CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
1989
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Jonathan Orduna, Community Development Director
DATE: September 20, 2022
SUBJECT: Authorization to Submit the 2021-2022 Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to submit the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Year 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
BACKGROUND
At the conclusion of each CDBG year, HUD requires the City to prepare and submit a CAPER for the prior year's CBDG Program. The report summarizes the use of program year funds and documents related achievements. HUD uses the report to assess the City's ability to carry out its program in compliance with applicable regulations and requirements. Data is also reported to Congress.
To support Goal 5 of the Laguna Niguel Strategic Plan, the Community Development Department is responsible for administering the City's CDBG program, including the preparation and submittal of the CAPER.
ANALYSIS
The City of Laguna Niguel received a CDBG allocation of $366,246 for FY 2021-2022 from HUD. An additional $11,099 in prior year CDBG funds were also available for programming during FY 2021-2022.
The City received $551,531 in CDBG-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds in 2020. Consistent with the CARES Act of 2020, the City utilized CDBG-CV resources to prevent, prepare tor, or respond to local impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City has three years to expend 80 percent of CDBG-CV funds and six years to spend all CDBG-CV funding.
During the FY 2021-2022 reporting period, CDBG-CV funds were allocated to assist youth, the elderly, persons at risk of homelessness, and the homeless impacted by the
COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the City has expended 63.3 percent of CDBG-CV funds.
In compliance with HUD regulations, the Program Year 2021-2022 CAPER has been prepared, detailing the City's CDBG accomplishments for the July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, reporting period, as shown in Attachment "A". Program year highlights include the tollowing:
• City-funded public service providers assisted 1,916 residents through senior, youth, and homeless prevention services.
• Two CDBG-funded capital improvement projects were completed, including Restroom ADA improvements to the Sea Country Senior Center and the FY 2020- 2021 phase of the APS Pushbutton Installation program. Additional CDBG-funded improvements at the Sea Country Senior Center and the next phase of APS installation were initiated during the reporting period. • Fair Housing Council of Orange County assisted 104 Laguna Niguel households providing fair housing activities.
• HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program, administered by the Orange County Housing Authority, provided rental assistance to 82 lower-income Laguna Niguel households.
• A total of 822 Laguna Niguel residents were assisted with CDBG-CV funds during the FY 2021-2022 reporting period.
A public notice announcing the availability of the Draft Program Year 2021-2022 CAPER as ublice City websie to comply in the 1 day pigle eves rested aer facilit staff has not received any comments in response to the notice.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The City Council may decide not to authorize the CAPER report submittal to HUD. This action could prevent the City from receiving future grant funding under the CDBG program until the necessary documents are adopted and submitted to HUD for review and approval.
FISCAL REVIEW
CDBG funds are dispersed to the City on a reimbursement basis by the Federal Government.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved this report as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to submit the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Year 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Jamas Stowneau Rebra.
Tamara S. Letourneau Nicholas Ghirelli
City Manager Interim City Attorney
that
Jonathan Orduna Hannah Tamaddon
Community Development Director Administrative Secretary Attachments:
A. CDBG 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
ATTACHMENT A
CDBG 2021/2022 Consolidated Annual Performance and
Evaluation Report
City of
Laguna Niguel
1989
2021-2022 Consolidated Draft September 1, 2022
Annual Performance &
Evaluation Report
Table of Contents
Contents
CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes..... ..1
CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted ..7 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) 12 CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j) 14
CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(i) 15
CR-40 - Monitoring 91.220 and 91.230 ... 18
CR-45 - CDBG 91.520 (c) 19
Attachments
Attachment 1: PR 03 CDBG & CDBG-CV Activity Summary Report (GPR) Attachment 2: PR 26 Financial Summary Reports
Attachment 3: Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Summary Attachment 4: Proof of Publication and Public Comments
CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes
Progress the jurisdiction has made in carrying out its strategic plan and its action plan.
91.520(a)
The 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) has been prepared to assist residents of the City of Laguna Niguel and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in assessing the City's use of federal grant funds to meet priority housing and community needs identified in the City's 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. The CAPER for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2022 provides an overview of the City's accomplishments from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
The 2021-2022 reporting period is the second year of the City's 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan cycle. The 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan outlined an expenditure plan for the City's CDBG funds - an FY 2021-2022 allocation of $366,246 plus $11,099 in carryover CDBG funds. The Action Plan identified activities to be carried out during the reporting period utilizing CDBG funds, including public facilities improvements, public service grants, and program administration (including fair housing services).
The Consolidated Plan established the following five-year goals:
• Infrastructure and Facility Improvements: Improve public infrastructure and facilities that benefit 7,500 low and moderate-income Laguna Niguel residents Public Services: Provide access to public social services for 9,000 low and moderate-income Laguna Niguel residents
• Homeless Continuum of Care: Provide access to housing and supportive services for 2,650 residents or persons with ties to Laguna Niguel that are at risk of homelessness or that are experiencing homeless
• Economic Opportunities: Assist three businesses that create/retain jobs for lower-income residents
• Administration and Planning: Provide CDBG program oversight and coordination and fair housing services to 1,500 individuals
Table 1 illustrates the City's progress in meeting the one-year goals and objectives outlined in the 2021- 2022 Annual Action Plan priorities and goals (as related to the Consolidated Plan). Detailed expenditure and accomplishment information is provided in Attachment 1.
Additionally, during the FY 2021-2022 reporting period, the City continued to implement activities to prevent, prepare for, or respond to local impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to the CARES Act of 2020, HUD allocated the City $551,531 in CDBG-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds in two funding rounds.
Funds were received in April and September 2020; HUD requires that 80 percent of CDBG-CV funds be spent in three years and 100 percent in six years. The City has allocated CDBG-CV funds for services that will assist lower-income Laguna Niguel residents that may be at risk of losing housing or utility services due to a COVID-19-related financial impact. CDBG-CV was also allocated to support senior services (e.g., CAPER 2021-2022 1
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 meals on wheels), childcare, and homeless outreach and engagement services. Detailed CDBG-CV expenditure and accomplishment information is provided in Attachment 1.
CAPER 2021-2022 2
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 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.
Expected Actual
Source / Unit of 5 Yr. Expected Actual 1 Yr.
Goal Category Indicator 5Yr. 5 Yr.
Amount Percent 21/22 21/22 Percent
Measure Strategic Strategic
Plan Complete Program Year Program Year Complete
Plan
Infrastructure Non-Housing Public Facility or
and Facility Community Infrastructure
Improvements Development Activities other
CDBG: than Persons 1,726 422
$372,0281 Assisted 7,500 23.01% 1,726 409.00%
Low/Moderate
Income Housing
Benefit
Public Social Non-Homeless Public service
Services Special Needs activities other
CDBG: than Persons
$30,000 Low/Moderate Assisted 9,000 3,311 36.79% 1,780 1,671 93.88% Income Housing
Benefit
Economic Non-Housing Businesses Businesses
Opportunities Community CAB: $0 assisted Assisted 0.00% 0.00% Development
Program Administration CDBG:
Administration 2 $36,878 Other Other 40.00% 100.00%
CAPER 2021-2022
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 Expected Actual 5Yr.
Source / Unit of 5Yr. Expected Actual 1 Yr.
Goal Category Indicator 5Yr. Percent 21/22 21/22
Amount Measure Strategic Percent
Strategic Complete Program Year Program Year Complete
Plan Plan
Public service
Homeless activities other
Continuum of than Persons
Homeless 5,000 637 12.74% 198 230 116.16%
Care 3 Low/Moderate Assisted
Income Housing
Benefit
Homeless Tenant-based
CDBG: rental assistance Households
Continuum of Homeless 20 0.00% 0.00%
Care 3 $24,139 / Rapid Assisted
Rehousing
Homeless Homeless Person
Continuum of Homeless Persons
Overnight 60 15% 12 0.00%
Care 3 Shelter Assisted
Homeless
Continuum of Homeless Homelessness Persons
375 31 37 40.54%
Care 3 Prevention Assisted
Table 1 - Accomplishments - Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date A total of $409,367.48 was expended for Infrastructure and Facility Improvements activities; however, the City returned $37,340 to its Line of Credit for a prior year expenditure on a canceled project. The Figure in Table 1 represents the net infrastructure and facility improvements expenditures for the reporting period.
Data excludes fair housing accomplishments - 104 households were assisted during the FY 21-22 reporting period.
CDBG "Source/Amount" is the total for all Homeless Continuum of Care activities.
CAPER 2021-2022
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 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.
During FY 2021-2022, the City received $366,246 in CDBG. An additional $11,099 in prior year uncommitted CDBG funds were also available for programming during the reporting period. CDBG funding was allocated to activities that address priority needs identified in the Consolidated Plan. Activities included the following:
• Infrastructure and Facility Improvements:
Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) Pushbutton Installation: $50,000 in CDBG funds allocated to install APS Pushbuttons at 6 locations. Due to supply chain issues, the FY 2021-2022 APS project was delayed; however, staff completed the FY 2020-2021 APS project installation during the reporting period (benefitting an estimated 1,233 individuals with disabilities). • Sea Country Senior Center Flooring and ADA Improvements: $236,306 in CDBG funds allocated to replace flooring at the center and undertake ADA improvements. These projects were not completed during the FY 2021-2022 reporting period; however, the ADA Restroom Renovation was completed. This project will benefit an estimated 493 seniors that utilize the center for various programs throughout the year.
• Public Services:
• Age Well Senior Services: 95 homebound seniors were provided meals-on-wheels services • Camino Health Center: 1,471 lower-income residents were provided reduced-cost medical, optometric, and dental services YMCA of Laguna Niguel: 105 lower-income youths were provided childcare services • Homeless Continuum of Care:
Family Assistance Ministries: 195 lower-income residents were assisted with case management, food, utility, or housing assistance
• South County Outreach: 50 lower-income residents were assisted with counseling, food, utility, or housing assistance • Economic Opportunities:
• No activity was undertaken during the FY 2021-2022 reporting period • Administration and Planning:
• Provide CDBG program oversight and coordination
CDBG-CV reporting is based on cumulative expenditures and accomplishment data. During FY 2021-2022, 822 lower-income Laguna Niguel residents with a COVID-19 impact were assisted. Funds were used to fund rent and utility assistance, meal services for seniors, homeless CAPER 2021-2022
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 outreach, and reduced-cost childcare services for lower-income Laguna Niguel residents. Detailed accomplishment information for the CDBG-CV grant is included in Attachment 1.
CAPER 2021-2022
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 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 CDBG-CV
White 1,606 525
Black or African American 27
Asian 116 58
American Indian or American Native 10
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 5
Other* 152 199
Total 1,916 822
Hispanic 866 110
Not Hispanic 1,050 712
Table 2 - Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds * By default, Table 2 excludes multi-racial program beneficiaries in IDIS. IDIS also excludes CDBG-CV program beneficiaries.
Narrative
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, most Laguna Niguel residents are racially White - 72.6 percent (2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates). This data source reports that 16.3 percent of the City's population is Hispanic/Latino, and 9.8 percent is Asian (the two largest minority populations).
Based on Table 2, approximately 84 percent of CDBG-funded program participants are White, and a significant number of assisted individuals are Hispanic/Latino (45 percent) and Asian (six percent). A closer look at the accomplishment data for individual activities provides additional insights. Among safety net programs such as food banks and emergency housing assistance programs, approximately half of program beneficiaries are lower-income Hispanic/Latino households. This data indicates that these households may be economically unstable and seek services to help stabilize their financial situation. This is consistent with the Consolidated Plan Needs Assessment findings, which found that many lower-income Hispanic/Latino households are housing cost-burdened, i.e., spending a significant portion of their income on housing, leaving little for other necessities such as food, healthcare, and childcare.
With respect to CDBG-CV program beneficiaries, approximately 63.9 percent of beneficiaries are White, and 13.4 percent are Hispanic/Latino. Additionally, 86.3 percent of program beneficiaries report a household income equal to or less than 30 percent of the County median income.
CAPER 2021-2022 7
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a)
Identify the resources made available
Resources Made Amount Expended
Source of Funds Source
Available During Program Year
CDBG CDBG $377,345 $463,044
Other CDBG-CV $551,531 $244,529
Table 3 - Resources Made Available
Narrative
As shown in Table 3, the City had $377,345 in CDBG funds available for programming during FY 2021- 2022 ($366,246 in 2021 CDBG funds plus $11,099 in carryover CDBG funds). The City did not receive program income. The City utilized $463,044 during the reporting period. CDBG expenditures are detailed in the Financial Summary Report, Attachments 2. Additionally, $551,531 in CDBG-CV funds were available during the FY 2021-2022 reporting period. As reported in Table 3, $244,529 was spent during the reporting period. (Through the end of FY 2021-2022, a two-year total of $349,145, or 63.3 percent of CDBG-CV funds, has been expended.) CDBG-CV expenditures are also detailed in Attachment 2.
Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Planned Percentage Actual Percentage of Narrative Description Target Area of Allocation Allocation
Low and Moderate-Income CDBG-Eligible Area
0 Areas benefit
Citywide 100 100 Citywide benefit
Table 4- Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Narrative
In general, the City used 2021-2022 CDBG funding as anticipated. Attachment 2 (PR26 - CDBG Financial Summary Report) provides a detailed summary of CDBG expenditures.
With respect to the geographic expenditure of CDBG funds, all CDBG-funded public service grants were available on a citywide basis. Because ADA improvements assist all residents with mobility limitations, ADA improvements are also considered a citywide benefit.
CDBG-CV funds were available on a citywide basis.
CAPER 2021-2022 8
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 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.
The City will leverage CDBG funds with other resources whenever possible; however, during the FY 2021-2022 reporting period, no other funds were identified or used to leverage CDBG.
CDBG does not have a match requirement.
CAPER 2021-2022
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 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
Number of Non-Homeless households to be
provided affordable housing units 0
Number of Special-Needs households to be
provided affordable housing units
Total
Table 5 - Number of Households
One-Year Goal Actual
Number of households supported through
Rental Assistance 0
Number of households supported through
The Production of New Units 0 0
Number of households supported through
Rehab of Existing Units 0
Number of households supported through
Acquisition of Existing Units 0
Total
Table 6 - Number of Households Supported
Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting these goals.
The City did not utilize CDBG funds to develop or rehabilitate housing during the reporting period; however, the City continued to support the Orange County Housing Authority's Housing Choice Voucher program and used other tools to support affordable housing development.
During the 2021-2022 reporting period, the OCHA assisted 82 very low-income (0-50 percent MFI) renter- households with rental assistance - 16 families, 13 disabled, and 53 elderly households.
Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans.
As discussed above, the City did not use CDBG funds for housing activities. Private development and incentives to create affordable housing units within a new development will likely support future housing activity.
CAPER 2021-2022 10
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 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
Low-income 0 0
Moderate-income 0
Total 0
Table 7 - Number of Households Served
Narrative Information
The City did not utilize CDBG funds to undertake housing activities during FY 2021-2022. OCHA reports it provided rental assistance to 82 very low-income Laguna Niguel households.
The City is not a recipient of HOME funds.
CAPER 2021-2022 11
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 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
The City did not use CDBG funds during the 2021-2022 reporting period to carry out homeless outreach; however, the City did fund Mercy House with CDBG-CV resources to provide homeless outreach and engagement services. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community (especially among the City's homeless population), this program focused on providing COVID-19 information and referrals, COVID-19 testing, temporary housing, and other interventions to address homeless issues in the community.
Mercy House reports it assisted 45 homeless individuals during the FY 2021-2022 reporting period.
The City also partnered with other regional homeless service providers, such as Family Assistance Ministries (FAM) and South County Outreach (SCO), which have established outreach programs that engage homeless families with children throughout the region.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons The City did not use CDBG funds to provide or directly support emergency shelter or transitional housing for persons experiencing homelessness. As described above, Mercy House utilized CDBG-CV funds to provide services to the City's homeless population. A portion of funds was used to provide short-term motel stays, allowing an individual to quarantine before entering a housing facility or after exposure to COVID-19.
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 address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs A significant portion of the City's CDBG public service grant funds were allocated to support public service providers to assist Laguna Niguel households at risk of homelessness. During FY 2021-2022, the City allocated funding for FAM and SCO.
• Family Assistance Ministries: Assisted 195 lower-income residents with case management, food, and, if necessary financial assistance to prevent the loss of utilities or housing South County Outreach: Assisted 50 lower-income residents with counseling and food services CAPER 2021-2022 12
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 As necessary, financial assistance was provided to prevent the loss of utilities or housing; FAM and SCO report that 15 lower-income Laguna Niguel residents benefited from rent/utility assistance during the reporting period.
Additionally, for households impacted by COVID-19, FAM and SCO utilized CDBG-CV funds to assist with in-arrears rent and utility assistance - 59 Laguna Niguel residents were assisted during the reporting period with rent/utility assistance. An additional 509 individuals received case management and foodbank 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
The Laguna Niguel Consolidated Plan Homeless Strategy indicates that the City will support "safety net" services to prevent homelessness or assist persons experiencing homelessness. In response to the pandemic, most service providers continued to align their services to assist all eligible households experiencing the physical or economic impacts of the pandemic. As outlined above, the City funded Mercy House with CDBG-CV resources to provide homeless outreach and engagement services to 45 individuals. The program provides COVID-19 information and referrals, COVID-19 testing, temporary housing, and other interventions to address homeless issues throughout the community.
The Orange County Housing Authority reports that it provided 82 low-income Laguna Niguel renter- households with rental assistance during the reporting period. This assistance included vouchers for four formerly homeless households and seven veteran households, the latter via the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program for homeless, disabled veterans.
CAPER 2021-2022 13
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j)
Actions taken to address the needs of public housing
The City of Laguna Niguel does not own or manage public housing.
Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership
Not applicable.
Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs
Not applicable.
CAPER 2021-2022 14
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 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) Constraints to providing adequate and affordable housing are mostly a result of market and regulatory factors. These constraints may result in housing that is not affordable to low and moderate-income households or may render residential construction economically infeasible for developers. Constraints to housing production significantly impact households with low or moderate-incomes or special needs.
The City of Laguna Niguel 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 producing safe, high-quality, affordable housing.
The City is committed to removing governmental constraints that hinder housing production and offers a one-stop streamlined permitting process to facilitate efficient entitlement and building permit processing. The City of Laguna Niguel reviews proposed fee increases for permits and applications to assess the impact on the production of new housing units and/or rehabilitation of existing units. Fee waivers are considered for projects that promote housing priorities identified in the Housing Element and Consolidated Plan. Several recently approved apartment complexes received density bonuses to provide five to ten percent of units to very low or low-income households. No housing subject to these requirements was constructed during the FY 2021-2022 reporting period.
Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) Obstacles to addressing underserved needs include a lack of funding for the construction of affordable housing and senior housing. Laguna Niguel does not qualify to receive HOME funds, which can be used to create affordable housing. To overcome these obstacles, the City has adopted State density bonus provisions. The City has also adopted additional incentives to develop affordable housing in the Gateway Specific Plan; however, as indicated above, no new rental housing units were constructed via these incentive programs during the reporting period.
Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The majority of Laguna Niguel's housing stock was built after 1985. Consequently, the housing stock does not contain a significant number of housing units with potential lead-based paint (LBP) hazards.
According to HUD data, approximately 161 "pre-1970" units may be occupied by low and moderate- income Laguna Niguel households that may contain LBP. The City supports HUD and EPA efforts to disseminate public information on the health hazards of LBP. The City attempts to inform residents of the dangers of LBP hazards by providing information at the City's public information counter.
CAPER 2021-2022 15
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 6.7 percent of Laguna Niguel residents have incomes below the poverty level; this includes roughly 5.7 percent of City residents age 65 and older and
8.0 percent of children under the age of 18. (1]
The City's anti-poverty strategy is implemented through economic development and job training programs. Specifically, the City supports service agencies that provide employment training for low and moderate-income residents. For example, the City provides referrals to the County of Orange for CalWorks and Orange County Workforce Investment Board.
During the 2021-2022 reporting period, CDBG funding was allocated to provide safety-net services for residents aimed at assisting lower-income and at-risk residents. Services supported include meals on wheels for seniors, reduced-cost childcare for low-income families, and homelessness prevention assistance (e.g., food bank, rent/utility assistance) for lower-income near-homeless households.
As previously reported, CDBG-CV funding was also utilized to assist households that COVID-19 has impacted. Approximately 86 percent of households assisted with CDBG-CV funds had an income less than 30 percent of the County's median income.
[1. POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, S1701.] Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City relies on various approaches to overcome gaps in its institutional structure and to enhance service delivery coordination. The Community Development Department, acting as the lead agency, met with various City departments and outside agencies to gain input on community needs, enhance coordination of services, prevent service duplication, and resolve issues within the interagency institutional structure. The monitoring of sub-recipients is conducted to ensure accountability and productivity and to recommend adjustments as necessary. The City supported OCHA's administration of the federal rental assistance voucher and certificate program as a member of the OCHA Advisory Committee.
Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The City is in the process of developing and revitalizing the City's Gateway Area to increase economic development within the district as well as developing affordable housing. The City's Consolidated Plan goals, programs, and policies align with the affordable housing plan in the City's General Plan Housing Element. Additionally, as indicated above, the City coordinates with the OCHA on housing activities through participation in OCHA Advisory Committee.
The City also provides up to 15 percent of its annual CDBG allocation to various social service agencies on an annual basis.
CAPER 2021-2022 16
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. 91.520(a) Consolidated Plan regulations require CDBG recipients to (1) examine and attempt to alleviate housing discrimination within their jurisdiction; (2) promote fair housing choice for all persons; (3) provide opportunities for all persons to reside in any given housing development, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin; (4) promote housing that is accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities; and (5) comply with the non-discrimination requirements of the Fair Housing Act. The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (Al) is the primary document for this purpose. Attachment 3 provides an overview of the City's steps to address fair housing impediments during the FY 2021-2022 reporting period. These services were implemented with the assistance of the Fair Housing Council of Orange County.
CAPER 2021-2022 17
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) DRAFT 9/1/22 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
Action Plan activities are monitored to ensure the City meets its CDBG program objectives. The City successfully implemented the administrative requirements for CDBG to stay within the 20 percent administrative cap. Similarly, the City limited public service expenditures to the 15 percent cap. The Planning and Finance departments continued to improve documentation procedures to meet compliance requirements.
On-site monitoring of sub-recipients is conducted biennially unless program or administrative issues are identified, or the grant recipient is new to CDBG. The City conducted on-site monitoring during the FY 21-22 reporting period. In general, sub-recipients are complying with program requirements. Some programs did not meet planned performance goals. This low accomplishment is primarily due to COVID- 19 pandemic stay-at-home orders during the first half of the FY 21-22 report period.
The City did not hinder the Consolidated Plan implementation by action or willful inaction. All efforts were made to implement quality programs and complete projects within estimated time frames. The City also provided a "Certification of Consistency" for OCHA's five-year PHA Plan during the program year.
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 2021-2022 CAPER was made available for public comment for fifteen days, from September 2, 2022, through September 16, 2022, as required by HUD regulations. A copy of the CAPER was available for in- person review at the Laguna Niguel City Hall (Community Development Department) and on the City's website. Public notice of the availability of the CAPER was published on September 1, 2022. A copy of the proof of publication for the notice and a summary of public comments is provided in Attachment 4.
The CAPER was presented to the City Council at its September 20, 2022, meeting. The public was notified and invited to attend the meeting and provide additional comments.
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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 make any administrative amendments to the FY 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan or the Consolidated Plan during the reporting period.
Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grants?
No
[BEDI grantees] Describe accomplishments and program outcomes during the last year.
Not applicable.
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