CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
S
eptember 11, 2023
TO: City Council
F
ROM: Department of Environmental Services
S
UBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2022 -23
CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION
REPORT (CAPER) FOR SUBMISSION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approv e the Draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Repor t (CAPER) (Exhibit 1, page 4) and authorize its submission to the U.S. Depar tment of Housing and Urban Developm ent (HUD) .
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The City is required to submit the FY 2022-23 CAPER (Exhibit 1) to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by the end of September or 90 days after conclusion of a fiscal year. The CAPER describes the use of funds to further meet the needs of low/moderat e-income persons and households prioritized in the Five -Year 2020-2024 Regional Consolidated Plan (Regional CP), and as identified in the FY 20 22-23 Action Plan (Action Plan). Funding resources and their uses include: federal, state, and local resources received; the investment of these reso urces; the geographic distribution of affordable housing and supportive services activities; and the number and type of primarily low/moderate- income beneficiaries assisted with public funds. The CAPER also outlines actions t
aken by the City to further fair housing and to provide affordable housing, public services, and community and economic development activities.
On August 28, 2023, the Draft CAPER was made available for a minimum 15-day public review at the City Clerk’s Office, Simi Valley Public Library, and on the City’s website. No public comments were received prior to the preparation of this staff report. Should any comments be received prior to the City Council meeting, they will be provided under a supplemental memorandum to the City Council. Input from the public and the City Council will be incorporated into the final CAPER and submitted to HUD.
The accomplishments addressed in the Draft CAPER reflect the activities undertaken within the community from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, in support of the Regional CP and Action Plan.
CAPERFY22-23ccmtg9-11-23(klk)
AGENDA ITEM NO.
Consent (3)
CAPERFY22-23ccmtg9-11-23(klk)
The reporting reflected in the Draft CAPER provides progress made on an annual basis toward attaining the five-year goals as established in the Regional CP. The Regional CP is the City’s business plan identifying housing and community development needs and market conditions. All related changes to the D raft CAPER, along with any necessary non-substantive changes, will be incorporated into the final CAPER prior to its submission to HUD.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
This is the Third Annual CAPER that evaluates the City’s progress toward reaching the goals outlined in the Regional CP, and as identified in the Action Plan . During FY 2022-23, the City completed most Public Service goals and Community Development goals. HUD does not require quantifiable goals for Planning & Administration; therefore, none are included in the Regional CP. The priority needs outlined in the Regional CP are:
• New Rental Housing
• Housing Support and Stability
• Homeownership Opportunities
• Rehabilitation and Preservation of Existing Housing
• Assistance for Senior Residents
• Increase Job Skills
• Façade Improvements
• Local Entrepreneurship
• Social Services
• Youth Activities and Services
• Homelessness
• Streets and Streetscapes
• Parks and Community Spaces
• Disaster Planning and Recovery
• Utilities and Public Infrastructure
Resources available to further the goals of the Regional CP and Action Plan include CDBG funds that address Public Service programs, Community Development projects, and Planning and Administration activities. The City’s other funding sources to address Regional CP priorities include CalHome funds, Local Housing (Local) funds, and other noted sources. Overall, $639,424 was spent in CDBG funds during the program year, leveraged by $1 ,145,686 from sub -recipients, to provide a ratio of CDBG funds to leveraged funds of $1.00: $1.79.
This collaboration provided services to more residents than would have been possible with CDBG funds alone. Community Planning and Development (CPD) funding sources, which include CDBG funds received directly from the federal government and noted program income from CDBG funded activities, along with any unspent prior years’ CDBG funds, were also leveraged by l ocal and other non- federal funding sources during the program year.
2 CAPERFY22-23ccmtg9-11-23(klk)
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Approve the Draft FY 2022-23 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report; and authorize its submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
2. Modify the Draft FY 2022-23 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report;
3. Provide staff with other direction.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to approve the Draft Fiscal Year 2022-23 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, and authorize its submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
SUMMARY
The Draft FY 2022-23 CAPER (Exhibit 1) reviews the City’s progress in achieving its goals identified in the Five- Year 2020- 2024 Regional Consolidated Plan and FY 2022-23 Action Plan. Within the third year of this five-year planning period, the City accomplished most of its goals. Overall, $639,424 was spent in CDBG funds, which was leveraged by $ 1,145,686 from sub -recipients during the program year. The Draft FY 2022-23 CAPER was released for the required 15-day public review period on August 28, 2023. Any comments received will be incorporated into the final document prior to submission to HUD. Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Draft FY 2022- 23 CAPER and authorize staff to submit the final document to HUD.
____________________________________
Stratis Perros
Environmental Services Director
Prepared by: Julia Ramirez, Senior Management Analyst
INDEX Page
Exhibit 1 – Draft FY 2022-23 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report .................................................................................. 4 3 DRAFT
September 11, 2023
Department of Environmental Services
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
Consolidated Annual Performance and
Evaluation Report {CAPER)
2022-23 Program Year
Public Review August 28 - September 11, 2023
EXHIBIT 1
4 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2022-23
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Table of Contents
CR-05 Goals and Outcomes ........................................................................................... 2 CR-10 Racial and Ethnic Composition ............................................................................ 6 CR-15 Resources and
Investments ................................................................................ 7 CR-20 Affordable Housing .............................................................................................. 9 CR-25 Homeless and Other Special Needs .................................................................. 12 CR-30 Public Housing ................................................................................................... 15 CR-35 Other Actions ..................................................................................................... 16 CR-40 Monitoring .......................................................................................................... 23 CR-45 CDBG ................................................................................................................ 24
ALL APPENDICES WILL BE INCORPORATED PRIOR TO SUBMISSION TO HUD 6 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2022-23
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CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes
Progress the jurisdiction has made in carrying out its strategic plan and its action plan. 91.520(a)
This is the third annual Consolidated A nnual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), which evaluates the City’s progress in achieving the goals outlined in the FY 2020-24 Regional Consol idated Plan (Regional CP). T he Regional CP contains goals that address low- to moderat e-income needs in the communi ty, over a five-year period beginning on July 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2025. These goals are produced through a public review process, which includes information gathered through interviews with local community Public Se rvice providers. In general, the City has made progress towards accomplishing the goals identified in the Regional CP.
Annual goals and actions undertaken during the program year , to address the Regional CP goals, are set forth in the FY 2022-23 Ac tion Plan (Action Plan). The Action Plan is an annual strategic plan document that implements Regional CP goals. This CAPER reports on the progress towards achieving the five-year goals of the Regional CP, as well as the annual goals of the Action Plan, as of June 30, 2023.
In the 2022-23 program year, the City funded several projects and services designed to address housing and community development needs, including street improvements, benefitting residents in lower- and moderate -income census tracts. The City also completed the work on two home rehabilitation projects during this fiscal year.
Public Service program goals are counted either by the number of households or persons served. Community Developmen t projects are count ed by the number of activities, the person count in a particular project area, or the number of households. In evaluating the City’s Action Plan goals and accomplishments, the City served a total of 187 low- and moderate-income City residents, falling slightly short of its Public Service goals to serve 200 individuals. In the Community Development category, the Public Works Annual Minor Streets Rehabilitation Project was completed during the summer of 2023. This project provided improved streets to a total of 2,285 persons in Census Tract 7904.5 and 8101- 2; of these, 955 were of low- to moderate-income individuals.
When the Coronavirus (also referred to as COVID-19) pandemic was declared in March 2020, it had a dramatic influence on the way projects and programs were conducted. This fiscal year continued to mani fest a return to pre-pandem ic operations. Staff worked continuously with service providers to ensure assistance was available to a safe and realistic extent. Many virtual, distance platforms became common, utilizing more electronic tools and remote communications. Although most partnering vendors were able to meet their established goals for the fiscal year, the ne cessitated changes in business practices inadvertently lead to unforeseen secondary effects and resulted in some organizations not reaching their proposed goals for the reporting grant period.
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Although the threat of COVID-19 has diminished, it c ontinues to affect communities worldwide. The City studies and researches the best ways in which to assist its community while making the most impact. Cognizant of meeting a national objective and income qualifications, plus documenting a COVID-19 nexus in order to receive federal funds and comply with all regulations, the City has been able to provide assistance to those in need.
The City explored an array of services and pr ojects that would best match the needs of the community and meet the CDBG – CV r egulations. Staff researched, studied, and analyzed a variety of options to ensure fisca l responsibility, while meeting the demands of area residents both in the pr esent as well as in the foreseeable future. As COVID-19 resources have been about prev enting, preparing, and res ponding to the Coronavirus and its impacts, staff and leadership have work ed to best allocate the remaining funds.
In January 2023, a third Subs tantial Amendment to the FY 2019-20 Action Plan was submitted to allow the remaining CV monies to be repurposed from emergency rental assistance to bathroom modifications, comp liance, and improvement s at the Senior Center. This will allow two restroom facilities at the Senior Center, a publically accessible facility that benefits low- to moderate-income persons, to expend such funding, addressing immediate community needs that mitigate the effects of future Coronavirus occurrences. Physical modifications to improve access to public areas for people with disabilities is an allowed use of CDBG f unds. Improvements such as accessible bathrooms, automatic doors, and touchless water fixtures reduce coronavirus transmission. The reconfiguration of interior space to reinforce social distancing and accessibility improvements for per sons with disabilities a ll help reduce contact. Two identified bathrooms within t he Senior Center are in need of grant-qualifying improvements to make the facilities compliant, serve an eligible population, and promote social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19, consistent with CDBG Cares Act.
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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. Note: Table 1 below was completed with as much accurate and complete information as was available from both the Regional CP and the City of Simi Valley’s 2022-23 Action Plan. “Strategic Plan” refers to the 2020-24 Regional Consolidated Plan and the “Actual-Strategic Plan” column only reflects the City of Simi Valley figures, amounts, and accomplishments. The City does not have access to regional accomplishments; therefore, it can only report on the City’s own accomplishments for this third year of the Regional CP. All goals have priority.
Goal Category Source/Amount Indicator Unit of Measure Expected – Strategic
Plan
Actual –
Strategic
Plan
Percent
Complete
Expected –
Program
Year
Actual –
Program
Year
Percent
Complete
Create Quality
Neighborhoods
Non-Housing
Community
Development
CDBG: $523,946
Public Facility or
Infrastructure Activities
other than
Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit
Persons Assisted 7,500 2,285 30.4% 2,285 2,285 100%
Improve Supply of
Affordable Housing
Affordable
Housing
Local: $86,710
HOME: $47,322
Homeowner Housing
Rehabilitated
Household
Housing Unit 15 2 13% 0 2 0%
Increase Social
Services
Non-
Homeless
Special
Needs
CDBG: $22,990
Public Service Activities
other than
Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit
Persons Assisted 1,041 206 19.7% 250 206 82%
Work to End
Homelessness Homeless CDBG: $43,205
Public Service Activities
other than
Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit
Persons Assisted 304 101 33.2% 100 101 101%
Table 1 ‐ Accomplishments – Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date
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Assess how the jurisdiction’s use of f unds, particularly CDBG, addresses the priorities and specific objectives identified in the plan, giving special attention to the highest priority activities identified.
Simi Valley has a wide range of housing and community development needs. CDBG funds alone are not adequate to address the myriad of needs identified and summarized in the Needs Assessment of the Regional CP. Recognizing the regulations of the national objectives for these programs, the City of Simi Valley us ed CDBG and other funding to coordinate programs, services, and projects to create decent and suitable living environments to benefit low- and moderate-income househo lds and those with special needs. Community needs determined to be priority level in the Regional CP are as follows:
New Rental Housing
Housing Support and Stability
Homeownership Opportunities
Rehabilitation and Preserva tion of Existing Housing
Assistance for Senior Residents
Increase Job Skills
Façade Improvements
Local Entrepreneurship
Social Services
Youth Activities and Services
Homelessness
Streets and Streetscapes
Parks and Community Spaces
Disaster Planning and Recovery
Utilities and Public Infrastructure
All activities paid for with CDBG funds were designated as priority activities in the Regional CP. Most of the goal s identified in the City’s Ac tion Plan for the service of unduplicated persons were accomplished. Conejo Valley Senior Concerns (Senior Concerns), however, was unable to reach thei r goal to serve 100 elderly individuals by serving a total of 86 unduplicat ed clients during the program year. Senior Concerns continued to provide seminars and information to many families in need of their services even though not all resulted in eligible cont acts, per established federal guidelines. The Samaritan Center exceeded their committed goal to serve 100 persons during the fiscal year, by assisting 101 unduplicated clients.
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CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic Composition of families assisted
Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic st atus of families assisted). 91.520(a)
Racial and Ethnic Populations CDBG
White 151
Black or African American 11
Asian 8
American Indian or American Native 7
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 1
Total 178
Hispanic 35
Non-Hispanic 143
Table 2 – Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds
Narrative
Every CDBG subrecipient was required to document and report the race/ethnicity of each of its program participant s. This table does not include t he race/ethnicity data for the City’s Annual Minor Streets Rehabilitation Projects in lower- and moderate-income areas.
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CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a)
Identify the resources made available:
Source of Funds Source Resources Made
Available
Amount Expended
During Program Year
CDBG Federal $611,670 $639,424
Prior Years Funds Unspent $99,500 $99,500
Table 3 – Resources Made Available
Table 3 Narrative
The City is an entitlement jurisdiction that receives an annual allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDB G) funds. During FY 2022-23, the City received a CDBG allocation of $611,670, which was available to allocate to Public Service programs, Community Development projects, and Planning and Administration activities.
The City expended $639,424 in CDBG FY 2022- 23 entitlement and program income funds during the program year in the areas of fair housi ng, administration, capital improvement projects, and public services.
Most projects and programs were carri ed out as noted in CR-05. Two service organizations left unspent funds due to the i nability to exhaust all funds in a timely manner. The City will utilize these unspent funds in future allocations and grant them to eligible projects so they may carry out the community needs, as established in the Regional CP.
The City’s other Housing and Community Deve lopment funding resources available to address Regional CP priorities during t he program year include: Housing Successor Agency (H.S.A.) funds (fo rmerly Community Development Agency), Local Housing (Local) funds, and other noted sources. Unless otherwise specified, the City’s Community Planning & Development (CPD) funds only incl ude CDBG funds received directly from the federal government and noted program income from CDBG-funded activities, along with any unspent prior years’ CDBG funds.
Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments
Target Area Planned
Percentage of
Allocation
Actual Percentage
of Allocation
Narrative
Description
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Table 4 – Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments
Table 4 Narrative
The priority needs identified in the Regional CP form the basis for allocating resources geographically during FY 2022-23, within the City of Simi Valley. Geographic distribution of funding is predicated somewhat on the nature of the activity being funded. It is the City’s intent to fund activities in areas most directly impacted by the needs of low- and 12 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2022-23
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moderate-income residents and those with s pecial needs. Supportive services, funded by CDBG, are provided to low- and moder ate-income residents throughout the community. Fair housing services are available on a citywide basis.
The locations of the programs and projects described in this report will be included and shown on a Location Map of Activities.
Leveraging
Explain how federal funds leveraged additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matc hing 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 contracted with two local-serving agencies to carry out programs and projects that provided supportive human services to low- and moderate-income residents. These agencies leveraged CDBG funds by using fundraising activities, grants, private donations, and in-kind resources. When counting only CDBG programs and projects carried out during the year, the expenditure of $639,424 in CPD funds was leveraged by $1,145,686 from subrecipients to provide a ratio of CDBG funds to leveraged funds of $1.00 : $1.79.
This collaboration provided services to more residents than would have been possible with CDBG funds alone. CPD funding sources were also leveraged by H.S.A., Local, and other non-federal funding sources during the program year.
In FY 2022-23, the City received a total of $35,800 in Program Income from two pay-offs of past CDBG-funded Home Rehabilitation loans . In addition to CDBG funds, the City receives $150,000 annually through the executed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Waste Management related to the expansion of the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. This funding source, known as the Simi Valley Community Projects Grant, is awarded to non-profit organizations that serve Simi Valley to provide public service and community development activities during the 2022-23 program year .
All $150,000 of this grant was awarded to organizations that directly address the needs identified in the Regional CP and Action Pl an. In addition, the S pecial Event Support Program awarded local agencies $25,000 in FY 2022-23 to offer services throughout the community.
The City is a recipient of past HOME and Cal Home Program funds and maintains program income generated from loan repayments. HOME program income can be used for tenant-based rent subsidy programs, down-payment assistance programs, and owner-occupied rehabilitation programs. At the beginning of the fiscal year, the City had $1,298,559 available in HOME funds; $5,182,395 in Local f unds; $5,130,852 in H.S.A. funds; and $401,772 in Cal Home funds.
There were no matching requirements to address during this project year. No publically owned land or property located within the jurisdiction was used to address the needs identified in this plan.
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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.
The City’s Affordable Housing portfolio currently includes a total of 1,386 units set aside for low- and moderate-income households. These affordable units comprise both rental (1,197) and owner-occupied (189) units.
In addition, the City’s Home Rehabilitation Program offered low-interest deferred loans to low- and moderate-income homeow ners. Qualified owners, of detached single-family residences, were eligible for a deferred two-percent loan of up to $50,000 with no monthly payments. The City’s Home Rehabilitation Progr am utilized HOME and Local funds.
During the 2022-23 program year, two qualif ied households completed their Home Rehabilitation Loan projects. T he program was not accepti ng new applications due to staff turnover and vacancies.
The City provided rental subsid ies to four households at tw o mobile home parks. This translated to the assistance of five elderly persons, as one was a two-person household.
This program is not accepting new applicants.
One-Year Goal Actual
Number of homeless households
to be provided affordable
housing units
0 0
Number of non-homeless
households to be provided
affordable housing units
0 0
Number of special-needs
households to be provided
affordable housing units
0 0
Total 0 0
Table 5 - Number of Households
14 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2022-23
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One-Year Goal Actual
Number of households
supported through rental
assistance
4 4
Number of households
supported through the
production of new units
0 0
Number of households
supported through the rehab of
existing units
2 2
Number of households
supported through the
acquisition of existing units
0 0
Total 6 6
Table 6 - Number of Households Supported
Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting these goals.
The City was able to meet most of its established one-year goals. The City provided rental assistance to four mobile home park households through the Mobile Home Rent Subsidy Program. The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 R ental Assistance) administered by the Ventura C ounty Area Housing Aut hority, provided rental support to 684 Simi Valley households.
Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans.
The First Time Home Buyer Program (FTHB) was discontinued in 2012 as a result of the dissolution of redevelopment agencies in California and a substantial reduction in available funding. However, the City Council authorized the re-establishment of the FTHB on June 6, 2016 on a limited basis as funding becomes available. The City approved a new homebuyers assistance program in Oct ober 2022, which is pending receipt of funding to be initiated.
Include the number of extremely low-in come, low-income, and moderate-income persons served by each activity where info rmation on income by family size is required to determine the eligibility of the activity.
Number of Persons
Served
CDBG Actual HOME Actual
Extremely Low-income 0 0
Low-income 0 0
Moderate-income 0 0
Total 0 0
Table 7 – Number of Persons Served
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Narrative Information
City residents served by CDBG funds, for the activities funded in FY 2022-23, were all in the presumed or area beneficiary categories, not subject or required to income verification for CDBG income qualification requirements.
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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
During the program year, the City used CDBG funds to support programs that assist the homeless. The Samaritan Center of Simi Valley provided case management to 101 homeless individuals to help t hem become self-sustainable and move into housing, through access, life skills, and resources they need to secure and retain housing.
In addition, Neighborhood Resource Officers (NROs) have a behavioral health worker that goes on ride-alongs with them when the NROs are inte racting with the homeless.
The goal is for assessment and potential as sistance into programs and services. When the NROs went out to encam pments, a behavioral health wo rker accompanied them to try to connect the homeless individuals with services.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons
The City is an active member of the Vent ura County Continuum of Care and advocates for services and resources to be made avail able to the community. The City approved $250,000 in funding for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing in June 2023 for FY 2023-24. The City also provided a multi-year grant to support and enhance the operations of the Samaritan Center in the amount of $475,000, which supported case management, food pantry operations, and winter warming shelter activities throughout FY 2022-23. City staff continue to work with service prov iders and housing developers on identifying options and solutions for individuals facing housing and food insecurities. Additionally, the City hosts Homeless Resource Coordination meetings to facilitate service connection, community awareness, and identify service gaps or area unmet needs.
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 progr ams and institutions); and, receiving assistance from public or private agenci es that address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs
The City's Police Department and social service providers, conduct regular street outreach to encourage homeless individuals to engage in services. City staff continues to respond to inquiries from those in need and to connect to available services and 17 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2022-23
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resources. Additionally, the City disseminates information about resources and services from community partners th rough the City’s various m edia channels (website, email notifications, social media, announcements at public meetings, etc.)
The 2023 Ventura County Homeless Point in Time Count was conducted on January 24, 2023. Countywide, 2,441 adults and children were counted as homeless during the point- in-time count. This number represents an incr ease of 203 persons or 9.1 percent when compared to the 2,238 persons who were counted as homeless in 2022.
Simi Valley experienced a nine percent incr ease in the number of homeless individuals counted in 2023, from 141 to 150 individuals. In Simi Valley, 146 individuals were unsheltered adults and four were sheltered. In 2023, a Sheltered Count included the following persons counted: persons in emergency shelters, persons in motels paid for by the program, persons in transitional housing, and persons in safe haven.
The established CoC Pathways to Home program utilizes information from the County’s Homeless Management Information System (H MIS) database to coordinate entry to housing opportunities for the most vulnerable. Pathways to Home allows individuals and families to access services to move out of homelessness as quickly as possible. The program follows a client-focused approach to reduce the challenges of accessing multiple programs to avoid or exit homel essness. The program also allows service providers to work collaboratively to coordinate appropria te services. More information can be found about the Pathways to Home program by visiting venturacoc.org. Additionally, residents who are experiencing homelessness are able to call Ventura County 2-1-1, to identify the appropriate resources availabl e to them. Their information is entered into the HMIS system to allow for the Pathways to Home program to connect them to services. The Ventura County 2-1-1 phone line is available 24 hours a day.
The City helps to support local service providers that directly assist residents who are homeless or those at risk of becoming homele ss, as well as, organizations that provide assistance with housing, health, social services, education, and youth needs. The funding is provided annually through the City’s Community Projects Grant (CPG). Each year, local non-profit 501(c) (3) organizations are invited to apply for up to $150,000 for community projects and programs. For FY 2022-23, the City awarded $150,000 to seven local service providers that deliver direct supportive services to Simi Valley residents struggling with a variety of social service needs.
Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veteran s 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 hom eless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again
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In FY 2022-23, the City funded the Samaritan Center, an organization that assists the chronically, at-risk for, and recently homeless population. The Samaritan Center offers a wrap-around approach of services to house and support individuals transitioning from living on the street or in their vehicles to permanent housing through comprehensive case management services. In addition, the Sama ritan Center helped hundreds of other in-need individuals on a drop-in basis through their meal, shower, and mail services. 19 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2022-23
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CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j)
Actions taken to address the needs of public housing
There is no public housing in the City of Simi Valley, however, the City continued to work with the Area Housing Authorit y of the County of Ventura to assist Simi Valley's low-income households. The Housing Choi ce Vouchers Program requires very low-income renters to pay up to 40 percent of their gross monthly income towards rent and subsidizes the balance on the renter’s behalf, up to published Payment Standards.
Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership
Although there is no public housing in Simi Valley, the City jointly appoints a resident commissioner to the Board of the Area Hous ing Authority of th e County of Ventura (AHACV), who participates in the management as member of the governing body of the AHACV. Additionally, the City established a homebuyers assistance program to provide down payment assistance to households with up to 150 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). The property may be an attached or detached single-family home, a condominium, or a townhome.
The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) offered foreclosure prevention assistance to homeowners throughout the County. VCCDC counselors assisted local homeowners with counseling, leading to action plans to avoid foreclosure, or offering alternatives to foreclosure if homeownership cannot be maintained. VCCDC also provides homebuyer readiness works hops and financing/lending products for first-time homebuyers, assisting qualifyi ng households with gap financing and grants to increase lender confidence and encourage approval of loans.
In a joint effort to promote home ownership within Simi Valley, VCCDC and the City, work closely together and encourage residents to participate in Homebuyer’s Education Workshops. Since its inception in 2017, this partnership has served more than 200 East County residents. These free, all-day workshops were attended by prospective homebuyers, who were motivated to leave t he rental market and venture into home ownership. VCCDC provides in-person and online virtual learning forum s where participants can take the workshop and other courses without having to leave their residence, free of charge.
Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs
The Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura routinely inspects, repairs, and maintains units under its control on a regular basis; however, there is no public housing in the City of Simi Valley.
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CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j)
Actions taken to remove or ameliorate th e negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing su ch as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, build ing codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment. 91.220 (j);
91.320 (i)
The City’s current General Plan was updated and approved by the City Council on June 4, 2012, as a long-range planning and policy document. The Ci ty received Housing Element certification in May 2023 incorporating the 2021-2029 RHNA sixth cycle allocation and associated programs. The Housing Element update incorporates the latest pro-housing and fair housing bills adopted by the state legislature, including but not limited to: SB 330 – the Housing Crisis Act streamlining housing production, No Net Loss of residential housing unit capacity, and the Affirmative Further Fair Housing (AFFH) rule to eliminate racial bias, foster inclusive communities and housing choice, and opportunity for all Californians.
The City of Simi Valley works with both non-profit and for-profit developers to produce quality affordable housing. During the 2022-23 program year, the City of Simi Valley contended with some of the following obstacles to affordable housing: lack of affordable housing funds, planning and development fees, and State and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements.
The City did not use CDBG funds for the development of affordable housing; however, the City used other tools such as density bonuses, development concessions, and waivers. The City continued to seek new financial resources to enhance existing resources for addressing the affordable housing needs of local residents. An impediment to providing affordable housing programs is the elimination of redevelopment funds. The City uses CalHome and HOME funds to support its Home Rehabilitation Program
Revised federal mortgage rules that went into effect January 10, 2014, instituted stricter lending practices, requiring lenders to tighten their credit and lending standards. This has affected unique lending conditions, including the City’s Affordable Housing Resale and Refinance Restrictions (Restrictive Covenants), which currently require non-subordination to a lender’s first trus t deed loan and non-extinguishment after a foreclosure. As a response to the tightened lending standards, on July 21, 2014, the City Council authorized the City Manager to amend the Restrictive Covenants, as necessary, to allow subordination to first trust deed loans , to facilitate new sa les, re-sales, and refinance requests regarding the City’s A ffordable Housing Program, allowing the low-income homeowners and prospective buyers options to secure a lender of their choice. Such an amendment of the Restrictive Covenants wil l allow extinguishment of the covenants if there is a foreclosure. Nevertheless, removing this governmental constraint will continue to make the resale of City subsidized homes possible.
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Actions taken to address obs tacles to meeting under served needs. 91.220(k);
91.320(j)
One of the greatest challe nges in meeting the underse rved needs of low- and moderate-income persons is hav ing limited financial resource s. The City continued to encourage the development of affordable apartm ent projects for extremely low- and low-income households. Such developments provide permanent housing opportunities for homeless persons and increase the availability of low-cost rental units, to assist those who are rent-burdened or severely rent-burdened.
During the onset of the pandemic outbreak, re sulting in a state-wide shutdown, the demand for low-income housing resources and services, such as the resale of affordable housing units and refinance/subordination of mo rtgage loans, dramatically increased.
What was once considered a daily routine, such as facilitat ing in-person meetings and handling of mailed packages, became a major health and safety concern. The City quickly responded by implementing temporar y protocols by employing electronic processing to reduce circulation of paper documents. The protocols included accepting all documents digitally, circulating document s electronically for review, conducting meetings via phone or video/web conferencing, and implementing electronic signatures wherever possible.
The City allocated a portion of its annual CDBG funds to support public service agencies that address the special needs of the underserved, including the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, seniors, female- headed households, children of low- and moderate-income families, and the disabled. The City complied with federally-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratr ansit service regulations by providing a combined 48,652 ADA Paratransit and Dial-a-Ride trips to disabled and elderly persons, during this fiscal year.
In addition, the Simi Valley Senior Center offered several nutri tion programs to help combat food insecurity among those most in need in the community. The Senior Share Closed Food Pantry program offe rs a weekly bag of groceries to eligible seniors and is supported by the county-wide food pantry, FOOD Share, Inc. The Senior Share program distributed a total of 5,198 bags of groceries to 163 local seniors. The Senior Nutrition Program, which includes the Meals On Wheels (MOW) and Congregate programs, is available to individuals age 60 and older, with MOW services available for those who are homebound by reason of illness, function, or disability . For many homebound adults, their weekly or daily meal delivery serves as their only source of socialization. These vulnerable and isolated senior s benefit from personal contac t as well as the nutritious weekday meals provided by our MOW progr am. In FY 2022-23, 43,887 meals were delivered to homebound seniors through this pr ogram. The Congregate meal program, known as Rendezvous Café, provides a hot meal on weekdays for a suggested donation of $3.00 for eligible seniors over 60 years of age and a $7.00 fee for all others. The Senior Center Congregate meal program offered dine-in and “Grab ‘N’ Go” options, with a total of 29,668 meals being served to seniors thr ough these two options. Funding for these programs is provided primarily from a grant through the County of Ventura Area Agency 22 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2022-23
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on Aging, as well as client donations. In FY 2022-23, a total of $226,042.35 was received in grant funding, and an additional $52,566.52 was received in participant donations for direct program use.
CDBG support, to services for low- and moderate-income households, has improved neighborhoods and empowered this target population. A variet y of affordable services for youth, seniors, and peop le with special needs were made accessible, including: a winter shelter for Simi Valley homeless that included referrals to various support services, medical care, housing, and job referrals to regain a stable life; education training for children of low- to moderate-income di sabled residents; and counseling, support, and education for seniors and their families.
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Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City continued to take the following actions during FY 2022-23 in an effort to identify and reduce potential lead-based paint hazards in the community:
Incorporated lead-based paint hazard inform ation in the City’s Home Rehabilitation Program information flyer.
Provided information (HUD information pam phlet from the Office of Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Poisoning Prevention) to the public at several locations, including City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of Realtors office.
Informed prospective hom e rehabilitation loan applicant s during their initial interview about the potential hazards of lead-based paint and any necessary abatement measures needed to be taken to e liminate the hazard. If children age seven or younger were present in the home, and if a potential hazard from lead- based paint was identified, City staff advised the parent s about screening their children for elevated levels of lead in the blood, and follow any prescribed abatement requirements resulting from the screening.
Tested for the presence of lead-based paint in homes that were built prior to 1978 and are part of the City’s Home Rehabilitation Program. Completed lead-based paint risk assessm ent and abatement program when lead- based paint tests indicated a hazardous co ncentration of lead (equal to or higher than 1 mg/cm2) for homes that are part of the City’s Home Rehabilitation Program.
During the 2022-23 program y ear, no lead-based paint ins pections were performed therefore, no abatement was required.
Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City has established goals and policies designed to improve the local economy and reduce the level of poverty within the co mmunity. The City continued to pursue the following programs and activities during FY 2022-23, to help reduce the number of families at the poverty level:
Actively encourage commercial and industrial development, in order to increase local employment opportunities for its re sidents and to better serve the business community.
Recruit and retain an industry based upon its environmental impact, the number of jobs per acre provided, the percentage of jobs from entry level to executive level, and its ability to utilize the skills of the City’s residents. Cooperate with the State Employment and Development Department and research the job skills in the community, giving special attention to attracting industries that utilize these skills.
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Promote affordable housing programs designed to provide assistance primarily to extremely low-, low-, and moderate-inco me households within the community. A variety of housing assistance programs throughout the County are available to help various low- and moderate-income groups in need of assistance, including renters, first-time homebuyers, existing homeow ners, homeless persons, and persons at risk of homelessness.
Offer new affordable housin g opportunities through density bonuses and zoning concessions.
Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City continues to explore opportunities that provide economic support to both existing and new businesses. As supply chain issues began to ease and the economy returned to pre-pandemic growth trajectories during the fiscal year, staff began to meet with various retail, restaurant, and corpor ate representatives regarding several possible locations in the community. Consumers continued to demonstrate a pent-up demand to eat out, and receipts from casual and quick service restaurants were robust. With the discontinuation of face masks, the community returned to its favorite past-time, in-store shopping.
Retailers took steps to open new locations as earnings reports reflected strong demand.
Starbucks opened a new location and construc tion commenced on a grocery retailer, Amazon Fresh within the City. 85C Bake ry Café, Dunkin Doughnuts, Kalaveras Restaurant, and Bree’s Cakes opened their doors to the community. Alpine Corporation, a family-owned business that specializes in wholesale garden décor, fountains, and pond supplies; Mist Incorporated, a manufacturer of tools fo r the aerospace industry; and Snyder Diamond, a distributor of kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures also joined the Simi Valley community during the fiscal year.
While the retail sector showed signs of resi lient recovery from the impacts of the pandemic, the City continued to see robust interest from industrial users and industrial development experienced strong activity. The City saw the completion of the construction of a 353,000-square-foot, six-building industrial complex at the southeast corner of Tapo Canyon Road and Los Angeles Avenue. Th is project replaced an aged-out 181,000- square-foot office building and started to lease space in the fall of 2022. Additionally, new construction commenced on the development of 500,000 square feet of industrial buildings on Easy Street. Collectively, t hese projects will prov ide over 850,000 square feet of industrial space in Simi Valley creating thousands of job opportunities at all levels.
With the threats of the pandemic now dimini shed and the state’s removal of the public health emergency, the City continued to take immediate action to assist the sector of the business community that still struggled from the impacts of the pandemic. During the fiscal year, the City launched the Business Assistance Revolving Loan Program (Loan Program) to provide small bus iness loans to the City’s local businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19. The Loan Program provides low-interest loans in the range of $10,000 to $100,000 with the goal of assisting those businesses unable to secure a traditional bank loan. Loans can be utilized for the acquisition of new equipment and inventory, job creation and retention, support of small business growth, access to working 25 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2022-23
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capital, and energy and effi ciency improvements. The Loan Program was designed to provide access to capital for businesses t hat may not have other resources, reduce borrowing costs, and provide opportunities to create job growth for the business community. Additionally, with the lingerin g impacts of the pandemic causing a major disruption in the labor force, the City continued to partner with the Chamber of Commerce and co-hosted several job fair s throughout the community in an effort to unite both job seekers and employers during the fiscal year. Job fairs were held at the Simi Valley Public Library and the Simi Valley Town Center and were well received by the community.
A combination of these actions helps to preserve the ability of Simi Valley businesses to remain competitive, employ as many workers as possible, and increase their revenue base.
The City continues to work with the ownership of the Simi Valley Town Center regarding their major renovation project at the shopping center. The City continues to dialogue with the Town Center ownership regarding a new Specific Plan and various redevelopment options. Retailers are now in a better position to discuss lease options with the pandemic behind them and a pent-up demand from consumers wanting to return to brick-and-mortar stores. As always, the City c ontinues to assist several ot her shopping center owners to accommodate their redevelopment projects. Redevelopment of an infill site on Tapo and Alamo Street began construction during the fi scal year and includes residential rentals and 8,100 square feet of remodeled space for commercial tenants. Once completed, this development will provide affordable housing and job opportunities.
Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The City furthered coordination between public housing groups, private developers, and social service agencies that assist low- and moderate-income persons. To improve communications with these and other community stakeholde rs, the City developed a master mailing list, consisting of approximately 150 agencies, and contacted them as part of its community outreach. Priority is given to strengthening coordination efforts between the City and those agency groups that provide assistance to the homeless and persons with special needs in order to improve the delivery of services to those households.
Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. 91.520(a) The City updated the Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice, along with the preparation of the Regional CP in 2020. The AI identifies pot ential impediments to fair housing in Simi Valley and establishes a Fair Housing Action Plan that outlines steps the City will take to overcome these impediments. Actions taken in the program year include:
City joined other cities in a regional cont ract with the County of Ventura to retain the fair housing services of The Hous ing Rights Center-Los Angeles (HRC) to conduct the City’s FY 2022-23 Fair Housing Program.
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HRC provided links to current fair housing services and other housing resources on the City’s website and provided outreach and brochure distribution.
HRC provided direct services to 120 Simi Valley residents; 102 inquiries involved general housing questions, while 18 raised questions or allegations of housing discrimination. Of the 18 discrimination inquiri es, 17 were counseled and one materialized into a case. Of these, 15 involved physical or mental disabilities, while one dealt with source of income and another one was of a general nature. Of the residents contacting HRC, 105 were in-place tenants, 12 were seniors, 18 were disabled and three were female heads of household. Of these same callers, 100 were extremely low-income. As for tenant/landlord housing issues, the three most common were: rent increases, substandard conditions, and eviction notices.
HRC advertised their services via Faceboo k, Twitter, emails, and public service announcements.
City displayed Fair Housing posters in the City Hall lobby and library building. 27 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2022-23
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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
During the program year, subrecipients were required to submit quarterly and year-end reports to monitor program/p roject progress toward stat ed goals. Reports included information on program beneficiaries (including race/ethnicity) and identified performance measures in meeting projected goals. Some reports were accompanied by reimbursement requests with supporting documentation. Identification of the sources and amount of leveraged funds, and t heir use in the program, were also required. This information provided the means for de sktop monitoring to ensure project accomplishments and expenditures were consistent with approved work schedules and line item budgets.
CDBG staff was able to resume on-site moni toring. Two public service agencies were selected for review. To date, one has received a clearance letter and the other is working to resolve a follow-up item.
City staff continued to work with subrecipients in virtual settings and platforms, by phone and email, providing technical assistance and sharing helpful t ools with non-profit agencies so that they could continue to ga ther and document required information in serving low- and moderate-inco me persons. Modifications and innovative techniques were devised and approved for data collection and verifications, always adhering to safety protocols.
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.
During the public review periods and public hearings, all interested persons were encouraged to provide input and comments regarding propos ed funding allocations for the projects and programs identified in the FY 2022-23 Action Plan and the accomplishments reported in the CAPER. All comments supported the proposed FY 2022-23 Action Plan projects an d programs. Comments re ceived during the 2022-23 CAPER public review period of August 28 through September 11, 2023, or at the September 11, 2023 Simi Valley City Council meeting will be incorpor ated in the final CAPER document.
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CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c)
Specify the nature of, and reasons for an y changes in the jurisdiction’s program objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its experiences.
FY 2022-23 marked the second of a two-year funding application period for Public Service programs. City staff stri ves, welcomes, and encourages opportunities to enhance, improve, and streamline operations, as a way of making the City’s CDBG program more effective and efficient, while reaching and serving the maximum number of residents.
Although no new systems were put in place during this reporting period, a few areas are under consideration for near-future amendments.
Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grants?
The City does not contain any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative grants.
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