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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11042014 - C.73RECOMMENDATION(S): 1. APPROVE the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan priorities for the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Act (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs serving lower income persons/families, as recommended by the Finance Committee and Family and Human Services Committee. 2. APPROVE the revision to the Board of Supervisors’ policy for allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds as recommended by the Finance Committee and Family and Human Services Committee. FISCAL IMPACT: No General Fund impact. CDBG funds are provided to the County on a formula allocation basis through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). CFDA# 14.218 BACKGROUND: 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan Priorities: The Contra Costa County Consortium, a partnership of four cities (Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, and Walnut Creek) and Contra Costa County, receives funds each year from the federal government for housing and community development activities. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 11/04/2014 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Gabriel Lemus, 674-7882 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: November 4, 2014 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: C. 73 To:Board of Supervisors From:John Kopchik, Interim Director, Conservation & Development Department Date:November 4, 2014 Contra Costa County Subject:2015-2020 Consolidated Plan Priorities and Revision of CDBG Funding Allocation Policy BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) The Federal Programs that the County Consortium receives funds from are the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the HOME Investment Partnerships Act (HOME) Program, the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program; and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program. To receive these federal funds, the Consortium must submit a strategic plan – the Consolidated Plan – every five years to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that identifies local needs and how these needs will be addressed. The Consolidated Plan must also demonstrate how the Consortium will meet national goals set by the U.S. Congress to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities, principally for person of extremely-low, very-low, and low income. The preparation of the FY 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan began with holding four focus group meetings and one service provider group meeting during the months of April, May, and June 2014. Individuals and representatives of various public agencies, community organizations, and service providers throughout the County were invited to attend these meetings. These focus group meetings covered various topics, including but not limited to: • Persons with disabilities; • Single parents/female-headed households; • Homeless; • Economic Development (business assistance and job creation/retention); • Seniors; and • Youth and Families The Consortium also solicited input from community organizations, public agencies, and the general public through an on-line survey that was accessible beginning in the month of April through the end of July 2014. A hard copy of the survey is attached (Attachment A). CDBG staff has been able to compile and analyze the survey data to come to the following conclusions: Services to low-income individuals and families are high in demand, with support to “Special Needs Populations” (i.e. Victims of Domestic Violence, Persons with Disabilities, Seniors/Elderly) ranking the highest. 1. Services to the Homeless population or to those at Imminent Risk of Homelessness also ranked high for continued support. 2. Affordable Housing activities are viewed as very much in need. Of the four different eligible activities of affordable housing (preservation, special needs housing, rental and homeownership), code enforcement in lower income areas, housing for “Special Needs Populations” (especially seniors/elderly), preservation of existing affordable housing, rehabilitation assistance to existing housing, and housing counseling rank the highest. 3. Job Training/Placement and Support to Small Businesses ranked the highest in regards to Economic Development services. 4. General Infrastructure and Public Facilities Improvements are high in demand, with improvements and/or construction of streets and sidewalks, senior centers, youth/neighborhood centers, park and recreational centers, and childcare centers ranking the highest. 5. Although the Consolidated Plan is currently still underway, County CDBG staff has been able to substantially complete the “Needs Assessment” section of the Consolidated Plan. With the “Needs Assessment” information and the survey information, County CDBG staff has identified four main priorities for the next five-year period. County CDBG staff proposes the use of federal funds for the next five-year period to the following priorities: 1) Affordable Housing (New unit Development and Rehabilitation of existing units), 2) Homelessness (Providing Housing and Services), 3) Non-Housing Community Development (Public Services, Infrastructure/Public Facilities, Economic Development), and 4) Administration (Administration of the various Federal Programs). Board of Supervisors’ CDBG Allocation Policy: Currently, the Board of Supervisors’ policy for the allocation of CDBG funds to housing and non-housing community development activities is broken down in the following: Housing: 45.1% Public Services: 15% Economic Development: 14% Infrastructure/Public Facilities: 3.9% Contingency: 2% Program Administration: 20% This breakdown in the distribution of CDBG funds has been the funding policy for the last five years. It has been suggested to revise the allocation percentages by various agencies and cities. The County’s Affordable Housing Finance Committee (AHFC) recently met on September 25, 2014, to approve the “Affordable Housing” priority for the new five-year Consolidated Plan. In addition to approving the “Affordable Housing” priority, the AHFC recommended revising the Board’s CDBG allocation policy to increase Housing to 50 percent, reduce Economic Development to 9 percent, and to reduce Contingency to 1 percent. CDBG staff proposes revising the Board’s policy to reduce the distribution currently allotted to Economic Development and Contingency; however it differs from the AHFC’s recommendation. CDBG staff proposes revising the Board’s CDBG funding allocation policy to the following: Housing: 45% Public Services: 17% Economic Development: 10% Infrastructure/Public Facilities: 8% Public Administration: 20% CDBG staff proposes this new breakdown for the following reasons: The Housing category currently has the largest share of CDBG funds due to Housing activities being larger and more construction related; therefore more costly to undertake. However, in addition to the CDBG Program, Housing activities can apply to the HOME Program (approximately $2 million dollars a year is available) that the County also administers, which none of the other activities in the other CDBG categories can take advantage of. 1. The Public Services category is the most competitive category of all the CDBG categories. It typically gets the most applications and public service activities tend to benefit those that are most in need. Therefore, staff recommends eliminating the 2 percent Contingency category and adding the 2 percent to the Public Services Category, as long as the additional 2 percent does not exceed the statuary cap for Public Services. Allocating the 2 percent Contingency amount to Public Services has been the practice by the Committee and the Board of Supervisors for the last twelve years. 2. Although Economic Development activities, such as microenterprise/small business technical assistance and job training/placement, are still needed, the amount allocated over the last three years has exceeded the amount requested. 3. Infrastructure/Public Facilities: In addition to the survey information indicating infrastructure/public facilities as high in demand, various cities and non-profit agencies throughout the County have expressed the need to increase the amount within the Infrastructure/Public Facilities category. Many of the infrastructure needs of various communities within the County are due to the age of the infrastructure and are typically within lower-income communities. With the demise of Redevelopment, the opportunities for cities to rehabilitate and improve their infrastructure and public facilities are much more limited. In addition, many non-profit agencies that serve low-income residents are in need to rehabilitate their facilities to provide much more efficient and effective services. 4. Family and Human Services and Finance Committee Meetings: The Family and Human Services (FHS) Committee and the Finance Committee met respectively on October 13, 2014 and on October 27, 2014. Both the FHS and Finance Committee recommended the four listed Consolidated Plan priorities for the next five-year period, and also recommended to revise the Board of Supervisors' CDBG allocation policy as proposed above by CDBG staff. As the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan is still in the process of being completed, CDBG staff indicated CDBG staff. As the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan is still in the process of being completed, CDBG staff indicated that the final draft of the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan will be brought to the Board of Supervisors for its consideration at at future meeting in April/May 2015. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: Not approving the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan priorities and the new policy for the allocation of CDBG funds would delay the CDBG Consolidated Plan process and the CDBG application process, which could jeopardize the County's CDBG entitlement allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: The CDBG Program and Consolidated Plan further many of the outcomes listed in the Children's Report Card. ATTACHMENTS Survey of Community Needs Page 1 of 8 - 4/28/2014 Survey of Needs for Development of the 2015-20 Contra Costa Consortium Consolidated Plan Help create the future of YOUR community! The Cities of Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, and the County of Contra Costa (on behalf of all the other towns and cities in Contra Costa, excluding Richmond) receive an annual allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds. Additionally, the County receives Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) funding every year. Over a five year period, these funds will total over $90 million!! These federal funds, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can be used to build new affordable housing, rehabilitate homes for lower income and senior homeowners, provide rental assistance to homeless individuals and families, improve or construct public facilities including community centers and parks, improve infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, etc.) in lower income neighborhoods, provide employment training and training to small business owners, and provide a wide variety of services for lower income families and individuals, and homeless persons, and SO MUCH MORE! Every five years, YOU, your friends, your neighbors, and your community have the opportunity to help identify your community’s greatest needs, and determine how these funds are spent to help address those needs. THANK YOU for caring about your community by providing feedback to help direct the funding of federal programs over the next five years. This survey will take approximately 15 minutes, so please be prepared to give it your thoughtful consideration. Let’s get started with some basic questions: 1.How did you hear about this workshop? Check all that apply  Newspaper  Website  Email  Word of mouth  Other_______________________________ 2.Have you ever heard of CDBG, HOME, ESG or Homeless Assistance funding before? Check one □Yes □ No 3.Who do you represent? Check all that apply  Interested resident  Advocate  Business  Real Estate/Property Management  Service Provider(what role?) Affordable Housing Provider (what role?) □Program line staff □Program line staff □Manager □Manager □Executive, Leadership □Executive, Leadership  Public Agency or Department  Public Official □Program line staff  Consumer of homeless services □Manager  Family member/caregiver of homeless consumer □Executive, Leadership  Other:___________________________________________________ Attachment A Page 2 of 8 - 4/28/2014 4. Where do you live? Check 1 only  I do NOT live in Contra Costa County, OR I live in: □ Antioch □ Alamo □ Bay Point □ Bethel Island □ Brentwood □ Byron □ Clayton □ Concord □ Crockett □ Danville □ Discovery Bay □ El Cerrito □ El Sobrante □ Hercules □ Knightsen □ Lafayette □ Martinez □ Moraga □ North Richmond □ Oakley □ Orinda □ Pacheco □ Pinole □ Pittsburg □ Port Costa □ Pleasant Hill □ Richmond □ Rodeo □ San Pablo □ San Ramon □ Walnut Creek □ Other __________________ 5. What city(s) or town(s) are you going to be making comments on today? Check all that apply  My comments will apply to the County in general, OR My comments will be specific to: □ Antioch □ Alamo □ Bay Point □ Bethel Island □ Brentwood □ Byron □ Clayton □ Concord □ Crockett □ Danville □ Discovery Bay □ El Cerrito □ El Sobrante □ Hercules □ Knightsen □ Lafayette □ Martinez □ Moraga □ North Richmond □ Oakley □ Orinda □ Pacheco □ Pinole □ Pittsburg □ Port Costa □ Pleasant Hill □ Richmond □ Rodeo □ San Pablo □ San Ramon □ Walnut Creek □ Other _______________________ 6. What type of household are you? Check 1only □ Single person household □ Single parent household □ Couple □ Family with minor children □ Unaccompanied youth (14-24) □ Related adults living together □ Unrelated adults living together □ Disabled household □ Senior (age 62+) household □ Other ________________________ 7. Which age group are you? Check 1only □ Under 18 □ 18-24 □ 25-61 □ 62+ Thank you for that introduction – this information will help us ensure that the data you provide helps to improve YOUR city or area of concern. Page 3 of 8 - 4/28/2014 As we said in the introduction, CDBG or Community Development Block Grant funds, HOME funds, Emergency Solutions Grant and Continuum of Care funds can be used to help address MANY different kinds of needs. In the next few pages, we are going to walk through some of them together. You will be given some examples of items in different categories, and then also have an opportunity to add your own comments and items as well. Let’s start with the BIG picture, then zoom in for a closer look. We’re going to begin by considering the needs your community may have for services that help lower income residents. First, let’s look at different GROUPS of people who may be lower income and in need. 8. Who do you feel is most in need in your community? Please rank from 1-5, 1=most need ____ Lower income individuals ____ Lower income families ____ Children from lower income families ____ Abused and neglected children ____ Elderly ____ Frail or disabled elderly ____ Homeless persons ____ Persons at imminent risk of homelessness ____ Veterans ____ Physically disabled persons ____ Developmentally disabled persons ____ Persons with mental illness ____ Victims of domestic violence ____ Persons living with HIV/AIDS ____ Persons with alcohol or other drug addictions ____ Persons re-entering the community from jail/prison ____ Illiterate adults ____ Migrant farmworkers ____ Other:_________________________________________ ____ Other:_________________________________________ Thank you. We know that it is difficult to choose just five groups when there are so many different people in need right now. Now we are going to talk about some of those groups of people, and the types of services that they may need. Let’s begin with services for people who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. Who is in need?? Page 4 of 8 - 4/28/2014 Contra Costa County receives nearly $10 million annually in federal funding through HUD’s Homeless Assistance Programs, including Emergency Solutions Grant and Homeless Continuum of Care programs. These funds support local interventions and solutions to homelessness such as emergency shelter, transitional, and permanent supportive housing. 9. Do you see a significant need for housing and services for homeless individuals in your community? Check 1  Yes  No Comments:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. What kind of housing do you think would be helpful to address the needs of homeless persons? Please choose five (5) and rank from 1-5, 1=most need ____ More emergency shelters for men ____ More emergency shelters for women ____ More emergency shelters for families ____ More emergency shelters for unaccompanied youth ____ More transitional housing for victims of domestic violence ____ More transitional housing for transition age youth ____ More transitional housing for persons re- entering the community from institutions ____ More transitional housing for persons completing drug treatment programs ____ More permanent supportive housing for homeless persons ____ Housing that is affordable for homeless persons ____ Board and Care facilities ____ Other________________________________________________ 11. What kind of services do you think would be helpful to address the needs of homeless persons? Please choose five (5) and rank from 1-5, 1=most need ____ More outreach for people living on the streets and in encampments ____ More multi-service drop-in day facilities and programs ____ Life skills training for homeless persons ____ Job training for homeless persons ____ Alcohol and drug addiction treatment ____ Mental health care for homeless persons ____ Physical health care for homeless persons ____ Prevention services (e.g. rental assistance & services for persons needing short-term support) ____ Education services ____ Childcare services ____ Legal services ____ Hunger-related services ____ Landlord/Tenant counseling ____ Money Management ____ Other: _______________________________________________ 12. What do you think are three (3) most significant barriers to homeless persons accessing housing and services? Please choose three (3) and rank from 1-3, 1=most need ____ Transportation ____ Don’t know who to call ____ Eligibility for program is too narrow ____ Capacity/lack of resources ____ No services in my community ____ Other________________________________________________ ____ Other________________________________________________ ____ Other________________________________________________ Thank you for your comments about homeless services. If you would like to know more about efforts in Contra Costa County to serve homeless persons, please visit the County Homeless Program’s website at http://cchealth.org/homeless Homelessness in Contra Costa Page 5 of 8 - 4/28/2014 The next three categories we are going to discuss are Economic Development, Public Facilities and Improvements and Housing. But before we leave Services for Lower Income Populations, do you have any further input or comments? Comments:______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______ Next let’s talk about other groups of people in your community mentioned in Question 8 and the SERVICES they may need. Here we will NOT be talking about homeless persons, homeless housing, or homeless services (discussed in the previous section). We will also NOT discuss Economic Development efforts and Housing, which will be examined separately after this section. 13. Below are seven (7) groups of people who may need services. Who do you believe MOST need services that can be provided by CDBG, HOME, ESG, and other federal funds described here? Please rank the groups in order of importance from 1-9 , then check the services most needed. ____ LOWER INCOME PERSONS AND FAMILIES, General Public Services □ Information and referral to services □ Crisis intervention services □ Food & Hunger related services □ Fair Housing counseling, advocacy, legal representation □ Landlord and tenant counseling □ Credit Counseling □ Foreclosure counseling □ Crime awareness/prevention □ Mental Health services □ Alcohol addiction services □ Drug abuse services □ Healthy homes testing & remediation □ Other:______________________________________ ____ YOUTH from lowerincome families □ Child Care Services □ Recreation, sports, classes, camps, arts □ After School Programs - Recreation □ After School Programs – Educational □ Mental health and support services □ Alcohol abuse services □ Drug abuse services □ Other:___________________________________ ____ ABUSED AND NEGLECTED YOUTH □ Services for sexually assaulted children □ Services for child victims of domestic violence □ Services for foster youth/wards of the court □ Services for at-risk youth/gang prevention □ Other:_________________________________________ ____ SENIORS □ Legal services □ Senior Center-based programs/services □ Adult Day health care (disabled seniors) □ Advocacy/investigation for persons in nursing homes and care facilities □ Senior lunch and food □ Care management and assessment □ Transportation □ Vision screening □ Wellness calls/home visits/rides □ Other:___________________________________ ____ PERSONS WITH DISABILITIESinc. AIDS □ Advocacy/investigation for persons in nursing homes and care facilities □ Independent living skills training/aids □ Outreach/information & referral/socialization □ Adult day health care for disabled adults □ HIV/AIDs services □ Other:_________________________________________ ____ VICTIMS OF DOMESTICVIOLENCE □ Emergency shelter □ Transitional housing □ Counseling and other services for victims and their children □ Other:_________________________________________ ____MIGRANT FARM WORKERS& ILLITERATE ADULTS □ Literacy training □ Job training and support services □ Other: _________________________________________ Services for Lower Income Persons Page 6 of 8 - 4/28/2014 Economic Development Now let’s discuss ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT in your community. 14. Here is a list of common types of Economic Development activities that may be needed in your community. Please rank from 1-5, 1=most needed ____Job training with placement services ____Small business loans ____Training/technical assistance to small business ____Pollution/Property Cleanup owners/start-ups ____Banking/Lending for commercial redevelopment ____Job development and creation ____Other economic development needs: ____Retail development ______________________________________________________________ ____Storefront improvements in low income areas ______________________________________________________________ 15. Moving on to PUBLIC FACILITIES, what needs does your community have for the following? Check all that apply, and add comments as needed: □ Senior Center (new, renovations or improvements). ___________________________________________________ □ Youth Center (new, renovations or improvements)____________________________________________________ □ Neighborhood/Community Facilities (new, renovations, improvements)____________________________ □ Parks and Recreation Facilities (new, renovations, improvements)___________________________________ □ Nonprofit facilities (new, renovations or improvements)______________________________________________ □ Child Care Centers. Comments:___________________________________________________________________________ □ Improving the accessibility to public facilities___________________________________________________________ □ Library_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ □ Other Public Facility Improvements______________________________________________________________________ 16. Now let’s talk briefly about the PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, which is so often overlooked but is an important part of what makes a community feel safe, secure, and an attractive place to visit. In your community, what needs do you have for the following: Check all that apply, and add comments as needed: □ Street improvements________________________________________________________________________________________ □ Street Lighting________________________________________________________________________________________________ □ Sidewalk improvements_____________________________________________________________________________________ □ Flood control/drainage/etc. ________________________________________________________________________________ □ Curb cuts for disabled, strollers, etc. _______________________________________________________________________ □ Beautification/enhanced public space_____________________________________________________________________ □ Historic preservation________________________________________________________________________________________ □ Attractive downtown business district_____________________________________________________________________ □ Accessibility/Safety for disabled_______________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 8 - 4/28/2014 Thank you for your feedback so far – it is VERY helpful. You are almost finished! Our final category centers around the needs in your community for various types of Housing and Housing Preservation. We’ll be talking about Housing for Persons with Special Needs, Affordable Rental Housing, and Homeownership Needs of lower income people. 17. Preservation Activities: Here are some common types of preservation efforts. Please rank from 1-3, 1=most needed ____ Energy & water efficiency improvements ____ Code Enforcement in lower income areas ____ Historic Preservation ____ Lead-based paint remediation activities ____ Renovation of closed buildings 18. Housing for Persons with Special Needs: Here are some common types of housing for persons with special needs. Please rank from 1-5, 1=most needed ____ Housing for Seniors/Elderly ____ Housing for Frail Elderly ____ Housing for persons with HIV/AIDS ____ Housing for persons with alcohol or other drug addictions ____ Housing for large households (5 +) ____ Housing for single parent households ____ Housing for persons with mental illness ____Housing for persons with developmental disabilities ____ Housing for persons with significant physical disabilities ____ Housing for victims of domestic violence ____ Supportive permanent housing for homeless ____ Other types of special needs housing: ________________________________________________________ 19. Affordable Rental Housing: Here are some common types of rental housing that is made affordable to lower income persons because of some type of subsidies using these federal funds. Please rank from 1-5, 1=most needed ____ Rehabilitation assistance to existing housing developments ____ Affordable new construction ____ Rental assistance to persons who need one-time assistance ____ Preservation of existing affordable rental housing ____ Energy efficiency improvements to affordable housing developments ____ Lead-based paint screening and abatement in rental housing ____ Transit-oriented development ____ Work force housing (for teachers, police, fire) ____ Other affordable rental housing needs: ________________________________________________________ 20. Homeownership needs of lower income persons and homeowners. Here are some common needs in this category. Please rank from 1-5, 1=most needed ____ Foreclosure Counseling ____ Home purchase counseling ____ First time homebuyer financial assistance ____ Modifications for persons with disabilities ____ Emergency repairs, low/mod homeowners ____ New construction of below market rate homes ____ Rehabilitation assistance, low/mod homeowners ____ Energy efficiency for low/mod homeowners ____ Lead-based paint screening and abatement ____ Other homeownership needs:__________________ _________________________________________________________ Housing Page 8 of 8 - 4/3/2014 21. Now that you have thought about ALL the possible needs that your community may have, which stand out TO YOU as being the three most important unmet needs in your community? 1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Any final thoughts or comments you would like to offer us?________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you SO MUCH for the time you have spent in completing this survey. If you would like to be included in future notices regarding the development of the 2015-20 Consolidated Plan, and/or receive a copy of the completed Plan, please PRINT your email address in this box: Now that you have finished this survey, please make sure we RECEIVE your comments by taking one of these actions:  Return the survey to the agency that originally gave it to you.  PLACE IN AN ENVELOPE WITH 49 CENTS POSTAGE and mail to the address below.  Hand deliver to the address below  Hand deliver to the City offices of Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, or Walnut Creek, care of the CDBG Program Manager. This survey can also be taken online at: www.cccounty.us/conplan so TELL YOUR FRIENDS!! MAIL OR HAND DELIVER TO: Kristin Sherk Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development 30 Muir Road Martinez, CA 94553 We have covered a LOT of different types of possible needs that you may see in your community. Are there any needs you see that you would like to tell us about? Please do! _____________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________