|
Item 2.
|
| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 09/11/2023 |
| Title: | Public Hearing for the FY2022-2023 Draft Comprehensive Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) and Community Needs |
| Presented by: | Brenda Beckett |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
| Legal Review: | Not Applicable |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council hold a public hearing to receive input on the City’s Comprehensive Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) and to obtain public comment on community needs, including those of low-income households and those experiencing homelessness. The hearing will assist the Community Development Board in designing the application process for the upcoming program year. No further action is required at this time.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
As a recipient of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships program (HOME) funding, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires City staff to submit a performance report within 90 days following June 30, the end of the program year.
As part of the community review process, City staff must make the report available for public comment for a minimum 15-day period, scheduled from August 26 through September 11, 2023. A notice of the availability of the draft report has been published online and provided to community partners and stakeholders. The drafted CAPER has been provided as an attachment to this report. An updated version of the CAPER can be viewed online at www.BillingsMT.gov/caper.
The Community Development Board has also made a request to obtain input on community needs, for low-income individuals and those experiencing homelessness, prior to developing application processes for next year's federal funding allocations. Routine resources for next fiscal year include entitlement funds like CDBG and HOME with application processes beginning in December 2023. The City Council will have the opportunity to review funding recommendations in April 2024.
As part of the community review process, City staff must make the report available for public comment for a minimum 15-day period, scheduled from August 26 through September 11, 2023. A notice of the availability of the draft report has been published online and provided to community partners and stakeholders. The drafted CAPER has been provided as an attachment to this report. An updated version of the CAPER can be viewed online at www.BillingsMT.gov/caper.
The Community Development Board has also made a request to obtain input on community needs, for low-income individuals and those experiencing homelessness, prior to developing application processes for next year's federal funding allocations. Routine resources for next fiscal year include entitlement funds like CDBG and HOME with application processes beginning in December 2023. The City Council will have the opportunity to review funding recommendations in April 2024.
STAKEHOLDERS
Public and private agencies that provide: assisted housing; health, social, and fair housing services; low-income families and individuals; persons with disabilities; elderly persons; children; persons with HIV/AIDS and their families; those experiencing homelessness; and racial and ethnic minorities are all stakeholders in the ongoing CDBG and HOME programs.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council's only option is to hold the public hearing at this point in the process in order to continue receiving CDBG and HOME funds and to comply with Federal law.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The annual performance report summarizes the City's progress in achieving the goals of its five-year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan for FY2022-2023. The City received $648,400 in new federal CDBG funding and $372,752 in new HOME funding for FY23-FY24 to carry out housing, pandemic, and poverty-impact initiatives for the new fiscal year.
A CDBG-CV allocation of $909,126 was allocated to the City for coronavirus preparation, prevention, and response activities. All of this funding has been awarded for parks improvements and nonprofit organizations for public (social) services and public facilities.
HUD approved the City’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan to distribute $969,057 for social services to meet the needs of qualifying populations including those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Staff is currently developing procedures and an application process. Once applications have been received, the Community Development Board will make recommendations for funding and the City Council will make final decisions relative to funding awards. Funding needs to be expended by 2030.
A CDBG-CV allocation of $909,126 was allocated to the City for coronavirus preparation, prevention, and response activities. All of this funding has been awarded for parks improvements and nonprofit organizations for public (social) services and public facilities.
HUD approved the City’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan to distribute $969,057 for social services to meet the needs of qualifying populations including those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Staff is currently developing procedures and an application process. Once applications have been received, the Community Development Board will make recommendations for funding and the City Council will make final decisions relative to funding awards. Funding needs to be expended by 2030.
SUMMARY
Staff recommends Council hold a public hearing to receive input on the City’s Draft CAPER and current community needs per the requirements of HUD for Billings to continue to receive federal funding for its programs, including special funding allocations like CDBG-CV and HOME-ARP. No other action beyond the public hearing is required at this time.
Attachments
- Draft CAPER FY2022-2023
- CDBG, HOME, Special Allocations Funding History
- Consolidated Planning Processes
- ComDev Time Tracking & Draw Procedures