City Commissioners Approve Urban Development Plan Strategic Goals

At their meeting on Nov. 10, the City Commissioners voted to approve the strategic goals of the FY21-25 Housing and Urban Development Consolidated Plan. The plan will make the City eligible for an estimated $5,092,322 in federal entitlement grant funding in the next fiscal year.

To be eligible to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City is required to develop a five-year Consolidated Plan for the use of the entitlement funds and include strategies for achieving major goals. An Annual Action Plan covering the use of the funding for the program year from Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021 must also be submitted.

“The major goals of the HUD funding are to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, improve quality of life and expand economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons,” staff reports.

According to the meeting agenda, the City’s FY21-25 entitlement funds include the HOME Investments Partnership Program (HOME), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and state funding from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds.

The anticipated entitlement allocation for the Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021 program year is:

• CDBG funds of $2,776,135
• HOME funds of $1,822,050
• ESG funds of $162,749
• SHIP funds of $331,388

The Consolidated Plan also considers additional local and state funding due to the impact of COVID-19, including funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the General Fund and Change for Change donations.

The City Commissioners voted to approve the following strategies to implement over the next five years to achieve the goals of the Consolidated Plan:

• Develop affordable housing and increase homeownership rates for low- and moderate-income households;
• Preserve the local affordable housing stock through repair and rehabilitation;
• Achieve a functional zero in the City’s homeless population through rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing;
• Support implementation of Neighborhood First Plans with initiatives that align with community resilience outcomes
• Increasing resiliency across neighborhoods through resilience hubs and human service programs; and,
• Support the development and capacity of viable community development partners.

The plan also specifies the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA), which aligns with the Greater Frenchtown/Southside district, as a targeted assistance area. Staff reports that the plan includes flexibility to assist additional areas if needed.

A public hearing will be scheduled for Dec. 9, 2020.