To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: LAURIE KOIKE, INTERIM COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER PUBLIC SERVICE GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADOPT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DRAFT 2021-2022 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
PROCEDURES:
1. Open Public Hearing and take testimony;
2. Consider public service grant recommendations; and
3. Adopt 2021-2022 Action Plan
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As a recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Redondo Beach is required to develop the 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 fiscal year (FY) 2021-2022 CDBG activities and funding allocations. The City will be receiving $290,479 for the FY 2021-22 in CDBG entitlement monies. These funds will support the Housing Improvement Program, Public Facilities and Improvements, Public Service Agencies, and Planning and Administration.
BACKGROUND
The primary purpose of the CDBG Program, established under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, is to improve living conditions for low income persons in the community. Since 1986, the first year the City received CDBG funds, 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.
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 Consolidated 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 2021-22 FY Action Plan is attached to this report and is presented for review and comment.
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 allocation of the City’s FY 2021-22 CDBG entitlement to fund the City’s housing and community development activities for the upcoming fiscal year. It is projected that the CDBG funding allocation for the City will be $290,479. This represents a slight increase from the City’s current year grant allocation of $286,208. 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 for FY 2021-22. Each activity is shown with a draft CDBG funding allocation and the corresponding percentage of the projected overall budget of $290,479.
• Home Improvement Program (Mobility Access/Emergency Repair Program): The Mobility Access/Emergency Repair Program provides mobility access and emergency repairs to low- or 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.
Funding Allocation: $60,000, 21% of total CDBG budget
• Public Facilities and Improvements: Public improvements are an eligible expenditure of CDBG funds. City staff is proposing the continuation of funding for the installation of access ramps and/or curb cuts for Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) compliance throughout the City.
Funding Allocation: $128,811, 44% of total CDBG budget
• Public Service Agency Funding: Per HUD regulations, 15% of the City’s FY 2021-22 entitlement funds may be available to fund public service agency programs ranging from family counseling, senior lunch programs, independent living skills training, and dental programs. An RFP for these services were issued on January 28, 2021 and proposals were reviewed during the development of the FY 2021-22 Action Plan. City staff would like to propose the following public service organizations for funding:
• 1736 Family Crisis Center provides counseling, support, and referral services to women and youth who are victims of domestic violence. (Proposed Funding: $9,572);
• Redondo Beach Salvation Army provides hot meals to elderly and disabled residents in Redondo Beach. (Proposed Funding: $6,500);
• South Bay Family Healthcare Center provides free and low-cost dental services to eligible low-income residents of Redondo Beach. (Proposed Funding: $6,500);
• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church - Project: NEEDS provides hot meals to people experiencing homelessness and food stress. (Proposed Funding: $6,500);
• Disability Community Resource Center supports seniors and people with disabilities to maintain self-directed and community-based independent lives. (Proposed Funding: $3,500);
• City Net provides navigation assistance for people experiencing chronic homelessness, which includes outreach, referrals, case management, and housing navigation. (Proposed Funding: $6,500); and
• Exodus Recovery provides skills and resources for people experiencing homelessness to achieve and maintain permanent housing. (Proposed Funding: $4,500).
Total Funding Allocation: $43,572, 15% of total CDBG allocation
• Administration/Fair Housing: Per HUD regulations, 20% of the City’s FY 2021-22 entitlement funds may be used for program administration. However, 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.
Funding Allocation: $58,096, 20% of total CDBG allocation
The Annual Action Plan is being developed according to the following scheduled:
• City Council Public Hearing April 6, 2021
• Review of Public Service Proposals April 2021
• Provide Consolidated Plan/Annual Action Plan
for 30-day comment period April 7 to May 7, 2021
• Present Annual Action Plan for
City Council approval May 4, 2021
• Submit Final Action Plan to HUD May 15, 2021
COORDINATION
Development of the FY 2021-22 Action Plan is coordinated between the Community Services and Financial Services Departments and the City’s CDBG consultant.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact in the development and implementation of the FY 2021-22 Annual Action Plan. All program and administration costs will be funded through Community Development Block Grant funds received by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
APPROVED BY:
Joe Hoefgen, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
2021-2022 CDBG Action Plan
CDBG Funding History
Notice of Public Hearing
Power Pt. Presentation