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1751 S. Lyon Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705 <br />(714) 547-7794 / Fax: (714) 547-4404 <br /> <br /> <br /> <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 Elks, I am writing to express enthusiastic support for WISEPIace and its efforts to <br />develop supportive housing for women experiencing homelessness, some of Orange County's most <br />vulnerable citizens for whom there has been a longstanding housing shortage. <br /> <br />As active members of our great Santa Ana community, The Santa Ana Elks are pleased to support this <br />solution to ending homelessness through this housing development and wrap around services provided by <br />WISEPIace. Santa Ana Elks has recently created a valued partnership with WISEPIace and are impressed with <br />their demonstration of care for this vulnerable population. They are best positioned, along with their <br />partners Jamboree Housing, to help end homelessness in our community. And Santa Ana Elks is committed <br />to staying involved and leveraging resources to help these great organizations. <br /> <br />WISEPIace is the only nonprofit in Orange County who is solely focused on the unmet needs of this <br />vulnerable population (unaccompanied women.) One in three women make up this part of the homeless <br />population with over 40% survivors of domestic violence. This population of women endure high rates of <br />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 <br />options for women on this site with so many community amenities will provide a safe home for women for <br />future generations. <br /> <br />We are so pleased to see the groundwork that has gone into exploring the existing WISEPIace location. <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 with support services to address their disabling <br />conditions will create a stable environment where they can thrive. <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 and respectfully ask for your consideration. <br /> <br />Thank you for all you do in our great community of Santa Ana! <br /> <br />Respectfully, <br /> <br /> <br />Lisa Darmousseh <br />Exalted Ruler - President <br />Santa Ana Elks Lodge #794