2014-006 - Santa Ana General Plan Housing Element and Public Safety Element Updates

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PLANNING CONTEXT SPECIAL NEEDS Certain segments of the population are considered to have special housing needs because their circumstances may result in difficulties in finding adequate and affordable housing. Circumstances may include income, household characteristics, disability, or medical conditions. Table 3 summarizes the number of special needs groups in the City. The following discussion illustrates the needs of special needs group and the City's response. Refer to the Appendices for additional information. Table 3 Special Housing Needs Special Needs Group Large households Female- headed households Disabled persons Senior households Farmworkers who are homeless Households /Persons Number I Percent 28,034 44% 11,799 23% 22,301 22% 21,911 13% 1,997 <1% 850 <1% Sources: 2012 SCAG Existing Housing Needs Data Report, 2011 American Community Survey, and 2013 Orange County Homeless Count and Survey Report. SENIOR HOUSEHOLDS Senior citizens are considered a special needs group because limited income, health costs, disabilities, and the need for access to transportation can make it more difficult for them to find and retain adequate and affordable housing. According to the 2010 Census, 21,911 Santa Ana residents (7 percent) are seniors. Of the 10,303 senior households in 2011, 7,212 (70 percent) own housing and 3,090 (30 percent) rent housing. According to the 2011 ACS, 33 percent of the senior population in Santa Ana lives alone. The 2010 Census reports that seniors have the following needs: 35 percent have a disability, 57 percent earn lower income, and 59 percent overpay for housing. With the aging ofbaby boomers, the increasing number of seniors is expected to create a demand for affordable, barrier -free housing and supportive services. The City of Santa Ana encourages the provision of a range of housing types and support services. As described in Appendix A (page A -22), the City has approximately 944 age- restricted units; 1,114 senior -only mobile homes, based on telephone survey; and 520 beds in residential care and continuing care facilities, according to the State of California licensed care database. Senior services are provided at two senior community centers. The Orange County Office ofAging coordinates services available to seniors in the community. Programs in the Housing Framework address the provision of housing and services to address this segment of Santa Ana's population. CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT jl;�,/ \A_