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PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSED 40TH YEAR NORMAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) APPLICATION AND THE 2014 HOME PROGRAM TOTALING $1,040,054 TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
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BACKGROUND: The 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan approved 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 was 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.
The 2014 Action Plan for the Fortieth Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the 2014 HOME Partnership Program (City of Norman FY 2014-2015) includes the proposed use of funds with references to the Five-Year Consolidated Plan Objectives and expected performance outcomes, and totals $1,040,054.
DISCUSSION: The Action Plan for 2014 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 two Policy Committee meetings. The Policy Committee unanimously recommended approval of the 2014 Action Plan and budget that has been submitted.
Projects for 2014 include housing rehabilitation and related housing and property improvement projects at $788,856 (including $502,595 from the CDBG Program and $286,261 from the HOME Program); acquisition of property at $50,000; and funding of public services for CART at $25,000. The housing related projects include Community Housing Development Organization activities, housing rehabilitation, tenant-based rental assistance for chronic homeless, property improvement projects, and development of affordable housing. HUD allows up to 15% of a CDBG proposal for public services, and this grant proposal designated 3.4% for public services (mass transportation). All projects are listed in the attached 2014 Action Plan.
Included in the Plan is a change in the Citizen Participation Process, unanimously recommended for approval by the CDBG Policy Committee. Because of the changes in the programs and funding levels over the last few years, the committee has transitioned from a working committee which met regularly to plan and discuss issues to an oversight committee, simply relying on staff to dig into the details and present viable options. The proposal recommended was to reduce the size of the committee to fifteen participants. The composition of the committee will include one representative from each CDBG neighborhood to represent low/mod population; five representatives from human resource or business community; and five at-large representatives.
A thirty-day comment period on the proposed Action Plan ends on May 12th. Upon approval, the 2014 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 Fortieth Year Community Development Block Grant Program and the 2014 HOME Partnership Program are recommended as proposed.