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120 <br />100 <br />80 <br />60 <br />40 <br />20 <br />0� <br />— Actual housing growth rate <br />with Santa Ana household size <br />Housing growth rate using <br />County average household size <br />Chart A -12: Household <br />Growth Trend, 1950 -2015 <br />Number of Housing Units in Thousands <br />Approximately 67 percent of the City's <br />housing was built between 1950 and <br />1979. During this time, housing growth <br />kept pace with population growth. <br />Rezoning in the 1990s and a soft <br />housing market decreased the City's <br />residential activity. Population growth <br />outpaced housing growth from the <br />1990s to early 2000s. From 2000 to <br />2010 population growth and housing <br />production slowed; this downtrend is <br />expected to continue through 2030. <br />Source: Census,1990, 2000, and <br />2010; Orange County Projections 2010. <br />HOUSING NEEDS <br />HOUSING GROWTH <br />Like many Southern California cities, the City of Santa Ana experienced a post — <br />World War II residential construction boom. During the 1940s three military <br />facilities were opened adjacent to the City, providing thousands of jobs and a need <br />for additional housing opportunities in the area. Santa Ana's housing <br />construction boom spanned three decades; two- thirds of the City's housing was <br />built between 1950 and 1979. In addition, significant housing construction <br />continued during the 1980s, though to a much lesser degree. <br />By the late 1980s, however, the City of Santa Ana faced a number of challenges <br />regarding its housing, particularly apartments. Recently constructed multiple - <br />family structures had a lack of adequate open space, low quality architectural <br />designs, and poor use of quality materials. The City was also impacted by crime, <br />overcrowding, and need for community services in these areas. Coupled with poor <br />maintenance practices, these properties generated a poor image for higher density <br />residential development. Further, many of these apartment structures were built <br />in stable single - family neighborhoods. <br />In response to these challenges, the City developed strategies to stabilize <br />residential neighborhoods and control the quality of development. This included <br />design guidelines, traffic management plans, and neighborhood revitalization <br />programs. In the interim, the City reevaluated the general plan land use <br />designation for many areas in 1991. The demolition of dilapidated units, <br />construction of lower density projects, and market slowdown resulted in the <br />addition of less than 900 new units from 2008 -2012 (DataQuick). Additionally, <br />the population decreased by about 43,000 people, reducing the demand for <br />housing. <br />With the City's adoption of the 1998 General Plan Land Use Element, <br />preparation of residential design standards, and implementation of the various <br />Specific Plan and Specific Development Zone process, the City has put in place <br />the necessary regulatory tools to ensure quality residential development. These <br />tools will benefit the City and residents by helping to provide dignified housing <br />opportunities, improve neighborhoods, and contribute to long -term economic <br />goals of the community. The Framework sets forth land use strategies to increase <br />housing production in a manner that achieves larger Citywide goals. <br />CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT <br />