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Item 3.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 09/12/2022 |
| Title: | Public Hearing for the FY2021-2022 Draft Comprehensive Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) and Community Needs |
| Presented by: | Brenda Beckett |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
| Legal Review | No |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council hold a public hearing to receive input on the City’s draft 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. This report is called the Comprehensive Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) (See attached process description for the Consolidated Planning Process).
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 12, 2022. 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.
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 12, 2022. 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.
STAKEHOLDERS
There are many potential stakeholders for the CDBG and HOME programs funded by HUD and administered by the Community Development Division for the City of Billings. Stakeholder organizations and individuals include 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 at this stage of the process is to hold the required public hearing in order 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 FY2021-2022. The City received $654,649 in new federal CDBG funding and $334,548 in new HOME funding to carry out housing, pandemic, and poverty-impact initiatives for the new fiscal year. Last fiscal year, the City received $657,820 in CDBG and $349,144 in HOME, so the allocations have held relatively steady these two most recent fiscal years (See attached program funding history chart).
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. A total of $235,028 was expended during the program year and more will be expended in the new program year. At least 80 percent of this funding needs to be expended by 2024.
The Community Development Board has 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 2022. The City Council will have the opportunity to review funding recommendations in April 2023.
The City also received a HUD HOME-ARP allocation of $1,211,321 to meet the needs of those at-risk of homelessness and those experiencing homelessness. Twenty percent of this funding will be allocated to administrative and capacity-building costs (personnel, communications, office supplies, equipment, etc.) for the life of the grant; up to 23 years (See attached description of administrative cost tracking process). Remaining funding ($969,057) will be available to allocate in 2023 following the development and completion of a needs assessment, priorities, procedures, and an application process that meets HUD guidance and requirements. 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. A total of $235,028 was expended during the program year and more will be expended in the new program year. At least 80 percent of this funding needs to be expended by 2024.
The Community Development Board has 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 2022. The City Council will have the opportunity to review funding recommendations in April 2023.
The City also received a HUD HOME-ARP allocation of $1,211,321 to meet the needs of those at-risk of homelessness and those experiencing homelessness. Twenty percent of this funding will be allocated to administrative and capacity-building costs (personnel, communications, office supplies, equipment, etc.) for the life of the grant; up to 23 years (See attached description of administrative cost tracking process). Remaining funding ($969,057) will be available to allocate in 2023 following the development and completion of a needs assessment, priorities, procedures, and an application process that meets HUD guidance and requirements. 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.
Attachments
- Draft CAPER FY2021-2022
- CDBG, HOME, and Special Allocation Funding History
- Memo - Consolidated Planning Processes
- Community Development Time Tracking & Draw Procedures