HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 1 Public Comments_SANTA ANA WORKING WARDROBES
May 5, 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 Working Wardrobes, I am writing to express enthusiastic support for WISEPlace and
its efforts to develop permanent 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, Working Wardrobes is pleased to support this solution to
ending homelessness through this development and wrap around services provided by
WISEPlace. At Working Wardrobes, we do everything in our power to help men, women, young
adults and veterans overcome difficult challenges so they can achieve the dignity of work, and the
Power of a Paycheck. 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.
We specialize in workforce development, and cannot effectively help some of our clients without
the services provided by WISEPlace.
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.
We are pleased to see the groundwork that has gone into exploring the existing WISEPlace
location. Creating permanent 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 permanent stable environment where they can thrive.
2100 E. McFadden Suite 100 • Santa Ana, CA 92705 • (714) 210-2460
www.workingwardrobes.org • www.thehangerboutiques.org
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.
Working Wardrobes
bonnip@workingwardrobes.org
714-210-2460
2100 E. McFadden Suite 100 • Santa Ana, CA 92705 • (714) 210-2460
www.workingwardrobes.org • www.thehangerboutiques.org
Respectfully,
Bonni Pomush
CEO