FULL PACKET_2012-09-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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E. OTHER ACTIONS 1. ACTIONS TO ADDRESS OBSTACLES TO MEETING UNDERSERVED NEEDS According to the City's 2010 -2014 Consolidated Plan, Santa Ana's underserved include the elderly, disabled, youth, homeless, and very low- income households. During the report period, the City continued its efforts to address the needs of these populations. These efforts included the following: ■ The City continued support for housing for the elderly and frail elderly. The housing needs of seniors were met though various means: there are 944 senior -only units in various senior housing projects throughout the City. The SAHA reports it provided rental assistance to 1,222 elderly households during the report period (plus an additional 478 disabled households). Additionally, Community SeniorSery provided daily meals to 1,196 homebound seniors and seniors congregating at the City's senior citizen centers. ■ As the administrator of HOPWA funds, the City continued its partnership with the Santa Ana Housing Authority and Orange County to provide tenant based rental assistance and other forms of emergency housing /utility assistance. Seventy individuals were assisted during the report period with homeless prevention services. Additionally, HOPWA funds assisted 48 individuals with emergency housing and 82 with transitional housing; 50 households received long -term tenant based rental assistance. Since affordable housing opportunities for persons with HIV /AIDS are limited throughout Orange County, Santa Ana staff continued efforts to identify permanent supportive housing for persons with AIDS. ■ The 2010 -2014 Consolidated Plan estimates there are 4,434 Santa Ana households with disabilities who are in need of housing. Building requirements for handicap - accessible units are costly. Due to these costs, developers have been reluctant to undertake the construction of new handicap - accessible units. Nonetheless, the City continued to encourage developers and property owners to build or modify units to meet accessibility needs, and ensured they complied with Fair Housing laws providing for reasonable accommodations. As noted earlier in this report, no housing units rehabilitated during the report period included improvements to assist persons with limited mobility; however, construction for a multi -unit housing project for persons with disabilities started during the report period. ■ Based on 2010 -2014 Consolidated Plan data it is estimated there are 1,925 homeless individuals in Santa Ana. Numerous programs were funded with ESG and HOPWA 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, education and nutrition programs. 08/23/2012 22 19C -30