CITY OF LANCASTER
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG-CV)
CARES ACT SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT
TO THE 2019-2020 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
June 23, 2025 – July 8, 2025
Draft Substantial Amendment – for Public Review
Annual Action Plan LANCASTER
OMB Control No: 2506-0117
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Draft Substantial Amendment – for Public Review
Annual Action Plan LANCASTER
OMB Control No: 2506-0117
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..........................................................ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
PROCESS................................................................................ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
EXPECTED RESOURCES – 91.220(C)(1,2) ......................................................................................4 ANNUAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES – 91.220(C)(3) ........................................................................5 PROJECTS – 91.220(D)...................................................................................................................6 Draft Substantial Amendment – for Public Review
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OMB Control No: 2506-0117
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the President signed it on March 27, 2020, authorizing $2.2 trillion in a variety of stimulus measures to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law includes a special allocation of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) to enable communities to effectively address the impact of COVID- 19, especially for low- and moderate-income residents. These funds are separate and distinct from the City’s formula CDBG funds and must comply with the requirements summarized in 24 CFR § 570 and the flexibilities authorized in the CARES Act and summarized in Federal Register Notice 6218-N-01.
According to the City's Citizen Participation Plan (CPP), a substantial amendment to a Consolidated Plan and Action Plan is required when a significant change is proposed concerning funding priorities, proposed activities, goals, and objectives. This substantial amendment to the PY 2019 Action Plan aims to cancel three (3) activities and repurpose $1,519,396.46 in CDBG-CV funds to one (1) new activity.
Sources:
The City will re-purpose $1,519,396.46 of CDBG-CV resources in this substantial amendment to the PY 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan and corresponding PY 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan consisting of the following activities:
CDBG-CV:
Urgent Need City Emergency Response $418,655.00 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $751,860.00
CV Administration $348,879.00 Unallocated CDBG-CV Program Funds $2.46
TOTAL $1,519,396.46
The City Council is responsible for determining how CDBG-CV funds will be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19. In consultation with the City Council, City departments, and partners serving the needs of low- and moderate-income individuals and families in the community, this submission to the City Council requests approval to invest the above funding for the project listed below.
Proposed Project:
HVAC Replacement – Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
Original Allocation: $0.00
Proposed Increase: $1,519,396.46
Total Proposed Budget: $1,519,396.46
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PROCESS
Given the urgency to design and launch programs with the CDBG-CV allocation, the CARES Act authorized grantees with the flexibility of providing 5-day public review periods such that residents are provided with reasonable notice of the amendment for the proposed use of the CDBG-CV funds.
The City is conducting an abbreviated review period for this substantial amendment from July 2 – July 8, 2025. The City will conduct a public hearing for the substantial amendment as part of the July 8, 2025, City Council meeting.
To encourage review and comment on the proposed activities, the City published notices in English and Spanish in the Antelope Valley Press on Monday, June 23, 2025 advertising the substantial amendment in compliance with the City’s Citizen Participation Plan (CPP). An electronic copy of the substantial amendment was available on the City’s website and hard copies were placed at the Lancaster City Hall – Finance & Information Technology Department and City Clerk’s Office, 44933 Fern Avenue, Lancaster, CA 93534.
Sort
Order
Activity Target Population Summary Summary of Comments
Received
1. Public
Hearing
Minorities
Non-English
Speaking
Persons with
disabilities
Broad community
Residents of
public/assisted
housing
Stakeholders
The City conducted its
public hearing to review the
Substantial Amendment on
July 8, 2025.
(to be completed after
public hearing)
2. Comment
Period
Minorities
Non-English
Speaking
Persons with
disabilities
Broad community
Residents of
public/assisted
housing
Stakeholders
The City conducted its
comment period from July
2, 2025.
(to be completed at close of
public comment period)
Table 1 – Resident Engagement
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EXPECTED RESOURCES – 91.220(C)(1,2)
Introduction
The City is proposing to reallocate $1,519,396.46 in CDBG-CV funds to one (1) new activity.
Anticipated Resources
Program Source
of
Funds
Eligible Use of Funds Funds Narrative Description
CDBG-CV Public-
Federal
Public Services
Economic Development
Public Improvements
Affordable Housing
Planning and
Administration
$1,519,396.46 Activities to prepare for, prevent,
and respond to COVID-19 within
the City.
Table 2 - Expected Resources
Explain how federal funds will leverage those additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements will be satisfied In the initial planning and programming of these resources, the Finance Department worked closely with other City departments as well as monitored other funding sources available at the local, state, and federal level to ensure that the City is not providing duplicative assistance and addressing unmet needs and gaps for low- and moderate-income residents.
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Annual Goals and Objectives – 91.220(c)(3)
The City will be amending its Improving and Expanding Facilities and Infrastructure goal to reallocate CDBG-CV resources. These resources will be re-programmed in the PY 2019 Action Plan and corresponding PY 2015 – PY 2019 Consolidated Plan.
Goals Summary Information
Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome
Indicator
1 Improve and
Expand
Facilities and
Infrastructure
2020 2024 Non-Housing
Community
Development
Region Wide Improve and
Expand
Facilities and
Infrastructure
CDBG-CV:
$1,519,396.46
Public Facilities or
Infrastructure
Activities other than
Low/Moderate
Income Housing
Benefit
411,905 Persons
Table 3 – Annual Goals
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PROJECTS – 91.220(D)
Introduction
With the re-purposing of CDBG-CV resources, the City will fund the following program in the PY 2019 Annual Action Plan:
# Project Name
1. HVAC Replacement – Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
Table 4 – Project Information
Describe the reasons for allocation priorities and any obstacles to addressing underserved needs
This program was determined in consultation with City staff, departments, and stakeholders serving low- and moderate-income residents of Lancaster to prepare for, prevent, and respond to COVID-19.
Project Summary Information
Project Name HVAC Replacement – Antelope Valley Fairgrounds Target Area Region Wide
Goals Supported Improve and Expand Facilities and Infrastructure Needs Addressed Improve and Expand Facilities and Infrastructure Funding CDBG-CV: $1,519,396.46
Description As part of the City of Lancaster’s efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the City proposes to use Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds to support the replacement of HVAC systems across multiple buildings at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. This capital improvement project is designed to ensure that public facilities used for emergency response, community events, and public gatherings are equipped with modern ventilation systems that meet health and safety standards.
The HVAC systems in several of the fairgrounds’ structures are outdated, inefficient, and inadequate for ensuring proper air circulation, filtration, and temperature control in compliance with CDC guidelines for air quality in public indoor settings. The replacement project will include the removal of existing units, installation of new energy-efficient HVAC systems, integration of upgraded filtration and air purification components, and necessary electrical or structural modifications to accommodate the new systems.
The fairgrounds serve as a critical location for COVID-19 response activities, including community testing, vaccination efforts, and emergency distribution events. Enhancing indoor air quality and thermal comfort is vital to supporting the safe use of these facilities for continued pandemic recovery activities and long-term community resilience.
1 Target Date 6/31/2026
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Estimate the number and
type of families that will
benefit from the proposed
activities
Approximately 411,905 Persons Assisted
Location Description Region Wide
Planned Activities HVAC System Replacement – Antelope Valley Fairgrounds Table 5 – Project Details