|
Item 2.
|
| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 09/22/2025 |
| Title: | Public Hearing for the FY2024-2025 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 September 6 through September 22, 2025. 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 2025. The Community Development Board may alter the application timeline due to the Consolidated Planning processes beginning later this calendar year.
Board Annual Report
The Community Development Board's Annual Report to the City Council is also attached to this memo. The Board uses the opportunity of the CAPER hearing annually to share its activities and issues by providing the report to the Council at this time.Board members and/or CD staff will be available for questions on the report at the meeting.
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 6 through September 22, 2025. 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 2025. The Community Development Board may alter the application timeline due to the Consolidated Planning processes beginning later this calendar year.
Board Annual Report
The Community Development Board's Annual Report to the City Council is also attached to this memo. The Board uses the opportunity of the CAPER hearing annually to share its activities and issues by providing the report to the Council at this time.Board members and/or CD staff will be available for questions on the report at the meeting.
STAKEHOLDERS
Stakeholders include all of the following: 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 (just approved this year for the next 5 year cycle) and Annual Action Plan for FY2024-2025. The City received $651,536 in new federal CDBG funding and $343,869.46 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
- Draft FY24-FY25 CAPER
- B. CDBG, HOME, Special Allocations Funding History
- C. CD Memo - Consolidated Planning Processes
- D. CD Board Annual Report 2025