Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8440 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. ,8440 October 15, 2002 a ►""T` � To the Mayor and Members of the City Council VF r s Page 1 of 5 +ata SUBJECT: Federal Entitlement Grant Program The purpose of this informal report is to respond to questions raised during the Pre-Council meeting held on September 17, 2002. The attached information is being provided concerning the City of Fort Worth Federal Entitlement Grant Programs. The City of Fort Worth Entitlement Grant Programs consists of the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grant and the HOME Investment Partnership Program. Each of these grant funds are received by the City of Fort Worth as an annual allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Five areas will be outlined in this report. First, the proposed funding priorities are defined. These funding priorities provide the framework for which funding recommendations to the City Council are developed. Second, a fifteen —year trend analysis is illustrated, highlighting where Community Development Block Grant funds are allocated specifically for street repairs and other infrastructure activities. Third, a concern was raised on the eligibility of funds for sidewalks and sidewalk repairs. Fourth, the status of a City of Fort Worth proposal to HUD for the HUD 203 K Loan Program is provided. Finally, a breakdown of each grants administrative budget is provided. 01,111roposed Funding Priorities The original funding priorities were established and approved by the City Council in 1998. These same priorities were approved in 2000 by the City Council. These funding priorities were developed by the Community Development Council in accordance with the City of Fort Worth Strategic Goals and provide a basis by which funding recommendations are formulated. The proposed funding priorities are provided for your review and approval. They will be used to develop funding recommendations for the June 1, 2003 to May 31, 2004 program year. Youth Programs is defined as programs that offer educational, social, athletic or cultural activities to youth and provide supportive group programs for youth in order to increase self-esteem and positive behavior and decrease negative behaviors including youth crime, teen pregnancy and gang involvement. Programs cannot receive funding from FWISD for similar services. Programs funded under this priority are public service in nature and count against the 15% statutory limitation. Examples of programs funded include Boys and Girls Club, Summerbridge and Latin Arts Association. Employment Training and Placement is defined as programs that reduce barriers to employment and increase the number of employed persons by offering training and providing centralized information that will link job opportunities with qualified applicants. Examples of programs funded include Women's Center, A-Prep and Job, Inc. enior Services is defined as programs that offer recreational, social, and physical/mental health �< ated activities and other services for senior citizens including meals for shut-ins. Examples of programs funded include Meals on Wheels, NSEAM, and Southside Area Ministries. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8440, October 15, 2002 0_%kA'Fr'% To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 5 SUBJECT: Federal Entitlement Grant Program Neighborhood Revitalization is defined as comprehensive housing and code enforcement programs that target resources that improve the quality of housing, improve neighborhood appearance through physical structures, economic stability and citizen empowerment. Examples of programs include all Housing programs, Habitat for Humanity and REACH, Inc. Child Care Assistance is defined as programs that provide child care assistance to low- and moderate — income parents in order for them to attend school and/or receive job training. Examples of programs include Clayton Childcare, Child Care Associates and YWCA. Economic Development is defines as programs that provide business assistance and provide incentives, which would attract major employers as well as small businesses to Fort Worth. These programs can be in the form of revolving loan programs, bonding assistance and other programs that provide for commercial opportunities and job creation. Included in this priority are programs that address corridor revitalization. Examples of programs include the Business Assistance Center and FWEDC. Ir r, Fifteen —Year Trend Analysis CDBG regulations allow for funds to be used for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or installation of public improvements or facilities. Over the last fifteen years, CDBG funds have been used for an array of activities to include park improvements, alley closures, safety lighting and sidewalks, public facility improvements, such as the Stop Six Health Clinic and numerous street projects. During this time period (Junel, 1988 to May 31, 2003) over $103 million has been received in CDBG funds and over $14 million or 14% has been allocated to these infrastructure type projects. The attached document provides additional information on the specific projects funded over the last fifteen years. Eligibility of Sidewalks CDBG funds can be used for the installation of sidewalks but not for the repair of sidewalks. The establishment of a sidewalk matching fund pool can be established and used in conjunction with the development of new housing within the CDBG eligible areas. Additionally, funding can be allocated for the installation of sidewalks in CDBG eligible areas where it has been determined that sidewalks are needed. HUD 203 (K) Rehab Program The HUD 203 (K) Rehab program is a loan program established by HUD for the rehabilitation and r..'"'oair of single family properties. These funds flow from HUD through private lenders. Use of these ,nds would require the Housing staff to prepare work write-ups and serve as construction ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8440. October .15, 2002 r " To the Mayor and Members of the City Council A, Page 3 of 5 ISIS SUBJECT: Federal Entitlement Grant Program managers for owner occupants receiving non-City rehab money under this program. While staff has the technical expertise to perform these services, there is concern regarding the City's liability or exposure in the event of a dispute because these are private funds and private owners with the City of Fort Worth having no financial interest. Administrative Funds The City of Fort Worth is mandated by HUD to maintain staff to ensure that all federal funds received are managed and utilized in compliance with the respective grant program requirements. For the grant period of June 1, 2002 to May 31, 2003, the city's federal entitlement grant allocation is $11,980,000. Approximately, 17% of the total entitlement grants amount is allocated for the administration of the grant programs. CDBG Intergovernmental Affairs & Grants Management— 8.15 positions $ 523,397 zse dollars are used to fund positions that provide general oversight including planning, administration, and monitoring of the four entitlement programs CDBG, ESG, HOME, and HOPWA. This division also assists with the development of Section 1,08 applications, EDA grant applications, as well as applications that the City departments apply for in relation to grant funds. This section insures that the grant funds are serving the persons for which these funds are intended to serve. 2. Housing — 11.26 positions $ 865,701 Fhese dollars are used to fund the Director's Office that includes the Planning, Model Blocks, and administrative staff and provides overall direction for the department. The Management and Budget Division are included in this amount. The Management and Budget Division provides the actual development and oversight of the department's budget, and coordination of all administrative services to include personnel, purchasing, contract compliance and information systems for the department. The two program operating divisions are the Rehabilitation and Development Division which administers the Emergency Repair Program, Cowtown Brush Up Program, Home Improvement Program, Rental Rehabilitation Program, Infill Housing Program and the state funded Weatherization program. The Housing Services and Information Division administers the First Time Homebuyer's Assistance Program, Home Improvement Loans, and the Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program. 3. Planning — 1.10 positions $ 53,050 These funds are used to fund the Research & Economic Development Team along with the Development Review & Historic Preservation Team. The Research & Economic Development �rlll'am provides analysis of economic, demographic, land use, and other data for the CDBG ,jogram. The Development Review & Historic Preservation Team prepares the Section 106 ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8440- October 15, 2002 0-ORTIr%%01 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 4 of 5 SUBJECT: Federal Entitlement Grant Program Historic Preservation Clearance for the Environmental Review procedure required for the expenditure of CDBG funds. 4. Accounting — 0.50 positions $ 25,907 These funds are used by the Accounting Division to provide financial support for the federal entitlement grants. 5. Internal Audit— 0.68 positions $ 32,120 Fhese funds are used by the Internal Audit Department to perform financial site reviews of agencies that receive federal funds from the city. 6. Community Development Coordinator— 1.00 positions $ 23,750 These funds are used to support the position, which focuses on the development of businesses within the central city. 01�P'111 Economic & Community Development— 1.00 positions $ 50,000 ,iese funds are used to support a position within the newly created Economic & Community Development Department, which primarily oversees Commercial Corridor development. 8. Business Assistance Center $ 36,167 These funds are used as a match to support the outreach efforts to market available forms of technical assistance to M/VVBE businesses in CDBG eligible areas. 9. Southeast Development Plan $ 50,000 These funds are being used in support of the implementation of the Southeast Action Plan for Economic Development. This is the 3 d and final year of funding this activity. 10. Fair Housing —Analysis of Impediments Study $ 12,000 These funds are being used to assist with the writing of the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing as required by HUD. HOME 1. Housing Department— 6.5 positions $ 304,800 These funds will cover the cost of planning, administering, operating and monitoring HOME funded ograms to ensure compliance with HUD and City policies and regulations. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS " INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8440 october 15, 2W2 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 5 of 6 SUBJECT: Federal Entitlement Grant Program ESG 1. Contract Management Division — 0.40 positions $ 13,440 These funds will cover the cost of planning, administering, operating and monitoring ESG funded programs to ensure compliance with HUD and City policies and regulations. HOPWA 1. Contract Management Division — 0.75 positions $ 23,940 These funds will cover the cost of planning, administering, operating and monitoring HOPWA funded programs to ensure compliance with HUD and City policies and regulations. Upon receipt of your approval of the proposed funding priorities staff will begin the request for f' "posal process. In March, 2003 staff will bring to the City Council budget recommendations that in accordance with the funding priorities and policies. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Deidra Emerson at L'�' (G. " Gary W. Jackson City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS fN 2 co w 0 0 w 0. a o E mo w C, 0 06 E o 0 ID ij wo 8 �o 08-6 0- ol 0 0 -2 z °m 0-6 0 Os= ROm Eo E E 0 CO p q 0 2 - M> -6 0 S E (L 10 > �o 0 76 U)T v .9 E 4� 0 m°> - 'o -0 0 E E .7a E 0 0 m E 0 20 0 Zl E > 0- 0 'o Zo(5 3a 0 '1 Mm 0 0- c E C E V) E -0 M c 22 E 0 E US (ml wo N N m m O Q U 0 T 0 E E 40 Sm n a- 'o IS '.S 'o 0 (n p() Bu no- 0 z to (D m 0 0 0 cm c c v S n po o c D t5 2'S 2.E 2.5; s E c Z 2 m U) m m w 'M Z 0) w IL 0 0 0 9 0 q 0 0 1 Yp 09 cl; W N 10 co 1 0 0 0 w ro ro 0 6 C5 6 6 0 C; 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Ct ;U6 0 16 cli 0 8 P W (IQ EQ to N fl� C� CL C? rn