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<br /> <br />May 9, 2022 <br /> <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Consent Calendar Item #62 - Support for WISEPlace <br /> <br />Dear City Council and Special Housing Authority, <br /> <br />On behalf of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to express enthusiastic support for WISEPlace <br />and its efforts to develop supportive housing for women experiencing homelessness, some of Orange County's <br />most vulnerable citizens for whom there has been a longstanding housing shortage. The Santa Ana Chamber <br />of Commerce’s Mission is to broker community solutions that create economic growth. <br /> <br />As active members of the Santa Ana community, we are pleased to support this solution to ending homelessness <br />through this development and wrap around services provided by WISEPlace. <br />Creating housing for vulnerable women will create an important solution that has never been specifically <br />addressed in Orange County. A place where women can live paying no more than 30% of their income in <br />rent along with support services to address their disabling conditions will create a stable environment where <br />they can thrive. <br /> <br />The 2019 Point in Time showed there were over 6800 homeless residents in Orange County. Affordabl e <br />Housing options for women are a growing community concern. One in three women make up this part of the <br />homeless population with over 40% survivors of domestic violence. This population of women endure high <br />rates of first-time homelessness, longer spells of homelessness, and higher barriers in accessing stable housing. <br />Unaccompanied women also report extremely high incidence of trauma-whether physical, sexual, or <br />psychological in nature-that is compounded by their ongoing houselessness. The opportunity to create options <br />for women on this site with so many community amenities will provide a safe home for women for future <br />generations. <br /> <br />Affordable housing is a resource to our communities that provides stability, community, and economic <br />opportunity to our neighbors. We only have this resource if we build it. With so many rent -burdened and <br />struggling to make ends meet because of rising rents across the state, this housing would provide a tool to help <br />our community and provide stability, and protection for our vulnerable residents. <br /> <br />This opportunity to provide affordable housing at this existing location can create a welcome solution to a <br />growing community need. I am pleased to provide support. <br /> <br />Respectfully, <br /> <br /> <br />David Elliott <br />President/CEO <br />Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce <br />