FULL PACKET_2009-09-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

funds to assist these individuals. The number of persons assisted during the report period is highlighted throughout this report. ■ The City's housing and public service programs provided substantial resources to assist the community's Extremely Low - Income residents. Accomplishments are highlighted throughout this document. Examples include housing rehabilitation and rental assistance, public safety, medical /dental care, and family counseling. 2. ACTIONS TO FOSTER & MAINTAIN AFFORDABLE HOUSING By leveraging federal funds with private, local Redevelopment, State, tax credit and affordable housing bond funds, the City has been able to increase and preserve its supply of affordable rental housing during the Consolidated Plan cycle. Additionally, the City's owner - occupied rehabilitation program helped preserve housing units occupied by lower income households. Homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate - income first time buyers were available via the City's participation in the American Dream Downpayment Assistance grant. HOPWA funds helped foster and maintain housing for persons with HIV and AIDS via homelessness prevention, emergency /transitional housing, and tenant based rental assistance programs. Additionally, the Santa Ana Housing Authority provided rental assistance vouchers to very -low income households. Participants in the Authority's Family Self- Sufficiency program were provided classes on how to prepare for homeownership — some households began investment into an escrow accoun WA %a. ora own — ing the past year one participating family utili a 3;goiw ou pr imately $ ,00) to purchase a home. 3. ACTIONS TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING The 2005 — 2009 Consolidated Plan identified several barriers to the development of affordable housing including the following: ■ Governmental constraints such as property taxing, land -use controls (e.g., density and zoning restrictions), building codes, building permit fees, on- site /off -site improvement, prevailing wage regulations, and ADA requirements. ■ Market constraints primarily involve the availability, cost, and competition for land. Other constraints include limited funding sources, finance costs, and the costs of construction. Available land in the City mostly consists of small parcels that must be assembled for significant new construction projects. Relocation costs and housing replacement requirements for redeveloping improved properties often presents barriers to the development of affordable housing. During the past year, the sub -prime mortgage market crisis has also made home buying more difficult especially for buyers with limited income and marginal credit histories. 26 Draft 8/26/2009 19F -32