REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
May 12, 2016
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: JOSE TRUJILLO, Manager
Housing and Community Development Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Adopting the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice; approving submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and authorizing the City Manager to sign all implementing documents required by HUD approved as to form by the City Attorney.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the City’s Consolidated Planning Process, HUD requires the City of Fresno submit certification that it is affirmatively furthering fair housing, including the development of an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI). Outreach and community engagement efforts began in December, 2015 and the Public Comment period ends on May 9, 2016. Staff will include applicable recommendations from the AI in the scope of work developed for a potential contract with the Fair Housing Council.
BACKGROUND
As a requirement of receiving funds under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships Act (HOME), Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA), and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs, entitlement jurisdictions must submit certification of affirmatively furthering fair housing to HUD. This certification has three elements:
1. Complete an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI)
2. Take actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified, and
3. Maintain records reflecting the actions taken in response to the analysis.
The City entered into a contract with Western Economic Services, LLC (WES) in November 2015 to conduct the analysis. In the month of December, WES was primarily involved in data gathering, policy review, and mapping. In early January 2016, the City published a survey in English, Spanish and Hmong to gather input on fair housing conditions in Fresno. Additional citizen engagement was encouraged through social media and email outreach throughout the community. At the end of January, WES presented three public workshops to provide preliminary findings and to solicit additional input. On April 9, 2016 the Draft AI was published on the City’s website for public input on the findings of the analysis and proposed actions to address impediments.
WES presented a workshop to the Housing and Community Development Commission on April 27, 2016 and to the City Council on April 28, 2016 outlining findings in the analysis and proposed actions. The impediments and actions can be found in Section IX of the AI and are categorized into two areas - private sector impediments and public sector impediments.
The City’s Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) is scheduled to make a recommendation regarding the AI to the City Council at the next scheduled meeting on May 11, 2016. A verbal update will be provided by Staff to the City Council on May 12, 2016.
CONSULTATION WITH HUD
Throughout 2016, the City has been in regular communication with HUD’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) local field office to ensure that the City is in compliance with the federal regulations. The most recent conference call included an initial review of the report, findings, and proposed action steps. The FHEO staff commended the City and WES on the level of analysis conducted and commented that Fresno was providing a much higher level of detail than is usually provided; additionally the City identified appropriate action steps and measurements. The FHEO staff suggested a few recommendations that would improve the AI; staff concurs with the added and refined actions and measurements which can be found on page 183 of the document and are recommended for inclusion by the City Council into the final AI.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for purposes of CEQA pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
n/a
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the AI will allow the City to qualify and accept future HUD entitlement funding.
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Resolution
Exhibit B - Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice