CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
September 11, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Benita DeFrank, Neighborhood Services Director SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Funds; Upon conclusion of the public hearing, direct staff to incorporate comments received into the final FY 2022-2023 CAPER; Approve the FY 2022-2023 CAPER for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Pomona receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds from HUD annually. As a requirement of receiving these funds, the City must submit the following documents for receipt of federal funds: a Consolidated Strategic Plan every five years, an Annual Action Plan also known as the application for funds, and a CAPER each year after closeout of the City’s program year. Staff has prepared the attached CAPER (Attachment No. 2 – FY 2022-2023 Draft CAPER) outlining the accomplishments of FY 2022-2023 for City Council review prior to submitting to HUD. .
FISCAL IMPACT: None with this action.
PUBLIC NOTICING REQUIREMENTS: In accordance with Federal requirements for public noticing, a 15-day notice of public comment for the CAPER was published on August 25, 2023 in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Attachment No. 1 – Public Notice).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL RELATED ACTION: The City Council approved the FY 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan on June 5, 2023.
DISCUSSION:
Federal requirements by HUD mandate at a minimum, two public hearings per year with at least one, focused on program performance. During various stages of the development of the FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan, the City held two public hearings and distributed a Community Needs Survey. The CDBG Community Needs Survey was placed on the City’s website for on-line completion. The survey was available in both Spanish and English. Outreach efforts to promote the on-line survey included: mailing postcards to over 44,000 households with access information, notifying residents through the citywide Nixle-System, and posting information on the City of Pomona Facebook and Twitter pages. Other outreach efforts to solicit citizen participation included, staff presenting at in-person and virtual community meetings to receive input from residents, soliciting input from Pomona community agencies and local government partners, and additionally requesting feedback from City Departments and the Pomona Housing Authority.
This FY 2022-2023 CAPER represents the last performance report for the 2018-2023 Consolidated Plan, which covers the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. The CAPER meets all content requirements as established by HUD and is consistent with the City's Five-Year Consolidated Plan. The CAPER outlines and evaluates the overall progress the City has made in carrying out its goals and objectives in utilizing Federal entitlement funds awarded during FY 2022-2023. The CAPER was made available to the public for a 15-day public comment period commencing on August 25, 2023, and is presented to the Council for approval prior to submittal to HUD.
This public hearing will allow for public input during the 15-day CAPER public comment period on the City’s progress in meeting goals outlined in the FY 2022-2023 Action Plan.
Highlights of Fiscal Year 2022-2023
In FY 2022-2023, the City accomplished the following utilizing Federal and State grant funds:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The formula entitlement allocation for CDBG funded projects was $1,811,414. These funds provided both public and non-public services to the residents of Pomona. Activities included:
Providing 1,973 residential housing unit inspections for health and safety violations through the City’s Code Enforcement Division.
Completing various infrastructure improvements, including:
Alley Improvements: ADA access improvements throughout the city including sidewalks and curb ramps. 36,00 SF Construct Alley Pavement
4 Alley Approaches
1,744 LF (5,232 SF) Construct Alley Concrete Gutter
900 SF Construct Sidewalk
125 LF Construct Curb & Gutter
ADA Curb Ramps: ADA-compliant curb ramps installed in various underserved, residential locations of the City. 14,490 SF Remove & Replace Concrete Sidewalk
1,097 LF Sidewalk Sawcut
3 Alley Approaches
11 Construct Curb Ramps
107 Curb Ramps Enhancement
560 SF Concrete Driveway
780 LF Construct Curb & Gutter
227 LF Curb Repair
Providing public services including, youth services for tutoring, after-school activities, sports programs, dental assistance, parenting/communication classes, outdoor programs, JROTC activities, music program, youth employment and fair housing services to over 1,332 persons.
Distribution of a Community Needs Survey soliciting input on community needs from over 44,000 households for FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan activities. The City received 290 survey responses.
Housing Assistance
In FY 2022-2023, Pomona homeowners, received rehabilitation loans or grants to improve their property and help the City maintain quality-housing stock. Housing assistance activities included the following:
CDBG funds were allocated for a Housing Improvement Program (HIP) that included Emergency Repair and façade improvements. A total of 4 homes were rehabilitated utilizing these funds.
Community Development Block Grant-Corona Virus Emergency Relief and Economic Security (CARES-CV) The special allocation of funds is to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”). The primary objective of the funding is to support activities that impact short-term and long-term social welfare and economic development recovery efforts.
Youth Programming
In FY 2022-2023, $62,925 in CDBG-CV funds, were allocated for youth programming that provided recreational programming for youth between the ages of 7 and 17. A collaborative partnership between City staff and community partners, implemented activities that promoted art, health, education, culinary skills, community engagement, youth leadership, and mentoring. The programming was in-person. The funds were used to pay for staff and program supplies that support the mentioned activities. A total of 65 youth benefited with $62,925 incurred in expenditures.
COVID-19 Information and Referral Services
In FY 2022-2023, CDBG-CV funds were allocated for the COVID-19 Information and Referral Services program to provide expanded outreach and information services related to the Coronavirus. Services were provided through the PomonaConnect website and via telephone, allowing Pomona residents to access information and be directly referred to services, and other resources assistance. Services included, but not limited to: COVID-19 assessment and testing referral, COVID-19 vaccination scheduling, housing assistance, and utility assistance referrals, and food connections for those facing instability. Resources were shared directly with community members on rent relief, free diapers, haircuts, and food. Over 500 bags were filled with essential items and passed out through outreach and special events. More than 1,000 persons were served, with $80,404 incurred in expenditures.
ADA Rubberized Playground Surfacing Replacement Project In FY 2022-2023, $310,000 in CDBG-CV funding was awarded to the ADA Rubberized Playground Surfacing Replacement Project. The play areas at Memorial Park, Montvue Park and Westmont Park, are now in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). A total of $310,000 was incurred in expenditures.
Palomares Park HVAC Project
In FY 2022-2023, $130,000 in CDBG-CV funding, was awarded to the Replacement of the HVAC System at Palomares Park. The community center is used to serve as a cooling center, provide after school programming, senior services, and host community events, such as the City's annual Halloween festival. A total of $130,000 was incurred in expenditures.
Library Facility Remodel Project
In FY 2022-2023, $50,000 in CDBG-CV funding, was awarded to the Pomona Public Library for facility improvements that consist of: replacement of public service desks, including circulation, reference, and children’s desks; redesign of the entrance, exit, and circulation area (construction and installation); flooring replacement; painting; and other facility improvements. A total of $47,000 was incurred in expenditures.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
For FY 22-23, the City was awarded $174,299 in ESG funds. Funded categories included emergency shelter operations and homeless management information systems. A total of 560 eligible persons were served in FY 2022-23 with ESG funds.
Emergency Solutions Grants – Coronavirus Emergency Relief and Economic Security Act. CARES Act. (ESG-CV) The CARES Act appropriated $4 billion through the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance and to support additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities to mitigate the impacts created by coronavirus under the Emergency Solutions Grants program”.
Motel Voucher Program
Participants of the Motel Voucher Program who had underlying COVID high-risk medical conditions, received vouchers. Participants received ongoing case management and housing navigation services until one or the other of these solutions were accomplished:
Individuals have achieved permanent housing
Individuals requiring long-term case management and to support and address complex barriers preventing them from securing housing.
In FY 2022-2023, $864,387 in ESG-CV funds, was allocated for the Motel Voucher Program. A total of 87 eligible persons were served thru emergency shelter. A total of $554,619 was incurred in expenditures.
Rapid Re-Housing Program
In FY 2022-2023, $66,218 in ESG-CV funds were allocated to Rapid Re-Housing Program. Rapid Rehousing (RRH) emphasizes housing search and relocation services and short- and medium-term rental assistance to move homeless persons and families as rapidly as possible into permanent housing. A key element of RRH is the" Housing First" philosophy, which offers housing without preconditions such as employment, income, good credit, or sobriety. If issues such as these need to be addressed, the household can address them most effectively once they are in housed. Working within a Coordinated Entry System (CES), staff will continue developing rapport and encouraging homeless persons to accept shelter, housing, and other support services. A total of 34 participants benefited from the program incurring a total of $50,178 in expenditures.
Pomona Homeless Outreach Program
In FY 2022-2023, $91,556 in ESG-CV funding was allocated to the Pomona Homeless Outreach Program. The program consisted of a mobile outreach team, including outreach staff from the City’s Homeless Programs Team and outreach professionals from the following agencies; Volunteers of America, Tri-City Mental Health, East Valley Community Health, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and the Pomona Police Department Quality of Life Teams. The team provided street outreach by vehicle and by foot, case management and referrals to homeless families and individuals. ESG-CV funds were used towards the salary of one Pomona police officer assigned to the Quality of Life Unit. A total of $89,064 in expenditures were incurred.
HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program
In FY 2022-2023, $880,191 HOME funds were allocated to ensure affordable, decent, safe and sanitary housing. During FY 2022-2023, HOME funds were used to rehabilitate one housing unit to provide decent affordable housing to a low-income household.
Lead Hazard Reduction & Healthy Homes Supplement (LHCHH) For FY 2022-2023, Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Home Grant funds were used to continue Lead Education, Awareness and Control (LEAC) and expanded its efforts to address a variety of environmental health and safety concerns. During FY 2022-2023, 23 housing units occupied by low-income households, benefited from lead abatement and the removal of housing-related hazards.
Healthy Homes Production Grant
In March 2022, the City was awarded a Healthy Homes Production Grant (HHPG) from the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) amounting to $2.0 million. The grant aims to eliminate all environment and housing-related hazards in a coordinated manner, rather than addressing hazards one at a time. In FY 2022-2023, 4 housing units were tested for lead based paint hazards, and 24 housing units were tested for radon. Eleven (11) families were provided healthy homes assistance.
Pomona Housing Authority
The Pomona Housing Authority (PHA) was authorized to expend $14,428,668 to provide Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) to 980 extremely low (30% of median income) and very low-income (50% of median income) households. In FY 2022-2023, 95% of HCV units were leased.
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program continues to provide eligible low-income participants with a comprehensive approach to becoming self-sufficient. By using housing as a stabilizing force, this allows families to put more emphasis on developing life skills, short and long-term goals and achieving economic independence. During FY 2022-2023, there were 45 participants in the program. As of June 30, 2023, 23 of those participants maintained an escrow account. Program participants, must achieve all established goals, be welfare-free for one year and be gainfully employed prior to graduating from the program. Three participants graduated from the program during FY 2022-2023. A total of $75,112 in escrow funds were disbursed.
Mainstream
Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities. Aside from serving a special population, Mainstream vouchers are administered using the same rules as other housing choice vouchers. The 2017, 2018 and 2019 Appropriations Acts provided funding for new Mainstream vouchers.
In 2018, the PHA applied for FY 2017 Mainstream NOFA and received award of 17 Vouchers In 2020, the PHA received a CARES Act incremental award of 6 Vouchers In 2020, the PHA received a CARES Act award of 40 vouchers In FY 2022-2023 the PHA allocated $510,374 of which $623,799 was expended serving on an average 63 non-elderly disabled homeless families.
As required by HUD, all public noticing requirements have been met and program performance data made available to the public. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council, after hearing all public comment, approve the FY 2022-2023 CAPER prior to submittal to HUD.
Prepared by: Vivian Bravo, Housing Analyst
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 – Public Notice
Attachment No. 2 – FY 2022-2023 Draft CAPER
Public Hearing to Receive Comments on and Approve the FY 2022-2023 CAPER