Agenda Item: 6
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: February 22, 2022
SUBJECT: RESULTS OF THE 2022-23 COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
SURVEY FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: Charlotte Cabeza
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council conduct a public hearing and receive information regarding the results of the annual Community Needs Assessment Survey conducted as part of the Community Development Block Grant Program for the 2022-23 program year.
BACKGROUND
Each year, the City of Santa Clarita (City) receives approximately $1.4 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist low- and moderate-income residents in the areas of housing, suitable living, environment, and expanded economic opportunities.
In order to receive and use CDBG funds, the City is required to submit a Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) at least every five years. The current Con Plan contains a Housing Market Analysis, a Strategic Plan, and set the priorities for the use of CDBG funds for the five-year period of 2019- 20 through 2023-24. The City must also develop an Action Plan annually which outlines the specific ways the current year’s allocation of funds will be spent to meet the priorities identified in the Con Plan.
As required by HUD, a needs assessment process is conducted annually to determine the current needs of the community. Staff conducted the 2022-23 needs assessment process in the form of the Community Needs Assessment Survey (survey). The needs identified through this process are used to develop the 2022-23 Action Plan. The results also help determine funding allocations which address the needs identified, while meeting our five-year Con Plan Priority.
COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY PROCESS
The Survey was available from November 22 through December 22, 2021. A total of 218 individual participants responded. Respondents were asked to rate categories within the four programmatic Con Plan Priorities as high need, medium need, low need, or no need. In addition to scoring specific needs, respondents had the option to provide written comments.
Outreach efforts included:
• A press release issued to the local news agencies;
• An email link for the on-line survey sent to all current City CDBG service providers; and • An email link for the survey posted on the City’s website and sent to City staff.
A total of 218 individuals responded. Key demographic information on the respondents is below:
• 11% of the respondents identified themselves as senior citizens • 65% of the respondents stated they owned their homes
The needs most frequently identified as a high need within each Con Plan Priority were:
• Improve, Maintain, and Expand Affordable Housing
• Provide Supportive Human Services
• Improve and Expand Facilities and Infrastructure
TRENDS
The overall results of the 2022-23 Survey remain consistent with the results from the previous years. Over the past five years, the areas of affordable rental housing, homeless shelters and services, and youth centers have consistently been noted as among the highest needs.
Written comments were provided by 68 individuals. The most commonly identified issues were regarding the need for more affordable housing and homeless housing/services. The remaining comments highlighted the need for mental health services, homeownership assistance, and better infrastructure for traffic improvement.
No formal action is being requested of the City Council at this time. The 2022-23 Action Plan and recommended CDBG Funding Allocations will be presented to the City Council for consideration at a public hearing to be scheduled in April 2022.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other actions as determined by the City Council.
x
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS
Public Hearing Notice