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PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSED THIRTY-NINTH YEAR NORMAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) APPLICATION AND THE 2013 HOME PROGRAM TOTALING $1,118,438 TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
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BACKGROUND: The 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan approved by the City Council in 2010 is a comprehensive planning approach to identify and address the needs of low-to-moderate income residents of Norman. Incorporated in the plan were a community profile of needs, goals and objectives related to housing, homeless persons, community development (including facilities, infrastructure, public services, and economic development), public and assisted housing needs, and other issues including fair housing and lead-based paint; and a strategic plan to address those needs. In each of the five years of the plan, an Action Plan for that year is developed and submitted to the City Council for review and approval.
The 2013 Action Plan is the fourth Action Plan under the approved Consolidated Plan and is for the Thirty-Ninth Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the 2013 HOME Investment Partnership Program (City of Norman FY 2013-2014). It includes the proposed use of funds with references to the Five-Year Consolidated Plan Objectives and expected performance outcomes, and totals $1,118,438. Also included is a reallocation of 2012 HOME Downpayment Assistance to development of permanent housing totaling $25,000.
DISCUSSION: The Action Plan for 2013 is based upon research which utilized existing documents, and the recommendations of the Community Development Policy Committee as a result of the formal citizen participation process. The process included one set of neighborhood meetings for five target neighborhoods; ad-hoc and/or sub-committee meetings on public services, housing, homelessness, economic development/anti-poverty, and citizen participation; a Community Dialogue on housing and community development needs; and five Policy Committee meetings. The Policy Committee unanimously recommended approval of the 2013 Action Plan and budget that has been submitted.
Projects for 2013 include housing rehabilitation and related housing projects at $798,335 (including $483,335 from the CDBG Program and $315,000 from the HOME Program); non-residential rehabilitation at $56,416; and funding of public services including CART at $75,000. The housing related projects include Community Housing Development Organization activities and development of affordable housing. The two non-residential rehabilitation projects include assistance to the Community Services Building for mechanical system replacement and mechanical system replacement for Health for Friends. HUD allows up to 15% of a CDBG proposal for public services, and this grant proposal designated 9.76% for public services (including mass transportation). All projects are listed in the attached 2013 Action Plan.
A thirty-day comment period on the proposed Action Plan ends on May 6th. Upon approval, the 2013 Annual Action Plan and the information showing its consistency with the Five Year Consolidated Plan 2010-2014 will be forwarded to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for review. Funds will be available upon receipt of contracts from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the Thirty-ninth Year Community Development Block Grant Program and the 2013 HOME Investment Partnership Program are recommended as proposed.