Title
Approval and Adoption of the 2018-2022 Five-Year Consolidated Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), including an updated Citizen Participation Plan, and the 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan for the City of Gainesville (B)
The purpose of this item is to approve and adopt the City’s 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan, including an updated Citizen Participation Plan for the CDBG and HOME Programs, and the 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan. The Consolidated Plan outlines the CDBG and HOME program goals and objectives over a five year time period. The Annual Action Plan identifies specific projects to accomplish the goals and objectives stated in the Consolidated Plan.
Explanation
Each year the City of Gainesville (City) receives CDBG and HOME funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDBG and HOME Program funds have been used for projects in a variety of activities including housing, community development and public services. In order to qualify for CDBG and HOME Program entitlement funding from HUD, the City is required to adopt a Five-Year Consolidated Plan for HUD approval and to annually submit an Action Plan outlining the uses of funds for that year. Preparation and adoption of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan is a requirement for the City to receive funds through the CDBG and HOME Programs.
The Consolidated Plan contains an assessment of the housing and community development needs of the City of Gainesville, including a strategic plan for addressing the identified needs. The strategic plan portion of the document identifies potential funding sources, establishes general priorities for funding, and addresses other actions which the City will undertake during the five-year period. The Consolidated Plan also contains a specific one-year Action Plan for the use of CDBG and HOME Program funds. The Annual Action Plan specifically describes how the CDBG and HOME allocations are to be spent during the fiscal year. The Annual Action Plan estimates CDBG and HOME Program revenues and identifies specific projects to accomplish the goals and objectives stated in the Consolidated Plan. The Annual Action Plan is required to be submitted to HUD for annual entitlement funding.
Earlier this year, the City hired the Florida Housing Coalition as a consultant to help develop the 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan. The City’s Consolidated Plan is the result of an extensive and diverse public input process. To publicize the process, the City published notices in the Gainesville Sun and Gainesville Guardian. Additionally, the City issued notices via media releases, on the City’s website and through emails to stakeholders. Notices regarding the estimated CDBG and HOME Program funding availability were also provided to neighborhood residents, public agencies, community organizations, housing developers, non-profit organizations, various City departments and the general public. The notices included information about the preparation, public input requirement and adoption process of the Consolidated Plan.
As part of the public input process, the City developed a survey, conducted three community meetings, and conducted direct consultations with stakeholders such as, neighborhood residents, community leaders, non-profit organizations, community organizations, housing providers, developers, and various City departments. The survey was available both on-line and as a hard copy. On June 26, 2018, the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development (CACCD) conducted a public hearing to discuss the Consolidated Plan and its development and adoption process.
As a result of this extensive strategic planning process, the Consolidated Plan was developed setting forth priority areas that can be addressed with CDBG and HOME Program funding. The Consolidated Plan identified priority areas such as Affordable Housing, Reduced Homelessness, Suitable Living Environment, Youth Services, Senior Services and Special Needs Assistance. The overall nature of the Consolidated Plan is somewhat broad in order to provide for maximum flexibility, within the CDBG and HOME Program guidelines.
A draft 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan and 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan was made available for public review and comment beginning June 21, 2018. HUD requires that the Consolidated Plan be made available for public review and comment for a 30-day period. This was accomplished by providing copies at the City’s Housing and Community Development (HCD) Division office, City Clerk of the Commission office, Main Downtown Library, Cone Park Library, Library Partnership, Millhopper Library and on the City’s website. The notice of availability of the draft Consolidated Plan was published in the Gainesville Sun and Gainesville Guardian. Additionally, notices were distributed via media releases and on the City’s website. The official 30-day public comment period ends on Monday, July 23, 2018.
As outlined in the 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan, a portion of the CDBG and HOME funds are set-aside for the following City Programs: Block Grant Administration; City Housing Programs; Code Enforcement; and Cold Weather Shelter for the homeless. In addition, a portion of the CDBG and HOME funds are made available to non-profit organizations and other public agencies through a competitive process that involves review and recommendations by the CACCD. On May 15, 2018, the CACCD formulated its recommendations on allocating the CDBG and HOME competitive set-aside for non-profit outside organizations and other public agencies. The CACCD’s recommendations total $225,000 for CDBG and $151,961 for HOME.
The purpose of this public hearing is for the Consultant, HCD staff and CACCD members to present the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan for City Commission approval. Consistent with HUD guidelines, the plan will be submitted to HUD by August 15, 2018. Funds to begin implementing the approved projects will be available after October 1, 2018.
Fiscal Note
The submission and approval of the 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan will give the City access to Fiscal Year 2018-2019 CDBG and HOME Program entitlement funding estimated by HUD to be $1,347,285 for CDBG and $613,074 for HOME. These federal funds will be used to implement and administer programs proposed in the 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) hear a presentation from the City’s Consultant, HCD staff and the CACCD on the 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan and 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan; 2) approve and adopt the 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan, including an updated Citizen Participation Plan; 3) approve and adopt the 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan; 4) authorize the City Manager or designee to submit the 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan and 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan to HUD; 5) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents required for the 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan and 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan; 6) authorize the City Manager or designee to take actions, as appropriate, to allocate the FY 2019 CDBG and HOME Program funds; and 7) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute sub-recipient agreements with those outside agencies that are designated to receive FY 2019 CDBG and HOME funding, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.