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CITY OF CAMARILLO
Program Year
2023-2024
Consolidated Annual Performance
and Evaluation Report
for the
Community Development Block Grant Program
September 11, 2024
Department of Community Development
601 Carmen Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
Telephone: 805.388.5360
Website: www.ci.camarillo.ca.us
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CR-05 – Goals and Outcomes ............................................................................................................... 1 CR-10 – Racial and Ethnic Composition of Families Assisted ................................................................. 6 CR-15 – Resources and Investments 91.520(a) ..................................................................................... 8 CR-20 – Affordable Housing 91.520(b) ................................................................................................ 10 CR-25 – Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320 (d, e); 91.520 (c) .............................. 13 CR-30 – Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j) ........................................................................................ 16 CR-35 – Other Actions 91.220(j, k); 91.20 (I, j) ..................................................................................... 17 CR-40 – Monitoring 91.220; 91.320) ................................................................................................... 22 Citizen Participation Plan 91.105(d); 91;115(d) ………….…………………………………………………….…….………… 23 CR-45 – CDBG 91.520 (c) …………………………………………………………………………….………………………..……….… 24 CR-58 – CDBG 91.520 (c) ……………………………………………………………………………………….………….….……….… 25 Appendices
A. Public Participation
B. IDIS Reports
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 1 CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes
Progress the jurisdiction has made in carrying out its strategic plan and its action plan.
91.520(a)
In partnership with the County of Ventura and three other cities in the region (Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura), the City of Camarillo developed the projects, goals, strategies, and objectives listed below for each priority need category listed in the FY 2020-2024 Regional Consolidated Plan. The five-year objectives represent the City’s individual targeted goals over the FY 2020-2024 Regional Consolidated Plan period.
The Camarillo Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 provides a general assessment of activities undertaken by the City of Camarillo (City) during the fourth year of the 2020-2024 Regional Consolidated Plan (Regional CP) for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. In addition, actions taken to affirmatively further fair housing, provide affordable housing, address homelessness, and leverage resources are described in the report.
The Activities, goals, and accomplishments for the FY 2023-2024 CDBG Entitlement program are shown below. The Goals and associated Activities and accomplishments for the FY 2020-2021 CDBG-CV through June 30, 2024 are also shown below.
FY 23-24 CDBG ENTITLEMENT ACTIVITIES
Goal 1: Improve the Supply of Affordable Housing – High Priority Project 1: Home Repair Program (Habitat for Humanity Ventura) 2023-2024 Goal: 5 Households
2023-2024 Accomplishments: 3 Households
Project 2: Affordable Housing Property Acquisition Program (City) 2023-2024 Goal: 1 Household
2023-2024 Accomplishments: 0 Households
Goal 3: Increase Social Services – High Priority
Project 3: Roam Around the World (Camarillo Health Care District) 2023-2024 Goal: 80 persons
2023-2024 Accomplishments:92 Persons
Project 5: Emergency Assistance Program (Lutheran Social Services) 2023-2024 Goal: 5 persons
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 2 2023-2024 Accomplishments: 6 Persons
Project 6: Older Adult Services and Intervention System (Catholic Charities) 2023-2024 Goal: 72 persons
2023-2024 Accomplishments: 57 Persons
Project 7: Project Hope Food Pantry (St. Columba’s Parish) 2023-2024 Goal: 50 persons
2023-2024 Accomplishments: 70 Persons
Goal 4: Work to End Homeless – High Priority
Project 4: Our Place Safe Haven (Turning Point Foundation) 2023-2024 Goal: 4 persons
2023-2024 Accomplishments: 4 Persons
Project 8: Emergency Aid (Society of St. Vincent de Paul) 2023-2024 Goal: 13 persons
2023-2024 Accomplishments: 7 Persons
Goal 6: Planning and Administration – High Priority
Project 9: Fair Housing Services (Housing Rights Center) Project 10: Planning and Administration (City)
FY 2020-2021 CDBG-CV PROJECTS
Goal 3: Increase Social Services – High Priority
Project 6: Older Adult Support and Interventions Systems (Catholic Charities) 2021-2022 Goal: 110 people
Accomplishments to-date: 74 – Project Completed
Project 12: Project Hope Food Pantry (St. Columba’s Church) 2020-2021 Goal: 32 persons
Accomplishments to-date: 59 – Project Completed
Project 13: Support for Homebound Seniors (Ventura Co. CAREGIVERS) 2020-2021 Goal: 60 persons
Accomplishments to-date: 83 – Project Completed
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 3 Project 14: Emergency Aid - Low-income Residents (St. Vincent de Paul) 2020-2021 Goal: 100 persons
Accomplishments to-date: 31 – Project Completed
Project 16: Rent and Utility Assistance (Lutheran Social Services) 2020-2021 Goal: 100 persons
Accomplishments to-date: 16 – Project On-going
Project 18: Senior Home Delivered Meals (Camarillo Health Care District) 2021-2022 Goal: 490 persons
Accomplishments to-date: 708 - Project Completed
Project 18: Food Distribution (Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District) 2021-2022 Goal: 60 persons
Accomplishments to-date: 641 – Project Completed
Goal 6: Planning and Administration – High Priority
Project 11: Planning and Administration (City)
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 3 Comparison of the proposed versus actual outcomes for each outcome measure submitted with the consolidated plan and explain, if applicable, why progress was not made toward meeting goals and objectives. 91.520(g) Categories, priority levels, funding sources and amounts, outcomes/objectives, goal outcome indicators, units of measure, targets, actual outcomes/outputs, and percentage completed for each of the grantee’s program year goals.
Goal Category Source /
Amount
Indicator Unit of
Measure
Expected –
Strategic
Plan
Actual –
Strategic
Plan
Percent
Complet
e
Expected
– Program
Year
Actual –
Program
Year
Percent
Complete
Effective
Administration Administration CDBG:
$66,559 Other Other N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Improve the
Supply of
Affordable
Housing
Affordable
Housing
CDBG:
$334,402
Homeowner
Housing Added
Household
Housing Unit 0 1 100% 0 0 0%
Improve the
Supply of
Affordable
Housing
Affordable
Housing
CDBG:
$50,000
Homeowner
Housing
Rehabilitated
Household
Housing Unit 45 21 46% 5 3 60%
Improve the
Supply of
Affordable
Housing
Affordable
Housing
CDBG:
$0.00
Direct Financial
Assistance to
Homebuyers
Households
Assisted 0 0 0% 1 0 0%
Increase Social
Services
Non-Homeless
Special Needs
CDBG:
$41,132
Public service
activities other
than
Low/Moderate
Income Housing
Benefit
Persons
Assisted 6,862 587 8% 207 225 109%
Work to End
Homelessness Homeless CDBG:
$8,783
Homelessness
Prevention
Persons
Assisted 464 27 6% 17 11 100%
Table 1 - Accomplishments – Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 4 Assess how the jurisdiction’s use of funds, particularly CDBG, addresses the priorities and specific objectives identified in the plan, giving special attention to the highest priority activities identified.
FY 2023-2024 CDBG Entitlement Projects/Activities
The accomplishments of the CDBG Entitlement Projects identified in the FY 2023-2024 Action Plan are described below:
Project 1: Home Repair Program (Habitat for Humanity Ventura): During FY 2023-2024, Habitat for Humanity helped three households with home repairs. Among those households assisted, one was extremely low-income and two were low-income.
Project 2: Affordable Housing Property Acquisition Program (City of Camarillo): During FY 2023-2024, one home was acquired. However, as of the end of FY 2023-2024 that home has not yet been resold to a low-income household.
Project 3: Roam Around the World (Camarillo Health Care District): During FY 2023-2024, 92 seniors were provided services by Camarillo Health Care District. All 92 served were extremely low-income.
Project 4: Our Place Safe Haven (Turning Point Foundation): During FY 2023-2024, Turning Point Foundation assisted four persons. All four of those assisted were moderate income.
Project 5: Emergency Assistance Program (Lutheran Social Services): During FY 2023- 2024, Lutheran Social Services assisted six persons. Of those assisted, all were extremely low- income.
Project 6: Older Adult Services and Intervention Systems (Catholic Charities): During FY 2023-2024, Catholic Charities assisted 57 seniors. Of those assisted, all 57 were moderate- income.
Project 7: St. Columba’s Food Pantry (St. Columba’s Parish): During 2023-2024, St.
Columba’s provided food to 70 families. Of those assisted, 70 were extremely low-income.
Project 8: Emergency Assistance Program (Society of Saint Vincent de Paul): During FY 2023-2024, Saint Vincent de Paul provided seven Camarillo households with services to prevent homelessness. Of those served, four were extremely low-income, one was low-income, and two were moderate income.
Project 9: Fair Housing Program (Housing Rights Center): During FY 2023-2024, the Housing Rights Center ensured that those seeking housing services were not the subject of discrimination, nor the victim of fraudulent, or otherwise, misinformed landlord activity. A total of 471 persons were assisted during FY 2023-2024. Of those served, 86 cases resulted in a discrimination inquiry and 13 were elevated to a discrimination case. Funds for this program came from the City’s Administration allocation and therefore income data is not reported.
Project 10: Planning and Administration (City of Camarillo): The City continued to implement housing and community development programs with CDBG funds during FY 2023-2024.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 5 FY 2020-2021 CDBG-CV Projects/Activities
The accomplishments to-date for the CDBG-CV Projects identified in the FY 2020-2021 Action Plan are described below:
Project 6: Older Adult Services and Intervention System (Catholic Charities): To-date, this Catholic Charities program has served 74 persons. Of those served, 64 were extremely low- income and ten were low-income. This project has been completed.
Project 12: Project Hope Food Pantry (St. Columba’s Episcopal Church): To-date, St.
Columba’s has provided services to 59 persons. Of those served, 50 were extremely low-income and nine were low-income. This project has been completed.
Project 13: Support for Homebound Seniors (Ventura County CAREGIVERS): To-date, assistance was provided to 83 persons by Ventura County CAREGIVERS. Of those assisted, 24 were extremely low-income, 22 were low-income, 15 were moderate income, and 22 were above moderate income. This project is complete.
Project 14: Emergency Aid for Lower Income Camarillo Residents (St. Vincent de Paul):
St. Vincent de Paul provided assistance to 31 persons. Of those assisted, 20 were extremely low- income, seven were low-income, and four were moderate income. This project has been completed.
Project 16: Rent and Utility Assistance (Lutheran Social Services): To-date, Lutheran Social Services has provided assistance to 16 households. Of those assisted, 15 were extremely low- income and 1 was low-income. This project is on-going.
Project 18: Senior Nutrition Program for Home Delivered Meals (Camarillo Health Care District): To-date, his project has assisted 708 persons. Of those assisted, 217 were extremely low-income, 152 were low-income, 319 were moderate income, and 20 were above moderate income. This project is complete.
Project 18: Food Distribution Program (Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District): To- date, this project has served 641 persons. Of those assisted, 476 were extremely low-income, 126 were low-income, 34 were moderate income, and five were above moderate income. This project complete.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 6 CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of families assisted).
91.520(a)
CDBG ONLY
White 181
Black or African American 3
Asian 19
American Indian or Alaskan Native 3
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0
Total 206
Hispanic 41
Not Hispanic 198
Table 2 – Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds CDBG
239 persons/households were assisted in FY 2023-2024 through CDBG Entitlement funds. Of that 239, 33 persons identified themselves in racial categories not provided for in Table 2, so only 206 persons are accounted for in the Race portion of the Table. All 239 are accounted for in the ethnicity (Hispanic or Not Hispanic) portion of Table 2 above.
Of the total of 239 residents assisted using CDBG funds, 75.7 percent were White, 7.9 percent were Asian, 1.2 percent were Black, and 1.2 percent were American Indian/Alaska Native. Of all those assisted, 17.1 percent reported as Hispanic.
CDBG-CV
CDBG-CV ONLY
White 1063
Black or African American 49
Asian 168
American Indian or Alaskan Native 17
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 5
Total 1302
Hispanic 397
Not Hispanic 1215
Table 3a – Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds The CDBG-CV grants are ongoing, and the amounts listed in Table 2a above are from the inception of the grants. The numbers are only through the end of FY 2023-2024, and will change in the future, as several of those projects have not closed. As of June 30, 2024, 1,612 persons/households were assisted in FY 2023-2024 through CDBG-CV funds. Of that 1,612, 310 persons identified themselves in racial categories not provided for in Table 2a, so only 1,302 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 7 persons are accounted for in the Race portion of the Table. All 1,612 are accounted for in the ethnicity (Hispanic or Not Hispanic) portion of Table 2 above.
Of the total of 1,612 residents assisted using CDBG-CV funds, 65.9 percent were White, 10.4 percent were Asian, 3.0 percent were Black, and 1.0 percent were American Indian/Alaska Native.
Of all those assisted, 24.6 percent reported as Hispanic.
Narrative
CDBG funding benefitted .3 percent of the Camarillo population and CDBG-CV funding benefited
2.2%. These are very small samples from which to draw meaningful conclusions. In general, the race and ethnicity of those who benefitted from the City’s various CDBG-funded programs reflects the demographics of the City as a whole. According to the 2020 American Community Survey,
59.6 percent Camarillo’s population is White, 2.3 percent Black, 11.3 percent Asian, and 0.8 percent American Indian or Alaska Native.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 8 CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a)
Identify the resources made available
Funds Expended in FY 2023-2024 Source Resources Made
Available
Amount Expended
During Program Year
CDBG Entitlement Funds
public -
federal $500,876 $709,166.41
Other (CDBG-CV)
public -
federal $576,453 $543,646.47
Table 4 - Resources Made Available
Narrative
The Federal allocation of CDBG Entitlement funds for FY 2023-2024 was $332,793. Combined with Program Income of $25,000 and $143,083 in prior year unallocated funds, the total CDBG resources available was $500,876. Of the $500,876 available for FY 2023-2024, $467,997.61 was expended. Additional expenditures during FY 2023-2024 included $241,168.80 for the multi- year 2022 Affordable Housing Acquisition program, bringing the total expended during FY 2023- 2024 to $709,166.41.
The City also continued to use the $576,453 in CDBG-CV funds to meet the needs of the community as it related to preventing, preparing for, and responding to coronavirus. CDBG-CV funds were expended in FY 2020-2021, FY 2021-2022, and FY 2023-2024. However, since the expenditure timelines for CDBG-CV funds are different than those for CDBG Entitlement funds, the amount in the table above represents all expenditures from the beginning of the CDBG-CV program through the end of FY 2023-2024.
Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Target Area Planned Percentage of
Allocation
Actual Percentage of
Allocation
Narrative Description
N/A 0 0 N/A
Table 5 – Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Narrative
Projects and programs funded through CDBG are available citywide and are not concentrated in any particular neighborhood, census tract, or location. Camarillo’s experience is that needs and hardships can occur in any neighborhood and are not concentrated in any specific location.
Leveraging
Explain how federal funds leveraged additional resources (private, state, and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements were satisfied, as well as how any publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that were used to address the needs identified in the plan.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 9 Camarillo leverages federal CDBG funds with other public and private resources whenever possible. The City does not receive any other federal/HUD funds for housing and community development activities. In the past, the City Council has approved tax credit financing in the form of mortgage revenue bonds to support affordable housing activities. Tax credits were used in financing the purchase of the 305-unit Mira Vista Village Senior Apartments and the Casa Velasquez Apartments.
Despite a lack of significant resources, the City has created affordability by leveraging City General Funds and CDBG funds in the Affordable Housing Acquisition Program. In FY 2023-2024 the City used general funds to leverage CDBG by purchasing a market-rate house with the intent to re-sell it to a low-income household for an affordable price with a 55-year affordability covenant.
The acquisition was made using a $18,000 in a bridge loan from City General Funds and $575,570 in CDBG funds. The home will be sold to a low-income household for $175,000. Proceeds will pay back the General Fund loan, and $400,570 in CDBG funds will remain in the property to be paid back to the CDBG Program when the property is sold.
The City leverages funds from a Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HAAP) grant with the efforts of the City’s Project Hope team, and local affordable housing providers to transition residents from homelessness to stable housing. The City’s Project Hope team identifies homeless people within the City of Camarillo and referrals through the HMIS system to place homeless residents in the City’s Hotel Voucher Program. Once in the Voucher Program, Project Hope works with program participants and local affordable housing providers to find permanent housing for the residents. Project Hope encourages participants to find employment and continually seek out permanent housing opportunities.
The City participates in the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program administered by the County of Ventura. The MCC program assists lower and moderate income households in achieving their dream of homeownership by offering extra dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credits to first-time homebuyers.
The City does not have any match requirements. The City recently purchased a tax default property which brings the number of City-owned properties to three. In the FY 2024-2025 Action Plan, the City did identify a Project of siting a temporary shelter using tiny homes on one of the properties, however that project has not yet begun. One of the other City-owned properties is intended for a 9-unit very-low-income affordable housing development in the future.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 10 CR-20 - Affordable Housing 91.520(b)
Evaluation of the jurisdiction's progress in providing affordable housing, including the number and types of families served, the number of extremely low-income, low-income, moderate-income, and middle-income persons served.
One-Year Goal Actual
Number of homeless households to be
provided affordable housing units
0 0
Number of non-homeless households
to be provided affordable housing
units
5 3
Number of special-needs households
to be provided affordable housing
units
0 0
Total 5 3
Table 6 – Number of Households
One-Year Goal Actual
Number of households supported
through rental assistance
0 0
Number of households supported
through the production of new units
0 0
Number of households supported
through the rehab of existing units
5 3
Number of households supported
through the acquisition of existing
units
1 0
Total 6 3
Table 7 – Number of Households Supported
Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting these goals.
The City made progress addressing the goals established in the FY 2023-2024 Action Plan and five-year Consolidated Plan. The Habitat Home Repair Program experienced a higher than usual demand after the major impacts of the pandemic subsided. However, prices for housing repair supplies, and the difficulty finding staff continued to impact them. Habitat was able to meet 60% of the goal set for FY 2023-2024.
As noted in CR-15, the lack of financial resources, and the very high cost of developing new affordable housing units or creating affordability in existing housing units is a barrier to creating affordable housing. The City used over 66 percent of the available FY 2023-2024 CDBG funds to create new affordability through the Affordable Housing Acquisition Program. In addition, the City OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 11 used more than 50 percent of their available Public Services funds for grant to subrecipients who provide housing and shelter assistance as noted below:
•The Emergency Assistance Program operated by Lutheran Social Services provided case management to help residents find housing and avoid homelessness. •The Emergency Aid for Camarillo Program operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provided short-term subsistence payments for rent, mortgage, and utilities which help low- mod income households weather one-time emergency situations without losing their housing
•Our Place Safe Haven operated by The Turning Point Foundation provides emergency housing, case management, and access to transitional and permanent supportive housing for the homeless mentally ill.
In FY 2023-2024, the City also continued to allocate CDBG-CV funds to two agencies providing emergency housing assistance.
If a project or program is consistent with Camarillo’s Housing Element and Consolidated Plan, the City is willing to support applications for HOME funds and other funding programs such as Low- Income Housing Tax Credits. Camarillo continues to explore future opportunities and when an opportunity becomes available, will support the expansion of affordable housing if funding is available.
Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans.
The City will also continue to fund the Affordable Housing Property Acquisition Program as it has successfully provided affordable housing since its inception. Even with the continued impact of the pandemic, the Habitat Home Repair program was able to complete three rehabilitation projects in FY 2023-2024. The Habitat Home Repair program will be funded again in FY 2024- 2025, but a more robust outreach program will be implemented to ensure all residents in need have the opportunity to apply.
Include the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons served by each activity where information on income by family size is required to determine the eligibility of the activity.
Number of Households Served CDBG Actual HOME Actual
Extremely Low-income 1 0
Low-income 2 0
Moderate-income 0 0
Total 3 0
Table 8 – Number of Households Served
Narrative Information
As noted above, the Habitat Home Repair Program is funded by CDBG Entitlement funds and provides much needed housing rehabilitation and repair assistance to low-moderate income homeowners in the City of Camarillo. During FY 2023-2024, Habitat completed rehabilitation work on three homes, including two extremely low-income and one low-income household.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 12 The City continues to participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program (Section 8) offered through the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (Area Housing Authority).
The Section 8 program offers a voucher that pays the difference between the current fair market rent and what a tenant can afford to pay (i.e., 30 percent of household income). According to the most recent information available from the Area Housing Authority, 538 Vouchers were used in the City of Camarillo in FY 2023-2024 which represents 23.7% of all Vouchers used in the Area Housing Authority jurisdiction.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 13 CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320(d, e); 91.520(c) Evaluate the jurisdiction’s progress in meeting its specific objectives for reducing and ending homelessness through:
Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs
Camarillo relies on a Continuum of Care approach in handling homeless concerns. The Continuum of Care is based on the understanding that homelessness is not caused merely by a lack of shelter, but involves a variety of underlying, unmet needs – physical, economic, and social.
This includes assessing the needs of each individual needing services and designing a program to meet those needs.
In FY 2023-2024, the City funded Our Place Safe Haven, a homeless shelter operated by Turning Point Foundation (TPF), which targeted the needs of the homeless mentally ill, a very underserved demographic. TPF evaluated the needs of each client and provided housing, case management, and referrals to other agencies as needed.
The City also funded the Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Emergency Assistance Program to assist the homeless. LSS interviewed each client household to determine their individual needs and create a case management plan to address those needs.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons As noted above, in FY 2023-2024, the City funded the Turning Point Foundation to provide shelter services to homeless mentally ill individuals through Our Place Safe Haven. The City also funded Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, which provides rental and utility payment assistance, homeless services, case management, and supportive services for Camarillo residents.
The City administrates a hotel voucher program for homeless residents as a form of temporary shelter, working with program participants to move them ultimately to permanent housing.
Funding for this program comes from a Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant. The City’s Project Hope team identifies homeless people within the City of Camarillo/uses referrals through the HMIS system to place homeless residents in the City’s Hotel Voucher Program. Once in the Voucher Program, Project Hope works with program participants and local affordable housing providers to find permanent housing for the residents. Project Hope encourages participants to find employment and continually seek out permanent housing opportunities.
Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: likely to become homeless after being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); and, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 14 address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs Camarillo’s approach to helping low-income residents become homeless is to fund agencies that provide services that are designed to prevent homelessness where possible. While none of the programs funded are targeted to those individuals leaving publicly funded institutions and systems of care, or those already receiving public assistance, those being served by the programs often meet those criteria.
The City addresses the needs of those who are at-risk of homelessness through three grants using CDBG and CDBG-CV funds:
•The Emergency Assistance Program provides case management to identify the individual needs of the resident and provide tailored assistance based on those needs. •The Rent and Utility Assistance Program provides short-term assistance with rent and utility payments which can prevent the at-risk person from becoming homeless. Both programs assist those at-risk of homelessness to ensure they remain in stable housing and do not become homeless.
•The Older Adult Services and Intervention System (OASIS) program helps vulnerable seniors remain housed by providing case management and assistance with basic living activities such as food shopping or getting to doctor appointments.
The City helps implement the County’s Continuum of Care using City resources as noted above, and those of nonprofit agencies, County, State, and federal resources. The City also helps support the Continuum of Care through the following actions:
•Ensuring that permanent affordable housing is preserved through funding the Habitat Home Repair Program
•Operating the Affordable Housing Acquisition Program to maintain existing affordable housing through affordability covenants.
•Participating in the preparation of the Ventura County Behavioral Health Five-Year Strategic Housing Plan for the mentally Ill Population. •Providing residents with referrals to County Behavioral Health for immediate emergency shelter as a safe, decent alternative to the streets.
•Providing residents with referrals to County and non-profit agencies, such as the County Behavioral Health Department and Interface’s 211 Help Line program, which can identify an individual’s or family’s needs and provide connection to facilities and services.
Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 15 The City supports organizations that assist homeless individuals and families in achieving self- sufficiency, as shown below:
•The City provided CDBG funds to the Turning Point Foundation for the Our Safe Haven Program in FY 2023-2024, which provides safe housing and supportive services to persons who were homeless and mentally ill.
•The City addressed the needs of the homeless through two grants to Lutheran Social Services using CDBG and CDBG-CV funds. The Emergency Assistance Program provides case management to identify the individual needs of the homeless individual and provide tailored assistance based on those needs. The Rent and Utility Assistance Program provides short-term rent assistance, and short-term assistance with utility costs which can provide the formerly homeless person with stable, permanent housing.
Once a person becomes homeless, a range of services are needed to help that person transition from being homeless to living in transitional housing with supportive services, to living in permanent housing, and eventually, to achieving self-sufficiency. Camarillo’s approach to preventing those formerly homeless from becoming homeless again is to make sure the agencies funded provide long-term services to ensure stable housing is maintained. The three programs noted above provide housing assistance and a broad array of services designed to ensure the needs of the formerly homeless are addressed.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 16 CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j)
Actions taken to address the needs of public housing
The public housing needs of Camarillo residents are met by the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (AHACV). AHACV owns a total of 169 units, of which 39 are units designed for seniors. The buildings are located in Camarillo, Fillmore/Piru, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ojai. AHACV also manages four Tax Credit funded complexes in Camarillo, Piru, and Thousand Oaks, two of which are reserved for seniors.
Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership
AHACV has established resident councils at all their apartment complexes in Camarillo. They also have a resident coordinator to address the concerns of the residents and to ensure they are involved in the management of their apartment complex.
Homeownership classes are also offered by Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) several times throughout the year that describe the federal, state, local and private initiatives that can assist public housing residents to become homeowners. Camarillo residents are also invited to the home ownership classes. The Area Housing Authority has partnered with the City and Habitat for Humanity to enable Habitat for Humanity to develop 8 units of affordable ownership housing adjacent to a currently under construction AHACV apartment development.
Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs
AHACV is not considered troubled.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 17 CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j)
Actions taken to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment. 91.220 (j); 91.320 (i) Many of the State and federal public policies designed to protect workers and the environment can have the unintended consequence of significantly increasing the cost of construction, making it that much more difficult to develop affordable housing. The City has no control over these policies and cannot reduce the impacts on the development of affordable housing.
The City works to remove barriers to affordable housing by implementing a Housing Element that is consistent with California law and taking actions to reduce costs or provide off-setting incentives to assist in the production of safe, high-quality, affordable housing. The City of Camarillo adopted the 2021-2029 Housing Element on September 29, 2021. As part of the development process, the City held public workshops on August 27, 2020 and February 11, 2021. Other public meetings related to the draft Housing Element took place on October 14, 2020, April 15, 2021, May 4 and May 6, 2021, and August 31, 2021.
•The City’s Housing Element identifies the various constraints which impact the development of affordable housing and has put in place policies and programs which are designed to reduce those constraints. The City is committed to removing those governmental constraints that hinder the production of housing and has implemented policies and programs which will serve to reduce the effects of public policy on the development of affordable housing. Some of those policies and programs include; HOUSING POLICIES – The City has five existing City Council policies that address affordable housing, including policies 7.6 – Affordable and Senior Housing Programs (adopted 1992, amended 1998), 7.09 – Inclusionary Housing (adopted 2006, amended 2015), 7.12 – Affordable Housing Preservation Program (adopted 2020), 7.13 – First Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (adopted 2020), and 11.09 – CDBG Property Acquisition Procedure (adopted 1993, amended 1998). The City will review each policy for internal consistency and for current affordable housing needs, and update if necessary.
•AFFORDABLE HOUSING BONUS POINTS UNDER RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CONTROL SYSTEM – To increase the supply of affordable housing through the residential development control system
•ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADU) – To provide a variety of housing options for lower and moderate-income households, with the goal of approving at least 10 ADUs per year
•DENSITY BONUS AND OTHER INCENTIVES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING – To maintain a long-term supply of affordable housing units in the city •NONPROFIT HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS – To maximize the uses of all housing resources to assist affordable housing
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 18 •AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVATION (OWNERSHIP UNITS) – To ensure the long-term preservation of affordable ownership housing units •HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS PAYMENT STANDARDS – To ensure that Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) payment standards support local rent levels •INCLUSIONARY HOUSING – Continue to maintain a monitoring program to support the successful implementation of this program
•ADEQUATE SITES – Provide adequate residential sites and opportunities for affordable housing commensurate with the City’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment •HOUSING REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE – To preserve and conserve the City’s affordable housing stock; facilitate rehabilitation of six housing units annually or 48 units during the planning period
•SEEK GRANT FUNDING TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACTIVITIES – To preserve existing and provide new affordable housing stock; and encourage homeownership at all income levels
•FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE LOANS – To encourage affordability and homeownership at all income levels
•ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS – To facilitate shelter development and housing for persons with disabilities (AB 101, AB 139, AB 2162), and to comply with the Employee Housing Act (Health and Safety Code Section 17021.5), the City will review and revise the zoning ordinance, as appropriate, to ensure compliance with State law •CITY-INITIATED AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS – To entitle City-initiated affordable housing projects (Barry Street/Former Stock Lumber and Arneill Road Mixed- Used sites), providing very-low and low-income units included in the land inventory •AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVATION (RENTAL UNITS) – To preserve rental properties at-risk of conversion to market rate
•BY-RIGHT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS – To allow by-right residential projects, that provide 20 percent or more units designated to lower-income households, proposed for vacant and nonvacant land inventory sites that were utilized in the prior Housing Element
Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City of Camarillo does not meet the eligibility thresholds to receive direct HOME funding allocations. However, under the HOME program regulations, contiguous units of local government are authorized to form a local consortium. In an effort to bring additional affordable housing resources to the City on an annual basis, increase collaboration and planning for affordable housing in the county, and allow the projects located within the City of Camarillo to compete for HOME funding at the local level, the City of Camarillo has joined the Ventura County HOME Consortium. For FY 2023-2024, the County of Ventura HOME Consortium allocation was $1,376,448. The formation of the HOME Consortium allowed affordable housing projects located OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 19 within the cities of Camarillo, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks to locally compete for HOME funds, and increase the HOME allocation to be used for affordable housing projects within these areas.
The largest obstacle to meeting underserved needs is the lack of funding. Camarillo continues to explore opportunities to meet underserved needs in affordable housing, and when an opportunity becomes available, will support the creation of new affordable housing. If a project or program is consistent with Camarillo’s Housing Element and Consolidated Plan, the City is willing to support applications for HOME funds and other funding programs such as the Low-income Housing Tax Credits.
The City funded the Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Program to address the needs of the elderly and disabled by reconfiguring doorways, bathrooms, and kitchens for disabled access, as well as constructing exterior ramps creating an accessible path of travel into the home. Camarillo has a large senior population, and this program addresses the accessibility needs of both the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) A significant portion of the City housing stock may contain lead-based paint since over 50 percent was built before 1978. Information about the dangers of lead-based paint is available at the City’s Planning Counter. The CDBG-funded Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Program tests all pre- 1978 homes for lead-based paint as well as asbestos. If lead-based paint is found in a housing unit and poses a threat to its occupants, it is removed per HUD lead-based paint regulations (updated September 1999). Factors, such as housing conditions and age, age of occupants, the presence of children, and the nature of the repairs to be undertaken are taken into consideration when determining lead-based paint hazard and the appropriate course of action.
Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) Camarillo’s anti-poverty strategy is to support the County’s Continuum of Care that ensures local residents are housed and fed and have the ability to obtain gainful employment. This includes supporting some of these agencies with the City’s limited CDBG funds.
Case management services provide referrals to address emergent needs, but case management can also help residents address the issues that keep them in poverty. In FY 2023-2024, the City used CDBG to fund the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Emergency Aid for Camarillo program and the Lutheran Social Services Emergency Assistance Program. Each of these programs offer case management as one component of their program to help their clients move out of poverty and into self-sufficiency.
Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 20 In FY 2023-2024, the effects of the pandemic continued to hamper efforts to strengthen institutional structure. The “great resignation” affected the City as well as other organizations, often leaving limited staff to administer the CDBG program. To address this issue, the City retained a consultant to assist with the day-to-day operation of the CDBG program. The consultant coordinated between the City and the agencies in the development of the Notice of Funding Availability, the awarding of CDBG funds, and monitoring to ensure that CDBG funds were being used to meet the needs of the community as well as the requirements of the CDBG program.
Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
Camarillo continues to support a network of social service agencies to carry out the Continuum of Care. These agencies provide needed public services to assist the low-income population and the homeless.
Annually, the City conducts two workshops with service providers to provide technical assistance in applying for CDBG and City General funds for social services and residential rehabilitation programs. For the FY 2023-2024 funding cycle, the City held two workshops, one on December 12 and one on December 14, 2023 providing technical assistance to non-profits on the CDBG program and how best to apply for and use CDBG funds. Seven local-serving non-profits applied for FY 2023-2024 CDBG funds and seven were awarded grants. The City assisted the non-profits in the development and coordination of the funded programs to best meet the local housing and social service needs. Throughout FY 2023-2024, the City provided technical assistance to non- profits on how to effectively serve the community using CDBG funds.
Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. 91.520(a) The City participated in the preparation of the 2020 Regional Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice. As a part of the AI effort, Ventura County conducted an extensive public outreach process to gather resident and stakeholder feedback on housing and community development needs across the county.
The availability of fair housing services is an important way in which the City can ensure fair housing choice in Camarillo. During FY 2023-2024, the Housing Rights Center (HRC) was contracted by the City to provide fair housing services to Camarillo residents. HRC is an effective partner in ensuring the residents of Camarillo learn about their fair housing rights and receive assistance with their fair housing inquiries and complaints. HRC also takes a proactive approach to educating landlords regarding their rights and responsibilities. Services included:
•Providing information regarding fair housing law to potential homebuyers, homeowners, tenants, and landlords
•Testing for discriminatory practices
•Mediation between complaining parties
•Investigating complaints of discrimination
•Initiating legal action when appropriate
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 21 During FY 2023-2024, HRC received 55 inquiries from individuals identifying themselves as Camarillo residents. Of the 55 inquiries received, 76.36 percent were for general housing questions, and 23.64 percent were regarding discrimination. One of the inquiries resulted in a discrimination case, and 12 resulted in discrimination inquiries. The percentage of all calls from Camarillo residents which resulted in discrimination cases (7.69 percent) was significantly lower than the percentage of calls resulting in discrimination cases County-wide (13.13 percent).
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, HRC specifically has moved to primarily on-line informational presentations and information being available on their website as opposed to paper handouts, although some in-person presentations and paper handouts continue to be provided.
During FY 2023-2024, HRC conducted the following outreach and education activities targeted to Ventura County:
•Community Workshops: Four workshops were conducted. Target audiences were landlords, social service agencies, and residents. Subjects included federal and State fair housing law, the eviction process, disability accommodations, and legal aid programs. •Attendance at Agency Meetings: HRC staff attended two social service agency meetings to provide information on how best those agencies could assist their clients with their fair housing issues.
•Social Media: HRC uses social media outlets to reach out to residents. The outlets include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. HRC placed 66 outreach messages on these social media sites in FY 2023-2024.
•Literature Distribution: HRC uses both paper literature and digitally. The resources distributed include HRC’s Quarterly Newsletter, the Housing Rights news, and Project Place – a monthly affordable rental housing listing. During FY 2023-2024, HRC distributed over 61,000 pieces of physical and digital literature.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 22 CR-40 - Monitoring 91.220 and 91.230
Describe the standards and procedures used to monitor activities carried out in furtherance of the plan and used to ensure long-term compliance with requirements of the programs involved, including minority business outreach and the comprehensive planning requirements
The City uses various tools to evaluate the success of its programs in meeting local housing and community development needs. The City ensures that its subrecipients are meeting the terms of their contracts and observing the various requirements for eligibility of activities, and the requirements for record-keeping associated with the National Objective being met.
The FY 2023-2024 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process provided the opportunity for local non-profits to apply for CDBG funds. A Risk Assessment is conducted for each agency chosen for funding to determine the risk of non-compliance and set the number and type of monitoring which is appropriate. Each agency chosen for funding was required to attend training to ensure they understood their understanding of the National Objective assigned to their grant and the requirements to meet that National Objective. Each agency was required to submit a detailed budget and scope of work which becomes part of their contract. Finally, each funded agency is provided client eligibility forms, unique to the National Objective assigned, for each client to complete.
Each quarterly invoice submitted to the City by a subrecipient must be accompanied by a quarterly report on activities and costs incurred. Documentation of expenditures is required. The quarterly reports indicate the number and type of clients served, including summary information regarding the income, race/ethnicity, household type, and disability status of those assisted. This thorough quarterly reporting ensures that the subrecipients are complying with CDBG program requirements and meeting the assigned National Objective. Technical assistance is provided as needed.
The City conducted monitoring on the FY 2021-2022 CDBG Entitlement programs and the CDBG- CV programs as noted in the FY 2021-2022 CAPER. The monitoring of the FY 2023-2024 CDBG Entitlement programs and on-going CDBG-CV grants will be conducted in August 2024 and the nature of the monitoring (desk or on-site) is determined by the results of the Risk Assessment conducted at the start of the year.
The City completed the most recent HUD Form 2516 (Minority Business Enterprise) for the period of October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. In the one quarter of FY 2023-2024 which overlapped the reporting period of the most recent Form 2516, there were no activities which triggered compliance with Minority Business Outreach.
The City is timely and thorough in its submissions of Annual Action Plans, quarterly reports in IDIS, and the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER). Camarillo’s expenditure of CDBG funds matches the CDBG letter of credit disbursements.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 23 Citizen Participation Plan 91.105(d); 91.115(d)
Describe the efforts to provide citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment on performance reports.
The FY 2023-2024 CAPER includes a summary of accomplishments for each priority need that was designated in the strategic plan. The public service activities include the number of persons served during the reporting period. For public facilities, housing, and improvements, this included the number of projects assisted and the number of projects completed during the reporting period.
The FY 2023-2024 CAPER also includes the standard reports generated from the Integrated Disbursements and Information System (IDIS). The IDIS information retrieval and reporting capability currently provides the basic accomplishment and program information needed to identify the eligibility and funding status of CDBG activities.
A 15-day review period was provided for the FY 2023-2024 CAPER from August 27 to September 11, 2024. The CAPER was available for public review at City Hall and on the City’s website at www.ci.camarillo.ca.us. Notice of its availability was published on August 24, 2024 in the Camarillo Acorn newspaper. The City Council reviewed the CAPER at its September 11, 2024 meeting. No public comments were received.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 24 CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c)
Specify the nature of, and reasons for, any changes in the jurisdiction’s program objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its experiences.
The City did not hinder the plan’s implementation by action or inaction. As seen in the accomplishments identified in previous sections of this CAPER, the City of Camarillo has actively pursued the activities and programs outlined in the FY 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan. The City did not make any changes to the Consolidated Plan or FY 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan program objectives.
Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grants?
Not applicable.
[BEDI grantees] Describe accomplishments and program outcomes during the last year.
Not applicable.
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Camarillo 2023-2024 CAPER Page 25 CR-58 – Section 3
No Activities undertaken by the City trigger compliance with Section 3 requirements.
APPENDIX A
-Proof of Publication – 15-Day Public Comment Period
-Public Comments Received*
*There were no public comments received
APPENDIX B
-IDIS PR26 – CDBG Financial Summary Report
-IDIS PR26 – CDBG Activities by Selected Grant
-IDIS PR26 – CDBG-CV Financial Summary Report