2017 Action Plan 3rd Year
Table of Content AP-05 Executive Summary. 2 AP-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies. 4 PR-10 Consultation...... 5 AP-12 Participation...... 7 AP-15 Expected Resources.. 8 AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives.. 9 AP-35 Projects.. 11 AP-50 Geographic Distribution. 14 AP-55 Affordable Housing... 16 AP-60 Public Housing... 17 AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities. 18 AP-70 HOPWA Goals 19 AP-75 Barriers to Affordable Housing.. 19 AP-85 Other Actions. 20 AP-90 Program Specific Requirements 22 Exhibits Exhibit A - Citizen Participation Comments Exhibit B - SF-424's and Certifications 1
AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b) Introduction The s Department of Housing and Community Development s mission is to assure quality of life for its residents through the development of housing, social, and economic opportunities. The Department is committed to high standards of customer service in the administration and delivery of programs that are collaborative, innovative, and sustainable. Creating opportunities that will support and empower low-income household and neighborhoods requires a multifaceted and comprehensive approach. The has determined that in order to maximize the production of affordable housing, economic development, and the provision of services to its residents, it must commit to a variety of public/private initiatives and work towards integrative goals that focus on leveraging strategies both internally and across multiple City departments. As an entitlement community receiving U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formula program funds, the is required to submit a Five-Year Consolidated Plan that plan serves as the planning tool outlining the jurisdiction s housing and community development needs. The Consolidated Plan is carried out through Action Plans which provide a concise summary of the actions activities, and specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used each year to develop strong, sustainable, and inclusive communities. The participation of City residents, community stakeholders, and guidance of public employees enriched the planning process for this Action Plan and allowed the City to achieve a common vision and strategy for investments of annual allocations of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program funds in addition to State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)Program and local funding resources. The Annual Action Plan is the application for receipt of federal funds and identifies project and activities to be undertaken during the program year, October 1, 2017 September 30, 2018. These project and activities are established based on the priorities identified in the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan. Public Contact Information Armando Fana, Director Housing and Community Development 401 Clematis Street, Second Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 822-1250 / Afana@wpb.org Jennifer Ferriol, Housing and Community Development Program Manager Housing and Community Development 401 Clematis Street, Second Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 822-1250 / JFerriol@wpb.org 2
Summary of the objectives and outcomes identified in the Plan Need The Plan objectives and outcomes based on the needs assessment support HUD s primary objectives under the formula programs, which include providing decent affordable housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities for low to moderate income families and individuals. The goals will be achieved through the performance framework of (1) availability/accessibility, (2) affordability, and (3) sustainability. In FY 2017/18, based on the needs assessment, the City will focus on the following activities: Provide funding for public facilities and improvements; Preserve existing affordable housing stock; Increase supply of affordable rental housing; and Provide housing and services to special needs populations. Evaluation of past performance The City s Annual Action Plans and CAPERs (Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report) details the City s accomplishments in meeting the goals and priorities established in the Consolidated Plan. The City s CAPERs may be viewed at: wpb.org/housing. Summary of citizen participation process and consultation process The s Citizen Participation Plan is designed to ensure compliance with the HUD requirements for citizen participation in all appropriate HUD grant programs. The City s citizen participation process and consultation services included the following: One (1) Public Needs Assessment meeting was held; meeting was advertised in a newspaper of major circulation, published on the City s website, and announced and public meetings and forums. Invitations to participate in the Action Plan planning process were sent to City Commissioners and City Departments to maximize distribution. Mayor/ Commission work session was conducted to obtain feedback and participation from elected officials. Staff met with local businesses and stakeholders, and attended local meetings and forums to educate residents on the consolidated planning process and encourage participation and input. The draft 2017-2018 Action Plan was made available to the public for review and comment between Saturday, July 15th, 2017 and ends Monday, July 31st 2017. The City published a notice in the Palm Beach Post on Saturday, July 15 th, 2017 informing the public of the availability of the document for review and comment. The document was also posted on the City s website. (The Rest of This Page is Intentionally Left Blank) 3
Summary of public comments Please reference the attached document from the Citizen Participation section. Summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons for not accepting them All public comments received were accepted. Summary The understands the importance of citizen participation on the Annual Action Plan process. Citizen participation and stakeholder consultation are key components of the Plan. A welldesigned citizen participation and consultation strategy was used to: Gather input on priority needs and target areas Increase coordination among consultation partners Leverage Consolidated Plan activities with other public and private funding sources and programs Expand upon the outreach efforts of existing planning processes Increase citizen feedback, buy-in, and support of Action Plan activities The citizen participation plan process provided important feedback from stakeholders and citizens and helped to shape the goals and objectives outlined in this Annual Action Plan. PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies 24 CFR 91.200(b) Describe agency/entity responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant program and funding source. The following are the agencies/entities responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant program and funding source. Agency Role Name Department/ Agency Lead Agency Department of Housing & Community Development CDBG Administrator Armando Fana, Director HOPWA Administrator Armando Fana, Director HOME Administrator Armando Fana, Director Table 1 Responsible Agencies Narrative The s Department of Housing and Community Development s mission is to assure quality of life for its residents through the development of housing, social, and economic 4
opportunities. The Department is committed to high standards of customer service in the administration and delivery of programs that are collaborative, innovative, and sustainable. The Department of Housing and Community Development is the lead agency responsible for the oversight and administration of the HOME program, the CDBG program and the HOPWA program. The City works with non-profit organizations either as subrecipients, developers or CHDOs for service delivery or housing development under each program. The executes a written agreement with each agency that receives funding, and the City is responsible for monitoring all organizations that receive funding in accordance with the executed written agreement and the regulations that apply to the formula program. AP-10 Consultation - 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l) Introduction As part of the Action Plan development process, federal regulations (24 CFR 91.200(b), 91.215(i)) include the requirement that a jurisdiction consult extensively with community service providers, other jurisdictions, and other entities with a potential interest in or knowledge of that jurisdiction s housing and non-housing community development issues. For FY 2017-2018, the City continued to provide a forum for open communication with key stakeholders regarding its HUD funded programs. Provide a concise summary of the jurisdiction s activities to enhance coordination between public and assisted housing providers and private and governmental health, mental health and service agencies (91.215(I)). The has reached out and consulted with both public and private agencies in the development of this Plan. The City staff serves on the board of several committees organized by stakeholders and vice versa and participates in regularly scheduled neighborhood outreach meetings. This provides open lines of communication for both the City and stakeholders to keep abreast of existing or proposed activities and programs that serve the community, allows the City and stakeholders to provide support and input of proposed activities, and helps to reduce duplication of efforts. This also helps to identify unmet needs in the community. Also, by serving on these boards and encouraging participation of stakeholders in City committees, boards and meetings, the City continues to maintain a working relationship with these organizations. The open communication with these groups helps to develop and encourage partnerships that may leverage funds for planned and future programs, projects or developments. Describe coordination with the Continuum of Care and efforts to address the needs of homeless persons (particularly chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans, and unaccompanied youth) and persons at risk of homelessness, children, veterans, and unaccompanied youth) and persons at risk of homelessness The works closely with the Homeless and Housing Alliance (HHA) of Palm Beach County (the Continuum of Care lead agency) whose main function is to deliver a comprehensive and coordinated continuum of services for homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and unaccompanied youth. This system s fundamental components include homeless prevention, outreach and assessment, emergency shelter, transitional housing, supportive services, permanent housing, and permanent supportive housing. The HHA includes community-based membership with 5
representatives from government, business, formerly homeless individuals, law enforcement, banking, housing service providers, faith groups, education, veterans, health care, and concerned individuals. Palm Beach County Division of Human Services (the Division) continues its role as the lead entity for the HHA which began in January 2006. The, through the Vickers House, which is part of the Department of Housing and Community Development, provides a front line of contact for many people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, referring them to the Senator Philip D. Lewis Homeless Resource Center and/or mainstream support services as appropriate. The City also supports the efforts of the HHA through direct delivery of programs for the homeless including providing permanent housing, the Homeward Bound Program to assist with relocation, referrals to support service providers. Through its Housing Stabilization Program, the City also provides one-time funding of up to $3,000 for eligible applicants facing evictions or experiencing homelessness to obtain safe, decent and affordable rental housing. In 2016 the City partnered with the Homeless Coalition on the Real Change Movement, which incorporates repositioned parking meters and an outreach campaign in an effort to redirect funding from panhandling towards permanent housing solutions. In addition the City partnered with the Lords Place on providing a Peer Outreach program that allows for direct outreach to the homeless. The Peer Outreach program is funded through the Community Development Block Grant public services set aside. Describe consultation with the Continuum(s) of Care that serves the jurisdiction's area in determining how to allocate ESG funds, develop performance standards and evaluate outcomes, and develop funding, policies and procedures for the administration of HMIS Although the City does not administer ESG funding, it supports efforts to house and provide support services to the homeless. Through participation in the Continuum of Care administered by the Palm Beach County Human Services Homeless and Housing Alliance, the City is able to participate in and stay informed of the Countywide efforts to end homelessness. This organization has developed performance standards for coordinated intake and assessment, adopting housing first core concepts, implementing housing first standards, and establishing core components for rapid rehousing and procedures for HMIS administration. By attending board meetings and events, receiving updates provided on the website, and maintaining open channels of communication, the can better plan and work with the Continuum of Care in the goal of preventing and ending homelessness for vulnerable residents. Some recent efforts have included providing City owned properties for supportive housing, providing funding preferences for supportive housing projects and programs that serve the homeless and assisting with coordinated intake and assessment of homeless individuals through the Vickers House locations. Describe Agencies, groups, organizations and others who participated in the process and describe the jurisdictions consultations with housing, social service agencies and other entities By holding a Public Needs Assessment Meeting, the was able to obtain input from service providers, housing agencies, and social services agencies who currently provide services or who want to provide services to the residents of the. The City also is a member of and regular participant in committees and forums that are related to housing and social services including the HIV/AIDS Care Council, Homeless and Housing Alliance and Community Action Agency. 6
Identify any Agency Types not consulted and provide rationale for not consulting There were no agency types that were not consulted. Through the use of outreach, all agencies and agency types were given an opportunity to comment and provide input. Table 2 Other local / regional / federal planning efforts Describe cooperation and coordination with other public entities, including the State and any adjacent units of general local government, in the implementation of the Consolidated Plan (91.215(l)) The maintains open and consistent communication and coordination with Palm Beach County in the implementation of its programs. The County, through its Department of Housing and Economic Sustainability and Department of Human Services, has an array of housing, community development and public service programs that help to enhance the current services and programs available through the City. The City is kept up to date by participating and attending meetings and forums, meeting with County leadership, development of joint projects and by regularly reviewing the availability of information published on the county s website. The State of Florida provides a number of programs and services that help to enhance those provided by the City that are made available to assist residents. Through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the Florida Housing Coalition, and the Department of Economic Opportunity, residents and non-profit organizations can receive training and technical assistance and learn about programs and services available to residents. The City also receives funding for affordable housing activities from the State that combined with the technical assistance resources is used to leverage funding for programs, increase participation, and learn about services available to local organizations, service providers and residents. One of the priorities of the is to ensure that we are working with all stakeholders in carrying out the strategic plan and the action plan under this five year consolidated plan. The City will continue to maintain the lines of communication open between non-profit and forprofit organizations, the local government, county government, state and federal agencies. The needs that exist within the City cannot be addressed with the limited funding available. By working in partnership with other organizations who have a vested interest in serving very low and low income residents, we can provide a comprehensive approach to an array of services to better meet the needs of individuals and families. AP-12 Participation - 91.105, 91.200(c) Summary of citizen participation process/efforts made to broaden citizen participation Summarize citizen participation process and how it impacted goal-setting The is engaged in ongoing activities to involve citizens and stakeholders in the development of this Action Plan. The s Citizen Participation Plan is designed to ensure compliance with the HUD requirements for citizen participation in all appropriate HUD grant programs. The City s citizen participation process and consultation services included the following: 7
Sort Order Mode of Outreach Target Outreach Summary of response/atten dance Summary of comments received Summary of c omments not accepted and reasons URL (If applicable) 1 Public Needs assessme nt meeting (July 12, 2017) Residents, Non-profit organizations, community stakeholders, private sector entities, public employees See attached See attached All public comments were accepted N/A The draft 2017-2018 Action Plan was made available to the public for review and comment between Saturday, July 15th, 2017 and Monday, July 31st 2017. The City published a notice in the Palm Beach Post on Saturday, July 15th, 2017 informing the public of the availability of the document for review and comment. The document was also posted on the City s website. The City also scheduled an Action Plan workshop on July 12, 2017 to provide information on the proposed projects and to receive feedback. AP-15 Expected Resources 91.220(c)(1,2) Introduction The realizes that Federal HUD funds are by themselves insufficient resources to be able to fulfill the demands of creating affordable housing and community development assets. The City will be leveraging its HUD funding to the maximum extent possible using a combination of State, local, and private sector resources. The City already provides general revenue for the operations of the Department of Housing and Community Development and has established a Housing Trust Fund that will provide a much needed source of funding that can be utilized for the purposes of developing affordable and workforce housing. Anticipated HUD Resources Program Source of Funds Uses of Funds Expected Amount Available Year 2 Annual Allocation: $ CDBG Public- Federal Public Facilities and Improvements Public Services Historic Preservation Clearance Planning/ Administration $816,429 8
HOME Public - federal Rental Housing Community Housing Development Organizations Planning/ Administration $324,635 HOPWA public - federal TBRA Short term or transitional housing facilities Supportive services Planning/ Administration Table 3 - Expected Resources Priority Table $3,225,299 Explain how federal funds will leverage those additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements will be satisfied In addition to the CDBG, HOME, and HOPWA funding the also receives SHIP funds from the State of Florida. For the year starting July 2017 the is scheduled to receive $464,696 in SHIP funding, which will be used to leverage both HOME and CDBG housing projects and programs. The City also has established a Housing Trust Fund that will be used to leverage federal funds. The fund will be replenished through the sale of City owned lots and interest generated from affordable housing development loans. It is anticipated that approximately $600,000 in Housing Trust Fund dollars will be leveraged during the fiscal year. Some City owned properties have been deemed for the purposes of affordable housing and for public facilities as additional leveraged resources. Finally, the City leverages its CDBG public assistance set aside through programs run from Vickers House, which provides community services to youth and families. Funds provided for public facilities or for economic development activities to private entities will require matching funds as well from the recipients. If appropriate, describe publically owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that may be used to address the needs identified in the plan As required by Florida Statute 166.0451, the City maintains a listing of City owned properties that are appropriate for use as affordable housing. In July 2017, the City Commission authorized the Department of Housing and Community Development to dispose of a second set of properties for affordable housing purposes. (The Rest of This Page is Intentionally Left Blank) 9
Annual Goals and Objectives AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives Goals Summary Information Sort Order Goal Name Category Needs Addressed Funding 1 Rental Housing Affordable Housing Provide Incentives for Affordable Housing Development HOME 2 Homeless / Rental Assistance Affordable Housing Homeless Provide housing support to individuals HOPWA 3 Public Facilities Improvement/ Historic Preservation Non-Housing Community Development Public Facilities Improvement CDBG 4 Home Purchase Assistance Affordable Housing Promote and Increase Homeownership HOME 5 Public/Community Services Non-Housing Community Development Provide essential public services CDBG 6 Spot Demolition and Clearance Slum/Blight Removal Blighted Neighborhoods CDBG Table 4 Goals Summary Goal Descriptions Goal Name Rental Housing Goal 1 Goal Description Goal Name Provide incentives through loans, loan guarantees and grants for the development of affordable housing units in high cost areas of the City with an emphasis on providing units at or near transit centers and employer hubs. Goal 2 Homeless Assistance/ Rental Assistance 10
Goal Description Using its HOPWA allocation the City will continue to provide housing support to individuals who have HIV/AIDS and work with the local Continuum of Care and Ryan White service providers to insure that individuals who are homeless or in danger of being homeless are able to access HOPWA housing assistance. Goal 3 Goal Name Goal Description Public Facilities Improvement This project will provide public improvements and facilities to areas or locations of low and moderate income concentration or to at risk targeted populations. Activities include the construction or rehabilitation of Community Facilities, parks and recreation, homeless facilities, infrastructure (water and waste water, drainage improvements, and street and sidewalk improvements) that enhance the livability of low- and moderate income neighborhoods. Activities will be implemented in areas where the population is predominantly low- and moderate income or will serve a limited clientele that is predominately low/moderate income, and will be in the form of new construction or rehabilitation/upgrading of existing facilities. Goal Name Home Purchase Assistance Goal 4 Goal Description Goal Name Goal Description Goal Name Homeownership is the cornerstone of developing stable neighborhoods. Overall the City of West Palm Beach enjoys a fairly large percentage of owner occupied units; however several areas of the City, especially in the northwest district, suffer from low homeownership rates and sub-standard housing. The City will provide down payment assistance City-wide, however in order to incentivize homeownership in distressed areas the City will provide additional subsidies for qualified applicants on purchases made within census tracks or block groups where the homeownership rate is less than 30%. Public/Community Services Goal 5 The City will collaborate with internal and external parties to provide eligible community services activities with an emphasis on homeless prevention and youth violence prevention. The activity is eligible under 24 CFR 570.201(E), and will benefit low- and moderate-income persons as qualified under 24 CFR 570.208(a)(2) Limited Clientele Activities or Area Benefit Activities. Spot Demolition and Clearance Goal 6 Goal Description Table 3 Goals Description This activity will be concentrated on damaged housing structures that are unsound and pose health and safety risks to the surrounding community and must be removed in order to promote comprehensive recovery, for environmental remediation activities or that comply with other national objectives as per 24 CFR 570.201 (D). 11
Projects AP-35 Projects 91.220(d) Introduction The City anticipates receiving a total of $4,366,363 in FY 2017 funding (October 1, 2017 September 30, 2018) as follows: CDBG - $816,429; HOME - $ 324,635; and HOPWA - $3,225,299. The funds seek to address the community development and housing needs within the corporate limits of the City of West Palm Beach by achieving the overall goal of decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic development opportunities principally for low- and moderate- income persons. Proposed CDBG 2017 Entitlement Funding $816,429 Program Income (Estimated) $621,500 Total Available $1,437,929 Public Facilities and Improvement $741,267.69 This activity will provide public improvements to areas or locations of low- and moderate income concentration. The activity is eligible under 24 CFR 570.201(C), and will benefit low- and moderateincome persons as qualified under 24 CFR 570.208(a)(1) Area Benefit Activities or Limited Clientele Activities. Public Services (15%) $215,689.35 The City will collaborate with internal and external parties to provide eligible community services activities. The activity is eligible under 24 CFR 570.201(E), and will benefit low- and moderate-income persons as qualified under 24 CFR 570.208(a)(2) Limited Clientele Activities or Area Benefit Activities. The City will set aside up to $50,000 for a Public Services pilot project that is intended to reduce homelessness and up to $25,000 to expand existing youth violence prevention programs. Clearance/ Demolition $317,686.16 This activity will be concentrated on the removal of buildings and improvements, including movement of structures to other sites and remediation of known or suspected environmental contamination on physical removal of environmental contaminants or treatment of such contaminants to render them harmless. This Activity is eligible under 24 CFR 570.201 (D) Area Benefit Sum Blight Area/ Spot Blight Activities. Planning and Administration (20%) $163,285.80 This activity will provide general management, oversight, and coordination of the program. This activity is assumed to benefit low- and moderate-income persons and are eligible under 24 CFR 570.206(a). FY 2017 Proposed HOME Expenditures $324,635 Program Income (Estimated) $391,318.27 Total Available $715,953.27 New Construction/ Housing Development $322,178.97 Funding will be allocated for the development of housing to be occupied by low- and moderate- income 12
households. This activity is eligible under 24 CFR 92.205. Homebuyer Assistance $225,525.28 This activity will provide direct assistance to low-income households to cover some of the costs of homeownership (such as down payment, closing costs, or carrying costs), and/or address rehabilitation issues of housing units to be occupied by low and moderate income persons. This activity is activity is eligible under 24 CFR 92.205. Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Set-Aside $96,653.69 Funding will be allocated to certified CHDO s for the rehabilitation or development of housing for lowand moderate- income households. This activity is eligible under 24 CFR 92.300. HOME Program Administration (10%) $71,595.33 This activity will provide general management, oversight, and coordination of the HOME program including planning and monitoring costs. This activity is eligible under 24 CFR 92.207. OIG Repayment As result of findings identified in HUD OIG audit report #2013-AT-1008, the is required to reimburse its local HOME Program account from a non-federal source in the amount of $1,466,965. The City has made its final installment in the amount of $586,786. Such funds will be proportionately allocated to the HOME projects/strategies proposed above. Proposed HOPWA 2017 Entitlement Funding $3,255,299.00 Total Available $3,255,299.00 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance $2,300,000.00 Project Sponsor(s) will provide tenant-based rental assistance to eligible households. This activity is eligible under 24 CFR 574.300. Facility-Based Housing Assistance $300,000.00 Project Sponsor will provide facility-based housing assistance to eligible households. This activity is eligible under 24 CFR 574.300. Supportive Services $360,000.00 Project Sponsor(s) will provide supportive services to eligible households. This activity is eligible under 24 CFR 574.300. Project Sponsor Administration $197,641.00 Project Sponsor(s) will utilize program funds for the general administration of the HOPWA Program. This activity is eligible under 24 CFR 574.300. Grantee Program Administration $97,658.00 Grantee will utilize program funds for the general administration of the HOPWA Program. This activity is eligible under 24 CFR 574.300. (The Rest of This Page is Intentionally Left Blank) 13
Describe the reasons for allocation priorities and any obstacles to addressing underserved needs. Priorities for allocation of funding have been established through a combination of public feedback, needs analysis, internal and stakeholder feedback and opportunities for leveraging. The largest obstacles for addressing the needs of the underserved is lack of private investments in underserved areas and rising cost of real estate. Program income received and introduced during the 2017/16 fiscal year will be proportionately allocated to the projects/strategies contained in the consistent with the City s Citizen Participation Plan. AP-50 Geographic Distribution 91.220(f) Description of the geographic areas of the entitlement (including areas of low-income and minority concentration) where assistance will be directed The, Florida lies along the I-95 corridor and provides convenient access to many Florida cities, towns, and beaches throughout Palm Beach County. It is the most populous city in Palm Beach County, Florida with a total population of 99,919 persons according to 2010 U.S. Census data and a projected population of 106,000 by 2020. Geographically, the City encompasses 58 square miles and is located in eastern Palm Beach County, in Southeast Florida. The City is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida. It is the county seat of Palm Beach County, and one of the principal cities in the South Florida metropolitan area. The City s areas of low- and moderate-income concentration consist of qualified Census Tracts and Block Groups. The qualified census tracks as of the 2010 census are listed in the table below and are subject to change as the census data is updated. Census Track Block Group Low-Mod Percentage 002400 2 98.98% 002200 1 95.57% 002400 1 92.31% 002300 3 91.34% 002900 1 90.33% 003000 3 89.40% 001402 1 83.48% 001917 2 83.24% 002006 2 79.72% 002005 1 79.07% 007832 2 76.92% 002005 2 76.65% 001801 3 76.38% 002006 3 75.75% 14
001802 3 72.89% 001600 2 72.28% 001700 3 72.08% 001700 2 71.75% 003700 1 71.49% 001700 1 69.50% 003600 4 69.15% 001801 2 69.14% 003700 2 69.10% 002100 1 69.00% 003300 2 68.40% 002300 2 66.98% 001600 3 66.87% 003400 3 66.67% 003300 1 66.14% 002700 2 65.31% 003700 4 65.26% 001002 1 63.89% 007833 2 62.69% 002600 1 62.64% 003700 3 62.39% 001002 2 62.08% 001802 2 61.02% 002800 1 59.85% 003600 1 58.88% 001916 1 58.81% 002100 2 57.65% 007832 1 57.53% 001917 1 57.32% 007832 3 56.69% 001908 3 55.56% 001917 3 54.51% 001908 1 53.68% 001801 1 53.47% 002800 3 52.63% 001600 1 52.45% 15
001916 2 51.24% Geographic Distribution Funding for housing and community development programs will generally be utilized City wide and/or in the eligible Census Tracts and Block Groups to allow for maximum flexibility and to take advantage of potential leveraging opportunities. However the City, with input from the public, has directed some of its resources towards three target areas during the consolidated plan period beginning in the 2015/2015 program year. Target Area Percentage of Funds Tamarind Ave Corridor 10 Northmore/Mangonia 10 Table 5 - Geographic Distribution Rationale for the priorities for allocating investments geographically Data analysis, public input and historical patterns of income disparity indicate a need to target pockets of areas within the City that face greater economic challenges and/or require additional investments in infrastructure and social services. The City is also interested in leveraging current and future private and public sector investments that may be occurring in particular geographic areas of the City. Affordable Housing AP-55 Affordable Housing 91.220(g) Introduction The City will be employing several strategies in 2016/17 to assist with the development of affordable housing units, both rental and homeownership. The funding will come from HUD, State SHIP funds and local funding provided through the City's Housing Trust Fund. Strategies will include the development of revolving loan funds to be used for gap financing to assist with the financing of development of new affordable and workforce housing units as well as the preservation of existing affordable housing. The City will also be providing funding for home purchase assistance with an emphasis on providing incentives for homeownership in census tracks where the homeownership rate is below 30%. The City's HOME allocation will be used to develop or preserve affordable housing units and the City will leverage its existing inventory of City owned lots and houses for the purposes of providing additional affordable and workforce units. In coordination with the Palm Beach County Homeless and Housing Alliance the City will be providing Rapid Rehousing and other housing assistance to provide temporary and permanent housing assistance. The City will also continue to fund and administer the HOPWA program, which provides housing assistance to those with HIV on a county-wide basis. 16
One Year Goals for the Number of Households to be Supported with HUD funds Homeless 20 Non-Homeless 30 Special-Needs 310 Total 360 Table 6 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Requirement One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Type Rental Assistance 310 The Production of New Units 2 Acquisition of Existing Units 0 Total 322 Table 7 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Type AP-60 Public Housing 91.220(h) Introduction The West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County Housing Authorities collaborate on a regular basis with the on various programs and initiatives including affordable housing opportunities, homelessness, community services and HOPWA. Actions planned during the next year to address the needs to public housing and Actions to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership The West Palm Beach Housing Authority has five active Resident Councils, with Board members elected annually. The Board members comprise the Resident Advisory Board which participates in an annual Leadership luncheon, sharing successes and challenges throughout the various developments. Neighborhood Watch meetings are regularly held in each development. Resident Councils design and implement programs held in the various community rooms, from youth movie nights to senior language classes, yoga and trips to local museums. The WPBHA sponsors a basketball team to participate in a state-wide PHA tournament each year. Through the efforts of our Risk Management department, residents have enrolled in the Citizens On Patrol (COPS) program sponsored by the WPB Police Department. Each child from 5 to 12 years old receives a fully paid scholarship to summer camp, transportation included. The Resident Councils also organize holiday themed social gatherings throughout the year. (The Rest of This Page is Intentionally Left Blank) 17
AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities 91.220(i) Introduction Describe the jurisdictions one-year goals and actions for reducing and ending homelessness including reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs The through its Department of Housing and Community Development funds and operates a Community Services division, which includes two neighborhood outreach centers called the Vickers House. The Vickers House provides outreach, assessment and services to individuals and families who are homeless or are in danger of being homeless. The City also is a member of the Homeless and Housing Alliance of Palm Beach County (continuum of care) and works closely with the Homeless Coalition, Lewis Center, Palm Beach County Human Services and various non-profit and faith based organizations that provide services to the homeless. The West Palm Beach Police Department and Parks and Recreation Department also actively engage and do outreach to the homeless population making them aware of available community services. The City works together with these agencies to provide outreach and assessment services including doing street level outreach at targeted locations where the homeless tend to congregate. The City provides funding, operates or will operate several services and programs for the homeless including permanent housing, supportive housing, rapid rehousing, food assistance, relocation assistance, assessment and referral services and job placement assistance. City staff have also been trained in and utilize the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT), which helps to prioritize resources for the most at risk and have access to Client Track, the COC tool used to ensure nonduplication of services and coordinated assessments. The City has also partnered with the County Ryan White programs on a pilot program that will allow for data sharing and a common intake process for those accessing Ryan White and HOPWA services. Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons The Senator Philip D. Lewis Center, a 60 bed emergency facility, serves as the main point of access for homeless services in Palm Beach County including access to emergency shelter and transitional housing. Homeless individuals and families are referred to the Lewis Center from the Community Services/Vickers House staff as well as the West Palm Beach Police Department. Vickers House staff also assists the Lewis Center with conducting initial screenings over the telephone. The will continue to support efforts to provide additional shelter and transitional housing beds as funding permits. Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again The City provides funding, operates or will operate several services and programs for the homeless including permanent housing, supportive housing, rapid rehousing, food assistance, relocation assistance, assessment and referral services and job placement assistance. The City is also an active 18
member of the Palm Beach County Homeless and Housing Alliance and actively supports the goals of the Palm Beach County Homeless Coalition. Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely lowincome individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs In addition to the intake, assessment and referrals done to the Lewis Center and other homeless providers, the City also provides one-time funding of up to $3,000 for eligible applicants facing evictions or experiencing homelessness to obtain safe, decent and affordable rental housing. The City also prioritizes funding for housing programs to special needs populations. AP-70 HOPWA Goals - 91.220 (l)(3) One year goals for the number of households to be provided housing through the use of HOPWA for: Short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to prevent homelessness of the individual or family 0 Tenant-based rental assistance 260 Units provided in permanent housing facilities developed, leased, or operated with HOPWA funds 0 Units provided in transitional short-term housing facilities developed, leased, or operated with HOPWA funds 50 Total 310 AP-75 Barriers to affordable housing 91.220(j) Introduction: Development of affordable housing within the faces many challenges including a lack of available land, rising land and construction costs, regulatory barriers and historical practices that have kept most affordable units in low income neighborhoods. The City will work with partner agencies in the public and private sector in establishing new policies, practices and strategies that will help create affordable housing opportunities in targeted areas, especially where there are opportunities for transit oriented housing projects and those located in employer hubs and those that provide homeownership opportunities. Actions it planned to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment In order to maintain economic growth and stability, it is important for the City to preserve and stimulate the production of attainable, affordable and workforce housing units for persons at all income levels residing or desiring to reside in the City. In order to achieve this objective the City adopted the Housing Assistance Incentives Program. The Program promotes development of housing through financial 19
incentives such as: Providing fee reductions and waivers of development fees; Providing loans and grants to leverage private and other public investment; Making available the use of City owned vacant lots; Making available programs that provide assistance for homeownership, rental, rehabilitation, sustainability, and special needs housing opportunities; and Promoting the use of existing City infrastructure and services. To the maximum extent possible, the City will leverage its resources to support development of affordable and workforce housing units using a combination of Federal, State, and local funding sources. In 2016, the City will continue review and refine its expedited permitting process in order to make it more effective. In addition the City will seek ways to provide flexible zoning ordinances in targeted areas of redevelopment. AP-85 Other Actions 91.220(k) Introduction: The City's Department of Housing and Community Development will be placing a greater emphasis in 2016/17 on leveraging internal and external resources, providing more economic development opportunities through the development of a revolving loan and Section 108 program and expanding social services through its two Vickers House locations. Other actions include: Actions planned to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs; Vickers House collaboration with Continuum of Care, Homeless Coalition, other social service entities and providing additional direct services including Rapid Rehousing; Greater coordination of HOWPA with Ryan White and Continuum of Care service providers; and More efficient use of existing resources including City owned properties and leveraging of non- HCD City funded initiatives. Actions planned to foster and maintain affordable housing See APP-55. Actions planned to reduce lead-based paint hazards The has implemented the following measures to reduce Lead-Based Paint Hazards: Abating or removing the lead-based paint hazards found in existing housing, built prior to 1978; Education of the public regarding the hazards of lead-based paint and precautions that can be taken by parents to protect their children; Developing new affordable housing to provide healthy alternatives for families. 20
The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, also known as Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, amended the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act of 1971 (Lead Act), which established the current Federal lead-based paint requirements. The new leadbased paint regulation implements sections 1012 and 1013 of the Act. The new regulation appears within Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations as Part 35 (24 CFR 35.105). HUD has issued a new regulation to protect young children from the poisoning hazards of lead based paint in housing that is financially assisted with Federal government resources. Participant property owners are notified of the hazard of lead-based paint and of the symptoms associated with lead-based contamination. The City further prohibits the use of lead-based paint in any federally funded construction or rehabilitation project. Policies and procedures for abatement of lead hazards have been established for use in the City of West Palm Beach. The City shall either perform paint testing on the painted surfaces to be disturbed or replaced during rehabilitation activities, or presume that all these painted surfaces are coated with leadbased paint. Actions planned to reduce the number of poverty-level families Economic Development revolving loan program to assist with job creation. Greater coordination with internal and external partners to increase leveraging opportunities. Through the City s Vickers House/Community Services programs the City provides access to GED, ESOL and workforce development programs that assist residents with obtaining economic self-sufficiency. The City also helps residents access public benefits they may be eligible for. Actions planned to develop institutional structure Expand current coordination efforts and provide technical assistance. Tie funding to collaborative efforts. Actions planned to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies The City has taken great strides to establish a strong working relationship with the two primary housing authorities that serve the jurisdiction, the West Palm Beach Housing Authority and the Palm Beach County Housing Authority. The City has provided and will continue to provide support to those two entities to support their affordable housing efforts. As the primary provider of Tenant Based Rental Assistance for the HOWPA program, the Palm Beach County Housing Authority will continue to work with the City to expand its role in providing housing assistance to at risk populations and working closer with the Ryan White and Continuum of Care service providers. The City will continue to expand its coordination with the Housing Authority, particularly in its efforts to redevelop the Dunbar Village public housing site and providing homeownership units at its Merry Place project. Through its Vickers House/Community Services outreach centers the City has established strong relationships with a long list of non-profit entities and faith based organizations that provide social services. The City has ongoing collaboration with Palm Beach County's Departments of Human Services and Economic Sustainability both for program implementation and funding. Examples include coordinated 21
efforts to combine City owned infill lots with County funding sources to build affordable housing. The City has also coordinated with the County on grant applications through HUD and the EPA. The City also has expanded its collaborative efforts with the Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County and the Florida Housing Coalition. Both entities provide opportunities to promote existing programs, collaborate on future ones, and explore best practices. Program Specific Requirements AP-90 Program Specific Requirements 91.220(l)(1,2,4) Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Reference 24 CFR 91.220(l)(1) Projects planned with all CDBG funds expected to be available during the year are identified in the Projects Table. The following identifies program income that is available for use that is included in projects to be carried out. The total amount of program income that will have been received before the start of the next program year and that has not yet been reprogrammed 0 The amount of proceeds from section 108 loan guarantees that will be used during the year to address the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the grantee's strategic plan 0 The amount of surplus funds from urban renewal settlements 0 The amount of any grant funds returned to the line of credit for which the planned use has not been included in a prior statement or plan. 0 The amount of income from float-funded activities 0 Total Program Income 0 Other CDBG Requirements The amount of urgent need activities 0 HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) Reference 24 CFR 91.220(l)(2) 1. A description of other forms of investment being used beyond those identified in Section 92.205 is as follows: HOME funds will not be used for any activity not described at 24 CFR 92.205. 22