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