Title
Public Hearing to Identify Housing and Community Development Needs for the Community Development Block Grant Annual and Five-Year Plans and Approve the Community Needs Statement as Recommended by the Social Service Human Relations Board. (Housing 236)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: John A. Russo, City Manager
Re: Public Hearing to Identify Housing and Community Development Needs for the Community Development Block Grant Annual and Five-Year Plans and Approve the Community Needs Statement as Recommended by the Social Service Human Relations Board
BACKGROUND
As an entitlement jurisdiction, the City of Alameda receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). CDBG regulations require that an annual public hearing be held to obtain community input on current housing and community development needs. Every five years, the City is also required to prepare a Five-Year Strategic Plan, which outlines the housing and community development priority needs that will inform CDBG funding decisions for the upcoming five-year period. This hearing provides an opportunity for input on both the Five Year Strategic Plan, covering the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020 (FYs 15-20) and the Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 15-16. Alameda's FY15-16 Action Plan will identify local priorities and uses of CDBG funds to address needs in eligible categories.
All citizen participation requirements have been met for the public hearing, with publication of the notice in the December 19, 2014 Alameda Journal, as well as in Chinese and Spanish language newspapers. Accommodations are available for non-English speaking residents and persons with disabilities to participate in the public comment process.
DISCUSSION
Housing and Community Development Needs
The Five-Year Consolidated Plan is the foundation for identifying the priority housing and community development needs of the community, and is used to guide the development of Annual Action Plans during the five-year period covering FYs 15-20. Priority needs in the Strategic Plan include the following:
• Preserving and increasing affordable housing and supportive services;
• Reducing housing discrimination;
• Preventing and addressing homelessness; and
• Addressing non-housing community development needs such as neighborhood improvements, public services, accessibility improvements and economic development.
A major initiative was undertaken to identify community development needs, including conducting a Community Stakeholder Workshop in October 2014, to discuss all of Alameda's community needs. Outreach efforts were made to non-profit service providers, advocacy groups, the business community and residents. The workshop was attended by 27 community members, and a summary of the workshop is included in Exhibit 2. Also, the County of Alameda Housing and Community Development Department prepared a new Analysis to Impediments to Fair Housing (AI) report and this information has been considered.
The City's Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) held a Public Needs Meeting on the Community Needs Statement at its November 20, 2014 meeting, and prepared a recommendation for the FY15-16 Needs Statement for approval by the City Council (Exhibit 1). This Needs Statement was informed by the input received at the October 22nd Community Workshop. The approved Needs Statement will be included in the upcoming CDBG FY15-16 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)/ Request for Proposals (RFP).
Alameda's FY15-16 Action Plan will identify local priorities and uses of CDBG funds to address needs in eligible categories. Eligible activities include residential property acquisition and rehabilitation, demolition, public facilities improvements, public services, accessibility improvements, economic development, and planning and administrative activities. At least 70 percent of CDBG funds must benefit low- and moderate-income residents or neighborhoods. Exhibit 3 includes the objectives identified to meet the identified priorities. The priorities will be included in the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)/Request for Proposals which is scheduled to be released January 22, 2015. The final FY 2015-16 Annual Action Plan funding recommendations will be brought to the City Council for a public hearing and adoption on May 5, 2015. Exhibit 4 includes the complete schedule of activities for the Five-Year Strategic Plan and the FY2015-16 Annual Action Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact on the General Fund associated with this Public Hearing. The CDBG Entitlement allocations for FY15-16 have not been published by HUD; however, based on the current year's Congressional appropriations, staff anticipates the funding will be approximately $1,092,103. Additionally, staff anticipates approximately $200,000 in program income from residential rehabilitation and other loan repayments.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This project is consistent with the HUD CDBG/HOME 24 CFR Part 91 Five-Year Consolidated Plan requirement.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Execution of related agreements and final funding commitments are subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and satisfactory environmental clearance pursuant to 24 CFR Part 58.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a public hearing to identify housing and community development needs for the Community Development Block Grant Annual and Five-Year Plans and approve the Community Needs Statement as recommended by Social Service Human Relations Board.
Respectfully submitted,
Vanessa Cooper, Executive Director
By,
Claudia Young, Housing and Community Development Program Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Juelle-Ann Boyer, Interim Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Social Service Human Relations Board Needs Statement
2. Community Outreach Workshop Summary, October 22, 2014
3. Priority Needs Objectives
4. FY2015-16 Five-Year Strategic Plan & FY2015-16 Annual Action Plan Schedule
5. Presentation