The PBx express permit service, Crossroads at Washington and Estrella Springs all received accolades.
SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana is honored to have three projects recognized for our creative approach to development and affordable housing at the Orange County Business Council’s 14th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Awards last week. This is the third year in a row that the City of Santa Ana has won an award from OCBC.
“We are incredibly proud to see the City of Santa Ana recognized for its commitment to innovation and progress,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “The success of PBx, Estrella Springs and Crossroads at Washington reflects the power of collaboration between public and private sectors to create solutions that meet the needs of our community. These awards highlight our ongoing efforts to encourage new development by streamlining processes and investing in affordable housing.”
The City of Santa Ana received an Honorable Mention in the Economic Development category for the Planning and Building Agency’s express construction permit service. PBx, which is short for Planning and Building Express, allows customers to get same-day permits in order to improve customer service and streamline the development approval process. Since the program’s launch last year, wait and service times have been reduced.
In the Public-Private Partnership category, the City’s investment in two transformative projects — The Crossroads at Washington and Estrella Springs — was also celebrated. Related California won the category for the Crossroads at Washington affordable housing development, and Jamboree Housing Corp. received Honorable Mention for the Estrella Springs permanent supportive housing project.
In 2019, the City of Santa Ana and the County of Orange selected developer Related California to build an 86-unit affordable housing development on land owned by the City and the County. The Crossroads at Washington provides housing and on-site services for low-income families and special needs populations to more than 200 residents. To help make the project possible, the Santa Ana City Council also provided $4.6 million and 15 project-based vouchers.
Jamboree Housing partnered with the City of Santa Ana, the County of Orange and CalOptima Health to transform an underused motel in Santa Ana into the 89-unit Estrella Springs project. The development offers housing and supportive services for individuals and veterans experiencing homelessness, those living with mental health diagnoses, and individuals earning up to 30% of the area median income (AMI). To help make the project possible, the Santa Ana City Council provided $1.6 million and 89 project-based vouchers.
Last year, the City received an award for its Down Payment Assistance Loan Program. The year before, the City won an award for the MainPlace Specific Plan. These awards underscore Santa Ana’s leadership in fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for its residents through efficient processes and impactful partnerships.
As recognized by Western City Magazine, Santa Ana’s development renaissance has captured national attention. Santa Ana has developed more affordable housing than any other city in Orange County. It reached 74% of its state-mandated housing goal of 3,137 units less than three years into the current housing cycle, putting it on pace to exceed the requirement for the second cycle in a row.
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