REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: BRANDON SISK, Senior Management Analyst
Community Development Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Program Year (PY) 2023 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs:
1. HEARING to obtain public comments regarding the PY 2023 CAPER; and
2. Adopt PY 2023 CAPER and authorize submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council obtain the views and comments from interested persons regarding the Draft PY 2023 CAPER, adopt the PY 2023 CAPER, and authorize submission to HUD.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The CAPER serves to meet the performance reporting requirements of HUD as set forth in the Consolidated Plan Regulations. On August 12, 2024, a Public Review draft of the CAPER was published for a 15-day public comment period. The PY 2023 CAPER describes the activities undertaken by the City with HUD funds from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. HUD requires the City to submit the CAPER within 90 days of the end of the program year, or September 30, 2024.
BACKGROUND
The City is an entitlement jurisdiction receiving annual federal funding from HUD. In accordance with federal regulations, each year, the City produces a CAPER. The CAPER serves to meet the performance reporting requirements of HUD as set forth in the Consolidated Plan Regulations. On August 12, 2024, a Public Review Draft of the CAPER was made available for a 15-day public comment period. The draft report describes activities undertaken by the City during the HUD PY 2023, beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024, using the following federal funds:
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• HEARTH Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
• Home Investment Partnerships (HOME)
• Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
• Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV)
• HEARTH Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus (ESG-CV)
• Home Investment Partnerships - American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP)
These grants fund community development efforts to improve housing and opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents of the City. The draft PY 2023 CAPER was developed based on information provided by project managers, subrecipients, and additional City departments and illustrates how the City funded and administered projects to address the four main goals of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. Highlighted accomplishments by goal area for activities funded with HUD CPD grants are as follows:
Homelessness and the Prevention of Homelessness
• 264 households obtained rental assistance or rapid re-housing services
• 381 people experiencing homelessness were provided overnight shelter
• 7,085 people were provided services to prevent homelessness
Safe and Affordable Housing
• 68 home repairs were completed for low- and moderate-income homeowners through partnerships with Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, Habitat for Humanity, Self-Help Enterprises, and the City’s Senior Paint and Exterior Repair Programs.
• 285 affordable housing units were constructed, of which 33 were HOME funded, at three developments. Below are descriptions of each completed housing project:
• FCTC, L.P. - Brand Haven Senior Housing Project
The project consisted of constructing 180 new multi-family senior housing units and improvements to curbs, streets, and landscaping. The City previously reported that it provided $2,259,784 in CDBG funds to acquire the 2-acre project site located at Fancher Creek Drive and Marion Avenue. An additional $1,420,500 in HOME funds were provided for eligible pre-development and construction costs.
• Fresno Housing Authority - The Arthur at Blackstone
The project consisted of renovating an existing retail building and constructing 41 new multi-family affordable housing units along with improvements to curbs, streets, and landscaping. In total, $1,633,112 in HOME funds was provided for eligible construction costs.
• Fresno Housing Authority - Sun Lodge Motel Conversion aka Promesa Commons The project consisted of the adaptive reuse of the Days Inn Motel, a 98-unit vacant and dilapidated structure. The motel was converted into a 64-unit permanent affordable rental housing property with a mix of bedroom types. The estimated project cost was $36 million of which $2.7 million in HOME funds were provided for eligible construction costs.
In Program Year 2023, there were 10 housing projects underway. They included:
• Habitat for Humanity - Barcus / Rialto Single-Family Housing Project
The project consists of two 3-bedroom and 2-bathroom homes with attached garages and on- and off-site improvements. The estimated project cost was $924,550 of which $392,000 in HOME CHDO funds were provided for eligible predevelopment and construction cost which will subsequently convert to mortgage assistance for two homebuyers whose income is at 60% to 80% of area median income. The estimated time of the transfer of the houses to the homebuyers is September 2024.
• Habitat for Humanity - 64 Atchison Single-Family Housing Project
The project consists of one 3-bedroom and 2-bathroom home with an attached garage and on- and off-site improvements. The estimated project cost was $526,326 of which $253,673 in HOME CHDO funds were provided for eligible predevelopment and construction costs which will subsequently convert to mortgage assistance for an owner-occupied homebuyer whose income is at 60% to 80% of area median income. The project is underway with an estimated completion date of October 2024.
• Self-Help Enterprises - Annadale Phase II S-F Housing Project
The project consists of 22 single-family affordable homes, of which 11 are HOME-funded, and on- and off-site improvements. The estimated project cost was $2.9 million of which $1,462,000 in HOME funds were provided for construction costs which will subsequently convert to mortgage assistance for 11 homebuyers whose income is at 60% to 80% of the area median income. The project is underway with an estimated completion date of December 2024 for the first 11 homes and December 2025 for the remaining 11 homes.
• Self-Help Enterprises - Walnut / Florence / Plumas
The project consists of 17 single-family affordable homes, of which 11 are HOME-funded, and on- and off-site improvements. The estimated project cost was $4.4 million of which $800,000 in HOME funds were provided for eligible construction costs which will subsequently convert to mortgage assistance for 11 homebuyers whose income is at 60% to 80% of area median income. The project is underway with an estimated completion date of December 2025.
• Fancher Creek Town Center LP - Sarah’s Court Phase I
The project consists of 120 newly constructed multi-family affordable rental units plus on- and off-site improvements. The estimated project cost was $35 million of which $2,480,000 in CDBG funds were provided for acquisition of the 2-acre project site located at 200 N. Salma Avenue. In addition, $3,169,034 in HOME funds were provided for eligible pre-development and construction costs. The project is underway and is anticipated to be completed in December 2024.
• Fancher Creek Town Center LP - Sarah’s Court Phase II
The project consists of 120 new multi-family affordable rental units and on- and off-site improvements. The estimated project cost was $38 million of which $2.4 million in CDBG funds were provided for acquisition of the 2-acre project site located at 200 N. Salma Avenue, just north of Sarah’s Court Phase I.
• Fresno Housing Authority - Avalon Commons, Phase I
The project consists of 60 new multi-family affordable rental units and on- and off-site improvements. The estimated project cost was $40 million of which $2,654,771 in HOME funds were provided for eligible construction costs. The project is underway and is anticipated to be completed in November 2024.
• Fresno Housing Authority - Avalon Commons Phase II
The project consists of 45 new multi-family affordable rental units and on- and off-site improvements. The estimated project cost was $40 million of which $1,243,000 in CDBG funds were provided for acquisition of a portion of 7521 N. Chestnut Avenue, just north of Avalon Commons Phase I.
• Fresno Housing Authority - Parkside Inn Motel Conversion Phase I and Phase II
The project consists of the adaptive reuse of the 48-unit Parkside Inn Motel into 38 affordable permanent rental units and onsite improvements. The estimated project cost is $20 million of which $3 million in CDBG funds were provided for acquisition cost of the motel property located at 1415 W. Olive Avenue.
• Blythe Village LP - Blythe Village
The project consists of a 67-unit manufactured rental housing property and on- and off-site improvements. The estimated project cost was $14.5 million of which $400,000 of CDBG funds were provided for partial acquisition cost of the 4.8-acre site located at 3572 N. Blythe Avenue. In addition, $1.8 million in HOME funds were provided for eligible pre-development and manufacturing costs. The project began in July 2024, and it is anticipated to be completed in June 2026.
Public Infrastructure and Facilities
• 21,630 people benefited from improved neighborhood streets
• 31,285 people benefited from improved parks
• 1,235 people benefitted from improvements to Saints Rest Plaza
Public Infrastructure and Facility projects still underway include:
o The Highway City Neighborhood Street Reconstruction
o The Yosemite Middle School Complete Streets Design
o The Rialto-Marks-Holland-Valentine Neighborhood Street Improvements
o The Knight Avenue Neighborhood Street Improvements
o Frank H. Ball ADA Improvements
o Maxie L. Parks HVAC Design
o Fink-White Splash Park
Community Services
• 796 youth benefited from Central Valley Justice Coalition’s Youth Advocacy & Mentorship Program
• 114 microenterprises benefited from Chinatown Fresno Foundation’s Open for Business Initiative
Fair Housing
• Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries - Fair Housing Education Program
Although Fair Housing data is not required to be tracked when using administrative funds, it is important to note that the City partnered with Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM) which provided outreach throughout the program year. FIRM’s HUD Certified Housing Counselors provided fair housing information in Hmong, Ukrainian, Pashto, Farsi, Dari, and English.
Through CDBG funding, FIRM staff conducted community workshops and distributed information at community farms, libraries, and community centers in the 93702, 93703, 93722, 93725, and 93727 ZIP codes where the need for fair housing information was greatest.
Additionally, FIRM provided information about fair housing rights, low-income public housing, and housing voucher rights on its ethnic radio show and TV show. It is estimated that 250 Cambodian, 3,433 Hmong, 1,636 Khmer, and 2,105 Lao listeners and viewers tuned in.
In total, FIRM was able to reach 5,390 people through in-person outreach and another 7,424 people by TV and radio. A high percentage of individuals reached were Hmong, Cambodian, Lao, and Hispanic elders who indicated they had an extremely low to moderate income.
Comments were encouraged and accepted by mail, email, phone, TTY, fax, or survey. Ten comments were received by the close of the written comment period on August 27, 2024. Those comments, along with the comments received during the Public Hearing, and the City’s responses will be attached to the final report submitted to HUD.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for purposes of CEQA pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15378. These plans, strategies and studies are an exempt activity under HUD NEPA Requirements (24 CFR 58.34 (1)).
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
No City of Fresno general funds will be used to finalize or submit the CAPER. Submission of the CAPER is a federal requirement to maintain the City’s eligibility for the receipt of HUD CPD CDBG, ESG, HOME, and HOPWA funds.
Attachments: Public Draft of 2023-2024 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report
CAPER Webinar Presentation