19C - CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION RPT

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¦ Support Certifications of Consistency for HUD programs: In the 2011-2012 Action Plan, the City certified that it would provide support for HUD program applicants in a fair and impartial manner. During the report period the City received a request for certification for HUD programs from the Santa Ana Housing Authority pursuant to the submission of its Annual PHA Plan. The City received no requests for Certification of Consistency with the Consolidated Plan from applications for 2012 HUD homeless funds. ¦ Consolidated Plan Implementation: The City did not undertake actions that hindered the implementation of the approved Consolidated Plan or the 2011-2012 Action Plan. Furthermore, the City of Santa Ana did not undertake activities that required the acquisition or demolition of real property. ¦ Economic Development: The City did not undertake CDBG-funded economic development activities during the report period. If CDBG funds had been expended for such activities, additional reporting would be provided that outlined the actions taken to ensure jobs created by such activities were filled by Low- and Moderate-income individuals. The City utilized other resources to expand economic opportunities for residents. Non-HUD economic development activities undertaken during 2011-2012 include the following: ¦ State Enterprise Zone: The Enterprise Zone is designed to promote business growth and job generation by offering tax credits. Qualified businesses reduce State income taxes by an amount equal to the amount of wages paid to qualified employees. These "hiring credits" are provided to employers who hire low-wage earners, target area residents, laid-off, or long-term unemployed persons. A business may earn up to $37,000 in tax credits per qualified employee. A total of 3,488 individuals were assisted through these efforts during the 2011-2012 report period. It is noteworthy that Santa Ana's Enterprise Zone was awarded a new 15-year Enterprise Zone designation by the State effective June 2008 and expanded its Zone in 2009 by over 1,346 acres. ¦ Santa Ana WORK Center: The City of Santa Ana, Santa Ana WORK Center and Workforce Investment Board in partnership with, the State Employment Development Department, Santa Ana College, and the Orange County Social Services Agency connect the community's job seekers with services to obtain employment. Services include job search assistance, resume writing, interviewing skills, labor market information, vocational training, On-the- Job Training, and a resource center providing access to computers for job search and job fairs. During program year 2011-2012, approximately 12,800 job seekers received employment services, two large scale job fairs were hosted, and 45 hiring events were conducted at the Santa Ana WORK Center. ¦ Business Attraction/Retention: The City also provided economic opportunities for residents through other programs including the Redevelopment Agency funded Business Retention/Attraction program. Program staff estimates that 560 jobs were added or preserved during the 2011-2012 report period. Unfortunately, due to the disestablishment of the Redevelopment Agency, funding for business attraction and retention program were 08/23/2012 39 19C-47