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PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN 2020-2024 AND ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN FOR THE FORTY-SIXTH YEAR OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM AND THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 (FYE21) HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM TOTALING $1,323,190 TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
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BACKGROUND: The 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan reflects a comprehensive planning approach to identify and address the needs of low-to-moderate income residents of Norman. Incorporated in the plan are 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 Consolidated Plan was unanimously recommended for approval (via email) by the Community Development Policy Committee on March 24, 2020.
The one-year Action Plan for the Forty-Sixth Year Community Development Block Grant Program ($910,621) and the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 (FYE21) HOME Program ($412,569) includes the proposed use of funds with references to the Five-Year Consolidated Plan Objectives and expected performance outcomes, and totals $1,323,190.
DISCUSSION: The Action Plan for 2020 (FYE21) 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 multiple interactions with interested parties and also opportunities for citizen participation from the general public. This included neighborhood meetings for the five target neighborhoods where specific neighborhood needs were discussed as well as overall community development activities; multiple individual and focus group meetings where specific information regarding public services, public facilities, housing, homelessness, and economic development/anti-poverty were discussed; in September the annual Community Dialogue on housing and community development needs was held where issues that affect low and moderate income citizens were discussed in addition to the election of Policy Committee Representatives. The CDBG Policy Committee meetings included an extensive review of the previous Consolidated Plan’s Goals and Objectives and discussed information that was assembled from the Community Dialogue, neighborhood meetings and focus groups. Utilizing the information that was compiled from this extensive citizen participation process the CDBG Policy Committee unanimously supported the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and First Year Action Plan.
The CDBG and HOME projects for 2020 include housing rehabilitation and related housing projects at $663,190 and funding of public services at $129,000. The housing-related projects include assistance for Community Housing Development Organization activities to develop affordable housing and to provide tenant-based rental assistance in conjunction with the “Built for Zero” Program. Public Service activities include the Homeless Programs Coordinator position ($70,000); Intern ($14,000); Housing Start-up kits ($5,000); and Rent/Utility Assistance funds ($40,000). Community Development Activities include partial rehabilitation for the existing production kitchen facility located in the Senior Citizen Facility ($110,000); Acquisition of Property for Affordable Housing ($100,000); Acquisition of Property or Rehabilitation of facility for Non-Profit use ($75,000); Tree Planting project for CDBG Target Area ($50,000). All projects are listed in the attached 2020 Action Plan.
To assist in addressing the current financial impact associated with the COVID-19 crisis to households in Norman, the CARES Act legislation passed included the reduction of the usual 30-day Public Comment Period to 5-days. The amendment to the Citizen Participation Plan is also attached.
A five-day comment period on the proposed Action Plan ends on May 13th. Upon approval, the Five Year Consolidated Plan 2020-2024 and the 2020-2021 Action Plan will be forwarded to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for review. Funds will be available July 1, 2020.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the Five Year Consolidated Plan 2020-2024 and the Forty-Sixth Year Community Development Block Grant Program and the 2020 (FYE21) HOME Program are recommended as proposed.