HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No 1. Public Comment_SA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
May 9, 2022
SUBJECT: Support for WISEPlace
Dear City of Santa Ana,
On behalf of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to express enthusiastic support for
WISEPlace and its efforts to develop supportive housing for women experiencing homelessness, some of
Orange County's most vulnerable citizens for whom there has been a longstanding housing shortage. The
Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce’s Mission is to broker community solutions that create economic growth.
As active members of the Santa Ana community, we are pleased to support this solution to ending
homelessness through this development and wrap around services provided by WISEPlace.
Creating housing for vulnerable women will create an important solution that has never been specifically
addressed in Orange County. A place where women can live paying no more than 30% of their income in
rent along with support services to address their disabling conditions will create a stable environment where
they can thrive.
The 2019 Point in Time showed there were over 6800 homeless residents in Orange County. Affordable
Housing options for women are a growing community concern. One in three women make up this part of the
homeless population with over 40% survivors of domestic violence. This population of women endure high
rates of first-time homelessness, longer spells of homelessness, and higher barriers in accessing stable
housing. Unaccompanied women also report extremely high incidence of trauma-whether physical, sexual, or
psychological in nature-that is compounded by their ongoing houselessness. The opportunity to create
options for women on this site with so many community amenities will provide a safe home for women for
future generations.
Affordable housing is a resource to our communities that provides stability, community, and economic
opportunity to our neighbors. We only have this resource if we build it. With so many rent-burdened and
struggling to make ends meet because of rising rents across the state, this housing would provide a tool to
help our community and provide stability, and protection for our vulnerable residents.
This opportunity to provide affordable housing at this existing location can create a welcome solution to a
growing community need. I am pleased to provide support.
Respectfully,
David Elliott
President/CEO
Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce