HomeMy WebLinkAboutEHC LetterATTACHMENT 3
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March 18, 2013
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Planning Commissioners
City of National City Planning Department
1243 National City Boulevard
National City, CA 911950
Re: Environmental Health Coalition comments on 2013-2020 National City Draft
Housing Element Lipdatz
Respected Planning Commissioners.
Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) would like to submit the following comments on
the Draft 2013-2020 Housing Element for your consideration. E IC is a 32year-old
nonprofit organization. EHC builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust
consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and unsustainable energy
policies. Through leader development, organizing and advocacy, EHC improves the
health of children, families, neighborhoods and the natural environment in the San
Diego/Tijuana region. Over the last decade, we have a significant record working on
housing issues in National City. EHC is also deeply engaged in the creation and
implementation of the Westside Specific Plan, which will bring 201 affordable housing
units to the neighborhood. We recommend that the housing element continues to
emphasize the need to protect and increase the number of affordable housing units for
low, very low, and extremely low income families in National City.
As the Draft Housing Element notes, National City has achieved successes in its
commitment to improving and building new housing stock. The City's commitment to
the Westside lnfill Transit Oriented Development and inclusion of the Community Land
Trust housing program proposed in the 2013-2020 Draft Housing Element are steps
towards addressing the need for affordable housing in the City. However, more
emphasis should be placed on the demographic need for affordable housing in the
lower income brackets,
According to the 2007-201 ] American Community Survey, about 809 j9,600
households) of National City households are in the extremely low, very low, or lower
income brackets. Under the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAL) Regional
Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), National City must accommodate 1,863 housing
units from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2020 (the 'projection period'), of
which a total of 818 (44% of the total RHNA requirement) should be affordable to very
low and low income households. The RHNA requirements are not nearly adequate to
provide for or even to make significant progress towards, meeting, The needs of cuf lent
residents. The RHNA minimum requirement is not congruent with the 80%
demographic representation of lower income families in National City EHC
LlPRWERI3NG PEIPLL. RR6R M O COMHOIIITIES.*&IIIEYIO JUSTICE.
ENPBOERANDO A LA OIL OR6ARIIANRO A LAS COMOIIIO.eES. LORAIN LA JUSTIC[L.
recommends increasing the goals for development of affordable housing at the lower
Income Deis beyond the minimum R HNA regulrements.
Affordable housing is a critical tool to help residents save money and access ownership
opportunities. EHC believes the Housing Element should articulate a deeper
commitment to affordable housing at the lower income levels.
We hope our comments help to further strengthen this important guiding document,
and ul*imateiy further National Citys successes. Please feel free to call Carolina Martinez
at 474.0220 x131 or e-mail a€ carolinam@environmentalilealth.org with any questions.
Sincerely,
Carolina Martinez, Policy Advocate
Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign
CC:
Mayor, National City, Ron Morrison
National City Councilmembers
National City Executive Director, Brad Raulston,
National City Principal Planner, Raymond Pe