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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
FROM: HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND PAYMENT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM AND THE
CITY OF SANTA ANA TO ENGAGE MDG ASSOCIATES, INC. TO
PROVIDE A FY 2025-2029 REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OF FAIR
HOUSING PLAN FOR PROJECT PERIOD AUGUST 1, 2024 TO
JULY 30, 2025
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 12
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the Memorandum of Understanding and Payment Agreement with the City of Santa Ana to engage MDG Associates, Inc., in the cost share amount of $18,011.41, to provide a Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice plan for project period August 1, 2024 to July 30, 2025; and designate the Director of Housing and Community Development as the Certifying Official authorized to implement and execute all documents related to the administration and management of the Memorandum of Understanding.
DISCUSSION:
Since 1968, the Fair Housing Act has required that federal agencies and federal grantees affirmatively further fair housing. Accordingly, jurisdictions that receive funds from federal sources, such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), each have a requirement to prepare an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) and an action plan to address those impediments that are within their ability to control or influence.
In Orange County, all federal grantees, including the City of Anaheim, have taken a collaborative approach to identifying and addressing impediments by agreeing to review these issues on a regional basis. As part of this process, staff has been working with every HUD entitlement jurisdiction within the County of Orange to prepare a Request for Proposals and select a qualified consultant.
In 2024, the City of Santa Ana served as the lead entity for the purposes of securing a contract with a qualified consultant and facilitating payment for work completed. For the upcoming planning period, FY 2025-2029, the City of Santa Ana entered into an agreement with MDG Associates, Inc. in the amount of $159,882. The cost of services Memorandum of Understanding and Payment Agreement to Provide a Regional Assessment of Fair Housing Plan September 10, 2024
identified in Attachment 1 - Exhibit A titled “Scope of Services” is reflective of the cost of preparing a regional assessment that involves multiple jurisdictions. Each of the participating entitlement jurisdictions will execute a Memorandum of Understanding (Attachment 1) agreeing to contribute their fair share of costs in support of the agreement executed by the City of Santa Ana. Each jurisdiction’s contribution is based upon population size, which has a direct correlation to the federal funds provided to them by HUD. Anaheim’s share of the cost is $18,011.41. Anaheim City staff will continue to serve in a supportive role throughout the completion of the AI.
SELECTION PROCESS
On March 11, 2024, a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the preparation of the AI was released. Four firms submitted a response:
1) MDG Associates, Inc. – $159,882
2) Veronica Tam – $290,960
3) Grow America – $99,210
4) Willdan Engineering – $50,260
All firms were evaluated based on experience, methodology, public engagement, and cost.
A representative from five participating jurisdictions joined a committee to review and score the proposals. Upon review, the committee recommended proceeding with MDG Associates, Inc. due to their experience and competitive pricing.
NEW FIVE-YEAR ANALYSIS AND ACTION PLAN
Key deliverables for the qualified consultant are to assess the effectiveness of fair housing services provided by the two service providers that currently operate within the county, the Fair Housing Foundation and the Fair Housing Council of Orange County as well as to review their service records to identify issues and/or trends that may require some action or intervention. MDG Associates, Inc. will commence data collection and assessment, regulatory reviews, conduct an outreach and input process, and facilitate community forums and public meetings to solicit feedback on perceived barriers to fair housing choice and suggested action to address those barriers.
After the research and analysis is complete, MDG Associates, Inc. will prepare a five- year plan outlining each jurisdiction's recommended action items to address the identified impediments. Recommendations will be categorized by individual city actions and regional actions. Individual actions will be those within each city's control and the remaining actions will necessitate cooperation between cities or involvement at the County, State, or Federal level.
The process will begin in August 2024 and be completed in July 2025. Each city must seek approval of the Al and Five-Year Action Plan from their appropriate governing body and submit the approved plan on behalf of their jurisdiction in order to comply with HUD requirements.
Memorandum of Understanding and Payment Agreement to Provide a Regional Assessment of Fair Housing Plan September 10, 2024
The proposed MOU and payment agreement is in line with the City’s Strategic Plan Goal B Enhance Livability, Strategy 2 – Develop strategies to stabilize and expand affordable, workforce, and home ownership housing options for low-income residents.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Funding for Anaheim’s share of cost is available in the Housing and Community Development’s FY 2024-25 budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Ruiz-Stepter
Director of Housing and Community Development
Attachment:
1. Memorandum of Understanding and Payment Agreement