To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: CAMERON HARDING, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER PUBLIC SERVICE GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADOPT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) 2022-2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
PROCEDURES:
a. Open Public Hearing and take testimony;
b. Consider public service grant recommendations; and
c. Adopt the 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan.
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 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) 2022-2023 CDBG activities and funding allocations. The City will receive $279,033 for FY 2022-23 in CDBG entitlement monies. These funds will support the Public Facilities and Improvements, Planning and Administration, Public Service Agencies, and the Housing Improvement Program efforts identified in the Action Plan.
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 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 2022-23 Annual Action Plan is attached to this report and is presented for review and comment. The Plan will be presented to City Council for review and adoption on June 21, 2022.
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 City FY 2022-23 CDBG entitlement funds to support 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 $279,033. This represents an approximate four percent decrease from the City’s current year grant allocation of $290,479.
The following projects and activities are proposed to be funded through the CDBG funds for FY 2022-23. Each activity is shown with a draft CDBG funding allocation and the corresponding percentage of the expected overall budget of $279,033.
• Public Facilities and Improvements: Public improvements are an eligible expenditure of CDBG funds. As has been the case for the past several years, 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.
Funding Allocation: $141,371.45, 51% of the total CDBG budget
• Administration/Fair Housing: Per HUD regulations, 20 percent of the City’s FY 2022-23 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 the 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: $55,806.60, 20% of the total CDBG budget
• Public Service Agency Funding: Per HUD regulations, 15 percent of the City’s FY 2022-23 entitlement funds may be used for public service agency programs ranging from family counseling, senior lunch programs, independent living skills training, and dental programs. An RFP for these services was issued on January 18, 2022, and proposals were reviewed during the development of the FY 2022-23 Action Plan. City staff propose the following public service organizations for funding:
o 1736 Family Crisis Center provides counseling, support, and referral services to women and youth who are victims of domestic violence. (Proposed Funding: $10,466.95)
o Redondo Beach Salvation Army provides hot meals to elderly and disabled residents in Redondo Beach. (Proposed Funding: $8,370.00)
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: $8,370.00)
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: $8,370.00)
o Disability Community Resource Center supports seniors and people with disabilities to maintain self-directed and community-based independent lives. (Proposed Funding: $6,278.00)
Total Funding Allocation: $41,854.95, 15% of the total CDBG budget
• Home Improvement Program (Mobility Access/Emergency Repair Program): The Mobility Access/Emergency Repair Program provides mobility access and emergency repairs to low- and moderate-income and disabled Redondo Beach homeowners. Eligible repairs include the installation of access ramps and handle grabs to support disabled homeowners and to correct certain health and safety hazards in the home. Allowable fixtures include electricity, plumbing, heating, and replacement of hot water heaters. Funds for this program will assist approximately 10 households.
Funding Allocation: $40,000, 14% of the total CDBG budget
The Annual Action Plan has been developed according to the following schedule:
• City Council Public Hearing April 12, 2022
• Review of Public Service Proposals April 2022
• Provide Consolidated Plan/Annual Action Plan
for 30-day comment period April 13 to May 13, 2022
• Present Annual Action Plan for
City Council approval June 21, 2022
• Submit Final Action Plan to HUD July 12, 2022
COORDINATION
Development of the FY 2022-23 Action Plan has been 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 2022-23 Annual Action Plan as it is part of the Community Services and Financial Services Departments’ annual work programs. All program and administration costs will be funded through CDBG funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2022-2023 CDBG Action Plan
2. Notice of Public Hearing
3. Power Point Presentation