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

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HOUSING PLAN voluntarily entering the program sign a contract and work with case managers to pursue education or training that will allow them to secure employment. The Housing Authority serves 66 households. During the program, the participant continues to receive Section 8 assistance, although their contribution may increase as their earned income increases. As a component of this program, the Housing Authority establishes an interest - bearing savings account, with payments equivalent to the extra rent paid toward housing, as the participant improves their economic status. Upon successful completion of the contract, the participant receives the funds in the escrow account. 36. HOPWA Tenant -Based Rental Assistance The Santa Ana Housing Authority operates the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS ( HOPWA) Tenant -Based Rental Assistance Program as a countywide program. This program provides rental assistance to disabled residents who have been diagnosed HIV - positive. This program maintains HIV - positive people in stable housing and thereby reduces their health risks and prevents homelessness. Through case management linkages, program participants also receive referrals to available social services. Several local social welfare organizations and nonprofit housing organizations also assist the City of Santa Ana in program implementation. The program is intended to mirror the Housing Choice Voucher Program, where the tenant must be very low income. The Housing Authority serves 50 households under this program. HOUSING PRESERVATION 37. Preservation of At -Risk Housing Santa Ana has been partners in projects providing more than 2,500 units of rental housing affordable to lower income households. Of that total, about one -third of the units are at risk of losing affordability controls and reverting to market rents by 2014. The Housing Authority recently issued a bond to preserve the 200 -unit Wycliffe Towers senior project. Given the importance of assisted affordable projects, however, a more strategic program is needed. The City will establish a program that consists of regular outreach to owners of assisted projects to understand their intentions for converting projects, refinement of the affordable housing database, provision of assistance in structuring financing, and seeking funding to preserve at -risk housing. Where feasible, the City would ensure agreements meet affordability levels, occupancy restrictions, and other requirements of state law needed to secure credit toward the RHNA. 38. Multiple - Family Acquisition and Rehabilitation Santa Ana has many deteriorated apartment projects characterized by lesser quality construction, overcrowding, and absentee ownership. Left unattended, deteriorated apartments depress the values of surrounding properties and negatively influence the quality of life in neighborhoods. To stabilize neighborhoods and provide affordable housing, the City implements an acquisition and rehabilitation program for multiple - family residential projects. CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT 63