Santa Ana Opens 106 Affordable Units For Chronically Homeless

SANTA ANA, CA —A total of 106 affordable units earmarked for Santa Ana's chronically homeless and low-income families has opened this week. La Placita Cinco and Casa Querencia, two new affordable apartment communities in Santa Ana, are at last complete, according to a release by Community Development Partners, Mercy House and the City of Santa Ana.

It took a combined effort to build the project with $6 million in funding and 56 Section 8 project-based vouchers provided by Santa Ana.

La Placita Cinco and Casa Querencia build upon CDP, Mercy House and the City of Santa Ana’s efforts to reduce homelessness in Santa Ana and provide high quality, affordable housing with the services needed to help residents seek more stability and wellness in their lives.

Not only does the building provide housing for those in dire need, but services that will enrich the lives of those who make a home, here.

Mercy House is the lead services provider at both buildings and will provide organized social, recreational and enrichment activities for residents, in addition to wraparound case management and other supportive services.

Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento spoke out on the new development.

“Casa Querencia and La Placita Cinco are an integral part of the City’s ongoing strategy to end homelessness in our community by providing not only shelters but also permanent housing and supportive services,” Sarmiento said. “The City has assisted over 430 homeless individuals to receive permanent supportive housing over the past five years, has 191 new supportive housing units in the pipeline, and expects to issue 471 housing vouchers by the end of 2021.”

Kyle Paine, President of Community Development Partners, discussed the pride in seeing the projects come to fruition.

“We want to thank the City of Santa Ana, Mercy House and all of our partners for their efforts on these developments, and most importantly, we want to welcome our new residents," Paine said. "Handing keys to a resident for their new home is one of the most fulfilling parts of our job and why we are so committed to this work.”

Mercy House CEO Larry Haynes shared the importance of what they have accomplished. “We all know the best answer to addressing homelessness and so much economic insecurity is dignified permanent housing. Mercy House is honored to once again partner with CDP and the City of Santa Ana on this issue. There is so much more to do! What’s next?!”