News and Updates
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Rent Stabilization Program Updates
Protect Your Family from Lead Paint Hazards – Free Removal Assistance Available for Property Owners & Tenants
Orange County has introduced a new program to protect families from the dangers of lead poisoning by offering free lead hazard removal services to eligible property owners and tenants. Through a partnership with Azure Community Development and the California Department of Public Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, this initiative aims to help qualified families address the risks posed by lead paint at no cost.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a child under 6 years old or a pregnant woman residing in the home.
- Live in a home built before 1978, located in Orange County.
- Have a household income at or below the specified limits.
| Program Flyer | Pre-Screening | SA Webpage |
Once approved, Azure Community Development will manage the lead hazard removal process. If relocation is necessary during this period, relocation costs will be covered to ensure families are kept safe during the work.
This program provides an essential opportunity for families to make their homes lead-safe without financial burden. Take advantage of this service to protect your loved ones from the dangers of lead poisoning.
Safety Tips
To keep your family safe from lead exposure in the meantime, here are some important steps to follow:
- Keep vulnerable individuals away from work zones. Children and pregnant women should stay clear of renovation areas where lead dust could be circulating.
- Reduce lead risks at home. Teach children good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, and discourage them from putting anything but food in their mouths.
- Clean carefully. Use wet mops or rags for hard surfaces, and if possible, clean carpets with a HEPA vacuum. Regular household vacuums may spread lead dust further.
For more information on the Lead Hazard Removal Program, contact:
- Phone: 323-477-1160
- Email: info@azuredevelopmentco.com
- Visit Azure Community Development’s website.
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Rent Stabilization Division Partners with SAUSD FACE to Empower Families
The Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Division is thrilled to collaborate with the Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Department of the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD). Together, we’re offering workshops designed to empower parents and caregivers with knowledge about the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance and their housing rights. These sessions will provide valuable information to help create a stable and supportive community for all residents.
To learn more or to register for a workshop, please contact your local FACE Liaison or the Rent Stabilization Division.
What is Family and Community Engagement (FACE)?
It’s more than a program—it’s a practice. FACE is a partnership between families, educators, and community partners to promote children’s learning and development from birth through college and career. Built on trust and shared leadership, FACE helps ensure student academic success and socio-emotional well-being.
As FACE practitioners, SAUSD staff are committed to using family engagement as a strategy to enhance learning and development. One exciting aspect of FACE in SAUSD is the Wellness Centers, located inside every school, which provide resources and support to students and families. To learn more about the FACE practice and the Dual Capacity model, visit dualcapacity.org.
Together, through FACE and our collaboration, we are empowering families with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive.
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Upcoming Events -Fall Community Workshops
Learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. These workshops are designed to help tenants understand how the ordinance affects them and how to ensure their housing stability.
Logan Community Center
- Rent Stabilization Ordinance Workshop
- Wednesday, October 9th: 6-7:30pm
- 1009 N. Custer St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
- Presentation Language: Spanish
Southwest Senior Center
- Tenants Right Workshop w/ Community Legal Aid SoCal
- Wednesday, October 16th: 6-7:30pm
- 2201 W. McFadden Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704
- Presentation Language: English and Spanish
Lawn Bowling Clubhouse
- Rent Stabilization Ordinance Workshop
- Wednesday, October 23rd: 6-7:30pm
- 2525 N. Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92705
- Presentation Language: English
For any special accommodations, please contact us at (714) 667-2209 or rso@santa-ana.org
| REGISTER HERE |
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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
August 2023 to August 2024
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Community Outreach
- September 5th – Willard Elementary School Resource Fair: The Rent Stabilization Division was excited to participate in the Willard Elementary School Resource Fair. It was a wonderful day of community engagement, where we had the opportunity to connect with students, parents, and staff in a welcoming school environment. Our team was on-site to answer questions about tenant rights, rent stabilization, and eviction protections, ensuring that families received important information. We’re committed to continuing our outreach at events like these, bringing vital resources directly to the Santa Ana community.
- September 10th – SAUSD FACE Liaisons Presentation: The Rent Stabilization Division recently presented at the Santa Ana Unified School District’s (SAUSD) Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Liaisons Training, hosted at the Lathrop Intermediate School Wellness Center. This informative session aimed to equip FACE liaisons with essential knowledge about the “Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction” ordinance, ensuring they can support SAUSD families in understanding their tenant rights. The presentation covered key aspects of rent stabilization, the just cause eviction criteria, and available resources for tenants. The interactive session encouraged liaisons to engage with our staff, leaving them prepared to relay vital information to the broader SAUSD community.
- September 17th & 25th – RSO Workshops: The Rent Stabilization Division recently held two informative workshops on the City’s “Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction” ordinance at the Roosevelt-Walker Community Center on September 17th and the Santa Ana Senior Center on September 25th. Both sessions provided crucial information on tenant protections, rent increase limits, and the criteria for just cause evictions, ensuring attendees were well-informed about their rights. The interactive format encouraged participants to ask questions and engage directly with our staff. These workshops empowered tenants with the knowledge and resources necessary to confidently navigate their housing situations and safeguard their rights under the ordinance.
- September 21st – Little Saigon Community Festival: The Rent Stabilization Division proudly participated in the 3rd Little Saigon Community Festival hosted by VietRISE, NDLON, and the Harbor Institute. This year’s theme, Rise for Justice, brought together Vietnamese, Mexican, Central American, and other communities to celebrate immigrant and refugee communities and champion human rights in Little Saigon. At our booth, we provided information on tenant rights under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction ordinance, promoted our workshops, and answered questions from festival-goers. The vibrant event featured live music, cultural performances, art-making, food vendors, and more, fostering solidarity among community members while calling on our leaders to rise for justice. Families and youth engaged with our team, leaving empowered with the resources and knowledge to navigate their housing rights.
(Pictured: Left – Community Workshop event at Santa Ana Senior Center / Right – Little Saigon Community Festival)
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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 |
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