November 28, 2023
Mayor Noah Blom
City Councilmembers
City of Newport Beach
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
RE:Resolution No. 2023-80: Opposing the By -Right Approval Process Language in Proposition 1, the 2024 Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure
To The Honorable Members of City Council:
WWW.kennedyeommission_n
17701 Cowun Ave., Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
949 250 0909
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 Consent Calendar Item #8 regarding the City of Newport Beach's proposed action to adopt a resolution opposing the By -Right approval process language in Proposition 1 for the March 2024 statewide ballot, in regard to the 2024 Behavioral Health Services Program.
Housing costs in Orange County have skyrocketed throughout the decades; they have soared so much that families have been struggling to find adequate housing, including in the City of Newport Beach. The City of Newport Beach's certified Housing Element for the 6th cycle allocates 4,845 housing units, of which 1,456 units are allocated as very low-income (0-50% County MFI) and 930 units are allocated as "low-income" (51-80% of County MFI) . We are aware of the city's concern with the location of adult substance use disorder residential programs and recovery housing in multi -family residential zones. The Commission's concern is that the city would be impacting the construction of affordable housing development by adopting this resolution.We encourage that the City supports the development of affordable housing opportunities.
We look forward to working with the City of Newport Beach 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 [email protected].
Sincerely,
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director