Agenda Item: 2
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: May 14, 2024
SUBJECT: 2024-28 CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND THE 2024-25 ANNUAL
ACTION PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT PROGRAM AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: Tracy Sullivan
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the submission of the five-year Consolidated Plan with its associated priorities and the Annual Action Plan for year-one with the recommended funding therein to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clarita (City) receives an annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDBG funds are designed to assist primarily low- and moderate-income residents in the areas of suitable housing and expanded economic opportunities, while HOME funds are designed to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing, particularly rental housing, for low-income individuals and families.
In order to receive CDBG and HOME funds, the City is required to submit a Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) at least every five years. The Con Plan contains a Housing and Homeless Needs Assessment, a Housing Market Analysis, and a Strategic Plan. It also sets the priorities for the use of CDBG and HOME funds for the upcoming five years. The current Con Plan was developed to address the five-year period of 2019-20 to 2023-24 and will expire on June 30, 2024.
As part of the Con Plan process, the City must develop and submit an Annual Action Plan which outlines the specific ways that year's allocation of CDBG and HOME funds will be spent. The Annual Action Plan also contains service goals and an explanation of how the activities proposed
will meet the priorities in the Con Plan.
In previous years, the City was additionally required to submit an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI); however, HUD has since lifted that requirement and is in the process of establishing a new AI process.
To develop the 2024-28 Con Plan and the 2024-25 Annual Action Plan, the City contracted with the consulting firm of Veronica Tam and Associates (Consultant).
Five-Year Consolidated Plan Development
As part of the development of the Con Plan Priorities, staff conducted a Community Needs Assessment process to determine the needs of the low- and moderate-income community. The Community Needs Assessment process included in-person surveys at two community events, distribution of an online survey, outreach meetings for local non-profit providers, and a social media campaign. The results of the Community Needs Assessment process were provided to the City Council in a Public Hearing on February 27, 2024.
The needs identified through the Community Needs Assessment process, along with the information from the Housing and Homeless Needs Assessment and Housing Market Analysis, were used to develop the proposed 2024-28 Con Plan priorities listed below. If approved, all CDBG-funded activities undertaken from 2024-28 must meet one of the below Con Plan priorities.
Proposed 2024-28 Con Plan Priorities:
o Improve, Maintain, and Expand Affordable Housing
o Improve and Expand Public Facilities and Infrastructure in Lower Income Areas o Provide Services Addressing Homelessness and Homelessness Prevention o Provide Supportive Human Services
o Address the Impact of COVID-19 on Lower Income Residents o Planning and Administration
Annual Action Plan Development
As part of the development of the 2024-25 Annual Action Plan, staff released a Notice of Funding Availability for non-profit, community-based organizations to provide programs and services for the low- and moderate-income community under the CDBG Program. Over 250 community-serving non-profits were notified of the opportunity to apply for City CDBG funding.
Thirteen organizations submitted applications, requesting funding for 18 programs. Those applications were evaluated by an interdepartmental committee of City staff using a 100-point evaluation tool. A total of eight programs are recommended for funding under CDBG, and a total of seven programs are recommended for funding under CDBG-CV, totaling 15 programs recommended for funding. Also recommended for funding are public improvements to the Newhall Community Center.
HUD informed the City of its CDBG allocation for FY 2024-25, which totals $1,495,091. The
City also identified $226,502 in prior year savings, which can be added to the Annual Action Plan. Finally, the City’s 2024-25 HOME entitlement allocation is $529,340.
As required by HUD, the draft documents were available for public review and comment for a 30-day period, which ended on May 14, 2024. No comments from the public were received.
The 2024-28 Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan are attached as reading file.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as directed by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
All programs recommended for funding in the 2024-25 Annual Action Plan will utilize CDBG and HOME funds provided by HUD. The Con Plan and Annual Action Plan will not impact the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
Public Hearing Notice
FY 24-25 Funding Recommendations
Consolidated Plan / Annual Action Plan (available in Clerk's Reading File)