To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: CAMERON HARDING, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
PUBLIC HEARING TO SOLICIT INPUT ON PUBLIC SERVICE GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE DRAFT FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE:
a. Open Public Hearing and take testimony;
b. Solicit input on public service grant recommendations and the draft FY 2024-25 Action Plan; and,
c. Continue the Public Hearing to May 7, 2024
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As a recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Redondo Beach is required to develop a one-year Action Plan and solicit input from residents as well as other interested organizations on housing and community development needs in the City. This report reflects the City’s needs identified in the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan and provides details on FY 2024-25 CDBG activities and funding allocations. The City is anticipated to receive approximately $237,451 for FY 2024-25 in CDBG entitlement monies. These funds will support Public Facilities and Improvements, Planning and Administration, Public Service Agencies, and the Housing Improvement Program.
BACKGROUND
Title I of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act requires that, in order to apply for certain HUD programs, state and local governments must have an approved five-year Consolidated Plan. The Plan is used by state and local governments as a working guide for the application of resources to address local housing and community development needs. The City of Redondo Beach draft FY 2024-25 Action Plan is attached to this report and is presented for review and comment; FY 2024-25 Action Plan will be presented to City Council for review and adoption on May 7, 2024.
The primary purpose of the CDBG Program, established under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, is to improve living conditions for low and moderate-income persons in the community. Since 1986, the City has received CDBG entitlement funds totaling over $16 million for a variety of projects and programs, including housing rehabilitation, commercial rehabilitation, renovation of teen, community and senior centers, park improvements, and local public service agency funding.
The one-year Annual Action Plan will serve to address strategies and goals established in the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan and provide recommendations for the expected allocation of the City’s FY 2024-25 CDBG entitlement to fund the City’s housing and community development activities for the upcoming fiscal year. The CDBG funding allocation for the City is anticipated to be approximately $237,451. This represents a slight decrease from the City’s current fiscal year grant allocation of $263,834. The history of CDBG funding levels for Redondo Beach since FY 2001-02 is provided as an attachment to this report.
The following projects and activities are proposed to be funded through the CDBG funds is FY 2024-25. Each activity is shown with a draft CDBG funding allocation.
Public Facilities and Improvements Funding Allocation: $144,344
Public improvements are an eligible expenditure of CDBG funds. Thus, City staff would like to propose installation of access ramps and/or curb cuts for Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) compliance throughout the City.
Administration/Fair Housing Funding Allocation: $47,490
Per HUD regulations, 20% of the City’s FY 2024-25 entitlement funds may be used for program administration. The City is required to develop a fair housing program to help prevent, reduce, and/or eliminate housing discrimination and address barriers to equal housing choice based on race, gender, religion, disability, or age. City staff would like to contract with Housing Rights Center to handle housing discrimination complaints filed by Redondo Beach residents to meet HUD’s fair housing requirements. In addition, City staff would like to continue to contract with an outside consultant for administrative services to coordinate CDBG projects and reporting.
Public Service Agency Funding Funding Allocation: $35,617
Per HUD regulations, 15% of the City’s FY 2024-25 entitlement funds may be available to fund public service agency programs ranging from family counseling, independent living skills training, and behavioral health programs. An RFP for these services were issued on December 19, 2023, and proposals were reviewed during the development of the FY 2024-25 Action Plan. City staff would like to propose the following public service organizations for funding. (Funding allocation: $35,617)
o 1736 Family Crisis Center provides counseling, support, and referral services to women and youth who are victims of domestic violence. (Proposed Funding: $10,685)
o Venice Family Clinic, formerly known as South Bay Family Healthcare Center, provides therapy, parenting, crisis interventions, domestic violence counseling, substance use therapy, and Medication-Assisted Treatment to individuals coping with impact trauma to eligible residents in Redondo Beach. (Proposed Funding: $7,480)
o St. Paul’s United Methodist Church - Project: NEEDS provides hot meals and a food pantry to people experiencing homelessness and food stress. (Proposed Funding: $9,972)
o Disability Community Resource Center supports seniors and people with disabilities to maintain self-directed and community-based independent lives. (Proposed Funding: $7,480)
Home Improvement Program (Mobility Access/Emergency Repair Program)
Funding Allocation: $40,000
The Mobility Access/Emergency Repair Program provides mobility access and emergency repairs to low- and moderate-income and disabled Redondo Beach homeowners. For Mobility Access, eligible repairs include the installation of access ramps and handle grabs to support disabled homeowners. For the Emergency Repairs, eligible repairs are restricted to components that will correct health and safety hazards in the home. Allowable fixtures include electricity, plumbing, heating, and replacement of hot water heaters. The Program will approximately assist 10 households.
Lastly, the Redondo Beach Salvation Army also applied, but staff is not recommending funding to the organization in the upcoming year. This decision was made in consideration of the late submission of the application, past deficiencies in responsiveness for invoicing, and concerns over the Salvation Army’s ability to maintain the necessary documentation required by HUD regulations. The Salvation Army was notified of the staff recommendation. Staff will continue to include the organization in communications regarding future funding availabilities and as an important stakeholder to the community for upcoming reports.
The Annual Action Plan is being developed according to the following schedule:
Issue RFP of Public Service Proposals…………………December 8, 2023
Proposal Submittal………………………………………January 11, 2024
Review of Public Service Proposals…………………….February 2024
1st City Council Public Hearing…………………………March 19, 2024
Provide Consolidated Plan/Annual Action Plan………March 20 to April 20, 2024
for 30-day comment period
2nd City Council Public Hearing for approval…………...May 7, 2024
Submit Final Action Plan to HUD………………………May 15, 2024
COORDINATION
Development of the FY 2024-25 Action Plan has been prepared by the Community Services Department in coordination with the Financial Services Department and the City’s CDBG consultant.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no General Fund fiscal impact associated with the development and implementation of the FY 2024-25 Annual Action Plan. All program and administration costs are funded through restricted CDBG funds received from HUD.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Draft FY 2024-25 CDBG Annual Action Plan
• CDBG Funding History