REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 14, 2015
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: JOSE TRUJILLO, Housing Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
CRYSTAL SMITH, Management Analyst III
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT:
title
Actions pertaining to the City of Fresno 2015-2019 Program Year Consolidated Plan: 1. Conduct a public hearing to obtain public comments on the Draft 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan; and 2. Resolution Adopting the 2015-2019 Program Year Consolidated Plan; authorizing submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for application of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA) Programs and authorizing the City Manager to sign all implementing documents required by HUD as approved to form by the City Attorney
body
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended the City Council obtain public comments on the draft 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan; adopt the 2015-2019 Program Year Consolidated Plan as the five-year strategy implementing HUD entitlement funding; authorize submission of the 2015-2019 Program Year Consolidated Plan to HUD; and authorize the City Manager to sign all reasonably required/implicated documents, instruments and funding agreements, to carry out the Consolidated Plan strategies, subject to prior approval by the City Attorney's Office.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno is an entitlement jurisdiction receiving annual federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Programs. Receiving the entitlement funds is predicated upon the City having an adopted five-year strategic plan, named the Consolidated Plan (ConPlan). The ConPlan identifies the actions to be undertaken by the local jurisdiction to meet the housing and community development needs of its low to moderate income persons.
BACKGROUND
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires jurisdictions receiving federal entitlement funds through its Community Planning and Development Department to have a five-year consolidated plan detailing the housing and community development needs of its low to moderate income persons. Staff has undergone a robust public participation process and undertaken a comprehensive needs assessment with the general public, housing agencies, social service agencies servicing the target group, and government entities. Additionally, information was gathered from City departments, the City's General Plan, the Housing Element, and the Fresno-Madera Continuum of Care (FMCOC) 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness to develop strategies for the ConPlan.
The information gathered through this process was prioritized and a strategy was developed to address the needs of the City's low to moderate income persons. These prioritized strategies will serve as the guide for expending CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA program funds. The ConPlan is not a document to expend federal funds but dictates how the funds will be used to address the needs of low to moderate-income persons and areas in the ensuing five years. The Annual Action Plan, which will be brought under separate cover in the future, is the document that details the projects and activities that will be funded. Staff anticipates returning to Council on June 4, 2015 with the Annual Action Plan.
Public Comments
At the time of publication, there were two public comments received, one in the form of a letter and one as testimony at the April 23, 2015 HCDC meeting. Comments and response are as follows:
Name/Organization |
Comment |
Response |
Oliver Baines III, Council President of the City Council, District 3 - |
Housing |
1) A need for a strong rehabilitation program that provides grants-not loans-to low-income persons who are home owners. |
The Consolidated Plan found this was a high priority for the Community as well. As part of implementation, staff will review programs for rehabilitation and consider amendments that provide a sliding scale for grants to loans based upon income levels |
|
2) A strong rehabilitation program for single and multi-family affordable rental housing. |
The Community ranked these programs highly. The department has increased funding in the first Action Plan year to address these concerns. |
|
3) A strong City Code Enforcement Division focused on the correct skill sets to aggressively focus on enforcement of current local, state, and federal laws to ensure that everyone is provided safe, decent, and affordable housing. Needed skills sets would include, but are not limited to the following: · Building and safety inspectors · Building rehabilitation specialist · Clerical support to answer calls from community, as well as generate proper notification to property owners |
While Code Enforcement ranked highly with the Community, the Mayor's proposed Budget calls for funds in the General Fund for Code Enforcement citywide and CDBG-funded targeted Community Revitalization activities in areas identified as needing more resources to identify unsafe housing conditions. |
Public Facilities |
4) Increased services to children and seniors through our Parks and Recreational Services at all City-owned community centers, including those operated by not-for profits, such as the Mary Ella Brown Center, which has no current City PARCS staffing on site for senior programing, nor youth programming. |
This also ranked highly with the public. Funds will continue to be prioritized for Parks and Recreational Services in the Annual Action Plan. We will work with the PARCS Department to ensure the programming is distributed throughout eligible neighborhoods. |
|
5) Infrastructure and Neighborhood Improvements Additional funding needed for neighborhood street improvements, which could include water sewer, storm water, and drainage, or Americans with Disability Act (ADA) required access. Use of such funds should require input from the council office(s). |
This is another high-ranking priority. The Annual Action Plan includes funding for street reconstructions and complete streets projects in eligible neighborhoods. |
Public Services |
6) Decrease moving zero funding for crime prevention programs, but focus on increasing youth, veterans, and senior services. |
Crime Prevention activities include graffiti removal in target neighborhoods. This activity is proposed for funding in the next Annual Action Plan. |
|
7) Direct funding of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC) to ensure point-in-time survey and NOFA are written ($50,000) |
There are funds set aside for Homeless Activities including HMIS, street outreach, and administration; the listed activities are eligible for funding. |
Economic Development: Job Creation in Low Income Neighborhoods |
8) Employment training for all working-age people 14-62 that includes soft skills, remedial skills, resume writing, interview skills, job placement, and purchasing of any needed supplies for participants during the training, as deemed appropriate. |
Economic Development was a medium priority in the public meetings and as such, no new funding was prioritized in the proposed Annual Action Plan. |
The following comments speak to the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding: |
|
1) Ensure funds are programmed and spent within the timelines provided by HUD and to provide internal oversight of progress for data-driven results. |
The FMCoC has also requested speedier delivery of program funds. In working with our consultant, we have identified procedural improvements to program the funds more quickly. |
|
2) Continued and enhanced focus on Street Outreach Services supported by the FMCoC that would provide around-the-clock support by trained Police staff who can assist with those persons experiencing homelessness who may have drug and alcohol addictions, and mental health issues, etc. |
The FMCoC has prioritized outreach that results in housing through the MAP Point project and the 25 Cities Initiative among others. These activities are proposed for funding in the Annual Action Plan. |
|
3) Continued assistance to those experiencing homelessness to move to permanent housing. |
Housing is a priority for the FMCoC to improve outcomes for homeless individuals and their families. The Annual Action Plan proposes to continue to support this priority. |
The following comments are for HOME Funds: |
|
1) Ensure funds are programmed and spent within the timelines provided by HUD and to provide internal oversight of progress for data-driven results. |
The City is currently within expected timelines requirements for HOME funds. It is anticipated the City will continue to improve once additional Community Development agencies are developed. |
|
2) Provide funds to projects that are more shovel-ready, with strong development timelines and a strong mix of incomes-including market rate within the proposed community. |
The current HOME allocation guidelines prioritize projects that are "shovel ready". None of the federal programs allows funding for above 80% units but can be used within market rate projects to increase affordability in dispersed neighborhoods. |
|
3) My district can no longer be filled with only affordable housing units, but the entire community should have access to affordable housing in all areas of our city. |
The HOME allocation guidelines currently prioritize funding in downtown and in neighborhoods adjacent to downtown. The Housing Division will review this priority with the Administration to determine if changes should be made. |
The following comments are for Housing Opportunities for persons with AIDS (HOPWA): |
|
1) Ensure funds are programmed and spent within the timelines provided by HUD and to provide internal oversight of progress for data-driven results. |
This will be the City's first year administering the HOPWA program. It is anticipated the City can continue agreements with the County and the Housing Authority to ensure continuity of service and speed of delivery. |
|
2) Please seek to leverage programing by the County of Fresno and community-based agencies who are working with people with AIDS to ensure they are housed in safe, decent, and affordable housing at all times. |
The State Department of Health worked closely with the County of Fresno to provide services to persons with HIV/AIDS. The City intends to continue this relationship with the transfer of program responsibility. |
|
3) Finally, I request the City Council and Administration be provided with: · Appropriate staffing and the percentage of time allotted to carrying out federally funded programs or community-based agencies carrying out all federal programs. · A quarterly written report, financial and narrative, of progress towards our stated goals, objections, and spending plans. · Units and persons assisted from both internally funded departments and community-based partners. |
The Administration is evaluating the current staffing levels and priorities. The Housing Division is developing a reporting system to ensure program outcomes are reviewed regularly. The Division will consider these recommendations in developing the reports. |
Luisa Medina, Private Citizen: |
|
1) New Construction had $8.5 million appropriated, but only expended $3.8 million. What are the plans with the balance? |
A number of programs, including major street projects, have been carried over to the following program year. Street and infrastructure projects have time delays due to engineering, contracting, and weather. The City will complete the projects in the following reporting year. |
|
2) Target Area Distressed Program has $1.1 million funded with zero expenditures. What are the plans to expend the dollars and how will the dollars be put on the street as quickly as possible? |
As stated in the CAPER, the Targeted programs were delayed in starting due to program design, contracting, and client selection processes. The Division now has an active contractor in place and a number of clients ready for assistance. The funds will be carried over to the next program year and additional emphasis placed on outreach and eligibility. |
|
3) The Commission and the public need to know the programs that will be implemented. |
The Annual Action Plan was published on May 5 for a separate 30-day review period, outlining specific programs and goals for 2015-16. The Commission will review and take action on the Annual Action Plan in making recommendations to the City Council. |
|
4) Homelessness is a major problem in our community and has been in play for years. To the extent, these dollars are intended to be utilized to help those most vulnerable in the community, the Commission and public need to know the programs that will be implemented. |
The FMCoC works closely with the City to prioritize funding for homelessness and identify the most appropriate allocations. The Commission has requested a workshop on FMCoC and will be scheduled after approval of the Annual Action Plan. |
|
5) Community Revitalization, the chart is showing 5,242 homes, and she isn't sure what that number is. |
Community Revitalization is a targeted neighborhood code enforcement activity, which address health and safety violations in homes, building code violations in commercial structures, and zoning code issues in targeted neighborhoods. In the prior program year (2013-14) the Division issued citations on 5,242 residential units resulting in improved living conditions for low income residents. |
The Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) will consider recommendation of the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan at the regularly scheduled meeting of May 13, 2015. All public comments received at the public hearing will be read into the record at Council consideration and adoption
Adoption of this agenda item is required by HUD in order to receive the aforementioned entitlement grants. Staff will submit the adopted document to HUD upon completion of the Annual Action Plan. Both documents are required by HUD as a condition of receiving entitlement funding.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for purposes of CEQA pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because of the use of federal funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
This agenda item does not request the use of funds. However, future use of CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, and ESG funding is jeopardized if a Consolidated Plan is not adopted.
Attachments: Resolution
2015-2019 Consolidated Plan PowerPoint Presentation
Executive Summary
Strategic Plan Summary and Priority Needs
City of Fresno 2015-2019 Program Year Consolidated Plan
TNP:nd (67843nd/tnp)