HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04032007 - C.123 F_•,C
Contra
Costa
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 4°
,....� County
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FROM: Dennis M. Barry, AICP
Community Development Director
DATE: April 3, 2007
SUBJECT: ANNUAL COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT REGARDING THE COUNTY'S FY 2005106
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIPS ACT, AND EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAMS
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
ACCEPT the letter from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
regarding the County's FY 2005/06 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
(CAPER).
FISCAL IMPACT
N/A
BACKGROUND /REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
At the end of each fiscal year, the County submits the CAPER to HUD.The CAPER reports on
the progress the County has made in achieving the goals and objectives for the CDBG,
HOME, and ESG programs. HUD uses the CAPER to assess the County's ability to manage
these funds and assess the performance of the County in meeting national and local
objectives. HUD requires that their letter be made available to the public; this action meets
that requirement.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X_YES SIGNATURE: I
ECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 'RECOM ENDATION O BOARD
COMMITTEE _,,IU5PROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOAADIONr' APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUP ISORS
1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A
UNANIMOUS (ABSENTTRUE 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.
Source: Bob Calkins, CDBG Program Manager
(925) 335-7220 �,
ATTESTED o+�I�3JQ:f- --
Orig. Dept. Community Development - CDBG JOHN CULLEN, CLERK OF
cc: County Administrator THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Auditor- Controller AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
County Counsel
BYEEPUTY
CAPER Letter Dated February 26, 2007: In summary, HUD has determined that the
"County has the continuing capacity to implement and administer' its CDBG and HOME
programs in a timely manner. Excerpts from HUD's letter include:
"The County continued to make progress utilizing its HUD resources to address priority needs
and carry out the programs described in the Consolidate Plan."
"The County continued to be quite successful in its ability to partner with nonprofits/developers
to construct/rehabilitate affordable housing.""
"Because itis increasingly difficult to provide new affordable housing, as the prices continue to
escalate for land and construction, the County's efforts to ensure affordable housing needs are
met are commendable."
"We want to take the opportunity to recognize the extra efforts of the County to further improve
the County's system for delivering housing and services to the homeless, and to enhance the
participation of the cities within the County in addressing the needs of the homeless."
"The County had a successful year as far as getting the desired results from its funded
economic development projects." "
"We are pleased that the County indicated 98 percent of persons assisted were very low and
low-income."
"We commend County staff for consistently meeting the requirements for ensuring the funds
are expended in a timely manner to ensure timely delivery of service to low- and moderate-
income persons."
Attachment
Letter from HUD dated 2/26/07
QPPtuE"'oI" U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development
* San Francisco Regional Office-Region IX
oG III'llll 600'Harrison Street
San Francisco,California 94107-1387
9B4/y DE"2�°4 www.hUd.gov
espanol.hud.gov
February 26, 2007
Ms. Mary N. Piepho
Chairperson, Board of Supervisors
Contra Costa County
651 Pine Street
Martinez, CA 94553-1229
Dear Ms. Piepho:
SUBJECT: Contra Costa County, California
Annual Community Assessment Report
Program Year 2005
Our office has completed the review of Contra Costa County's Program Year(PY) 2005
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 Plan (Con Plan), the PY 2005 Annual Action Plan (AAP), and other pertinent
information and events that may have occurred during PY 2005. This evaluation is done to
assess the management of funds made available under programs administered by HUD,
compliance with the County's Con Plan and AAP, the extent to which the County is meeting its
stated objectives for 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 Con Plan. The Con Plan/AAP activities
comply with the requirements of the Housing and Community Development Act and other
applicable laws and regulations.
The County utilized approximately$9 million in CDBG, HOME and CDBG/HOME
program income, which leveraged approximately $21 million from other federal, state and local
resources for use,in accomplishing housing and non-housing community development activities.
Affordable Housing
The County continued its efforts to increase the supply of affordable hosing throughout
the County during this program year. As we mentioned last year, completing some projects in
non-entitlement communities within the County is significant, as these communities have limited
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affordable housing opportunities. The County completed projects that increased the supply of
affordable housing,maintained the supply of affordable housing, and increased homeownership
opportunities. The County continued to be quite successful in its ability to partner with non-
profits/developers to construct/rehabilitate(rehab) affordable housing.
Some affordable housing projects completed during the year that increased the supply of
affordable rental housing included:
0 Brentwood Senior apartment complex in Brentwood provided 40-units for
extremely low and very-low income seniors in East County.
Bella Monte development in Bay Point provided an additional 51 units for very
low-income families, with 24 HOME units.
e Trinity Avenue Apartments, Walnut Creek..This project was still under
construction at the end of the Program Year, but was completed in November
2006. This unique site certainly presented a challenge to the developer, but the
result provided 17-units of rental housing that became available to very-low and
low-income households. HUD staff had the opportunity to attend the grand
opening and it was exciting to see slides from the early stages of development up
to its completion.
Also, there are several projects under construction such as Villa Amador in Brentwood,
Giant Road in San Pablo, and ABC Apartments in El Sobrante. Some of these projects also
address the need to increase affordable housing for special needs populations, such as the
construction of the ABC Apartments for lower income adults with developmental disabilities,
and the Sycamore Apartments for lower-income seniors.
The County's Neighborhood Preservation Program, which provides low—and moderate-
income homeowners with low interest/no interest rehab loans, assisted 46 households during the
year. To expand housing opportunities for lower income households during the year, funds
were allocated to Habitat for Humanity for the construction four single-family homes affordable
to very-low income first-time homebuyers.
Because it is increasingly difficult to provide new affordable housing, as the prices
continue to escalate for land and construction, the.County's efforts to ensure affordable housing
needs are met are commendable.
Continuum of Care
During PY 2005, the County continued to implement projects consistent with its Con
Plan and the County's Homeless Continuum of Care Plan. To this end, over$7.5 million in
McKinney-Vento funds were allocated to the maintenance of existing emergency and transitional
housing and support services for the homeless population. For example, Shelter Inc. received
funds to carryout four programs that provide transitional housing with support services. Rubicon
Programs, Inc., received funding to carry out two programs that provide permanent supportive
housing. Additionally, programs were funded such as money management for homeless adults,
3
and the West County Resource Center where a multi-service center is located providing diverse
services.
One project held its grand opening ceremony on the last day of the program year. On
June 30th, 2006, the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program's family housing and supportive
services center opened. The County provided CDBG funds toward this $3.5 million
development. This project upon its completion was completely paid for, completed on time and
under budget! With the opening of this project, an additional 75 beds of emergency and
transitional housing were made available to homeless families. We were pleased to attend the
grand opening of this project. The atmosphere surrounding the grand opening was very
exciting. Many people attended such as Richmond's Mayor,major funders and representatives
from the development team, County staff, GRIP members, and others involved in the
development of the project.
HOPWA and Ryan White CARE funds in the amount of approximately$1.6 million were
available to address the needs of low-income persons with HIV/AIDS. Services such as case
management, emergency housing, food,housing advocacy, as well as other support services such
as mental health, substance abuse counseling,transportation and legal services were provided
during the year.
Additionally, the County used ESG funds to 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 want to take the opportunity to recognize the extra efforts of the County to further
improve the County's system for delivering housing and services to the homeless, and to
enhance the participation,of the cities within the County in addressing the needs of the homeless.
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.
Economic Development
The County had a successful year as far as getting the desired results from its funded
economic development projects. CDBG funds were utilized for programs that included technical
assistance to microenterprises,job training and placement, and training for low-income residents
to obtain licenses to become daycare facilities/health care assistants. For example, during the
year 96 lower-income persons obtained a daycare license and opened a business as a way to self-
sufficiency. This is a significant amount of daycare micro-enterprises opening throughout the
County. Another project provided training and placement for persons to establish careers in
computer technology. As a result of this training, six persons were placed in jobs with an
average salary of$12.94/hour,plus benefits. The West Contra Costa Business Development
Center was funded and provided assistance to 95 aspiring start-up and established small
businesses. As a result, 6 new businesses, such as event planning,janitorial, and a restaurant,
and 20 new jobs were created in the Urban County.
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Public Services
To meet its public service goals, approximately$10 million in CDBG, Federal, State,
local, and private resources were awarded to 39 local non-profit agencies to operate 45 different
programs that assisted 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 16,000 units
of service were provided during the year. We are pleased that the County indicated 98 percent of
the persons assisted were very low-and low-income.
Expenditure of Funds
According to the CDBG regulations, 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. Participating jurisdictions also have to meet the requirements for committing
and expending HOME funds in a timely manner. Also ESG funds must be expended within the
24-month requirement. We commend County staff for consistently meeting the above
requirements ensuring that funds are expended in a timely manner to ensure timely delivery of
service to low- and moderate-income persons.
In conclusion,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
(HOME), and Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG)programs in a timely manner. The activities
funded were found to be consistent with the goals and objectives contained in the Con Plan.
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,please call me on(415) 489-6598, or Cathy Thrash, Community Planning and
Development Representative, on (415) 489-6570.
Sincerely,
y�•r^,�-�✓�,F. .....- Jew:"'_'
Steven B. Sachs
Director, Community Planning
and Development Division
cc:
Mr. John Cullen, County Administrator
Ms. Kara Douglas, Affordable Housing Program Manager
Mr. Robert Calkins, CDBG Program Manager