CAPERFY23-24ccmtg9-9-24(klk)
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
September 9, 2024
TO: City Council
FROM: Department of Environmental Services
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2023 -24
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 approve the Draft FY 2023 -24 CAPER (Exhibit 1) and authorize its submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The City is required to submit the FY 20 23-24 CAPER (Exhibit 1) to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by the end of September or 90 days after the 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 23-24 Action Plan (Action Plan). Funding resources and their uses include federal, state, and local resources received; the investment of these resources; 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 taken by the City to further fair housing and to provide affordable housing, public services, and community and economic development activities.
On August 26, 2024, the Draft CAPER was made available for the required minimum 15- day public review at the City Clerk’s Office, the Department of Environmental Services, 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, 2023, through June 30, 2024, in support of the Regional CP a nd Action Plan. In an effort to promote the City’s CDBG program and make resources better known to the community, a presentation of this and other grant funding sources was made to community partner ing agencies at the July 2024 Homeless Resource Coordination Meeting.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
Consent (1)
CAPERFY23-24ccmtg9-9-24(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 fourth 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 2023-24, the City completed most Public Service and Community Development goals.
HUD does not require quantifiable goals for Planning and 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 funds, and other noted sources. Overall, $430,748 was spent in CDBG funds during the program year, leveraged by $405,864 from subrecipients, to provide a ratio of CDBG funds to leveraged funds of $1.00: $0.94.
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 local and other non- federal funding sources during the program year.
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The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Approve the Draft FY 2023-24 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 2023- 24 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 FY 2023-24 CAPER, and authorize its submission to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
SUMMARY
The Draft FY 2023-24 CAPER (Exhibit 1) reviews the City’s progress in achieving its goals identified in the Five- Year 2020- 2024 Regional Consolidated Plan and FY 2023-24 Action Plan. Within the fourth year of this five-year planning period, the City accomplished most of its goals. Overall, $430,748 was spent in CDBG funds, which was leveraged by $405,864 from subrecipients during the program year. The Draft FY 2023- 24 CAPER was released for the required 15-day public review period on August 26, 2024.
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 2023-24 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 2023-24 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report ............................................................................. 4
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Consolidated Annual Performance and
Evaluation Report (CAPER)
2023-24 Program Year
Public Review
August 26 to September 9, 2024
DRAFT
September 9, 2024
Department of Environmental Services
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
EXHIBIT 1
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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
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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 fourth annual Consolidated Annual Performance a nd Evaluation Report (CAPER), which evaluates the City’s progress in achieving the goals outlined in the FY 2020-24 Regional Consolidated Plan (Regional CP). The Regional CP contains goals that address low - to moderate-income needs in the community , over a five -year period beginning on July 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 20 25. These goals are produced through a public review process, which includes information gathered through interviews with local community Public Service 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 20 23-24 Action 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, 2024.
In the 2023-24 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.
Public Service program goals are counted either by the number of households or persons served. Community Development projects are c ounted 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 239 low- and moderate- income City residents , helping a slightly higher number than its Public Service goal to serve 180 individuals. In the Community Development category, the Public Works Annual Minor Street s Rehabilitation Project was c ompleted early summer 2024. This project provided improved streets to a total of 3,815 persons in Census Tract s 8302.1 and 8004.1; of these, 1,660 were low- to moderate-income individuals. The second capital project for this year by Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation consists of the rehabilitation of eight affordable units in two buildings at Plaza del Sol. The rehab will provide solid covers to exposed entry portals at each unit. The job encountered obstacles that delayed the completion of the work. However, progress is ongoing and the rehabilitation and improvement work is expected to be completed by December 2024.
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 manifest a return to pre -pandemic 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 necessitated change s in 7 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2023-24
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business practices inadvertently lead to unforeseen secondary effects and resulted in some organizations not reaching their proposed goals for the grant-reporting period.
Although the threat of COVID-19 has diminished, it continues to affect communities worldwide. The City studies and researches the best ways in which to assist its community with maximum impact. Cognizant of meeting national objective s 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 projects that would best match the needs of the community and meet the CDBG – CV regulations. Staff researched, studied, and analyzed a variety of options to ensure fiscal responsibility, while meeting the demands of area residents both in the present as well as in the near future. As COVID-19, resources ha ve been about preventing, preparing , and responding to the Coronavi rus and its impacts, staff and leadership have worked to best allocate the remaining funds.
In January 2023, a third Substantial Amendment to the FY 2019 -20 Action Plan was submitted to allow the remaining CV monies to be repurposed from emergency rental assistance to restroom modifications, compliance , and improvements at the Senior Center. This will allow the remaining funding to be expended on two restroom facilities at the Senior Center, a publicly accessible facility that benefits low- to moderate-income persons and address 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 funds. Imp rovements such as accessible bathrooms, automatic doors, and touchless water fixtures reduce coronavirus transmission. The reconfiguration of the restrooms’ interior space to reinforce social distancing and accessibility improvements for persons with disa bilities will help reduce contact. Two identified restrooms within the Senior Center are in need of grant-qualifying improvements to make the facilities compliant, serve an eligible population, and promote social distancing t o reduce the spread of COVID -19, consistent with CDBG Cares Act.
Staff has worked throughout the year and the project has progressed with architectural plans now complete. The N otice Inviting Bids is scheduled for September and a construction contract is anticipated to be in place by fall 2024.
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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 2023-24 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 fourth 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: $306,754
Public Facility or
Infrastructure Activities
other than
Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit
Persons Assisted 7,500 3,815 50.8% 3,815 3,815 100%
Increase Social
Services
Non-
Homeless
Special
Needs
CDBG: $30,732
Public Service Activities
other than
Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit
Persons Assisted 1,041 209 20% 230 209 90.8%
Work to End
Homelessness Homeless CDBG: $45,000
Public Service Activities
other than
Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit
Persons Assisted 304 153 50.3% 100 153 153%
Table 1 - Accomplishments – Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date
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Assess how the jurisdiction’s use of funds, 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 developmen t 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 used CDBG and other funding to coordinate programs, services, and projects to create decent and suitable living environments to benefit low - and moderate-income households and those with special needs. Community needs determined to be priority level in the Regional CP are as follows:
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
All activities paid for with CDBG funds were designated as priority activities in the Regional CP. The goals identified in the City’s Action Plan for the service of unduplicated persons were accomplished. Conejo Valley Senior Concerns (Senior Concerns ) exceeded its goal to serve 80 elderly individuals by serving 86 unduplicated 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 contacts, per established federal guidelines. The Samaritan Center assisted more than its committed goal of 100 persons during the fiscal year , by providing services to 153 unduplicated clients. It continued to offer wrap-around case management help at its day facility.
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CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic Composition of families assisted
Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of families assisted). 91.520(a)
Racial and Ethnic Populations CDBG
White 198
Black or African American 15
Asian 12
American Indian or American Native 1
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0
Total 226
Hispanic 56
Non-Hispanic 170
Table 2 – Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds
Narrative
Every CDBG subrecipient is required to document and report the race/ethnicity of each of its program participants. The City ensures that upon project closeout, this data is on file. This table does not include the 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)
Table 3 Identify the resources made available:
Source of Funds Source Resources Made
Available
Amount Expended
During Program Year
CDBG Federal $625,207 $430,748
Prior Years Funds Unspent $46,375 $46,375
Narrative
The City is an entitlement jurisdiction that receives an annual allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. During FY 2023-24, the City received a CDBG allocation of $625,207, which was available to allocate to Public Service programs, Community Development (Capital Improvement) projects, and Planning and Administration activities. The City expended $430,748 in CDBG FY 2023-24 entitlement and program income funds during the program year in the areas of fair housing, administration, capital improvement projects, and public services.
Most projects and programs were carried out as noted in CR-05. The City will utilize any identified unspent funds in future allocations and grant those to eligible projects to meet the community needs, as established in the Regional CP.
The City’s other Housing and Community Development funding resources available to address Regional CP priorities during the program year includ e: Successor Housing Agency (SHA) funds (formerly Community Development Agency), Local Housing (Local) funds, and other noted sources. Unless otherwise specified, the City’s C ommunity Planning & Development (CPD) funds only 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.
Table 4 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
Narrative
The priority needs identified in the Regional CP form the basis for allocating resources during FY 20 23-24, within the City of Simi Valley. Since the City does not have a geographic concentration to services, the needs of diverse interest groups are addressed throughout the community. It is the City’s intent to primarily fund activities in areas most directly impacted by the needs of low - and moderate-income residents and those with special needs. Supportive services , funded by CDBG, are provided to low - and moderate-income residents throughout the community. Fair housing services are 12 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2023-24
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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 matching 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 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 progr ams and projects carried out during the year, the expenditure of $430,748 in CPD funds was leveraged by $ 405,864 from subrecipients to provide a ratio of CDBG funds to leveraged funds of $1.00 : $0.94.
This leveraging of local resources provided services to more residents than would have been possible with CDBG funds alone. Through leveraging CPD funding sources during the program year , SHA, Local, and other non -federal funding sources also augmented the goals of subrecipients
In FY 2023-24, the City received a total of $39,000 in Program Income from a pay-off of a past CDBG-funded Home Rehabilitation loan . 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 t he Community Projects Grant, is awarded to non-profit organizat ions that serve Simi Valley to provide public service and community development activities during the 20 23-24 program yea r. All $150,000 of this grant was awarded to 10 organizations that directly address the needs identified in the Regional C P and Action Plan. In addition, the Special Event Support Grant awarded local agencies $25,000 in FY 2023-24 to subsidize the cost of community events.
The City is a past recipient of HOME and Cal Home Program funds and maintains program income generated from loan repayments. The City currently utilizes HOME program income for an owner-occupied rehabilitation program. At the beginning of the fiscal year, the City had $1,298,559 available in HOME funds; $5,182,396 in Local funds; $5,130,853 in SHA funds; and $401,773 in Cal Home funds.
There were no matching requirements to address during this project year. No publically owned land or property located with in 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 1,097 units set aside for low- and moderate-income households. These affordable units comprise both rental (931) and owner-occupied (166) units. The City has several affordable housing projects b oth ownership and rental, in the queue and pending approval/construction. The City continues to work with developers to include affordable housing options in new developments.
In addition, the City’s Home Rehabilitation Program offer s low-interest deferred loans to low- and moderate -income homeowners. Qualified owners of det ached single -family residences are eligible for a deferred payment loan at two-percent interest. The City’s Home Rehabilitation Program utilizes HOME, CalHOME and Local funds. During 2023- 24, the program did not accept new applications as it was under review for service enhancements to better meet the needs of the community.
The City provided rental subsidies to three senior households at a mobile home park.
This translated to the assistance of four 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
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One-Year Goal Actual
Number of households
supported through rental
assistance
3 3
Number of households
supported through the
production of new units
0 0
Number of households
supported through the rehab of
existing units
0 0
Number of households
supported through the
acquisition of existing units
0 0
Total 3 3
Table 6 - Number of Households Supported
Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting these goals.
The City met its established one-year goals by provided rental assistance to four mobile home park households through the Mobile Home Rent Subsidy Program. The Housing Choice Voucher Program ( Section 8 Rental Assistance ) administered by the Ventura County Area Housing Authority, provided rental support to 671 Simi Valley households.
Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans.
The First Time Home Buyer Program (FTHB) was discontinued in 2012 because 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 homebuyer’s assistance program that launched in Ap ril 2024 and provides down payment assistance to qualified households.
Include the number of extremely low -income, low-income, and moderate -income persons served by each activity where information 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
City residents served by CDBG funds, for the activities funded in FY 2023-24, 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 Cent er provided case management to 153 homeless individuals to help them become self-sustainable and move into housing through access to life skills, and resources they need to secure and retain housing.
In addition, Neighborhood Resource Officers (NROs) have a behavioral health worker that conducts street outreach to support interventions with homeless individuals. The goal is for assessment and potential assistance into programs and services. When the NROs and behavioral health staff interact with individuals they try to initiate service connections.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons.
The City is an active member of the Ventura County Continuum of Care (CoC) and advocates to enhance services and resources available to the community. The City approved $250,000 in funding for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing for FY 2023-
24. The City also provided a multi -year grant to support and enhance the operations of the Samaritan Center for $475,000, which supported case management, food pantry operations, and winter warming shelter activities. City staff continue to work with service providers and housing developers to identify options and solutions for individuals facing housing and food insecurities. Additionally, the City hosts Community Resource Coordination mee tings 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 a s health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); and, receiving assistance from public or private agencies 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 them to available services and resources. 17 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2023-24
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Additionally, the City disseminates information about resources and services from community partners through the City’s various media channels (website, email notifications, social media, announcements at public meetings, etc.).
The 2024 Ventura County Homeless Point in Time Count was conducted on January 24, 2024. Countywide, 2,358 adults and children were counted as homeless during the point- in-time count. This number represents a decrease of 83 persons or -3.4 percent when compared to the 2,441 persons who were counted as homeless in 2023.
Simi Valley experienced a 6.7 percent increase in the number of homeless individuals counted in 202 4, from 1 50 to 1 60 individuals. In Simi Valley, 14 9 individuals were unsheltered adults and 11 were sheltered. In 202 4, a Sheltered Count included the following persons counted: persons in emergency shelters, persons in motels paid for by service providers, 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 (HMIS) 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 homelessness. The program also allows service providers to work collaboratively to coordinate appropriate 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 available 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 homeless, 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 f or community projects and programs . For FY 20 23-24, the City awarded $150,000 to 10 local service provider s 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, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individua ls and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless 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 20 23-24, 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 Samaritan Center helped hundreds of other in-need individuals on a drop-in basis through their meal, shower, and mail services.
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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 City of Simi Valley; however, the City continued to work with the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (AHACV) to assist Simi Valley's low-income households. The Housing Choice Vouchers Program requires very low-income renters to pay up to 30 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 there is one AHACV owned property with 12 dwelling units (one, two an d three bedroom) that serves households with area median income (AMI) up to 30 percent. Additionally, the City jointly appoints a resident commissioner to the Board of the AHACV, who participates in the management as member of the governing body of the AHACV. The City and AHACV work collaboratively to enhance community awareness of all housing opportunities.
Additionally, the City established a homebuyer’s assistance program to provide down payment assistance to households with up to 150 percent of AMI. The property may be an attached or detached single -family home, a condominium, or a townhome. The City also provides ownership opportunities to low-income households through the purchase of an affordable, deed-restricted unit.
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 workshops and fin ancing/lending products for first-time homebuyers, assisting qualifying 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 daylong workshops were attended by prospective homebuyers who were motivated to leave the 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 AHACV routinely inspects, repairs, and maintains units under its control on a regular basis.
20 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2023-24
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CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j)
Actions taken to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordina nces, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment. 91.220 (j);
91.320 (i).
With funds secured from the state planning grant program authorized under Senate Bill 2 (LEAP – Local Early Action Planning), the City updated and received certification of its General Plan Housing Element on May 18, 2023. The Housing Element incorporates the 2021-2029 RHNA sixth cycle allocation and associated policies and programs derived from the latest pro -housing and fair housing bills adopted by the state legislature. Additionally, LEAP further funded the creation/update of the City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development standards, and the Envision Simi Valley Specific Plan (currently in progress). The intent of the Specific Plan is to create a community vision for the development of infill areas of Los Angeles Avenue and Tapo Street with mixed -use potential, including the provision of new housing, commercial, and recreational opportunities by imposing Objective Design and Development Standards and streamlined ministerial review and approval process. The Specific Plan will be completed by year- end.
The City of Simi Valley worked with both non -profit and for-profit developers to pr oduce quality affordable housing. During the 2023 -24 program year, the City contended with the following obstacles toward affordable housing: lack of affordable housing funds; State and Davis -Bacon prevailing wage requirements; development budget constrai nts with inflation at a 30 -year high; overall cost of land acquisition, construction and operation elevated; the interest rate environment still volatile.
The City did not use CDBG funds for the development of affordable housing. Invoking tools like the Density Bonus law to allow developers gain development incentives in exchange for setting aside income -restricted units has proven to be more effective. An impediment to the affordable housing programs is the elimination of the redevelopment agency and its funding in 2012. The City has resorted to recapture and reuse Cal Home and HOME funds (when funds are available) to support its Home Rehabilitation Program.
The City continued seeking new opportunities to enhance its existing resources to address local housing needs. In April 2024, the City launched its new Down Payment Assistance Program with funds from Senate Bill 2 – PLHA (Permanent Local Housing Allocation) program to assist qualifying low- through moderate-income homebuyers in the purchase of a home with down payment assistance. The City program provides a no - interest bearing, equity sharing, and second trust deed loan, in an amount not to exceed 20 percent of the home purchase p rice to eligible participants, subject to funding availability.
The City also issued a combined total of $1,500,000 in developer loans from SHA to assist the creation of 157 total units across two projects . Of these, 10 of the units will be affordable as follows: two units at 30% AMI; seven units at 50% AMI; and one unit at 80% AMI with a 55-year term of affordability.
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Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs. 91.220(k);
91.320(j)
One of the greatest challenges in meeting the underserved needs of low - and moderate-income persons is having limited financial resources. The City continued to encourage the development of affordable apartment 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 , resulting in a statewide shutdown, t he demand for low-income housing resources and services, such as the resale of affordable housing units and refinance/subordination of mortgage loans , dramatically increased.
What was once considered a daily routine , such as facilitating in -person meetings and handling of mailed packages , became a major health and safety concern. The City quickly responded by implementing temporary protocol s by employing electronic processing to reduce circulation of paper documents. The protocols included accepting all documents digitally, circulating documents 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) Paratransit service regulations by providing a combined 52,993 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 nutrition programs to help combat food insecurity among those most in need in the community. The Senior Share Closed Food Pantry program provides a bag of groceries to eligible seniors and is supported by the countywide food pantry, FOOD Share, Inc. The Senior Share program volunteers distributed 5,798 bags of groceries to up to 154 local seniors each week. The Senior Nutrition Program is available to individuals aged 60 and older who dine onsite or receive a meal at home. In FY 2023-24, friendly volunteer drivers delivered 43,217 hot lunches to homebound seniors through the Meals On Wheels (MOW) program. In addition to receiving a nutritious meal, these vulnerable and isolated seniors benefit from human contact, which may be their only source of socialization. Through the congregate meal program, known as the Rendezvous Café, seniors enjoyed 28,607 hot lunches in the Senior Center dining room for a suggested donation of $3.00. Both programs are funded by a $296,994 federal Older Americans Act grant administered by the County of Ventura Area Agency on Aging, of which $239,570 was expended, supplemented by an additional $47,442 from participant donations.
CDBG support to services for low - and moderate-income households has improved neighborhoods and empowered this target population. A variety of affordable services 22 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2023-24
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for youth, seniors, and peo ple with special needs were accessible. These included 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 disabled residents; and counseling, support , and education for seniors and their families.
23 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2023-24
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Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The following actions are the City’s standard practices to identify and reduce potential lead-based paint hazards in the community:
Incorporated lead-based paint hazard information in the City’s Home Rehabilitation Program information flyer.
Provided information (HUD information pamphlet 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 home rehabilitation loan applicants during their initial interview about the potential hazards of lead -based paint and any necessar y abatement measures needed to be taken to eliminate 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 advise d the parents about screening their children for e levated 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 assessment and abatement program when lead- based paint tests indicated a hazardous concentration of lead (equal to or higher than 1 mg/cm2) for homes that are part of the City’s Home Rehabilitation Program.
During the 2023-24 program year, no lead-based paint inspection s 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 community. The City continued to pursue the following programs and activities during FY 20 23-24, 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 residents 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-income 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 homeowners, homeless persons, and persons at risk of homelessness.
Offer new affordable housing opportunities through density bonuses and zoning concessions.
Coordinate Community Resource Coordination meetings provide opportunities to stay informed about new and existing community resources. Meetings have focused on immediate access to assistance and information regarding available financial resources from util ity service provider representatives, as well as rental assistance, mortgage assistance, and financial planning.
Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City continues to explore opportunities that provide economic supp ort to both existing and new businesses as inflation emerged in the post -pandemic economy.
Consumers and businesses continue to deal with tight credit conditions in a higher interest rate environment, increased pricing for energy, and increased costs for housing and food expenses. Though shoppers pulled back on discretionary spending during the fiscal year, City staff continued to meet with various retail, restaurant, and corporate representatives regarding several potential locations in the community. As consumers continued to demonstrate a pent-up demand to eat out, food retailers opened new locations as overall earnings reported strong for the industry sector. IHOP, Tacos 805, Epic Tacos, Slice House Pizza and Mariachi Loco Grill & Cantina opened their doors to the community. A variety of other retailers such as American Mattress, Ace Hardware, Adam’s Forge, CBC Credit Union, Nectar of the Dogs Wine, Simi Bargain Bins, Simi Quick Oil, Sweat Haven, Code Ninjas, Trendy Me Boutique, and 118 CrossFit opened locations during the fiscal year.
While the industrial construction starts for the sector began to slow due to inflation and the flattening of e-commerce nation-wide, the City continued to see robust interest from industrial users and the industrial development experienced st rong activity. With the completion of the 353,000-square-foot, six-building industrial complex (Tapo Commerce Center) at the southeast corner of Tapo Canyon Road and Los Angeles Avenue, New Mark Industries ramped up marketing efforts in the fiscal year to attract new tenants.
Additionally, as the Easy Street Industrial Center, consisting of a six -building industrial complex development of over 500,000 square feet on Easy Street finished construction during the year, two large tenants entered into escrow towards the end of the fiscal year.
The Guardian Ridge complex, consisting of sixteen condominium units ranging from 2,976 to 4,424 square feet, added 49,980 square feet of industrial inventory in the last quarter of the calendar year and offered purchasi ng opportunities to the business community. Collectively, the additional industrial inventory will provide new industrial space in Simi Valley creating thousands of job opportunities at all levels. 25 City of Simi Valley Draft CAPER FY 2023-24
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The City continues to assist the sector of the business community that still struggle from the impacts of the pandemic with the Business Assistance Revolving Loan Program (Loan Program), which the City launched in January 2023. The Loan Program provides low - interest loans in the range of $10,000 to $100,000 w ith 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 capital, and ene rgy and efficiency improvements.
The Loan Program was designed to provide access to capital to businesses that may not have other resources, reduces borrowing costs, and provides opportunities to create job growth for the business community. During the fiscal year, eleven businesses submitted loan applications; however, only one business loan was funded. The EDC -VC, the managing administrator of the City’s Loan Program, identified challenges such as sufficient cash flow with many of the loan applicants. In order to address this issue, applicants will now work with the Small Business Development Center to help create a financial plan to help improve cash flow challenges and forecasting over a 90-day period.
Additionally, the City continues to collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce and co - hosted several job fairs that in effort to unite both job seekers and employers during the fiscal year. Job fairs were held at the Simi Valley Town Center and were well received by the community. A combination of thes e actions help to preserve the ability of Simi Valley businesses to remain competitive, employ as many workers as possible, and increase their revenue base.
The City’s COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant Program was created in November of 2022 in an effort to help the City’s Non-profit organizations, who work tirelessly to address pressing social issues that have been escalated from the impacts of the pandemic and help the various populations that are in need. Since its inception, the City has awarded over $2 million dollars to various Non-profit organizations, including Interface, Free Clinic, the Samaritan Center, SEWA, the Boys & Girls Club, Simi at the Garden, Simi Valley Senior Center, Shepherd of the Valley, Rancho Simi Parks and Recreation District, and the YMCA. Additional grant funds of $200,000 from the Program were also awarded to the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center to help support and build up the arts community, as the industry was slow to recover from the pandemic.
The City continues to work with the ownership of the Simi Valley Town Center regarding revitalization of the shopping center. The City continues to dialogue with the Town Center ownership regarding the new Specific Plan and various redevelopment options, including recruitment of entertainment venues to the Center. Brand name retailers are reluctant to discuss long-term lease options in the post pandemic inflationary environment and are waiting for inflation to cool. As always, the City continues to assist several other shopping center owners to accommodate their redevelopment projects. Construction of the redevelopment of an infill site on Tapo and Alamo Street neared completion during the fiscal 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.
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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 lo w- and moderate -income persons. To improve communications with these and other community stakeholders, 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 assist to the homeless and persons with special needs in ord er to improve the delivery of services to those households. Coordinate Community Resource Coordination meetings provide opportunities to stay informed about new and existing community resources. Meetings have focused on presentations from organizations t hat provide resources, programs, and events for specialized populations. These specialized populations included developmental and intellectual disabilities and single and expectant mothers.
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 poten tial 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:
The city joined other cities in a regional contract with the County of Ventura to retain the fair housing services of The Housing Rights Center-Los Angeles (HRC) to conduct the City’s FY 2023-24 Fair Housing Program.
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 123 Simi Valley residents; 102 inquiries involved general housing questions, while 30 raised questions or allegations of housing discrimination. Of the 30 discrimination inquiries, 26 were counseled, one case was referred and three are pending . Of these, 26 involved physical or mental disabilities, while one dealt with source of income , two dealt with familial status and another one was of a general information. Of the residents contacting HRC, 108 were in-place tenants, 24 were seniors, 26 were disabled and six were female heads of household. Of these same callers, 96 were extremely low-income. As for tenant/landlord housing issu es, the three most common were rent increases, substandard conditions, and eviction notices.
HRC hosted two separate workshops to educate the lan dlord/tenant community and City/County staff on fair housing laws.
HRC advertised their services via Facebook, 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 2023-24
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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 mo nitor program/project progress toward stated goals. Reports included information on program beneficiaries (including race/ethnicity) and identified performance measures in meeting projected goals. Some r eports were accompanied by reimbursement requests with supporting documentation. Identification of the sources and amount of leveraged funds , and their use in the progra m, were also required. This information provided the means for desktop 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 monitoring during this fiscal year . Two public service agencies were selected for review. Both organizations received clearance letters.
City staff continued to work with subrecipients in virtual settings and platforms, by phone and email, providing technical assistance and sharing helpful tools with non -profit agencies so that they could continue to gather and document required information in serving low- and moderate -income 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 comment s regarding proposed funding allocations for the projects and programs identified in th e FY 20 23-24 Action Plan and the accomplishments reported in the CAPER. All comm ents supported the proposed FY 2023-24 Action Plan projects and programs. Comments received during the 20 23-24 CAPER public review period of August 26 through September 9 , 20 24, or at the September 9, 202 4, Simi Valley City Council meeting will be incorporated in the final CAPER document.
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CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c)
Specify the nature of, and reasons for any changes in the jurisdiction’s program objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its experiences.
FY 2023-24 marked the first of a two-year funding application period for Public Service programs. City staff welcomes and encourages opportunities to enhance, improve , and streamline operations, as a way of making the City’s CDBG program more effective and efficient. The program strives to reach and serv e 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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