HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 1 Public Comment_PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
May 6, 2022
Planning Commission
22 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
SUBJECT: Support for Density Bonus Agreement Application No. 2022-01
Dear Planning Commission,
On behalf of Presbyterian Women, 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.
As active members of the community, Presbyterian Women are pleased to support this
solution to ending homelessness through this development and wrap around services
provided by WISEPlace. At the time the homeless encampment along the Santa Ana
River was brought to people’s attention and eventually cleared, Presbyterian Women
became acquainted with WISEPlace and the great need for housing. The past 3 years,
we have been very hands on, engaged as active members of our community and proud
WISEPlace supporters and volunteers who work directly with the population served and
have seen firsthand the power of housing solutions and wrap around services onsite.
Presbyterian Women wanted to be part of the solution.
The 2019 Point in Time showed there were over 6800 homeles s 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 provi de stability,
and protection for our vulnerable residents.
We are pleased to see the groundwork that has gone into exploring the existing
WISEPlace location. 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.
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,
Anne D. Sivley
Anne D. Sivley
Moderator, Presbyterian Women
Los Ranchos Presbytery