Title
CITY OF LONGVIEW HOME AND CDBG GRANT PROGRAMS- COMPLETION OF THE 2014-2018 CONSOLIDATED HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
COUNCIL INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Strengthen economic conditions & create new opportunities
Address quality of place issues
Improve streets and roads
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW:N/A
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The City of Longview CDBG program and the Longview-Kelso HOME Consortium grant program provide nearly $500,000 annually for projects meeting the funding requirements of the federal government under HUD. These projects must primarily benefit low and moderate income residents and may involve economic development or infrastructure and can include creation of affordable housing, rehabilitation of housing for low-income residents, infrastructure and elimination of slums or blight.
The CDBG program works to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities, and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses. CDBG is an important tool for helping local governments tackle serious challenges facing their communities. The CDBG program has made a difference in the lives of millions of people and their communities across the Nation.
• Over a 1, 2, or 3-year period, not less than 70 percent of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. In addition, each activity must meet one of the following national objectives for the program: benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or address community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community for which other funding is not available.
The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides formula grants to states and localities that communities use - often in partnership with local nonprofit groups - to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people.
• Participating jurisdictions may choose among a broad range of eligible activities, using HOME funds to provide home purchase or rehabilitation financing assistance to eligible homeowners and new homebuyers; build or rehabilitate housing for rent or ownership; or for "other reasonable and necessary expenses related to the development of non-luxury housing," including site acquisition or improvement, demolition of dilapidated housing to make way for HOME-assisted development, and payment of relocation expenses
This year marks the end of the Longview-Kelso Consortium 2014-2018 Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan. HUD requires all communities to prepare and follow a plan to address the needs of low and moderate income residents with HOME and CDBG funds. The Consolidated Plan contains a strategic plan identifying specific goals to be met with funding during the consolidated plan period. Progress in meeting these goals is reported to HUD annually. At the workshop staff will discuss the progress made so far in meeting the goals of the strategic plan. This year’s HOME and CDBG grant allocations will represent the last opportunity to address the strategic plan goals of the current consolidated plan. Staff will request funding to support the creation of a new consolidated plan for the 2019-2023 period.
The workshop will also provide a review of the CDBG, HOME and Document Recording fee grant programs.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
The City has received approximately $500,000 in combined funding for HOME and CDBG, a portion of which is provided for the City of Kelso to allocate. Funding to administer the grants is also provided but has not completely covered the cost in staff time.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Motion directing staff to prepare a 2018 request for proposals to complete the goals identified in the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan strategic plan.
STAFF CONTACT:
Adam Trimble, Planner/Grant Coordinator
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