News and Updates
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Rent Stabilization Program Updates
Eviction Prevention Program: Supporting Santa Ana Residents in Need
The City of Santa Ana is committed to addressing the ongoing financial challenges faced by its residents due to rising housing costs, rent burdens, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help low-income households facing eviction, the City has launched the Eviction Prevention Program (EPP).
Who Can Apply?
If you’re a Santa Ana renter who has received a notice for non-payment of rent and are struggling financially, you may qualify for this program. Assistance includes one-time payments to landlords to cover rental arrears, helping you stay in your home and avoid eviction.
Eligibility Requirements:
✔ Household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (see income limits on our website).
✔ Financial hardship directly or indirectly caused by COVID-19.
✔ Residence within the City of Santa Ana with a valid lease or rental agreement.
✔ A written notice for non-payment of rent.
How It Works:
Approved applicants will receive a one-time payment directly to their landlord to cover past-due rent, ensuring transparency and promoting housing stability. Certain housing stability services may also be available.
What You’ll Need to Apply:
- Valid photo ID for all adult household members.
- Proof of residency and rent (e.g., lease agreement, rental ledger).
- Documentation of financial hardship (e.g., pay stubs, tax returns, or an attestation).
Get Started:
Visit the Eviction Prevention Program website using the link below to apply and find more information. Applications will be processed by Families Forward, a trusted local nonprofit, to ensure timely and accurate assistance.
Act now to prevent eviction and secure your housing future!
| EPP Website | Contact Us |
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Important Notice: Rental Registration for FY 2024-25
Attention Landlords!
The second registration cycle is scheduled to open on December 2nd, 2024 and remain active until June 30th, 2025.
During the first rental registration cycle, the City of Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Division extended the registration period to allow landlords additional time to register their rental units. As a result, the second registration period has a condensed timeline to ensure a return to the standard annual registration cycle of July 1st through June 30th.
Landlords must register their rental property to comply with the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (“RSJCEO”). Certain rental properties may qualify for an exemption from the Ordinance’s rent increase limits and just cause eviction requirements. Please refer to the RSJCEO to determine if your property qualifies for an exemption. Exemptions approved during the first registration cycle will automatically carry over to the second registration cycle.
A Registration Notice will be arriving in your inbox/mailbox providing further details and expectations for this registration cycle.
For more information or assistance, visit the City’s website or attend one of our Rental Registry Workshop – Owners and Property Managers webinars listed in the Upcoming Community Events section of this Newsletter.
| RSD Website | Contact Us | RSJCEO |
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Upcoming Community Events
Stay connected and informed with these exciting opportunities! Whether you’re a tenant, landlord, or property manager, our events and workshops provide valuable insights into housing rights and responsibilities under the City of Santa Ana’s Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.
Rental Registry Workshops – Owners and Property Managers
The City of Santa Ana invites property owners and managers to attend virtual Rental Registry Workshops. These sessions will guide you through the Rental Registry system, ensuring a smooth and compliant registration process.
Virtual Webinars – No Pre-Registration Required
Access these workshops from the comfort of your home. Simply click the webinar link at the scheduled time to join the session.
- 📆 November 27 | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 🔗 Click to Join Webinar
- 📆 December 3 | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 🔗 Click to Join Webinar
- 📆 December 10 | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 🔗 Click to Join Webinar
Community Outreach Events
Fiesta del Mariachi
Join us for a vibrant celebration of music and culture at Santa Ana Stadium! The Fiesta del Mariachi, hosted by the Power of One Foundation in collaboration with the City of Santa Ana and ALR Productions, promises an unforgettable day of traditional mariachi sounds, lively performances, and community spirit.
Stop by the Rent Stabilization Division Booth! We’ll provide brochures, flyers, and other informational materials to help tenants and landlords understand housing regulations and enhance housing stability.
📆 Sunday, December 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Location: 602 N. Flower St., Santa Ana, CA 92703
RSJCEO Workshops
In collaboration with the Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Department of the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), the Rent Stabilization Division offers workshops designed to:
- Empower parents and caregivers with knowledge of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
- Provide tools to understand housing rights and build a supportive community.
📌 How to Register: Contact your local FACE Liaison or reach out to the Rent Stabilization Division for more information.
Thank you for participating in these events and workshops. Together, we can build a stronger, more informed Santa Ana community! For questions, contact the Rent Stabilization Division directly.
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Serving our Residents
City staff serves the public on a daily basis by responding to telephone and email inquiries about the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance and general landlord/tenant issues. Persons contacting the City include landlords, tenants, real estate brokers, prospective tenants and prospective property owners. The most common topics of concern are evictions, allowable rent increases, and the City’s Rental Registry.
Public Inquiries & Interactions
October 2023 to October 2024
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Community Outreach
- SAUSD FACE Tenant Rights Workshops: The Rent Stabilization Division successfully continued its partnership with the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department by hosting Tenant Rights Workshops throughout November. These sessions, held at Madison Elementary on November 5, Jackson Elementary on November 14 (AM), and MacArthur Intermediate on November 14 (PM), provided families with vital information about the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction ordinance. Attendees gained insights into rent increase limits, just cause eviction criteria, and available tenant resources. The workshops fostered meaningful engagement, with participants asking questions and interacting with our knowledgeable staff to better understand and protect their rights.
- November 16th – Santa Ana Thanksgiving Food Giveaway & Celebration: On Saturday, November 16, the Santa Ana Neighborhood Association (SANA) hosted a vibrant Thanksgiving Food Giveaway & Celebration at Cesar Chavez Campesino Park. This event, organized in collaboration with Councilmembers and key community supporters, brought together residents for an afternoon of gratitude and connection. The Rent Stabilization Division participated by hosting a booth with informational brochures, flyers, and resources about housing protections and tenant rights. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with various organizations, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and access valuable community resources. This celebration highlighted the power of collaboration in fostering a supportive and resilient community, making Thanksgiving especially meaningful for the Santa Anita neighborhood.
(Pictured: Santa Ana Thanksgiving Food Giveaway & Celebration at Cesar Chavez Campesino Park)
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Rental Housing Board
The Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (“Ordinance”) provides for the administration and enforcement of renter protections for Santa Ana renters by establishing a Rental Housing Board.
Under Section 8-3180 of the Ordinance, the Rental Housing Board (“Board”) shall consist of seven (7) Board Members. Each City Councilmember shall appoint one (1) Board Member, to be approved by the City Council, in an equitable order based upon a random lottery process. The Board shall be comprised of:
- Three (3) Tenants, including at least one (1) Mobilehome Tenant;
- Two (2) Landlords; and
- Two (2) at-large Members with no financial interest in and no ownership of income-generating rental housing. (For example, an owner of a single-family dwelling that lives in that dwelling.)
Applications are currently being accepted and are located on the City Clerk’s Office website at www.santa-ana.org/rental-housing-board. If you or someone you know may be interested in serving on the Rental Housing Board, we encourage you to apply.
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Know Your Rights
If you believe the owner or property manager for your rental unit or mobilehome may not be in compliance with the Ordinance, or you need assistance interpreting the Ordinance, please reach out to one of the City’s community partners:
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Fair Housing Council of Orange County 2021 E. 4th Street, Suite 122 Santa Ana, CA 92705 Phone: 714-569-0823 Option 4 |
Community Legal Aid SoCal 2101 North Tustin Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92705 Phone: 714-571-5200 |
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Public Law Center 601 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone: 714-541-1010 x 303 |
Latino Health Access 450 W 4th Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone: 714-542-7792 |
Seek Mediation Services
Mediation is a voluntary collaborative process wherein the landlord and tenant(s) who have a disagreement can develop options, consider alternatives, and develop a consensual agreement. The role of the Mediator is to facilitate open communication to resolve a dispute in a non-adversarial and confidential manner.
Contact us to access mediation services in collaboration with our community partner Groundswell.
The California Courts Self-Help Guide assists landlords and tenants by offering the following resources:
- Landlords: Starting an eviction case (an unlawful detainer court case)
- Tenants: Understanding your options if you get a Notice to Quit or Summons and Complaint
Click here for more eviction and housing self-help resources.
Please be advised, the City does not recommend or endorse any particular law firm or agency, but leaves it up to tenants to determine their best course of action and chosen representation, if necessary.
Contact Us:801 W. Civic Center Drive Suite 200 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Email: rso@santa-ana.org Tel: (714) 667-2209 Fax: (714) 547-5411 |
Quick Links: |
If you have any difficulty connecting with the links in this Newsletter, enter the following website address into an internet browser to explore the City’s website – www.santa-ana.org/renter-protections