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Item 4.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 09/23/2024 |
| Title: | Public Hearing for the FY2023-2024 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 the City of Billings to submit a performance report within 90 days following June 30, the end of the federal fiscal 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 September 7 through September 27, 2024. 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 typically beginning in December 2024. The Community Development Board may alter the application timeline due to the new 5-year Consolidated Planning processes beginning later this calendar 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 September 7 through September 27, 2024. 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 typically beginning in December 2024. The Community Development Board may alter the application timeline due to the new 5-year Consolidated Planning processes beginning later this calendar year.
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.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council's only option is to hold the public hearing in order to continue receiving CDBG and HOME funds and to comply with Federal law. No other action is required.
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 FY2023-2024 (Some of the activities in process and completed in 2023-2024 are provided in the attached Annual Report from the Community Development Board). The City received $623,918 in new federal CDBG funding and $378,085 in new HOME funding to carry out housing and poverty-impact initiatives for the new fiscal year.
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.
Attachments
- A - Drafted FY2023-2024 CAPER
- B - CDBG, HOME, Special Funding Allocation History
- C - CD Memo - Consolidated Planning PRocesses
- D - CD Board Annual Report