Direct Assistance Programs - City of Santa Ana

As part of the City’s recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, after school and youth sports programs targeted to youth will be implemented in collaboration with youth-serving organizations in the City. The City of Santa Ana plans to contract with organizations who will be responsible for developing and implementing a variety of after school and youth sports programs for elementary and intermediate school age youth. Programs and services will be provided at various locations throughout the City in an effort to reach youth most in need.

$500,000 was dedicated to educational library programming that is intended to increase digital literacy and the promotion of available technology tools. Programming includes TechTopia, Play and Learn, X-STREAM Lab, K-12 Robots in Residence, AStounD Robots in Residence, Library of Things, Media Lab, TeenMaker Lab, Adaptive Technology, and Technology Workshops.

Revive Santa Ana brings technical support seminars and grants to small businesses to address negative economic impacts. The grant program is funded with authorization from the American Rescue Plan Act through U.S. Department of Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). This program provides $1,000 grants to participants that complete qualified business seminars.

City staff handed out $300 Visa gift cards to the lowest-income areas within the City. Direct assistance aided those residents that were financially constrained as a direct result of the pandemic on the economy and workforce.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect people’s daily lives, families with young children need additional support to facilitate their children’s academic readiness while also providing for their wellbeing and safety. The City of Santa Ana plans to contract with organizations who will be responsible for developing and implementing a variety of academic support program and providing quality day care facilities and services for young children and their families. $1 million has been allocated for this purpose.

Financial help for residents to pay rent if COVID-19 has hurt their finances and they owe back-rent. Grants equal to the amount of your rental arrears (up a maximum of 15 months since April 1, 2020) were available. *Not funded by the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).

The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides housing for extremely low-income families. *Not funded by the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).

The Santa Ana City Council adopted two new ordinances to help protect renters: a Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which limits residential rent increases to the lower of 3% or 80% of CPI per year, and a Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, which limits the allowed reasons for which a renter can be evicted. The new ordinances became effective on November 19, 2021. The City procured a consultant (RSG) to provide the following services: a) administer both Ordinances; b) research and implement the long-term regulatory framework and infrastructure; and c) provide general services to City staff and the community.

Funds have been allocated to assist the retention of local food distribution programs that serve our lower socioeconomic communities.

These funds have been used to offer resources to youth violence prevention programs to better serve the disadvantaged population that are faced with the aforementioned hardships.

The Santa Ana Police Athletic & Activity League (PAAL) is a comprehensive community program that focuses on building a bond between kids and cops through education, fitness and activities. The after school program is designed to have the youth from within our community off the streets and away from potential gang recruitment. The program keeps the children engaged in their academics, which includes completing nightly homework as well as providing tutoring.