Item 5: 2012/13 Funding Allocations for CDBG and HOME

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Land Acquisition for Low-Income Housing Development – 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 households. Staff is currently investigating several potential 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. No funding is requested for land acquisition for FY 2012/13. Housing Rehabilitation Fund – No new funds are recommended and as the program can sustain itself through prior year allocations and $400,000 in program income. The Housing Rehabilitation Fund is a revolving loan fund that offers low-interest loans for improvements to residences occupied by low- income homeowners and renters. In addition, emergency repair grants and loans of up to $5,000 are available to very low-income homeowners for urgent repairs and accessibility features. Grants of up to $5,000 for accessibility improvements are available for renters 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). This recommendation 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 de Paul singles and family day access centers, and White Bird medical/dental clinics. Non-profit Capital Facility Projects – Staff released a Request for Proposals (RFP) related to nonprofit capital improvements resulting in an increase in existing services or addition of new services. The CDBG Advisory Committee received two proposals, both of which were recommended for funding, though at levels less than the requested amount.  $190,000 is recommended for St. Vincent de Paul’s expansion of the Lindholm Service Station, which provides day services to homeless adults. The expansion includes quadrupling the center’s seating area to create room for 80 people, increasing the number of storage units to 125 and installing a commercial kitchen  $190,000 is recommended for White Bird for the renovation of a newly acquired building that will serve as the new Chrysallis Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment program. Renovations include conversion of the interior to counseling offices, electrical and plumbing improvements and ADA improvements. Improvements to Low-Income Neighborhoods – The CDBG Advisory Committee received one proposal for improvements to low-income neighborhoods. The proposal was to coordinate streetscape and accessibility improvements along Blair Boulevard in conjunction with the pavement reconstruction project scheduled for 2013 on Blair Boulevard and Van Buren Street. The CDBG Advisory Committee prioritized this project below the nonprofit capital improvement projects and due to a lack of funding for all requests, chose to not recommend this program for funding. Curb Ramps – No new funds are recommended to support the installation of curb ramps on existing streets and sidewalks to remove barriers for persons with disabilities. Some funds previously allocated for curb ramps are available for use in FY2012/13. The Public Works Department works in S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M120423\S1204235.doc