.
Please take Uplift San Bernardino & Inland Equity Partnership Draft Housing element public
comments recommendation and Inland Region Housing Justice Coalition recommendation
to remove Program 3.2 Multi Housing Crime Free of the Draft Housing
Thank you for your time and consideration
Recommendations
Uplift SB and Inland Equity Partnership (Part 1)
One of our areas of focus is to preserve affordable housing for low income persons
living in San Bernardino. The Draft Housing Element (“Draft”) contains numerous
deficiencies and does not comply with Housing Element law as described below
We have some further questions and considerations we wish the city of San
Bernardino would address.
Under 7.1 Goals and Policies
Housing Opportunities
Comment:
Create a SB City Housing Element Housing Opportunity Map and show where RHNA
units are being considered in each WARD, include Satellite images, include feasibility
score, similar to the map that City of Riverside is using for their Housing
Opportunities.
Policy 1.1 Balanced Housing
Comment:
More clarity in the objectives related to this policy. What is meant by “adequate” land.
Policy 1.2 Accessory Dwelling
Comments:
Expand rental and ownership opportunities for individuals, families, CLT or housing
trusts
Add funding sources to assist LMI homeowners in adding ADU, municipal code
updated 12.03.055, correct the code, affordable housing projects should be exempt
from repaving entire streets. Should be clear under the municipal code
Exempt from moratorium
Technical assistance beyond funding is needed for ADUs, dedicate 0.5 or 1 FTE
Policy 1.3
Comments:
Consider Innovative Development types, prefab, modular, and other construction
methods, so that it doesn't leave innovative construction out
Policy 1.5 Affordable Component
Comment:
“Where City Assistance is provided” What does this mean? Does it mean grants,
incentives or rezoning? How is the assistance defined?
Program 3.2 Crime-Free Multi Housing
Add language to hold landlords accountable, not just tenants. Protect tenants by
holding slumlords accountable
Add TOPA/COPA (Tenant/Community Opportunity to Purchase Act) elements when
landlord is not complying. All jurisdictions should consider committing to adopt a local
TOPA/COPA policy in their Housing Element in order to prevent displacement,
stabilize current residents and existing communities, and preserve affordable housing
for the long term.
Program 3.3 Code Enforcement
Comment:
Reword Sentence
“ As part of the program, the City implements a single-family rental inspection
program that requires all property owners and companies that rent or lease 9,000
single-family homes, duplexes, or triplexes in the City to be inspected annually for
compliance with City codes. “ needs to be reworded, it sounds like property owners
and companies that rent or lease 9,000 homes will be inspected and not those with
less in their portfolios.
Program 4.5 Homeownership Initiative
Comment:
Add an objective to offer incentives for workers in San Bernardino to LIVE in San
Bernardino.
Program 4.6 Assist in the Development of Extremely Low-Income Housing
Comments:
Add objective to generate revenue through exploring feasibility of a vacant land value
tax, or invest in Opportunity zone, or warehouse tax to fund
In sentence “Reach out to and collaborate with local nonprofits to provide housing
assistance, education and information, and other support and resources.” under local
nonprofits, include examples like CLTs, co-op, and social housing orgs
Program 4.7 Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
Comment:
“At the same time, new State law, referred to as “no net loss,” requires cities to find
replacement sites or redesignate sites for affordable housing if the original affordable
housing sites in the Housing Element are built with market-rate housing.” for this
sentence give examples and consider defining as rentals and ownership, and set
aside for first time homebuyers
Program 4.8 Housing Land Trust
Comment:
In the last sentence “However, the City can also work with nonprofit organizations to
develop a local CLT as well.” City should consider working with existing CLTs and
expanding NPO portfolios instead of creating new.
“Explore the feasibility of a land trust, either regional (e.g., SBCTA) or local, as a
means of providing affordable housing in the City.” Our understanding is that SBCTA
Is exploring a Housing Trust, not a land trust
Program 5.1 Fair Housing Services
Comments:
“Distribute fair housing materials at City buildings and post on the City’s website and
social media to ensure residents are aware of available resources.”
Add Distribute materials to Community Based organizations, local churches, and
trusted entities
“Initiate pilot tenant protections program where Legal Aid serves City residents free of
charge with direct legal representation on tenant rights to prevent displacement and
homelessness.”
Add AND in eviction court where representation can be present
Program 5.7 Investment Playbook
Comment:
Add objective to create Incentive program for workers in the city to LIVE in the city
CONCLUSION
Without the specific ordinance language, we are not comfortable supporting the
adoption of the San Bernardino Housing element.
Recommendations:
Inland Region Housing Justice Coalition (Part 2)
I’m here requesting your yes vote to remove Program 3.2 of the Draft Housing
Element San Bernardino's discriminatory rental housing program
Because The Program:
Does not protect crime victims, domestic violence survivors, family members, or people
with disabilities from eviction encourage landlords to deny housing on basis of criminal
background
Singles out tenants for law enforcement scrutiny – economic and racial profiling
Does not offer fair appeal process