Item 26 - Revive Santa Ana Resident Stimulus Program

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Revive Santa Ana Resident Stimulus Program November 16, 2021 Page 2 2 2 4 3 algorithm that considers the following factors based on 2010 Census Data: household size, adjusted income, and poverty rates. A detailed breakdown of the algorithm used to designate the 2022 QCTs is available at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/qct/QCT_Algorithm.html. An additional data-driven tool to establish eligible focus areas is the Orange County Equity Map (OC Equity Map). The OC Equity Map is a data platform that spotlights social and health disparities in Orange County neighborhoods across multiple dimensions with a specific focus on the impact from COVID-19. The interactive map visualizes census tracts in the county and displays the scores from the Social Progress Index (SPI), CDC Health Indicators, and population demographic data as well as overlays additional information that can be customized for a variety of different use cases. The OC Equity Map is comprised of various COVID-19 vulnerability composite indicators including various health and comorbidity risk factors as well as social progress index factors such as housing overcrowding, poverty rates, and internet access. Staff conducted an analysis of the various vulnerability composite indicators utilizing the OC Equity Map and determined that poverty rates would be the most appropriate factor to base the focus of this economic support program. The City is composed of 62 individual census tracts, 14 of which are considered HUD QCTs. These 14 tracts have poverty rates that range from 47.1% to 81.6%; poverty rates for the city as a whole range from 20.6% to 81.6% with a median of 42%. The program targets households in economically disadvantaged areas as determined by HUD’s Qualified Census Tracts and the highest rates of poverty (above 42%) as identified by the OC Equity Map in the Revive Santa Ana Resident Stimulus Program Eligible Areas Map (Exhibit 2). The City recognizes the disproportionate impact of the pandemic in low- income, high poverty, dense and overcrowded living conditions, and as such will distribute the economic support to rental units in the target areas. There are approximately 20,000 rental units within the target area. To ensure that all of target households receive this economic support, an additional $2,600,000 of funding is needed to cover the cost of these efforts. Approval of the appropriation adjustment will make those needed funds available for the program. The costs include funding for direct support for residents and 10% for the administration of the program, inclusive of salaries, overtime, material and supplies to support the distribution efforts. Upon City Council approval and receipt of cards from the vendor, the cards will be distributed door-to-door by City staff starting in December. The plan for distribution has been coordinated with input from multiple departments to maximize safety and efficiency.