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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02102004 - PR2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS , - _.._:k=°� Contra FROM: Dennis M. Barry, AICP, Community Development Director Costa .,hay-�tr: .� County DATE: February 10, 20104 >A.�a Nom: SUBJECT: Presentation on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Community Assessment Report for the County Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership Program, and Emergency Shelter Grant Program for FY 2002 SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: ACCEPT presentation on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Community Assessment Report for the County Community Development Block Grant, HOME investment Partnership Program, and Emergency Shelter Grant Program for FY 2002. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) conducts an annual assessment of the County's performance in administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME, and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) programs. The Community Development Department's Redevelopment and Housing Division administers each of these programs. The FY 2002 HUD Assessment speaks very highly of the County's program: ■ "Consistently maintaining good partnerships with...cities...non-profits...and other private and for profit organizations"; • Exceeding our housing production goals; and ■ Efficiently administering the program and exceeding HUD standards for timeliness and expenditure of funds. The program staff of Bob Calkins, Kara Douglas, Kristen Alcaraz, Pat Nurre, Gabriel Lemus, Sara Welch and Alicia Smith are to be congratulated. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES ® NO SIGNATURE f1ECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMI TEE -,-APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S):Q ACTION OF B't A D O in �mr. APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED _ OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND X UNANIMOUS {ABSENT iW CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND AYES: NOES: ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Jim Kennedy(9251335-1255) ATTESTED FEMIARY it" f cc: Community Development Department (CDD) JOHN SWEETEN, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DMB\JDK:gms ` d\dmb5\CAPER-CDBGetal130 BY , DEPUTY .. _.. . ........ ..... _.. ......... ......... ......... ..............._ r� wQ�,tMENrp U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development * * Pacific/Hawaii w W California State Office Community Planning and Development Division 450 Golden Gate Avenue JW ' San Francisco,California 94102-3448 Mr. Federal Glover Chairperson,Board of Supervisor JAN 2 3 2004 Contra Costa County 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA 94553-1257 Dear Mr, Glover: SUBJECT: Contra Costa County, California Annual Community Assessment Report Program Year 20302 Our office has completed the review of Contra Costa County's Program Year(PY) 2002 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). Based upon this review, our office has drafted an assessment of the County's performance as it relates to the Consolidated Pian, the PY 2002 Annual Action Pian (AAP), and other pertinent information and events that may have occurred during PY 2002. This evaluation is done to assess the management of funds made available under programs administered by HUD, compliance with the County's Consolidated Plan and AAP, the extent to which the County is preserving and developing decent, affordable housing, creating a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities,principally for low- and moderate-income persons. The County continued to make progress utilizing its HUD resources to address priority needs and carry out the programs described in the Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan/AAP complies with the requirements of the Housing and Community Development Act and other applicable laws and regulations. Based on our review of the CAPER and other available information, we have determined that the County has the continuing capacity to implement and administer its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG),HOME Investment Partnership Program (H03ME), and Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) programs in a timely manner. The County expended approximately$8 million in CDBG, HOME,ESG,HOPWA, program income, and unexpended prior year funds to carry out its projects. Additionally, approximately$214 million was leveraged from a variety of Federal, State,local and private resources to carry out housing, economic development, infrastructure improvement and public service activities that benefited low- and moderate-income persons in the County. The activities funded were found to be consistent with the goals and objectives contained in the Consolidated Plan. We commend the County for consistently maintaining a good partnership with the Entitlement cities within the County, a variety of non-profit organizations, and other private and for-profit organizations to achieve its goals. ................................................................ 2 Affordable Housing Even though high construction costs and the lack of land continue to make constructing affordable housing difficult, the County successfully increased and preserved the supply of affordable housing throughout the County. Projects completed during the year, funded with CDBG, HOME, and other resources, resulted in the acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction of 547 affordable housing units. Projects completed included Rodeo Senior Housing, Alvarez Court in Pinole, Sycamore Place in Danville, and Grayson Creek in Pleasant Hill. Completing these projects was significant, as these communities have limited affordable housing opportunities. The County also used approximately$400,000 in CDBG and HOME funds to carry out three owner-occupied housing rehabilitation programs that provided zero/low-interest loans and small grants for owner-occupied housing. The rehabilitation loans/grants enabled 59 low-income homeowners to bring substandard homes up to local safety codes. In an effort to meet first-time homebuyer goals, the County currently has seven projects underway that will provide first-time homeownership opportunities to 32 households within the next year. Since President Bush has made homeownership a priority and has charged HUD to create affordable housing opportunities for low-and moderate-income families, we appreciate the County's efforts in this area. The President also recently signed the American Dream Downpayment (ADD) Act to increase homeownership for minorities, The ADD program will be administered under HUD's HOME program. Based upon current budget projections, the County is expected to receive an estimated$338,000 in ADD funds in FY 2004. In summary, as far as meeting its housing goals, the County is on track to exceed its five- year goal (Program Years 2000-2004) to provide 480 new units of senior rental housing. To date, 401 units have been completed, with an additional 143 underway. The five-year goal to provide 1,295 new units of multi-family rental housing is also on track. To date 1,080 units have been completed, and 534 units are currently underway. Finally, the County's five-year goal of providing owner-occupied rehabilitation assistance and homeownership opportunities for 380 units is also on track. To date, 296 units have been assisted, with an additional 29 units underway. The only five-year housing goal the County may not meet is providing 150 more units of special needs housing (i.e., housing for persons with physical disabilities or housing for persons with HIWAIDS). To date, only 32 units have been completed. We commend the County for its efforts to increase and maintain the supply of affordable housing. We understand the County is working on developing a housing trust fund to develop affordable housing. We encourage our grantees to seek additional -funds to develop affordable housing, and it is encouraging to see the County initiate this effort. Also,the Department has developed a HOME report, which is a snapshot of performance during a certain period of time, and we are pleased to report that the County is number I in the State, to-date, for producing affordable rental housing. Congratulations to County staff for its efforts in this area, 3 Continuum of Care In recognition of the on-going need to provide housing and services for the homeless or those at-risk of being homeless, the County carried out projects consistent with its Continuum of Care Homeless Plan. For example, Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa expended$10,000 in CDBG funds to provide hot meals at the Martinez dining room. Approximately$103,500 in CDBG funds were expended by the County's Department of Health Services to provide shelter for parents and their children in Concord and Martinez. Also, several public service activities were funded with CDBG funds to assist/prevent homeless. Some of the projects included a 24-hour homeless hotline, and programs that provided referrals,food, clothing, personal items, household goods, housing counseling, and assistance in finding and maintaining housing. Approximately$4.7 million in HUD Supportive Housing Program (SHP) and Shelter Plus Care (S+C) funds, and approximately$1.4 million in County General Fund and FEMA resources were allocated to maintain the existing inventory of emergency and transitional housing and support services for the homeless. For example,Rubicon Programs received$304,279 in SHP funds to provide supportive services for homeless adults living with mental health or HIV/AIDS disabilities at the permanent housing complex, Idaho Apartments. The Housing Authority of Contra Costa County received approximately$2.8 million in S+C renewal funds, which provided tenant-based rental assistance for 1.16 homeless individuals and 69 families. Approximately$1.8 million in HOPWA and Ryan White CARE funds were available to address the needs of low-income persons with HIV/AIDS. HOPWA funds were awarded to Resources for Community Development to develop 51 units, of which five will be reserved for persons with HTV/AIDS. Funds were also awarded to Catholic Charities and Shelter,Inc. to provide various housing advocacy services. The County also received$138,000 in ESG funds that helped support the County's emergency shelters, such as the Rollie Mullen Center for battered women, and REACH Plus that provided rental assistance and supportive services to homeless families and individuals. We also congratulate the County for successfully applying for funding under the NOFA Collaborative Initiative to Help End Chronic Homelessness. The County Housing Authority (HA) was awarded $1,971,000 in HUD Shelter Plus Care(S+C) funds to provide additional tenant-based rental units for disabled homeless person. Additionally, the County has been awarded approximately$2 million in funds from the Departments of Health and Human Services, Veterans Administration, and from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to carry out various supportive services. These awards should greatly increase the County's efforts to reduce homelessness. In conclusion, utilizing HUD funds and other resources, the County and its non-profit partners continued to take steps to provide housing and services that reduced homelessness and other needs of the homeless. ''I'll.--,...........................................................................................I....................... ......................................... 4 Economic Development To spur economic development, the County utilized approximately$1.1 million in CDBG funds to leverage approximately$2.6 million in State/local funds and private resources to assist micro-enterprises, train low-income persons to become healthcare and childcare providers, and to assist in training and job placement. Approximately 82 of those receiving childcare training have been licensed, and 65 of those who received healthcare training have become certified as nurse assistants. To date, 46 of the 147 have been placed in jobs. Technical assistance was provided to micro-enterprises to increase the number of micro- enterprises owned and operated by low-income persons and to sustain existing micro-enterprises. As a result, six new businesses were started and 12 new jobs were created. The County's efforts in this area are good examples of programs that have had a positive impact on the ability of low- and moderate- income residents to achieve self-sufficiency. Public:Facilities Improvements The County had 17 CDBG-funded public facility improvement projects underway, 10 of which were completed. Projects included curb cuts, replacement of old fire hydrants in a low- income neighborhood, and conversion of office space into a child care center for low-income clients. We are pleased to see County staff has taken a more aggressive approach to ensure projects are completed in a timely manner. Often, slow moving projects can be a factor in an Entitlement community not meeting the CDBG timeliness expenditure of funds requirements. Fair Housing The County continued to fund fair housing counseling, tenant/landlord counseling, and legal services activities. Approximately$80,000 in CDBG funds were allocated to Housing Rights,Inc. and Bay Area Legal Aid to'provide fair housing counseling, fair housing investigations, education and outreach, flier distribution, and workshops. A total of 399 low- income households were served. Public Services To meet its public service goals, $674,847 in CDBG funds and approximately$5.6 million in other Federal, State, local, and private resources were awarded to 37 non-profit agencies to assist low-income youth, seniors, families, and others with special needs. These activities included care and counseling for victims of physical and sexual abuse, educational and health programs, food provision services, and homeless and crisis counseling. Over 23,000 persons received assistance. The County's goal was to ensure that a minimum of 75 percent of the persons receiving the assistance were very low-and low-income persons. We are pleased that the County indicated 98 percent of the persons assisted were very low-and low-income. 111.1............................................................................................ ....................................I...... 5 North Richmond Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area(NRSA) 14M approved the NRSA on August 18, 1996. The NRSA completed its seventh year and is still moving forward in carrying out activities to create opportunities for economic self- sufficiency, improving commercial areas, streets, transportation, and housing for residents within the NRSA. We understand that the majority of the originally identified projects have been completed or are on going, and that an updated plan identifying new benchmarks and goals should be completed soon. Once the new plan is approved and completed, please submit a copy to this office. Anexampleof activities that were funded for the NRSA was a program specifically designed for persons with limited English language skills, illiterate persons, and those not eligible for CalWORKS. The program, which carried out by Rubicon,resulted in the training of 143 persons, 78 of which were placed in full-time positions. Three programs provided services to Verde Elementary School. The programs provided counseling to resolve conflicts, a program to increase academic achievement and to teach students to play cooperatively, manage emotions and solve problems by providing structured playground activities, and an after-school performing arts project. Because of programs like these, and interest from many agencies to improve the school overall, the absenteeism was reduced by 38 percent and monthly attendance averaged 92 percent for the year. We were pleased to see that the County Redevelopment Agency (RA) received a Youthbuild grant, and currently three properties are being rebuilt/replaced by Youthbuild participants under the guidance of a nonprofit contractor. Once completed, three homes will be sold to low-income families. HUD staff attended the Youthbuild graduation ceremony and was very impressed with the graduates and the support for the program in the County. Expenditure of Funds Each grantee may not have more than 1.5 times the annual grant amount in its line of credit (LOC) balance 60 days prior to the end of the current program year. The County continued to meet this requirement. Participating jurisdictions also have to meet the requirements for committing and expending HOME funds in a timely-manner. During the year, we reviewed information regarding the Consortium's 2001 grant to ensure that the 24-month commitment requirement had been met, the 15 percent CHDO set-aside requirement had been met, and that 100 percent of the Consortium's 1998 grant was expended within five years, as required. The Consortium successfully carried out the commitment, disbursement, and reservation requirements in accordance with the HOME regulations. Also, a review of expenditures for the ESG Program shows that the County expended its 2001 funds within the 24-month requirement. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the County to assist it in achieving its affordable housing and community development goals. If you have questions or need assistance, ................................. 6 please call me at (415)436-6597, or Cathy Thrash, Community Planning and Development Representative, at (415)436-8005. Sincerely, Steven B. Sachs Director, Community Planning and Development Division cc. Mr. John Sweeten, County Administrator Ms. Kara Douglas, Affordable Housing Program Manager Mr. Robert Calkins, CDBG Program Manager