Item 13 - Quarterly Report for Housing Division Projects and Activities

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May 7, 2024 Page 2 City of Santa Ana – Quarterly Report Third Quarter of FY 2023-24 JANUARY – MARCH 2024 guidelines mandated by the federal government for eligibility, as well as a shortage of properties for sale at affordable prices. As a result, many applicants find it challenging to meet the qualifications. Residential Rehabilitation Grant Program The City’s Residential Rehabilitation Grant Program (Residential Rehabilitation Program) is designed to improve and preserve affordable housing through the use of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The Residential Rehabilitation Program is administered by Habitat for Humanity of Orange County (Habitat for Humanity) on behalf of the City. The Residential Rehabilitation Program provides grants of up to $25,000 for eligible home repairs for low-income homeowners at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Eligible activities include the repair, replacement, and/or installation of major systems including plumbing, heating, electrical, windows, roof, paint, and handicap accessibility. The program's funding for FY 2023-24 was reauthorized by the City Council on May 2, 2023. Unfortunately, the City currently lacks available funds to process further applications. As depicted in Table 1, there have been no inquiries or applications sent, received, or approved. As of March 31, 2024, the City has received a total of 15 applications, with 10 granted approval for rehabilitation projects, and 1 project has been completed. Down Payment Assistance Program The City evaluates applicant eligibility and oversees the underwriting process for its Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP), ensuring compliance with program guidelines and requirements. Throughout this quarter, staff conducted various outreach and educational activities on the program, including: • Participated in NeighborWorks Orange County’s (NeighborWorks OC) “Homebuyer 101 + City DPA” monthly meeting on January 9, February 13, and March 12, 2024. These 1.5-hour sessions, held from 5:45 PM to 7:00 PM, provided essential guidance for entry-level homebuyers, covering topics such as budgeting, credit, lending, and other homeownership-related matters. • Involved in NeighborWorks OC's 8-hour, HUD-approved, “Homebuyer Education” courses on January 20, February 10, and March 9, 2024. EXHIBIT 1