HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 1 Public Comments_SANTA ANA ELKS1751 S. Lyon Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 547-7794 / Fax: (714) 547-4404
SUBJECT: Support for Density Bonus Agreement Application No. 2022-01
Dear Planning Commission,
On behalf of the Santa Ana Elks, I am writing to express enthusiastic support for WISEPIace 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 our great Santa Ana community, The Santa Ana Elks are pleased to support this
solution to ending homelessness through this housing development and wrap around services provided by
WISEPIace. Santa Ana Elks has recently created a valued partnership with WISEPIace and are impressed with
their demonstration of care for this vulnerable population. They are best positioned, along with their
partners Jamboree Housing, to help end homelessness in our community. And Sa nta Ana Elks is committed
to staying involved and leveraging resources to help these great organizations.
WISEPIace is the only nonprofit in Orange County who is solely focused on the unmet needs of this
vulnerable population (unaccompanied women.) 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.
We are so pleased to see the groundwork that has gone into exploring the existing WISEPIace 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 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 and respectfully ask for your consideration.
Thank you for all you do in our great community of Santa Ana!
Respectfully,
Lisa Darmousseh
Exalted Ruler - President
Santa Ana Elks Lodge #794