HomeMy WebLinkAboutKennedy CommissionWWW.kennedyeommission_org
17701 Cowun Ave., Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
949 250 0909
March 5, 2024
Honorable Mayor Austin Lumbard
Tustin City Council
City of Tustin
300 Centennial Way
Tustin, CA 92780
RE: Comments on Agenda Item 15: City of Tustin's Plan of Temporary Suspension OF
Affordable Housing In -Lieu Fee
To The Honorable Mayor Lumbard and City Council members,
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad -based coalition of residents and
community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families
earning less than $30,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has
been successful in partnering and working with Orange County jurisdictions to create effective
housing and land -use policies that have led to the new construction of homes affordable to
lower -income working families.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the Public Hearing regarding the
proposal of City of Tustin's Temporary Suspension of Affordable Housing In -Lieu Fee.
Agenda Item 15: Temporary Suspension of Affordable Housing In -Lieu Fee
The Kennedy Commission wants to express concern over the proposal as it may have an impact
on Housing Element programs and funding for the production of the lower income segments.
The staff report discusses an impact on affordable housing grant funding that will need to come
from other City funding sources but does not elaborate or commit specific funding will fill this
gap. The Housing Element Programs 2021-2029 in the Housing Element identifies Programs C
and D, Downtown Commercial Core Specific Plan Implementation and Red Hill Avenue
Specific Plan, as plans that will help increase affordable housing along with market rate housing.
Therefore there needs to be a more comprehensive analysis of the impacts the suspension of
in -lieu fees will have on production and how the city will incentivize affordable housing. In
addition, the city needs to ensure that the Housing Element programs and commitments are
effectively implemented.
We look forward to working with the City of Tustin to encourage effective housing policies that
will help create balanced housing development and create much -needed affordable housing in our
local communities. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (949) 250-0909 or
cesarc@kennedycommission.org.
Sincerely,
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director