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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04021996 - C20 s Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS �-^ - Costa FROM: Harvey E. Bragdon r U;. a County Director of Community Development DATE: April 2 , 1996 SUBJECT: National Community Development Block Grant Week April 1 to April 7 , 1996 SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1 . DESIGNATE the week of April l to April 7 , 1996 as National Community Development Block Grant Week and urge citizens, cooperating cities, and Block Grant recipients to convey their support for continuation of this valuable program as an effective tool for addressing the Urban County's housing and community development need for the past 21 years; and 2 . AUTHORIZE the Chair to execute letters to the County's federal legislative delegation urging support of funding for this important national program. FISCAL IMPACT None BACKGROUND/REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS Over the last 21 years Contra Costa County has used CDBG funds to provide services in the area of housing, economic development, public improvement, and services that benefit children, homeless, disabled, and other low and moderate income individuals and families of the County. The County as an entitlement community continues to respond to the needs of our low-, and moderate-income community with the assistance of local agencies and organizations funded through the CDBG program. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: _ YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ROM NDATION BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) : _ ACTION OF BOARD ON April 2, 1996 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Belinda Smith 646-4208 Original : Community Development ATTESTED April 2, 1996 cc : CAO . PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF County Counsel THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY AADEPUTY Phil The Board of Supervisors Contra Clerkoot Batchelor Boa County Administration BuildingCosta County}tdministr for 651 Pine Street, Room 106 County �� Martinez,California 94553-1293 `,/o u n ty Jim Rogers,1st District L Je"Smith,2nd District r Gayle Bishop,3rd District Mark DeSaulnier,4th District ;a Tom Torlakson,5th District Sr'�C4ti:'tT (510) 646-2080 May 21, 1996 The Honorable Mark Hatfield Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee SH-711 Hart Senate House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-3701 Dear Senator Hatfield: As Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Contra Costa County, I am writing to express the County's support for fiscal year 1997 appropriations for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Act(HOME)Programs at a level at least equal to the current fiscal year levels of$4.6 billion for CDBG and $1.4 billion for HOME. Both CDBG and HOME provide communities with the flexibility to design and implement their own solutions to local needs. Together, these programs comprise two of the most critical federal resources available to local governments to address a broad array of activities which improve physical, economic and social conditions in communities throughout the county. The CDBG Program, a highly successful domestic program, provides cities and counties with a reliable source of funds which can be used with maximum flexibility to address unique community development and affordable housing needs. To date, communities such as Contra Costa have spent more than 90 percent of their funds to directly benefit low income households. Projects currently funded with CDBG in Contra Costa County include: emergency shelters and support services for the homeless and other special needs populations; the rehabilitation and new construction of housing for very-low and low-income families, seniors, and disabled households; and programs to provide training and employment opportunities for youth and very-low income individuals. The HOME Program provides assistance in meeting local housing needs. The most recent data indicates that local governments, in cooperation with community based organizations, have completed over 85,000 units of housing nationwide. HOME provides much needed resources for rehabilitation, new construction and rental assistance programs to meet specific local housing and neighborhood needs. Since initiation of Contra Costa's HOME Program in FY 1992, HOME funds have been and are being used to provide expanded affordable housing opportunities for low-income households, including over 500 units of multifamily rental housing affordable to and occupied by very-low income families, seniors, and disabled households and the provision of first- time homebuyer assistance to over 100 lower income households. Based on a significant history of success nationally and in Contra Costa County, I urge your continued support of the CDBG and HOME Programs. Sincerely J ff mith Chair, Board of Supervisors kh/JS 1