Item 4: 2010/11 Funding Allocations for Federal CDBG and HOME Programs

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Landbanking for Affordable Housing Development – $151,740 is recommended to support the landbanking for affordable housing program. Through this program, the City provides critical resources for the purchase of land and associated infrastructure costs to be made available for the development of homes and rental units for low-income families. Staff is currently investigating several potential landbank sites and anticipates identification of one or more sites for purchase within the next fiscal year. Timing is ideal for acquisition given declining real estate prices and an increase in the number of sites available for purchase. In addition, it will be necessary to make infrastructure improvements to one parcel already owned by the City. Housing Rehabilitation Fund – No new funds are recommended as the program can sustain itself through prior year allocations and $350,000 in program income. The program offers low-interest loans for improvements to residences occupied by low-income homeowners and tenants. Emergency repair grants and loans of up to $5,000 are provided to very low-income homeowners for minor repairs and accessibility features. Grants of up to $5,000 for accessibility improvements are made to tenants with disabilities. Public Services Operations - $350,000 is recommended to support the operations of nonprofit agencies selected and managed through the intergovernmental Human Services Commission (HSC). Public service funding is capped at 15% of new grant funds and program income from the prior fiscal year. This maintains the current funding level. Programs to be funded include: Catholic Community Services family counseling, FOOD for Lane County dinner program and food box distribution, Relief Nursery therapeutic preschool, St. Vincent DePaul singles and family day access centers, and White Bird medical/dental clinics and intensive case management. Non-profit Capital Facility Projects - The City issued a request for proposals for nonprofit facility improvements and received proposals for funding from six local agencies totaling $591,000. This significant volume is due to the fact that the City did not offer CDBG funding for such projects in the previous fiscal year and does not plan to next year. Funding is recommended for five projects: ? Food for Lane County Dining Room - $33,000 for accessibility improvements to the entrance and two bathrooms. Last year, the Dining Room served over 57,000 meals to low-income persons. ? Head Start Whiteaker School - $41,000 for plumbing improvements so classrooms may have access to hot water and for replacement of flooring. This facility is an early intervention pre- school and serves 177 children. ? Looking Glass New Roads - $248,600 for acquisition and rehabilitation of property located at th 931 West 7 Avenue in order to expand space for services provided at Looking Glass New Roads to homeless youth. New Roads serves over 40 youth each day and received 11,000 youth visits in 2009. ? Pearl Buck Vocational Center - $55,000 for installation of air conditioning at the Vocational Center for persons with developmental disabilities. The facility improvements would improve working conditions for 74 Pearl Buck clients. ? St. Vincent de Paul Lindholm Center - $34,000 for roof replacement of Eugene’s primary day access center for homeless individuals. The facility served 4,627 persons last year. Curb Ramps - $54,000 is recommended to support the installation of curb ramps on existing streets and sidewalks to remove barriers for persons with disabilities. The funds will be used to install curb ramps at city-wide locations. The Public Works Department works in coordination with the Accessibility Committee of the Human Rights Commission to identify and prioritize placement of curb ramps.