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

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HOUSING PLAN the City supports a food bank, employment training, substance abuse recovery, referral services, and a wide variety of other services to enable people who are homeless to transition into society and live full and productive lives. Funds are provided through the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Community Development Block Grant funds. The City will continue to provide funding and technical assistance, as available, to support and encourage the continued provision of a range of prevention, outreach, and supportive services. HOUSING FOR SENIORS 49. HOUSING FACILITIES Approximately 900 subsidized senior housing units are located in Santa Ana, and the City is monitoring them to help preserve their affordability. The Santa Ana Housing Authority allocates approximately 450 vouchers annually to seniors, and more than 2,200 seniors are on the waiting list. The Santa Ana Housing Authority is also actively involved in the preservation of the 200 -unit Wycliffe Towers senior complex through the issuance of a $30 million bond. Senior housing is also permitted in several districts, and regulatory incentives (e.g., parking reductions and density bonus) are available to facilitate the construction of new projects. As opportunities become available, the City continues to facilitate new senior housing, increase housing vouchers for seniors, and /or preserve deed restricted affordable senior housing in the community. 50. Senior Life Care Facilities As the needs of an aging population change, Santa Ana seniors need a wider choice of housing options that would allow them to age in place. `Aging in place" refers to idea that seniors should have suitable housing that allows them to stay in their own home, neighborhood or community. This includes three approaches. The City's reasonable accommodation ordinance allows for modifications to make structures more accessible so seniors can continue to live in them. For those wishing to stay in the city but desire a more supportive environment, life -care facilities are being proposed that allow for independent, semi - independent, or assisted - living. And, in other cases, residential care facilities for the elderly are important. To that end, Santa Ana will continue working to facilitate the most appropriate type of housing for seniors living in the community. 51. Senior Services Senior citizens in Santa Ana can benefit from a broad range of supportive services that enable them to live in their homes as independently as possible. Through federal and state funding, the City funds a broad range of organizations that provide meal and nutrition, recreation, health care, and service programs. Many of the senior programs operate from the Santa Ana Senior Center and the Southwest Senior Center. Programs such as delivering meals to homebound seniors and referral services currently serve approximately 1,500 Santa Ana seniors, including homebound seniors. Subsidized public transit is also available through transit providers. The Orange County Council on Aging also serves as CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT 67 Sunrise Gardens and many other facilities provide a range of senior housing options.