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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-05; City Council; 20503; CDBG AND HOME INVESTMENT PROGRAMCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL ^~~^z^ j>- — ^x AB# MTG. DEPT. 20,503 4/5/11 HRED 2011-2012 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM DEPT. HEADf'pK^? CITY ATTY. ^^&2> CITY MGR. (jj^. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Hold a public hearing to accept comments on the housing and community development needs of lower income households within the City of Carlsbad. In addition, the City Council may accept comments on the various proposals that have been submitted for funding under the City of Carlsbad's 2011-2012 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program. ITEM EXPLANATION: Under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the City of Carlsbad continues to be eligible to receive funding under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CDBG Program to finance programs that serve the needs of lower income persons. As a participant in the San Diego Urban HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Consortium, the City will also receive federal funds to provide affordable housing opportunities for lower income households. In identifying the needs of lower income persons, federal regulations require that the City Council hold at least two public hearings to obtain the views of citizens on Carlsbad's housing and community development needs. An initial public hearing to invite comments on the City's CBDG/HOME Program Consolidated Funding Plan Strategy was held on November 9, 2010. This second public hearing will provide another opportunity to obtain comments on the Consolidated Funding Plan Strategy (Exhibit 1) and the City's housing and community development needs. In addition, this hearing will provide an opportunity for public comment on the specific proposals submitted for funding through the Carlsbad 2011-2012 CDBG/HOME Program. The City Council will consider approval of the proposals and funding levels at a future meeting. The City of Carlsbad received an allocation of approximately $550,500 in CDBG funds for the 2010- 2011 fiscal year. Recent federal government budget proposals suggest that CDBG allocations for the 2011-2012 fiscal year will be substantially less than the current year's allocation. Staff is estimating that the 2011-2012 allocation may be approximately $440,400, which is twenty percent less than the 2010-2011 allocation. Approximately $102,800 will be available for allocation from CDBG program income from lease payments on the Villa Loma Apartments property, which was partially purchased with CDBG funds. Approximately $134,400 will be available in unused funds from a prior year allocation to the Street Light Retrofit Project due to favorable bids received on that project. It is anticipated that the total amount of CDBG funds currently available for allocation to eligible projects will be approximately $677,600. Staff anticipates that Carlsbad will receive approximately $232,000 in HOME funds for allocation during the 2011-2012 fiscal year, which is nearly twenty percent less than the current year's allocation of $289,876. DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Frank Boensch, (760) 434-2818, fboen@ci.carlsbad.ca.us FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY. COUNCIL ACTION:APPROVED D DENIED D CONTINUED D WITHDRAWN D AMENDED D CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC D CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN D RETURNED TO STAFF D OTHER - SEE MINUTES D PAGE 2 The City received twenty-one proposals for use of CDBG or HOME funds in response to a Request for Proposals distributed in November and December of 2010. The CDBG/HOME Advisory Committee evaluated the proposals and interviewed applicants prior to developing the funding recommendations outlined in Exhibit 2. The chart below summarizes the amount of funding requested and the maximum amount that may be available for allocation in each expenditure category: EXPENDITURE CATEGORY AMOUNT OF REQUESTED FUNDING ($) GDBG-'fi-^^-^^^^i^^" ''',•• v>' ;" %':*v-?' .'"''. <" '•- Public Services Public Facility Improvements, Affordable Housing & Other Projects Administration and Fair Housing Total 216,431 932,000 88,000 1,236,431 l_i/"Sfc »r"* •.'>'••. :". - • "•'.-. »J,%~' f^^;':-^~-, ~- '•• ,- >*'• '• • '-'••-,' , , ••>' V-^V.1- • . *HOM& . -.A..;.-;, "v^.^ny,-;;-;^,-,":..' ->^;-.->- «';4-v -:' "•'••-;•. -;-!'-x'"'' • ' Affordable Housing! 932,000 AMOUNT OF AVAILABLE FUNDING ($) , '-•:•/ .'''-.; ,'^.';,,,'' ' • 66,000 523,600 88,000 677,600 ' • '/':'J'J^?$&&:> \':: 232,000 CDBG FUNDS The Committee is recommending that the estimated $66,000 in CDBG funds available for public service activities be allocated to thirteen different organizations. Two organizations requesting public service funds are recommended to receive $5,500 in funds and eleven organizations are recommended to receive $5,000 in funds. The Committee is also recommending that $523,600 in CDBG funds available in the Public Facility Improvements and Affordable Housing categories be allocated to Southern California Housing Collaborative to assist them in purchasing an apartment complex in Carlsbad. The apartments would provide affordable housing for low income households, some of which would include persons with developmental disabilities. The Committee is also recommending that $19,100 of funds available for administration be provided to the Center for Social Advocacy to assist residents with fair housing services as required by HUD to receive CDBG funds. The Committee is recommending that in the event the City's CDBG allocation is reduced by more than the estimated twenty percent, the organizations recommended for $5,500 in funding be reduced to $5,000, and the organizations recommended for $5,000 in funding be reduced a proportionate amount. The funds recommended for Southern California Housing Collaborative to assist in the purchase of an apartment complex would also be reduced a proportionate amount. Staff will prepare an Annual Action Plan for the CDBG/HOME Program for City Council approval based on the City's actual allocation amount after HUD's budget is approved in April or May of 2011. HOME FUNDS The Committee is recommending that the City Council allocate $232,000 in HOME funds to Solutions for Change to acquire property that will be used as affordable rental housing for graduates of its homeless prevention program. That amount will be reduced to the actual allocation to the City if it is reduced by more than the twenty percent estimate. Solutions for Change provides housing, case management and other services to homeless families with children to assist them in becoming more productive members of the community. Solutions for Change is in the process of acquiring homes that they rent to families who have successfully completed their transitional programs and are ready to return to more traditional housing opportunities. PAGES The City Council has already allocated $525,000 in HOME funds to Solutions for Change during last year's funding process. However, those funds have not been available for use because the allocation was approved after the County approved their 2010-2011 Annual Funding Plan for the HOME program. Solutions for Change is requesting the additional funds this year to enhance their ability to acquire a multifamily complex. The Advisory Committee is also recommending that a condition be placed on this allocation to require that the property be located in the City of Carlsbad. RECOMMENDATION: It is staffs recommendation that the City Council accept public comments on the needs of low income persons and the proposals submitted for funding under the City's 2011-2012 CDBG/HOME Program to meet those needs. FISCAL IMPACT: It is anticipated that approximately $677,600 will be available for allocation through the City's 2011- 2012 CDBG Program, and approximately $232,000 through the City's HOME Program. The City may use up to twenty percent (20%) of the new CDBG allocation, or approximately $88,000, for administration of the City's CDBG program. The Advisory Committee is recommending that $19,100 of those funds be used to contract with the Center for Social Advocacy to provide fair housing services to Carlsbad residents, which is an administrative requirement by the federal government for receiving funds through the CDBG Program. The remainder of the allocation ($68,900) available for administration will be used to reimburse the City for staff and operational expenses related to CDBG program administration. It is anticipated that the City will receive approximately $7,000 from the County Consortium to reimburse the City for administrative expenses related to the HOME Program. The CDBG/HOME Program has no impact on the General Fund. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: City Council's action to accept public comments on the needs of low income persons and the proposals submitted for funding under the City's 2011-2012 CDBG/HOME Program to meet those needs is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)"General Rule", as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, that the acceptance of public comment would not authorize, permit, or guarantee the construction of any project that would have a significant environmental effect nor commit the City to approve any such project. EXHIBITS: 1. 2011-2012 Consolidated Funding Plan Strategy. 2. Advisory Committee Funding Recommendations. 3 Exhibit 1 CITY OF CARLSBAD CDBG/HOME PROGRAM 2011-2012 FUNDING PLAN CITY OF CARLSBAD 2011-2012 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES The City of Carlsbad Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will be allocated to organizations, agencies, City Departments, or persons to implement programs or develop/improve public facilities which meet the following community development objectives: 1. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: • Provide direct benefit to lower income persons through the provision or retention of affordable housing units in Carlsbad; • Provide shelter or services to homeless or near homeless persons/families which result in an improved situation through employment, permanent or transitional housing, treatment of mental, or substance abuse problems, etc.; and, • Provide direct assistance to lower income households to prevent or eliminate residential Building or Municipal Code violations and/or improve the quality of housing units in Carlsbad through residential (rental and/or owner occupied) rehabilitation programs. 2. SOCIAL SERVICES (GENERAL): • Provide assistance to non-profit public service providers who meet the basic needs of lower income Carlsbad residents. Basic needs are defined as those which provide food, shelter, clothing and, in some cases, health care; • Provide assistance to non-profit public service providers who offer counseling and self- improvement programs/activities for lower income Carlsbad residents; and, • Provide assistance to non-profit public service providers who offer recreational and/or cultural programs/activities for lower income Carlsbad residents. 3. SOCIAL SERVICES (CHILDREN & ADULTS): • Provide assistance to organizations which administer programs that directly benefit lower income children living in Carlsbad. The programs must provide one or more of the following activities: day care, after-school care, cultural enrichment, recreation, health care/immunization or self-improvement. The City may also give priority to single-parent assistance programs such as counseling services; and • Provide assistance to organizations which administer programs that directly benefit low income adults living in Carlsbad. The programs must provide one or more of the following activities for adults: employment services, job training, and educational programs. Programs designed for elderly adults only must provide one or more of the following activities: meals, homemaking or personal assistance services, financial assistance services, counseling, transportation, or shared housing or other housing related services. 2 of 5 CITY OF CARLSBAD 2011-2012 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR 2011-2012 PROGRAM YEAR Source of Funds Amount($) New Entitlement Grant 440,400 Program Income 102,800 Reallocation of Prior Year Funds 134.400 TOTAL 677,600 Funds Available by Activity Amount ($) Public Service (Maximuml 5% of new grant.) 66,000 Affordable Housing 261,800 Public Facilities, Improvements/Other 261,800 Program Administration/Fair Housing (Maximum 20% of new grant) 88.000 Total Available Funds 677,600 3 of 5 2011-2012 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM STRATEGY The City of Carlsbad, as a member of the San Diego Urban County HOME Consortium, may allocate its HOME Investment Partnership funds to implement the following activities directly, through local housing authorities, or for-profit or non-profit organizations: 1. Property Acquisition/Housing Construction HOME funds may be used for property acquisition and all other eligible costs of providing new affordable housing for lower-income persons and special needs groups. 2. Housing Acquisition/Rehabilitation HOME funds may be used for acquisition of existing housing units with or without rehabilitation for lower-income persons and special needs groups. 3. Housing Rehabilitation HOME funds may be used for housing rehabilitation costs incurred separately or in connection with the acquisition of existing housing for lower-income persons and special needs groups. 4. Rental Assistance HOME funds may be used for tenant based rental assistance, related residential security deposit assistance programs, and other eligible related costs. 5. Home Buyer Assistance HOME funds may be used for home buyer assistance programs for lower income persons. Such programs may include, but are not limited to, downpayment and closing cost assistance, direct loan to the home buyer, interest subsidy to the lender, or "gap" financing. 6. Administration/Planning A portion of HOME funding may be used for eligible HOME administration and planning costs, including direct administrative and overhead costs, public information, fair housing, and program development costs. Funding Process The City's portion of HOME funds will be awarded to eligible housing activities implemented by the City or by for profit or non-profit organizations on behalf of the City. Staff of the Housing and Neighborhood Services Department shall evaluate and determine those eligible housing activities to be considered for funding under the HOME Program based upon the housing need priorities established in the City's General Plan Housing Element and the Consolidated Plan. Staff will present the recommendations for project funding to the City Council for consideration and final approval. 4 of 5 Leverage In so far as possible, HOME funds will be leveraged with other public and private funding sources to enhance program productivity. Area of Activity HOME funds may be used for housing activities implemented within the City of Carlsbad. CITY OF CARLSBAD HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM SUMMARY OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR 2011-2012 PROGRAM YEAR 2011-2012 HOME Funding Allocation for Carlsbad $232,000 5 of 5 B 2011-2012 CITY OF CARLSBAD CDBG/HOME PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS Exhibit 2 APP. NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 AGENCY/PROJECT Boys and Girls Club Teen Program Brother Benno Brother Benno Center Cardiovascular Disease Foundation Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids Casa de Amparo/Food Program for Neglected and Abused Children Catholic Charities / La Posada de Guadalupe Homeless Shelter City of Carlsbad/Parks and Recreation Opportunity Grants Program Community Resource Center Homeless Prevention and Intervention Fraternity House AIDS Caregiving Program From the Inside Out CROP, AWARE and CAMP Programs Hospice of the North Coast Hope Bereavement Center Interfaith Community Services Housing and General Assistance Ivy Ranch Park Association Equestrian Therapy Program Meals on Wheels Meal Delivery Service North County Community Services Food Bank North County Health Services / Health Screening and Immunizations North County Lifeline Youth Counseling Program Women's Resource Center Alternatives to Abuse Shelter YMCA OZ Youth Shelter Solutions for Change Property Acquistion So. Cal. Housing Collaborative Property Acquisition Center for Social Advocacy Fair Housing Program TYPE OF PROJiCT Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Public Services Housing Housing Administration REQUESTED AMOUNT $9,500 $10,000 $5,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,500 $10,000 $7,825 $15,000 $6,000 $19,165 $10,000 $7,000 $8,089 $22,992 $37,360 $15,000 $5,000 $345,000 $587,000 $20,100 RECOMMENDED FUNDING $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,500 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $5,500 CDBG Funds $5,000 CDBG Funds $232,000 HOME Funds $523,600 CDBG Funds $19,100 CDBG Funds Lisa Hildabrand All Receive-Agenda Item #_ Subject:FW: Agenda item #12 ITY COUNCIL . Distribution: :ity Clerk Asst. City Clerk )eputy Clerk From: Frank Boensch Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 9:27 AM To: Lisa Hildabrand Cc: Debbie Fountain; John Coates Subject: RE: Agenda item # 12 Hi Lisa, Thanks for the opportunity to clarify the situation with HOME funding allocations. The $525,000 in HOME Funds City Council allocated to Solutions for Change last year have not yet been available for use due to the timing of the County's approval of their Annual Funding Plan last year. (The City's plans for use of our HOME funds must be included in the County Annual Funding Plan because we are a member of the County HOME Consortium.) The $525,000 allocation will be "rolled over" into the coming year's County Annual Funding Plan. I have coordinated with County staff this year to ensure that any additional allocation made this year for Solutions for Change can be added to the previous $525,000 allocation so that they can both used in the coming year. If needed, the City can request that the allocations to Solutions for Change be "rolled over" again next year if they are unable to spend the funds by the end of the coming program year. The County generally will approve such requests as long as the Consortium as a whole is in compliance with HDD's expenditure requirements. If the Consortium is in danger of not meeting the expenditure requirements, the County would likely request that the City reallocate the Solutions for Change funds to another project that could spend those funds in a more expedient manner. However, Solutions for Change is planning to use the funds for acquisition of property, which is one of the fastest ways to spend funds, so I do not anticipate that this will be a problem. You also had the following questions: • What will happen if we don't lose 20% of the grant funds? Will we increase the funds or will we save the funds for the next year applications? The Advisory Committee is recommending that if additional funds are available, that they be shared between the two highest ranked applicants in the three public service categories. The affordable housing applicants would also receive a proportionate share of the increase based on actual funding amounts. I included these details in the resolution/exhibit that has been drafted for actual approval of funding amounts, but I'm hoping that we will know actual amounts before the meeting is held on April 26 to allocate the funds. At the meeting tonight, a decision is not yet required on the funding amounts. This is the public hearing to accept comments only. This will provide some additional time for the federal government to take action on their budget and provide us with more specifics on the actual funding amount to be made available. • For CDBG funds, how long do the recipients have to use up the funds and can for how many years the funds can be carried forward? CDBG funding agreements require expenditure within one year unless the organization receives an extension. They are generally not extended for over one year. There is no set limit for a maximum number of years. Eventually, staff would recommend reallocation of funds if an organization is unable to spend the funds after i o ne year unless there are extenuating circumstances, or if the City has not met its required expenditure cap and is under a federal directive to reallocate funding to other projects that are ready to proceed. • How and for what purpose the $5000 that was awarded to the City of Carlsbad Parks and Recreation will be used? The funds are to be used for the City's Opportunity Grants Program, which provides scholarships for youth from lower income households to participate in Parks and Recreation programs. • Where is YMCA Oz located? YMCA Oz North Coast is located at 215 Barnes Street in Oceanside. Please let me know if you have any further questions regarding the CDBG/HOME program. Thanks, Frank CARLSBAD Frank Boensch Sr. Management Analyst Housing & Neigborhood Services City of Carlsbad 2965 Roosevelt Street, Suite B Carlsbad, CA 92008 www.carlsbadca.gov P: 760-434-2818 F: 760-720-2037 frank.boensch@carlsbadca.gov CDBG/HOME PROGRAM 2011-2012 Program Year CDBG/HOME Program •Community Development Block Grant –To help serve the needs of lower income persons –To assist in the development of viable communities •Home Investment Partnership –To provide affordable housing opportunities for lower income persons CDBG/HOME Public Hearing •Receive comments on the needs of lower income residents. •Opportunity to comment on proposals for 2011-12 program year. CDBG/HOME FUNDS Activities Requested Funding Total Funds Available CDBG Public Services 216,431 66,000 Public Facility Improvements and Affordable Housing 932,000 523,600 Administration and Fair Housing 88,000 88,000 Total 1,236,431 677,600 HOME Affordable Housing 932,000 232,000 Advisory Committee Planning Commissioner Julie Nygaard Housing Commissioner Bobbie Smith Senior Commissioner Joan Surridge Northwest Quadrant Dawn Sheals Northeast Quadrant Brian Butchco Southwest Quadrant De’Ann Weimer Southeast Quadrant Joan Kindle Requested Actions •Accept public comments on the needs of lower income residents and CDBG/HOME Program proposals. •Express Council’s intent to approve final funding allocations at a future meeting. CDBG/HOME PROGRAM 2011-2012 Program Year