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I. ~atement of Needs <br /> <br />The City of Santa Ana Community Development staff has discussed <br />various issues related to service for the homeless with local <br />assistance providers in order to assess the level of service <br />currently provided for the homeless. Estimates of current and <br />future needs were also discussed. With a better understanding <br />of homeless program needs, a more strategic use of McKinney <br />Homeless Assistance Act funds can be implemented. <br /> <br />City staff and service providers have identified the following <br />needs: <br /> <br />me <br /> <br />A need has been identified for increased support of existing <br />temporary housing in Santa Aha. Potential rehabilitation <br />and renovation projects can directly benefit from new <br />funding sources. Additionally, provisions for essential <br />services, for such items as food, education, employment and <br />health services, are also needed. Assistance with <br />maintenance and operating cost of homeless shelters has also <br />been deemed as an immediate need. <br /> <br />¸· <br /> <br />In additional to temporary emergency shelter, assistance is <br />needed to expand "transitional" programs which will <br />facilitate the movement of homeless individuals to <br />independent living. These transitional programs include <br />both housing and supportive services. Funds are not only <br />needed for acquisition and/or rehabilitation of structures <br />which can be used by transitional service providers, but <br />assistance is also needed to offset the operating cost of <br />these supportive services. Additionally, the special needs <br />of the mentally ill, handicapped, elderly, veterans, and <br />families with children will require attention. <br /> <br />Present financial support for nonprofit agencies providing <br />assistance to the homeless are derived from federal, state, <br />local and private sources. While grant and program funds <br />provided in Subtitles B and C of Title IV would be of great <br />assistance, it may be anticipated that shortfalls might <br />occur· For this reason, supplemental funding would he <br />useful and highly desirable. Innovative programs for the <br />homeless elderly or families, which may not qualify for <br />traditional homeless assistance program funds, may also <br />benefit from supplemental programs. <br /> <br />An additional area of consideration is the need for single <br />room occupancy (SRO) units. The negative fiscal impact of <br />rehabilitating SRO units needs to be mitigated. Property <br />owners who wish to improve their SRO building are forced to <br />deal with the reality of higher rents after rehabilitation <br />forcing existing tenants into the streets. A program which <br />offsets after rehab rent increases would prevent this type <br />of displacement. In addition, homeless individuals could <br />also be given priority to these units thus providing another <br />housing option. _ <br /> <br />-2- <br /> <br /> <br />