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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 08 Fiscal Year 2013-2014 One Year Action Plan of the Eugene-Springfield Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 5/6/2013 Meeting Type: Regular Meeting Staff Contact/Dept.: Kevin Ko/DPW Staff Phone No: 541-726-2302 Estimated Time: 10 Minutes S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Encourage Economic Development and Revitalization through Community Partnerships ITEM TITLE: FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014 ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN OF THE EUGENE- SPRINGFIELD CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (CITY OF SPRINGFIELD SECTION) ACTION REQUESTED: 1. Conduct a Public Hearing to receive testimony regarding the City of Springfield section of the FY2013-2014 One-Year Action Plan 2. Modify if appropriate and by motion adopt/not adopt the Springfield section of the FY2013-2014 One-Year Action Plan ISSUE STATEMENT: One-Year Action Plans must be submitted to HUD prior to the beginning of each fiscal year as amendments to the five-year Eugene-Springfield Consolidated Plan. The purpose of the annual action plan is to indicate how the cities intend to use federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds to fulfill the priorities established in the Consolidated Plan. This is the fourth One-Year Action Plan under the 2010 Consolidated Plan. ATTACHMENTS: 1. FY2013-2014 Action Plan Executive Summary 2. FY2013-2014 One-Year Action Plan (City of Springfield section) DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City of Springfield receives CDBG funds as an entitlement community and HOME funds as a participant in a HOME consortium agreement with the City of Eugene. CDBG funds are awarded to communities who carry out community development activities directed towards neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and the provision of improved community facilities and services. HOME funding is a housing block grant program allocated to communities to be used for housing rehabilitation, new construction, acquisition and tenant based rental assistance activities. A public hearing was held on April 15, 2013, to review and consider applications for CDBG and HOME funding. Council approved four projects for CDBG funding, one project for HOME funding, and one project for both CDBG and HOME funding. Council also approved changing the recommendation for the Catholic Community Services proposal from a loan to a conditional grant. The FY2013-2014 One Year Action Plan includes the CDBG and HOME funding allocations for projects and activities, and is consistent with the Council’s actions of April 15, 2013. The plan must be approved by both the City of Springfield and City of Eugene prior to submission to HUD. In addition to the approved projects, a description of other activities that may be initiated is included in both the CDBG and HOME sections of the Action Plan. The public comment period for the City of Springfield section of the document concludes with the public hearing on May 6, 2013. The City of Eugene section of the Action Plan is being adopted separately by the Eugene City Council. The combined Eugene-Springfield One-Year Action Plan will be submitted to HUD on or before May 15, 2013 for review and acceptance. FY2013-14 One-Year Action Plan, Executive Summary 1 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan Executive Summary Citizen Participation Process, Outreach and Technical Assistance Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds are allocated through a competitive application process. Applications are solicited from area non-profit agencies and from private for-profit entities. The City of Springfield has been very successful in its outreach efforts to minorities, persons with disabilities and other underserved populations. Notices of funds availability, committee meetings and public hearings are widely distributed to area social service agencies and housing providers, including agencies that serve minorities and persons with physical and developmental disabilities. These include Sheltercare, Mainstream Housing, Alvord Taylor Supported Living, Full Access and Oregon Supported Living, Pearl Buck Center and the Arc of Lane County. The public hearings to receive input for the annual action plans are well attended and often include persons with disabilities and minorities. A significant portion of our Federal entitlements have gone to agencies that serve persons with physical and developmental disabilities. Technical Assistance is provided individually to applicants during a required pre-submittal meeting with CDBG and HOME staff. Applicants are informed of local and federal rules and requirements that govern the CDBG and HOME programs. These include Davis- Bacon, environmental requirements, zoning and land use issues and program eligibility. Eligible applications are forwarded to the Springfield Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) for review. FY2013/14 Allocation Process Requests for Proposals were issued on January 24, 2013. $240,420 of HOME funds and $199,433 of CDBG funds were made available in the RFP. Selected projects and services will provide decent, safe and affordable housing for persons of low income, create or sustain a suitable living environment and provide economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate income. The deadline for receiving completed proposals from all applicants was March 15, 2013. The City received six requests for funding totaling $580,500. All applications were forwarded to the CDAC for review and consideration. The CDAC held a public hearing on April 4, 2013 to hear testimony, review proposals and develop funding recommendations. Nine persons attended the public hearing, with five persons providing testimony to the CDAC. After deliberation, the CDAC recommended all projects for CDBG or HOME funding. Recommendations for funding were forwarded to the Springfield City Council. The 30-day public comment period for the FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan opened on April 5, 2013 with the publication of a combined notice of public hearing in the Register Guard and distribution of the notice to interested parties. The Springfield City Council met on April 15, 2013 and held a public hearing on the CDBG and HOME funding recommendations for FY2012/13. Applicants, supporters and CDAC members attended the public hearing and ten people testified in support of the CDAC’s recommendations. The Council considered testimony and discussed the individual projects and community goals. The Council voted 6-0 to approve CDBG and HOME funding as recommended. The 30-day comment period for the One-Year Action Plan will Attachment 1-1 FY2013-14 One-Year Action Plan, Executive Summary 2 close on May 6, 2013. The FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan (Springfield section) will be presented to the City Council for consideration and approval at a public hearing on May 6, 2013. Highlights – City of Springfield Non-Profit Capital Projects The Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) is receiving $23,353 to assist with landscape and exterior improvements to the Sprout! Regional Food Hub. The improvements to the facility will allow it to better function as an outdoor marketplace and home of the seasonal Springfield Farmers’ Market. The food hub is located in the former Springfield Christian Church at 4th and A Streets in downtown Springfield. The Sprout! food hub received $153,577 in CDBG funding for acquisition of the site in 2011, and $58,000 of CDBG in 2012 to assist with the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment. Catholic Community Services (CCS) owns and operates the Springfield Community Service Center at 1025 G Street. CCS will receive approximately $17,500 of CDBG funds to assist with the renovation of the center. Activities include redesigning and repurposing the intake and resource distribution areas, and making improvements to the deteriorated parking lot. The Community Service Center is the largest distributor of emergency food in Springfield, distributing approximately 475 tons to over 12,000 low-income families and individuals in 2012. It is also one of two Springfield sites for the Egan Warming Centers. Affordable Rental Housing The Housing Authority and Community Services Agency (HACSA) and Metropolitan Affordable Housing (Metro) will be receiving approximately $81,580 of CDBG funds to assist with the acquisition and development of the commercial portion of Glenwood Place. The project has also been allocated approximately $210,170 of HOME funds for development of the housing component. When completed, the workforce housing within the development will consist of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments set at rent levels affordable to individuals and families earning 30-60% of median area income. HACSA received a HOME grant of $96,500 in FY2012 for predevelopment costs associated with Glenwood Place. Affordable Homeownership Housing Springfield-Eugene Habitat for Humanity (HfH) will receive approximately $30,250 of HOME funds to assist with infrastructure development on a site the agency owns on R Street in Springfield. When completed, the project will consist of seven single-family homes that will provide affordable homeownership opportunities for low and very low-income households. HfH uses a successful national model of homeownership development, utilizing volunteer labor and donations to reduce the cost of homeownership. HfH is nearing completion of the Meyer Estates subdivision, which received HOME funding in previous years. Economic Development and Job Creation NEDCO is receiving $30,000 in CDBG funding to assist 20 low-income Springfield microbusiness owners through their Hatch Business Incubator: Microenterprise Attachment 1-2 FY2013-14 One-Year Action Plan, Executive Summary 3 Development Program. CDBG funds will be used to offer direct scholarships that will offset the $1,800 annual subscription cost to the clients for participation and to build program capacity. The services provided to Hatch participants include on-site and off-site technical small business assistance, classes and workshops, and a series of entrepreneurial boot camps directed at specific industry clusters including food and social enterprise. Hatch is based on proven microenterprise and community development principles wherein businesses receiving services gain skills not only to build their own business, but to reinvest in their community. NEDCO has received past CDBG funding for Hatch in 2009, 2010 and 2012. Downtown Redevelopment The Springfield Economic Development Corporation (SEDA) is receiving $50,000 of CDBG to assist with the acquisition of a downtown property at 138 Main Street. The property is at the location of the planned downtown Mill Plaza, this acquisition is consistent with the adopted Downtown Urban Design Plan. Existing commercial tenants will be allowed to continue their current lease arrangements. As other adjacent properties are acquired and redeveloped over the next several years, SEDA will make plans to clear and redevelop the site as a public plaza. Relocation assistance, if necessary, will be provided to the commercial tenants prior to redevelopment. SEDA is a government agency and was created in 2004 by the City of Springfield and Lane County, for the purpose of eliminating blight in areas within the Agency’s jurisdiction in ways which will foster a business climate, improve quality of life and encourage private investment in our community. This is SEDA’s first CDBG application. Other Activities and Housing Programs • Housing Rehabilitation Programs - $80,000 in CDBG will be used by the City of Springfield to support two housing rehabilitation programs. These programs provide assistance to low and very low-income homeowners faced with major rehabilitation needs and emergency home repairs. • Home Ownership Program - $100,000 in HOME funds will be used by the City of Springfield to support its Springfield Home Owner Program (SHOP). The SHOP will provide up to $7,000 to low-income homebuyers for downpayment assistance and other closing costs. • Community Housing Development Organizations - $13,995 of HOME funds will go to support four Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO). Called CHDO Operating Funds, the funds will be divided equally among Mainstream Housing, Inc., Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation, Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation and St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County. • Public Services - $64,485 in CDBG will go to the Human Services Commission to support public services for low and very low-income persons. Funded agencies include Food for Lane County, the Relief Nursery, Catholic Community Services, and St. Vincent de Paul. Attachment 1-3 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 1 City of Springfield One-Year Action Plan for FY2013/14 Community Development Block Grant Program Description The City of Springfield receives an annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of Springfield's fiscal year 2013/2014 (FY2013/14) CDBG allocation is projected to be approximately $429,897. This is a 5.0% reduction from FY2012, which itself was a reduction of 18% from the previous year. If this projection is accurate, this will be the lowest level of CDBG funding for the City since 1990. When HUD informs the City of its actual FY2013/14 CDBG allocation, project allocations will be adjusted as necessary. The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) was established by the City of Springfield to make recommendations concerning program policy and project selection to the City Council. Springfield allocates CDBG funds annually through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. One of the funding criteria for project selection is the efficient use of the CDBG dollars. This is demonstrated in a proposal by the amount of additional resources leveraged by the CDBG commitment. Although this funding criterion is weighed against other funding criteria, it has been a significant factor in bringing much needed resources into the community. The CDAC also determined that projects nearing completion should receive additional consideration for funding, as these projects have the potential of providing immediate benefit to the community. It is anticipated that the FY2013/14 CDBG allocation will leverage other resources that will include but are not limited to the following: Springfield General Fund, other Federal resources, State funds, urban renewal, local assessments for public improvements, private donations, in-kind contributions, and contributions provided by the applicant agency. Activities Benefiting Low- and Moderate-Income Persons Generally, Springfield's CDBG-funded programs and projects are provided to benefit low- income residents living within the city limits of Springfield. Individuals participating in a CDBG- funded program are required to meet HUD Income Guidelines. In order to meet the CDBG National Objective of Benefit to Low and Moderate-Income Persons, CDBG-funded projects must either serve a specific low-income area, or provide tangible benefit to low- and moderate-income clientele (services, economic opportunities, housing). Funded programs and projects undergo periodic staff monitoring to ensure compliance with CDBG regulations. It is estimated that no less than $273,565 of FY13/14 CDBG funds will be spent on activities that benefit primarily low- and moderate-income persons. Springfield Community Service Center Renovation. Catholic Community Services (CCS) owns and operates the Springfield Community Service Center at 1025 G Street. CCS will receive Attachment 2-1 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 2 approximately $17,500 of CDBG funds to assist with the renovation of the center. Activities include redesigning and repurposing the intake and resource distribution areas, and improving the deteriorated parking lot. The Community Service Center is the largest distributor of emergency food in Springfield, distributing approximately 475 tons to over 12,000 low-income families and individuals in 2012. Persons in need may also receive clothing hygiene and personal items, household items, utility assistance, LTD bus passes and other necessary assistance. The center hosts the Soaring Hope meal program and day center for homeless persons and families. It is also one of two Springfield sites for the Egan Warming Centers. Glenwood Place. The Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County (HACSA) is partnering with Metropolitan Affordable Housing (Metro) to develop a 150 unit affordable housing/commercial complex in Glenwood. HACSA will be receiving approximately $81,580 of CDBG funds to assist with the acquisition and development of the commercial portion of the project. The project has also been allocated approximately $210,170 of HOME funds for development of the housing component. When completed, the workforce housing within the development will consist of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments set at rent levels affordable to individuals and families earning 30-60% of median area income. The development will also include community spaces and meeting rooms, open areas, and parking for the commercial and residential tenants. Glenwood is located in a transit-rich area, positioned between Eugene and Springfield, with easy access to the U of O, LCC, Peace Health Medical Center, and both downtowns. The development will be a catalyst for new economic activity along the Franklin Blvd. corridor, and is consistent with the goals of the Glenwood Refinement Plan. HACSA received a HOME grant of $96,500 in FY2012 for predevelopment costs associated with Glenwood Place. Hatch Microenterprise Development Program. The Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) will receive approximately $30,000 in CDBG funding to assist 20 low- income Springfield microbusiness owners through their Hatch Business incubator - Microenterprise Development Program. CDBG funds will be used to offer direct scholarships to eligible low-income microbusiness owners, and will offset some of the enrollment and program costs for participation and to build program capacity. The services provided to Hatch participants include on-site and off-site technical small business assistance, classes and workshops, and a series of entrepreneurial boot camps directed at specific industry clusters including food and social enterprise. Hatch Business Incubator sites are located at the NEDCO building on Main Street, at the SPROUT! Regional Food Hub, and at 18th Street and Mohawk Blvd. Hatch serves three levels of business from concept to established and growing businesses: Activator (pre-launch phase); Incubator (operating business); and Accelerator (established businesses). An extensive menu of services which includes training, financial assistance, networking and access to physical infrastructure has been developed for each level. Hatch generates positive economic activity, especially in downtown Springfield. Hatch is based on proven microenterprise and community development principles wherein businesses receiving Attachment 2-2 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 3 services gain skills not only to build their own business, but to reinvest in their community. NEDCO has received past CDBG funding for Hatch in 2009, 2010 and 2012. Activities for the Prevention or Elimination of Slum and Blighted Conditions Another national objective of the CDBG program is the prevention or elimination of slums and blighted conditions in neighborhoods and communities, either by designating a specific area or by addressing conditions on a spot basis. The City of Springfield conducted a thorough inventory of structures in the downtown corridor to determine if the area would meet the CDBG qualifications as a Blighted Area. A total of 116 structures were inventoried and a visual inspection was made of the exterior of each structure. 68 structures were determined to have conditions of decay and deterioration. At a public hearing on December 1, 2003, the City Council approved amendments to the 2000 Eugene-Springfield Consolidated Plan to designate a Springfield Downtown Redevelopment Area, in compliance with CDBG regulations. The Downtown Redevelopment Area has boundaries of Mill Street (west boundary), South A Street (south boundary), 10th Street (east boundary) and B Street (north boundary), excluding the residential areas on the south side of B Street between 8th and 10th Streets, and on the north side of A Street between 9th and 10th Streets. The amendments to the Consolidated Plan also included provisions for reserving a portion of the City’s annual CDBG allocation for projects that specifically address the problems of blight in the Downtown Redevelopment Area. The City of Springfield aggregates CDBG public benefit over three consecutive plan years. This Action Plan covers activities for the third year in the three-year aggregate. Downtown Property Acquisition. The Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) has been approved for $50,000 of CDBG funds to assist with the acquisition of a commercial downtown property at the location of the planned Mill Plaza. The Mill Plaza is a major component of the Downtown Urban Design Plan, adopted by the Springfield City Council in September 2010. Located on Main Street between Pioneer Parkway East and West, the Mill Plaza is visioned to be the central public gathering place in downtown. Although the development of the Plaza is still several years away, acquisition of the properties making up the plaza site needs to occur as properties become available on the real estate market. The property identified in this proposal is being offered for sale by its owner. There are currently two commercial tenants in the building occupying the property. It is anticipated that the tenants will be allowed to remain in the building until such a time that the premises need to be vacated for redevelopment. Relocation services and assistance will be offered to the tenants at that time, if necessary. The buildings in the vicinity of the proposed Mill Plaza are of low-value, underperforming economically and lack the density and multi-use functionality required to meet the long-term objective of the Downtown Urban Design Plan. This activity is eligible under the CDBG “slums and blight” national objective. Attachment 2-3 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 4 Marketplace@Sprout! NEDCO is receiving approximately $20,353 of CDBG funds to assist with Phase 3 of the Sprout! Regional Food Hub project, which consists of improvements to the grounds and exterior of the Sprout! facility to allow it to better function as an outdoor marketplace and home of the seasonal Springfield Farmers’ Market. The food hub is located in the former Springfield Christian Church at 4th and A Streets in downtown Springfield. Food entrepreneurs and micro-businesses have access to the fully equipped commercial kitchen to prepare their wares and build their businesses. The CDBG funds will provide durable hardscaping, way finding components, and functional landscaping to allow the seasonal market to generate high levels of attendance. This activity is eligible under the CDBG “slums and blight” national objective as site improvements to a public facility. Pre-Award Costs: As NEDCO prepares Sprout! for the summer market season, they may elect to start the work on the exterior of the facility prior to HUD’s approval of this action plan. This is called “pre- awards costs” and is allowed under the CDBG program. Activities occurring after the date of approval by the Springfield City Council of this action plan are eligible for reimbursement from FY13/14 CDBG funds. Reimbursement can only occur after HUD’s approval of the action plan, and the execution of the CDBG Agreement between the City and NEDCO. The Sprout! food hub received $153,577 in CDBG funding for acquisition of the site in 2011, and $58,000 of CDBG in 2012 to assist with the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment. --- An allocation table and summaries of each approved project can be found at the end of this section. Funding for grant administration and planning, public services and housing programs in the amounts shown in the table was also approved by the Council at the public hearing on April 15, 2013. Anti-Poverty and Homeless Housing Continuum of Care Service System The City of Springfield works with its partners in local government, the City of Eugene and Lane County, in a collaborative effort to address anti-poverty and homeless issues. The intergovernmental Human Services Commission (HSC), composed of elected officials and appointed members from these jurisdictions, allocates funding to address these issues. The HSC is administering a work program that encompasses the following areas: • Crisis Access & Stabilization Service System • Short-Term Basic Needs Services • Transitional Housing Services • Permanent Supportive Housing Services Attachment 2-4 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 5 The Continuum of Care approach provides for multi-point access to services and linkages among settings and services providers. Not all at-risk or homeless families and individuals will need access to all four components. It should be noted that the current economic crisis is having a significant impact on the HSC agencies. Funding sources for vital services are being cut or eliminated, while at the same time, the number of individuals and households in need of assistance is growing dramatically. While the City will do what it can to assist the agencies and their clients, it is very clear that the upcoming year will be very challenging for all service providers. The HSC will receive an allocation of approximately $64,485 in CDBG funds from the City of Springfield, which is equivalent to 15% of the City’s anticipated FY13/14 allocation. This is a reduction from last year, and continues a trend of reduced funding that began in FY05. To further incorporate the Continuum of Care philosophy into its delivery of services, Springfield’s Housing Program manages an array of services that benefit very low and low- income persons. The five programs being administered by the housing programs staff address homeless prevention and housing assistance, repair to dwellings owned by low and very low-income households and homeownership through the SHOP. These programs are described more fully in the following narratives (the SHOP narrative will be found in the HOME program section). City of Springfield CDBG Funded Housing Programs • The City of Springfield continues to manage the successful CHORE program, one of five City-run housing programs. This program is designed to provide assistance to very low- income, primarily elderly or disabled homeowners in Springfield, and provides basic lawn care services and exterior home maintenance. By helping to maintain the appearance of their property, the CHORE program helps to keep the property and occupants from being identified as “easy” targets of crime and vandalism based on their age and/or disability. In addition to the benefit to the property owner, this activity also benefits the surrounding neighborhood. The City hopes to continue the CHORE program by using CDBG program income, if available, (not to exceed the 15% cap for public services) to provide services to homeowners who are unable to perform these services on their own. The program allows up to $250 annually to an eligible household for these activities. • The City of Springfield will continue to provide assistance to qualified low-income homeowners through its Emergency Minor Home Repair Program and the Springfield Home Improvement Program (SHIP). These programs are funded from CDBG program income generated through SHIP loan repayments (when available) and an allocation from the new CDBG grant. The City will allocate $80,000 from its new CDBG grant for this purpose. • Emergency assistance to very low-income renters is made available through Springfield’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). This program provides single episode Attachment 2-5 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 6 assistance to qualified renters. Strict household and property eligibility requirements help to protect this program against abuse or misuse. The severe reduction to the FY2012/13 CDBG allocation forced the City of Springfield to suspend this vital program. This program is not expected to be revived until funding levels increase. Coordination Coordination efforts between public assisted housing providers and private and government health, mental health and service agencies is an extremely important activity. It is important, particularly now, when a number of housing providers are including within their programs service components for the residents of their housing projects. Staff also works closely with other resource providers coordinating efforts with the Springfield Utility Board for energy assistance and weatherization, the Lane County Senior and Disabled Services, and the United Way. The Housing Policy Board (HPB) is an intergovernmental body formed by representatives from Eugene, Springfield, Lane County, and the Housing and Community Service Agency (HACSA) to develop countywide housing priorities. The HPB’s mission is “...to increase the availability of decent, affordable housing for low- and very low-income families and individuals in Lane County.” The HPB meets on a monthly basis. The meetings are regularly attended by HACSA, the HSC, Eugene and Springfield staff, non-profit providers, and developers. The agenda topics and information shared at the meetings allows for a formal method of communication to occur on a regular basis. The housing and service groups have established coordination and integration of the total housing delivery system (capital needs and service needs). Fair Housing Plan (CDBG and HOME Programs) Eugene and Springfield have a long history of cooperation as they work together to address increasing the supply of low-income housing and furthering fair housing choices. The two jurisdictions formed a consortium to receive federal HOME funds. Elected officials from both jurisdictions serve on the Intergovernmental Housing Policy Board. The Consolidated Plan is another example of the jurisdictions working together. The federal Fair Housing Act requires the Secretary of HUD “to administer the Department’s housing and community development programs in a manner to affirmatively further fair housing.” The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and the National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, govern the administration of CDBG and HOME funding and require participating jurisdictions to certify that they will affirmatively further fair housing. In order to uphold its commitment to affirmatively further fair housing and meet its federal obligation to engage in fair housing planning, Eugene and Springfield have collaborated on Attachment 2-6 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 7 an “Assessment of the Impediments to Fair Housing and Fair Housing Plan Strategies” that identifies road blocks or “impediments” that affect fair housing choice. In addition to the issues and actions that are described in the Eugene-Springfield Fair Housing Plan, the following are some of the strategies and programs that the City of Springfield is using to affirmatively further fair housing: Continue to identify areas in Springfield’s Land Use Policies that may unintentionally restrict, inhibit or otherwise impede the development of affordable housing - A primary goal of the federal Fair Housing Act and its amendments is to provide housing choice for everyone; everyone should be able to live where they choose, if they can find housing in the area of their preference that they can afford. The 2010 Eugene-Springfield Fair Housing Plan identified a number of impediments to Fair Housing, including several that can be addressed in part through land use policies, such as: an inadequate supply of affordable housing; market conditions that increase housing cost or decrease housing choice; and that suitable sites for future affordable housing construction can be difficult to find, expensive to acquire, and may have constraints that limit development opportunities. Because economic needs, regional and local demographics, technological advancements, and other factors that affect housing development are ever changing, evaluation of and development of measures to address land use impediments to housing choice and affordability are ongoing activities at the City of Springfield. Specific policies were incorporated in the Residential Land Use and Housing Element of the Springfield 2030 Refinement Plan to ensure that residential development will occur with housing types, mixes, and densities sufficient to accommodate the City’s projected 20-year housing needs. This document includes policies to plan for growth and needed housing; to foster housing choice and affordability; and to encourage housing diversity and quality neighborhoods. Implementation of these policies includes actions that will, in part, address some of the aforementioned impediments to Fair Housing. A number of these policies will be implemented through the neighborhood-specific Glenwood Refinement Plan, which was adopted in 2012. For example, the updated Glenwood Refinement Plan re-designates over 30 gross acres of land for high density residential mixed use, which increases development opportunities for a diversity of quality higher density housing types, including affordable housing, in a location served by existing frequent transit service and with access to employment centers, shopping, and recreational opportunities. The Glenwood Refinement Plan also includes policies developed to encourage and facilitate the development of high density housing in this mixed use transit oriented development area, including increasing the density minimum, allowing for density averaging on development sites, eliminating density maximums, increasing building heights, and providing financial incentives for the development of new high-density housing units through local, state, and federally-funded housing and community development programs. In addition, transportation policies and associated development and design standards seek ways to reduce development impediments to more efficient utilization of the residential land supply through street widths, parking requirements, and parking management strategies. Fair Housing Hotline - Our contract for a fair housing consultant and operator of a 24-hour fair Attachment 2-7 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 8 housing hotline is a key component in Springfield’s ongoing commitment to affirmatively further fair housing. The fair housing consultant provides is a valuable resource to people who feel that their rights to housing in Springfield have been violated. The consultant is also a valuable resource for property managers and landlords whether or not they are the focus of fair housing complaints. The fair housing consultant is able to educate and train them in the current state of fair housing law, answer questions they may have regarding their enforcement and eviction practices, and mediate tenant landlord disputes. By providing timely and accurate information to tenants, landlords, and property managers, the consultant is able to assist in the resolution of many housing related complaints, before they escalate. The City of Springfield’s AI states under “Rental Practices” that the lack of fair housing training being provided to rental managers and landlords may contribute to the higher incidents of complaints in the rental market (relative to the ownership market). Our contract with the fair housing consultant addresses this impediment, and supports Springfield’s certification to affirmatively further fair housing. The City of Springfield is contracting with the Fair Housing Council of Oregon to provide these services for FY2012/13. Emergency Rental Assistance – In response to requests and queries from area housing providers, the City of Springfield designed and implemented the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in 2003. The providers identified a need for one-time assistance to help households who are facing eviction for non-payment of rent, due to extraordinary or catastrophic circumstances. The program will pay 60% of the past-due rent (up to $400). Strict programmatic requirements help to ensure that assistance is provided where the need is greatest, and where the probability of long-term benefit is evident. By curing evictions and helping people remain in their homes, this activity supports the City of Springfield’s certification to affirmatively further fair housing. This program is being suspended in FY13 as a result of the drastic reduction of CDBG funding. Springfield Home Ownership Program - The City of Springfield continues to administer the very successful Springfield Homeownership Program (SHOP). The SHOP provides downpayment assistance for low-and very low-income households. SHOP brochures and posters have been printed in both English and Spanish language versions. The cities of Eugene and Springfield combine efforts to provide ongoing lender and realtor training. In addition Springfield staff avail themselves regularly to agencies and organizations to provide SHOP training to their employees, associates and clients. Springfield staff continues to work to build relationships with lenders and realtors to increase outreach to the Hispanic population. Housing for Special Needs Populations - The Springfield City Council continues to support the development of housing to meet the needs of developmentally disabled, physically disabled and aging populations. The recently constructed Afiya Apartments are located at 10th Street and Main Street and provides affordable service enriched housing for adults with developmental and psychiatric disabilities. Alvord Taylor Supported Living has used an allocation of FY12 HOME funds to renovate a home for adults with developmental as well as severe physical disabilities. And the Aster Apartments were recently completed with the Attachment 2-8 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 9 assistance of Springfield HOME funds, and now provides safe and affordable housing for seniors. These are a few of the many ways that the City is working to increase and diversify affordable housing opportunities as a way to affirmatively further fair housing in Springfield. Language as an Impediment to Fair Housing – The City of Springfield has taken great strides to mitigate the impact of language as an impediment to fair housing opportunities. The City’s Housing Planner is fluent in Spanish and will be available to interpret for clients and translate related housing documents. In addition, all of the various housing program brochures have been printed in Spanish, and several employees who work in City Hall are bi-lingual and bi- cultural and are available to assist with client communication. As mentioned earlier, the City also sponsors the “The ABCs of Homebuying” classes in Spanish. We will continue to develop our outreach capabilities as a means of providing fair housing opportunities. As an additional resource, the Fair Housing Council of Oregon provides all of their hotline, information, outreach and enforcement services in Spanish and English. Housing Outreach - Housing Programs Staff routinely participates in many community outreach events to inform low and moderate-income persons of the opportunities that are available to them through the City’s housing programs. The City has been fortunate to be able work closely with the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) in their role as the Homeownership Center of Lane County. Located in an historic building three blocks from City Hall, NEDCO provides a comprehensive array of services that together help families achieve their goal of homeownership. The services include providing information on first time homebuyer programs, providing homeownership education and counseling through the Threshold Homeownership Education and Counseling Program and the ABC's of Homebuying class, working with lenders and real estate professionals who have a mission to help first time homebuyers. Through the Regional Housing Center staff has had numerous opportunities to participate in Mortgage Broker/Lender and Realtor training as well as the Oregon Real Estate Symposium. Most recently, NEDCO has been at the forefront with foreclosure counseling services provided from their downtown offices. The City will continue to partner with NEDCO to provide important and timely services to Springfield residents, and help the community meet its diverse housing needs. Reduction of Lead-Based Paint Hazard (CDBG and HOME Programs) Background The health risks to young children posed by lead-based paint in residential dwellings remain an important issue. Progress in research and technology during the past 25 years has improved the understanding of how children are poisoned and our knowledge of how to better protect them, yet lead-based paint risks to children is still a significant problem nationally. In an effort to address this problem, HUD published its Final Rule to Title X of the 1992 Housing and Community Development Act in September 1999. This rule, referred to as the Lead Safe Housing Regulation, requires certain prescribed actions by HUD grantees to Attachment 2-9 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 10 identify, stabilize, or remove lead-based paint hazards in housing receiving HUD assistance. The scope of activities required by HUD is largely dependent upon the type of housing affected and the amount of Federal assistance provided, with rehabilitation activities using in excess of $25,000 of HUD funds requiring the highest level of treatment. Initially, all HUD grantees were required to be in compliance with the rule by September 2000. The rule only affects residential structures built before 1978. Currently, there is no plan for HUD or another section of the Federal government to provide funding to jurisdictions to help pay for the cost of implementing the lead-based paint regulations. City Administered Housing Rehabilitation Programs It is estimated that, in the cities of Eugene and Springfield, approximately 55,000 units of housing were built prior to 1978, and may contain lead-based paint. This represents nearly 70% of all housing units in the metropolitan area. Since the vast majority of the homes assisted through each City’s homeowner rehabilitation programs (including emergency minor home repair) are in this age category, it is clear that dealing with the issue of lead- based paint will have a significant impact on these programs. Many facets of each jurisdiction’s housing programs will be affected: • Costs associated with lead paint testing and treatment will increase the total costs of many small projects, meaning either an increased budget or a reduction in the number of units assisted. • Temporary relocation of residents while treatment/abatement activities are taking place will add to the project cost, and make higher demands on the assigned staff. • Because lead-hazard abatement may be cost-prohibitive, clients are being strategic on what they choose to repair or replace, and typically limit their requests to items that normally will not trigger the lead paint rules. These include items such as replacing roofing, water heaters, attic and crawlspace insulation, and electrical and plumbing repairs when the repairs do not disturb painted surfaces. City Administered Homeownership Programs The homeownership downpayment assistance programs currently being administered by each City is also affected by the Lead Safe Housing Regulation, though not to the extent of the rehabilitation programs. Compliance means visually identifying deteriorated paint and stabilizing the affected areas using safe work practices. The unit must then be cleared by a certified lead-based paint inspector. Therefore, it is incumbent on the seller and listing realtor to take the necessary steps to present a “clean” unit upon initial inspection to avoid costs and delays associated with testing, stabilization, and clearance activities. When a home shows visual signs of deteriorated paint surfaces, sellers and buyers often choose to forego using the downpayment assistance programs if compliance with the lead-based paint rule is perceived as being overly burdensome. Attachment 2-10 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 11 Non-Profit Housing Rehabilitation Projects Acquisition and rehabilitation activities of older structures undertaken by area non-profit housing providers receiving HUD funds must also comply with the lead-hazard rule. Since these projects often require HUD subsidies exceeding $25,000 per unit, the cost of treating lead-based paint may add significantly to the overall cost of the project. Additional funds may be required to offset the increase in cost, with the probable result of fewer units being rehabilitated. Non-profit housing providers have become acutely aware of the impacts of the lead-hazard rule on their projects, and will typically avoid using CDBG or HOME funds to acquire or rehabilitate a property that may have significant lead paint issues. Other Activities Purchase of Distressed, Undervalued or Beneficial Properties Occasionally, the City of Springfield is made aware of an opportunity to purchase property that is distressed or undervalued, or whose location and features are such that its acquisition by the City may be beneficial to the community. In the past, the City could not use CDBG and/or HOME funds to assist with the acquisition of such properties because that activity was not included in the current Consolidated Plan. When an opportunity presented itself, the City would, a) pass the opportunity to acquire the property on to area non-profit housing providers, b) allow the market to determine the property’s disposition, or c) in the case of distressed properties, let the property lapse into foreclosure. With the rapid increase of land values in Springfield, the City may want to consider acquiring such properties with HOME or CDBG funds, and make them available in the future for purchase and/or development of an eligible project that would benefit the Springfield community. Examples of how this provision could be used: • Purchase of residential properties prior to foreclosure to be made available for affordable homeownership housing. • Purchase of vacant land for future use as affordable housing or neighborhood development. • Purchase of distressed downtown properties for redevelopment. • Purchase of properties in Glenwood for redevelopment. Approval by the City Council will be required prior to acquiring any properties. Due to the scarcity of available CDBG and HOME funds, it is anticipated that this provision will be used very sparingly. However, inclusion of this provision in the Five-year Consolidated Plan is Attachment 2-11 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 12 necessary in order for the City to consider acquisition with CDBG or HOME funds as an option. Relocation Assistance At a work session on April 21, 2008, the Springfield City Council directed staff to investigate the viability of using CDBG and HOME funds to provide limited relocation assistance to mobile home park residents facing forced eviction. Although there are currently no plans for any mobile home park closures in Springfield, the growth and redevelopment of much of the urban core of the city seems to make MH park closures a certainty in the future. The Council felt that it is in the community’s best interest to begin discussing and analyzing the options and resources available. Under most circumstances relocation assistance by the City will be provided on a voluntary basis, and not as a required action under the Uniform Relocation Act, CDBG or HOME statutes. This activity was included in the FY2010 One-year Action Plan as an amendment to the current Consolidated Plan. It is unclear how and in what capacity CDBG and/or HOME funds will be used to assist with relocation, but general relocation assistance as a possible activity will continue to be included in the Consolidated Plan. Contingency Funding and Contract Amendments It is the nature of CDBG and HOME projects that funding usually comes from a variety of different sources having different requirements. CDBG and HOME funds are often used as leverage by project developers to secure additional funding from foundations, state and local programs and from private donors. CDBG and HOME funds may be one of the earliest funding commitments for projects, and the amounts and terms of these commitments may need to be modified from time to time as the project evolves. Contingency funding during project development and contract amendments during the operating cycle are ways that help to ensure continued public benefit for CDBG and HOME projects. Contingency funding allows the City to invest additional funds into a developing project without the requirement of a full public process, as long as the amount does not exceed 30% of the original allocation. This method is generally preferred over adding a contingency amount at the front end of project development because it doesn’t tie up CDBG or HOME funds unnecessarily. Contingency funding is reported in IDIS and is reflected in the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). Although regulations allow CDBG and HOME allocations to be outright grants to eligible projects, the City of Springfield has taken a more individualized approach and creates its CDBG and HOME contracts to fit the needs of the particular project. When proforma operating budgets suggest that projected cash flows will support a loan, funds are loaned instead of granted. Particularly with HOME projects where housing affordability is the primary goal, conditions may occur that make it difficult or impossible for a project to make its HOME loan payments as stipulated in the contract. Allowing staff to amend the terms and/or conditions of the contract to meet the needs of the project will help affordable housing providers stay in compliance with federal affordability requirements. In doing so, projects are able to provide continued public benefit. This is also pertinent to CDBG Business Development Loans, which is a new program that the City started this fiscal year. All Attachment 2-12 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 13 amendments to CDBG or HOME contracts shall maintain compliance with CDBG or HOME programmatic requirements. Downtown Redevelopment Area With the designation of the Springfield Downtown Redevelopment Area in 2004, the City of Springfield took a major step toward reversing the decades of disinvestment and decay that has plagued the city’s central business area. The City Council has committed CDBG funds to assist two capital projects in the downtown core, and identified a third project for future CDBG funding. These projects are described in the section “Activities for the Prevention or Elimination of Slum and Blighted Conditions”. Monitoring CDBG-funded projects meeting the Low and Moderate Income benefit (LMI) national objective must either serve a specific low-income area or target population. Individuals participating in a CDBG-funded program or receiving direct benefit from CDBG funded activities are required to meet HUD income guidelines. Funded programs and projects undergo regular monitoring by staff to ensure compliance with CDBG regulations. Attachment 2-13 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 14 Five-Year Goals Performance goals are established for Springfield over the five-year period covered by the 2010 Consolidated Plan. Actual outcomes will be compared to the annual and 5-year goals and will be reported in the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report. Subrecipient Monitoring Local non-profit social service providers sign contracts that set goals, scope of work, and identify the budget for use of CDBG funds. These contracts are administered by Lane County. Quarterly progress reports are submitted. Annually, staff from the Cities of Springfield and Eugene and staff from Lane County conduct a “risk assessment” of each agency’s performance. A letter is then sent to the agency with any follow-up issues or concerns. These issues are addressed in an on-site follow-up monitoring of selected agencies. For other sub- recipients, City staff reviews the status of the contract regularly and works directly with the agency to review compliance. City Single Audit The City of Springfield’s external auditors annually review the City’s federal grants, including CDBG. Project Management CDBG and HOME projects are managed by City staff trained in federal grant administration. Compliance with federal, state and local regulations is monitored throughout the implementation period. Project contracts include a scope of work, timeline, budget and all regulatory requirements (use of minority business enterprises, environmental requirements, mitigation efforts, record keeping, etc.). Summary of Other Resources The following is a list of Federal and non- federal public and private funding sources which can reasonably be expected to be available for project development (the City of Springfield does not receive Section 8 funds or McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance program funds): • Oregon Housing Trust Fund. Administered by the State of Oregon. Eligible activities include acquisition, construction and rehabilitation, and pre-development costs associated with low- and moderate-income housing development. The full amount of Oregon Trust Funds invested into the project is eligible as HOME match. • Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program. Formerly called the Oregon Lender’s Tax Credit Program; administered by the State of Oregon; provides below-market Attachment 2-14 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 15 interest rates for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Maximum interest rate reduction is 4% below market, for a maximum term of twenty years. HOME match is calculated by applying the present discounted cash value to the total yield forgone by the lender. • Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Special Projects Grants. The City of Springfield has been successful in the past in securing EDI grants for downtown redevelopment. EDI grants are project-specific awards by HUD to support and stimulate economic development. The Wildish Community Theater was the most recent recipient of an EDI-Special Projects grant from HUD. Although Congress did not provide funding for the EDI program in the Federal FY12 budget, it is likely that the EDI program may be resurrected in future budget years. • Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). This is a federal program that can provide large infusions of capital to affordable housing projects. Tax credits are awarded to a project over a 10 year period. These tax credits are then sold or “syndicated” to private businesses or organizations at less than face value to offset their tax liability. The Royal Building project is the most recent recipient of an LIHTC award. • Section 108 Loan Program. Springfield received its first Section 108 loan in 2009. The loan of $450,000 was to assist NEDCO with the purchase of a downtown building in which to relocate their offices and classroom. The historic building also includes 4 residential rental units on the second floor and a ground floor retail space on Main Street. Section 108 funds are treated as CDBG funds, and projects are subject to the same national objectives and eligibility requirements. • Volunteer Labor. Area non-profit housing developers have been successful in utilizing volunteer labor in their developments. The Lane Community College Construction Technologies Department has contributed student labor for all phases of housing development. Architects, attorneys, and other professionals have also contributed their services to non-profit housing developments in Springfield. Volunteer labor is eligible as HOME match and is calculated at a flat rate of $10.00 per hour. • State Loan Guarantee Program. Although this is not a “true source” of funds, this program serves to enhance a loan by providing a warranty as security for up to 25% of the loan value. Used as a tool by housing developers, it can allow lenders to increase their loan amount, and/or decrease the interest rate of the loan at little or no additional risk to the lender. Not eligible for HOME match. • Property Tax Exemptions. Exemptions from City property taxes have been allowed for qualified non-profit housing developers on a project-by-project basis to low- and moderate-income housing developments. Generally based on the benefits provided to the community and the duration of the low- and moderate-income housing Attachment 2-15 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 16 commitment, property tax exemptions are eligible as HOME match. The amount of match credit is calculated as the current discounted cash value of the tax exemption. • Vertical Housing Development Zone Tax Exemption. In October 2004, the City of Springfield received a Vertical Housing Development Zone (VHDZ) designation from the State of Oregon. The VHDZ program allows partial property tax exemption for qualified new housing that is built over street level commercial space. An eligible project can receive 20% of tax exemption per floor of housing up to a total of 80%. This program can provide valuable incentives to develop new housing in Springfield’s downtown corridor, which in turn will help support commercial growth and revitalization activities. • Private Contributions. Cash and materials have been contributed in the past by private businesses, corporations, and foundations to assist in the development of low- income housing in Springfield. It is expected that future contributions from private sources will continue to provide needed assistance. Private contributions are eligible as HOME match. Five CDBG projects, grant administration, Human Services Commission and housing program allocations were approved for funding at a public hearing before the Springfield City Council on April 15, 2013 and are included in this One-Year Action Plan. A table of Springfield’s CDBG activities and programs, and summary descriptions of Springfield’s approved CDBG projects follow this narrative section. Attachment 2-16 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 17 City of Springfield FY2013/14 CDBG Funding Allocations Funding Amounts: New Grant Funds $429,897 Prior Years $ 0 TOTAL AVAILABLE $429,897 Applicant Project Amount New Funds Prior Years Catholic Community Services Renovation of the Springfield Community Service Center and parking lot $17,500 $0 Springfield Economic Development Corporation Purchase of downtown property for future development of downtown Mill Plaza $50,000 $0 HACSA, Metropolitan Affordable Housing Acquisition and development of Glenwood Place mixed-use development $81,580 $0 NEDCO, Hatch Microbusiness assistance for 20 low- income Springfield businesses through the Hatch Business Incubator Program. $30,000 $0 NEDCO, Sprout! Exterior improvements to Sprout! Regional Food Hub $20,353 $0 City Housing Programs $80,000 $0 Human Services Commission $64,485 $0 Grant Administration $85,979 $0 Unallocated funds $0 $0 GRAND TOTAL $429,897 $0 Attachment 2-17 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 18 City of Springfield Summary of FY2013/14 CDBG Proposals and Approved Funding Amounts 1. Project: Springfield Service Center Renovation Location: 1025 G Street, Springfield Developer: Catholic Community Services Approved: $17,500 CDBG Grant Total Proj. Cost: $165,000 Catholic Community Services is receiving $17,500 of CDBG funds to assist with the renovation of the Springfield Community Service Center at 1025 G Street. Renovation activities include the intake, waiting and resource distribution areas, and the replacing the deteriorated parking lot. The Springfield Community Service Center is the largest distributor of emergency food in Springfield. Approximately 375 tons of food was dispensed last year, serving more than 12,000 individuals. Persons in need may also receive clothing, hygiene and household items, assistance with utility bills, bus passes and other necessary assistance. The center hosts the Soaring Hope meal program and day center for homeless persons and families. It is also one of two Springfield sites for the Egan Warming Centers. 2. Project: Acquisition of Downtown Property (Mill Plaza) Location: 138 Main Street, Springfield Developer: Springfield Economic Development Corporation Approved: $50,000 CDBG Loan Total Proj. Cost: $750,000 The Springfield Economic Development Corporation (SEDA) is receiving $50,000 of CDBG to assist with the acquisition of a downtown property at 138 Main Street. The property is at the location of the planned downtown Mill Plaza, this acquisition is consistent with the adopted Downtown Urban Design Plan. There is a commercial building currently on the site, occupied by two commercial tenants. There are no residential units on the site. Although development of the Mill Plaza will not occur for several years, the opportunity to purchase this key piece of property is immediate. Upon acquisition, SEDA and the City will partner to manage and operate the building with no anticipated changes in use. Current tenants will be allowed to continue their current lease arrangements. As other adjacent properties are acquired and redeveloped over the next several years, SEDA will make plans to clear and redevelop the site as a public plaza. Relocation assistance, if necessary, will be provided to the commercial tenants prior to redevelopment. Attachment 2-18 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 19 The Mill Plaza is envisioned as the City’s “living room”, creating the needed civic gathering place identified in the Urban Design Plan. It is considered a catalyst project, and an important step in the redevelopment of downtown as a whole. SEDA is a government agency and was created in 2004 by the City of Springfield and Lane County, for the purpose of eliminating blight in areas within the Agency’s jurisdiction in ways which will foster a business climate, improve quality of life and encourage private investment in our community. This is SEDA’s first CDBG application. 3. Project: Glenwood Place Mixed-Use Development Location: 4224 Franklin Blvd., Glenwood Developer: Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County Approved: $81,580 CDBG Grant Total Proj. Cost: $22,665,550 HACSA, in partnership with Metropolitan Affordable Housing is receiving $81,580 of CDBG and $210,170 of HOME funds to support the development of Glenwood Place, a multi-family mixed used development located in Glenwood. When completed, the development will consist of 149 affordable workforce housing units and ground floor commercial space fronting Franklin Blvd. Glenwood is located in a transit-rich area, positioned between Eugene and Springfield, with easy access to the U of O, LCC, Peace Health Medical Center, and both downtowns. The workforce housing within the development will consist of studio, one-bedroom and two- bedroom apartments set at rent levels affordable to individuals and families earning 30-60% of median area income. The development will include community spaces and meeting rooms, open areas, and parking for the commercial and residential tenants. The development will be a catalyst for new economic activity along the Franklin Blvd. corridor, and is consistent with the goals of the Glenwood Refinement Plan. If awarded, these funds may not be used by the developers until the site has received environmental clearance, and has been annexed to the City of Springfield. The annexation process has been initiated. HACSA received a HOME grant of $96,500 in FY2012 for predevelopment costs associated with Glenwood Place. 4. Project: Hatch Microenterprise Development Program Locations: 418 A St., 216 Main St., 1488 18th St., Springfield Developer: Neighborhood Economic Development Corp. Approved: $30,000 CDBG Grant Total Proj. Cost: $190,505 NEDCO is receiving $30,000 in CDBG funding to assist 20 low-income Springfield microbusiness owners through their Hatch Business Incubator: Microenterprise Development Program. Attachment 2-19 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 20 CDBG funds will be used to offer direct scholarships that will offset the $1,800 annual subscription cost to the clients for participation and to build program capacity. The services provided to Hatch participants include on-site and off-site technical small business assistance, classes and workshops, and a series of entrepreneurial boot camps directed at specific industry clusters including food and social enterprise. Hatch Business Incubator sites are located at the NEDCO building on Main Street, at the SPROUT! Regional Food Hub and at 18th Street and Mohawk Blvd. Hatch serves three levels of business from concept to established and growing businesses: Activator (pre-launch phase); Incubator (operating business); and Accelerator (established businesses). An extensive menu of services which includes training, financial assistance, networking and access to physical infrastructure has been developed for each level. Hatch generates positive economic activity, especially in downtown Springfield. Hatch is based on proven microenterprise and community development principles wherein businesses receiving services gain skills not only to build their own business, but to reinvest in their community. NEDCO has received past CDBG funding for Hatch in 2009, 2010 and 2012. 5. Project: Marketplace@Sprout! Exterior Improvements Location: 418 A Street, Springfield Developer: NEDCO Approved: $20,353 CDBG Grant Total Proj. Cost: $80,000 The Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) is receiving $20,353 of CDBG funds to assist with Phase 3 of the Sprout! Regional Food Hub project, which consists of improvements to the grounds and exterior of the Sprout! facility to allow it to better function as an outdoor marketplace and home of the seasonal Springfield Farmers’ Market . The food hub is located in the former Springfield Christian Church at 4th and A Streets in downtown Springfield. Food entrepreneurs and micro-businesses have access to the fully equipped commercial kitchen to prepare their wares and build their businesses. The CDBG funds will provide durable hardscaping, way finding components, and functional landscaping to allow the seasonal market to generate high levels of attendance. The Sprout! food hub received $153,577 in CDBG funding for acquisition of the site in 2011, and $58,000 of CDBG in 2012 to assist with the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment. Attachment 2-20 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 21 City of Springfield One-Year Action Plan for FY2013/14 HOME Investment Partnerships Program Description HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds are received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by the Eugene-Springfield Consortium for the metropolitan area. The primary purpose of the HOME program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing, with primary attention to rental housing, for low- and moderate-income families. HOME funds can be used for new construction or rehabilitation of housing projects which will be affordable to low- and moderate-income households, for the acquisition of eligible properties by for-profit and non- profit developers, for tenant-based rental assistance programs, and for first-time homebuyer programs. HOME funds can be provided to the project as a grant or as a loan, and the loan can be set up in various ways; low- or no interest, amortized, deferred or forgiven according to the needs of the project. Springfield’s Fiscal Year 2013/2014 (FY2013/14) allocation of HOME funds will be $279,910. This is a marked reduction from previous allocations, and continues a downward trend in federal grant funding for the city. When HUD informs the City of its actual FY2013/14 HOME allocation, project allocations will be adjusted as necessary. The HOME Agreement is a document entered into by the City of Springfield and the recipient of HOME funds. The Agreement fixes the amount of the allocation, determines the terms of repayment, defines the performance and monitoring parameters of the project, and certifies acceptance and compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. Attachments to the HOME Agreement include a statement of work, HOME affordability requirements, recipient's certification of governmental assistance, a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants and the HOME Allocation Agreement, which determines the allocation of proceeds from the sale of a HOME-assisted project, should the sale occur prior to the expiration of the mandatory compliance period. A Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) is a special designation given to non-profit housing developers that meet certain specific requirements pertaining to the formation and stated purpose of the non-profit. A CHDO must have among its purposes the provision of decent housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income persons. In addition, a CHDO must have representation of low-income community residents on its governing board and must have a defined geographic service area. The complete definition can be found in 24 CFR §92.2. A minimum of 15% of the HOME funds must be reserved for use by CHDOs. The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) was established by the City of Springfield to make recommendations concerning program policy and project selection to Attachment 2-21 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 22 the City Council. The goals of the committee are: 1) To allocate HOME funds in a manner which will serve to expand and preserve the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents of Springfield, and 2) To ensure the long term viability of Springfield’s Housing Programs through the efficient use, and return of investment of HOME funds. It is the City’s preference to award HOME funds as a loan, with interest rates and repayment provisions matched closely with the needs of each individual project. Other Resources The following is a list of non-federal public and private funding sources which can reasonably be expected to be available for project development: • Oregon Housing Trust Fund. Administered by the State of Oregon. Eligible activities include acquisition, construction and rehabilitation, and pre-development costs associated with low- and moderate-income housing development. The full amount of Oregon Trust Funds invested into the project is eligible as HOME match. • Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program. Formerly called the Oregon Lender’s Tax Credit Program; administered by the State of Oregon; provides below-market interest rates for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Maximum interest rate reduction is 4% below market, for a maximum term of twenty years. HOME match is calculated by applying the present discounted cash value to the total yield forgone by the lender. • Volunteer Labor. Area non-profit housing developers have been successful in utilizing volunteer labor in their developments. The Lane Community College Construction Technologies Department has contributed student labor for all phases of housing development. Architects, attorneys, and other professionals have also contributed their services to non-profit housing developments in Springfield. Volunteer labor is eligible as HOME match and is calculated at a flat rate of $10.00 per hour. • State Loan Guarantee Program. Although this is not a “true source” of funds, this program serves to enhance a loan by providing a warranty as security for up to 25% of the loan value. Used as a tool by housing developers, it can allow lenders to increase their loan amount, and/or decrease the interest rate of the loan at little or no additional risk to the lender. Not eligible for HOME match. • Property Tax Exemptions. Exemptions from City property taxes have been allowed for qualified non-profit housing developers on a project-by-project basis to low- and moderate-income housing developments. Generally based on the benefits provided to the community and the duration of the low- and moderate-income housing commitment, property tax exemptions are eligible as HOME match. The amount of match credit is calculated as the current discounted cash value of the tax exemption. Attachment 2-22 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 23 • Vertical Housing Development Zone Tax Exemption. In October 2004, the City of Springfield received a Vertical Housing Development Zone (VHDZ) designation from the State of Oregon. The VHDZ program allows partial property tax exemption for qualified new housing that is built over street level commercial space. An eligible project can receive 20% of tax exemption per floor of housing, up to a total of 80%. This program can provide valuable incentives to develop new housing in Springfield’s downtown corridor, which in turn will help support commercial growth and revitalization activities. • Private Contributions. Cash and materials have been contributed in the past by private businesses, corporations, and foundations to assist in the development of low- income housing in Springfield. It is expected that future contributions from private sources will continue to provide needed assistance. Private contributions are eligible as HOME match. Leveraging Federal Funds The City of Springfield allocates HOME funds through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The current housing and supportive services needs of the city are outlined in the RFP packet. Housing activities are categorized and prioritized by community need and fund allotments are made by category. Also outlined in the packet are the City’s criteria for ranking projects. One criterion is efficiency of use of Federal funds, which can be demonstrated by documenting the status and maximizing the amount of other funding sources. Thus, the most competitive projects will have maximized the funds leveraged by Federal dollars. The City has not had to impose any threshold percentages for leveraged or matched funds; the RFP process has been self-regulating in this respect. The City of Springfield tracks HOME matching contributions on a continual basis to ensure compliance with applicable HOME program regulations, which requires a minimum 25% matching contribution. • Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). This is a federal program that can provide large infusions of capital to affordable housing projects. Tax credits are awarded to a project over a 10 year period. These tax credits are then sold or “syndicated” to private businesses or organizations at less than face value to offset their tax liability. The Royal Building project is the most recent recipient of an LIHTC award. The Springfield HOME Agreement contains a Subsidy Layering Certification which identifies all sources of project funding. If additional Federal funds are being utilized or applied for, the HOME recipient is required to notify the City. This allows the City to monitor all current and future sources of funds, and to evaluate the project’s need for HOME funds. The City will conduct an additional review of subsidy layering at the time that the HOME agreement is put in to place. The City will only contribute HOME funds to projects in the amount that is necessary to provide affordable housing. HOME Assisted Housing Activities Attachment 2-23 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 24 • Glenwood Place is a mixed-use development proposed by HACSA in partnership with Metropolitan Affordable Housing. The development will be located in Glenwood, on property that is being annexed to the City of Springfield. When completed, Glenwood Place will provide 150 units of affordable workforce housing and a commercial component fronting Franklin Blvd. HACSA will be receiving approximately $210,170 of HOME funds for development of the housing component. The project has also been allocated approximately $81,580 of CDBG funds to assist with the acquisition and development of the commercial portion of the project. When completed, the workforce housing within the development will consist of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments set at rent levels affordable to individuals and families earning 30-60% of median area income. The development will also include community spaces and meeting rooms, open areas, and parking for the commercial and residential tenants. Glenwood is located in a transit-rich area, positioned between Eugene and Springfield, with easy access to the U of O, LCC, Peace Health Medical Center, and both downtowns. The development will be a catalyst for new economic activity along the Franklin Blvd. corridor, and is consistent with the goals of the Glenwood Refinement Plan. HACSA received a HOME grant of $96,500 in FY2012 for predevelopment costs associated with Glenwood Place. • Habitat for Humanity R Street Subdivision. The Springfield-Eugene chapter of Habitat for Humanity (HfH) will receive approximately $30,250 of HOME funds to assist with infrastructure development on a site the agency owns on R Street in Springfield. When completed, the project will consist of seven single-family homes that will provide affordable homeownership opportunities for low and very low-income households. HfH uses a successful national model of homeownership development, utilizing volunteer labor and donations to reduce the cost of homeownership. Prospective HfH homeowners must contribute a proportional amount of sweat equity as part of the selection and qualification process. HfH is nearing completion of the Meyer Estates subdivision, which received HOME funding in previous years. HOME Funded Housing Programs • The Springfield Home Ownership Program (SHOP) provides downpayment assistance to low-income first-time homebuyers. The maximum SHOP assistance was reduced last year from $10,000 to a maximum of $7,000 per home. This reduction is in response to the overall reduction of funding to the HOME program, and the acknowledgement that current interest rates and the slowly recovering housing market in the area has made home ownership more affordable. The SHOP funds are to be used by the buyer to assist with downpayment and associated closing costs. Demand for SHOP assistance was moderately-high in FY12 and the program is expected to fully expend its available funds before the end of the fiscal year, assisting 14 first-time homebuyers. Some of this increased demand can be attributed to falling home prices and lowered Attachment 2-24 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 25 interest rates resulting from the current economic crisis. Although lending has tightened significantly, people are finding homes more affordable than in recent years. We expect demand for the program to remain high in FY13, and with the reduction to the HOME allocation, the city anticipates that SHOP funding will again be fully expended before the end of the fiscal year. Since its inception, the SHOP has helped approximately 545 first time homebuyers purchase homes in Springfield. Other Activities • HOME Funds for Interim Financing. The City of Springfield has successfully utilized HOME funds for short term, interim financing of HOME eligible projects. Interim financing takes advantage of HOME funds which have been awarded to a project, but have not yet been expended for that purpose. These funds can be used for bridge, construction or other short term financing needs of other projects. The developer who applies for HOME interim financing must provide documentation of sufficient backup financing, and must sign a loan agreement that provides for immediate repayment of the HOME funds when requested by the City. Because of the immediacy of the need for interim financing, application for the funds is a non- competitive, administrative review process. Utilizing HOME funds for interim financing of projects multiplies the community benefit of the HOME program. • Purchase of Distressed, Undervalued or Beneficial Properties. With the rapid increase of land values in Springfield, the City may want to consider acquiring such properties with HOME or CDBG funds, and make them available in the future for purchase and/or development of an eligible project that would benefit the Springfield community. Inclusion of this provision in the five-year Consolidated Plan is necessary in order for the City to consider acquisition with CDBG or HOME funds as an option. (See “Activities to be Undertaken” in the Springfield CDBG Section for an expanded narrative) • Relocation Assistance. At a work session on April 21, 2008, the Springfield City Council directed staff to investigate the viability of using CDBG and HOME funds to provide limited relocation assistance to mobile home park residents facing forced eviction. Although there are currently no plans for any mobile home park closures in Springfield, the growth and redevelopment of much of the urban core of the city seems to make MH park closures a certainty in the future. The Council felt that it is in the community’s best interest to begin discussing and analyzing the options and resources available. Under most circumstances relocation assistance by the City will be provided on a voluntary basis, and not as a required action under the Uniform Relocation Act, CDBG or HOME statutes. This activity was included in the FY2010 One-year Action Plan as an amendment to the current Consolidated Plan. It is unclear how and in what capacity CDBG and/or HOME funds will be used to assist with relocation, but general relocation assistance as a possible activity will continue to be included in the Consolidated Plan. Attachment 2-25 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 26 • Contingency Funding and Contract Amendments. It is the nature of CDBG and HOME projects that funding usually comes from a variety of different sources having different requirements. CDBG and HOME funds are often used as leverage by project developers to secure additional funding from foundations, state and local programs and from private donors. CDBG and HOME funds may be one of the earliest funding commitments for projects, and the amounts and terms of these commitments may need to be modified from time to time as the project evolves. Contingency funding during project development and contract amendments during the operating cycle are ways that help to ensure continued public benefit for CDBG and HOME projects. Contingency funding allows the City to invest additional funds into a developing project without the requirement of a full public process, as long as the amount does not exceed 30% of the original allocation. This method is generally preferred over adding a contingency amount at the front end of project development because it doesn’t tie up CDBG or HOME funds unnecessarily. Contingency funding is reported in IDIS and is reflected in the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). Although regulations allow CDBG and HOME allocations to be outright grants to eligible projects, the City of Springfield has taken a more individualized approach and creates its CDBG and HOME contracts to fit the needs of the particular project. When proforma operating budgets suggest that projected cash flows will support a loan, funds are loaned instead of granted. Particularly with HOME projects where housing affordability is the primary goal, conditions may occur that make it difficult or impossible for a project to make its HOME loan payments as stipulated in the contract. Allowing staff to amend the terms and/or conditions of the contract to meet the needs of the project will help affordable housing providers stay in compliance with federal affordability requirements. In doing so, projects are able to provide continued public benefit. This is also pertinent to CDBG Business Development Loans, which is a new program that the City started this fiscal year. All amendments to CDBG or HOME contracts shall maintain compliance with CDBG or HOME programmatic requirements. Geographic Distribution A dwelling must be located within Springfield’s city limits in order to be eligible for assistance through the City’s housing programs. Proposed housing development projects must be located within Springfield’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) to be considered for funding, and the project site must be annexed into the city limits before HOME funds may be expended for site development. With the designation of the Downtown Redevelopment Area, the Springfield City Council and local business leaders have made redevelopment of the core downtown area a priority. Creating a place where people work and live is vital to maintaining a thriving downtown. Attachment 2-26 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 27 Minority Concentrations New data from the 2010 Census has identified five census tracts with the highest reported percentage of Hispanic or Latino persons and five census tracts with the highest reported percentage of non-white persons. Cross-referencing this information, three census tracts in the City of Springfield have been identified that exhibit both high Hispanic and high minority populations, relative to the other census tracts. Census Tract 19.02 is located in mid- Springfield. Its boundaries are roughly described by I-105 on the north, 42nd Street on the east, the Union Pacific RR tracks on the south and 28th Street on the west. This census tract reports 11.84% Hispanic and 6.90% non-white. Census Tract 21.01 is in north Springfield. Its boundaries are roughly described by the UGB on the north, 5th Street on the east, I-105 on the south and MLK Blvd. on the west. This census tract reports 12.30% Hispanic and 8.10% non- white. Census Tract 32.01 is located on the western edge of Springfield. Its boundaries are roughly described by I-105 on the north, Pioneer Parkway on the east, Centennial Blvd. on the south and I-5 on the west. This census tract reports 12.0% Hispanic and 6.90% non-white. The data also shows that Census Tract 33.01 located in mid-Springfield has the second highest percentage (12.27%) of Hispanic persons while reporting a non-white percentage of 6.47%, and that Census Tract 21.02 located in west Springfield has the highest reported non- white percentage (8.91%), while reporting a Hispanic percentage of 11.42%. Homeless and Special Needs Activities The City of Springfield plans to continue to provide support for homeless and special needs activities through the utilization of HOME program funding. Current and past HOME projects that serve this diverse target population are: • Permanent and transitional housing units for low and very low-income individuals. • Transitional housing for homeless families. • Group homes for developmentally disabled persons. • Security deposit assistance for homeless and at-risk households. • Service enriched rental housing for special needs individuals, including low-income seniors and developmentally disabled adults. • Emergency rental assistance for very low-income households. • Dedicated housing for low-income seniors The Consortium provides CHDO operating assistance for local non-profit agencies, two of which serve homeless populations in Springfield through counseling, case management, and other services. Attachment 2-27 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 28 Other Actions In addition to the homeless and special needs activities described above, the City of Springfield plans to allocate HOME funds to support the following activities in the coming year: • New construction of affordable work-force housing. • Rehabilitation of existing housing stock to be used for very low-income rental housing for persons with disabilities. • Downpayment assistance for low-income first-time homebuyers. • New construction of homeownership units. In addition, a local non-profit agency also provides homeownership counseling and education to low and moderate-income families in Springfield. Specific HOME Program Requirements The City of Springfield currently provides assistance to homebuyers through two programs. Each program has its own resale and recapture provisions. • Springfield Homeownership Program (SHOP). This program provides downpayment assistance to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. The current maximum amount of assistance is $7,000. The HOME funds are provided to the qualified buyer as a no interest deferred loan which is recorded as a lien against the HOME-assisted property. The lien is repaid in full to the City upon the subsequent resale of the property. There is no expiration date for the lien. Successful completion of a homeownership preparation course conducted by a participating lender or an equivalent program conducted by a participating CHDO is a prerequisite to qualifying for this program. All low- and moderate-income households who have not owned a home in the past three years are eligible for the SHOP. In addition to the assistance provided to first time homebuyers purchasing market rate homes, the Consortium has elected to provide assistance to homebuyers purchasing homes in housing developments and/or subdivisions constructed or rehabilitated specifically to provide housing for low-income homebuyers an increased subsidy amount up to double the customary SHOP subsidy. The City of Springfield is also allowing a doubling of SHOP assistance for eligible homeownership opportunities in its downtown. All other terms and conditions of the SHOP will remain the same. Two HOME projects, grant administration, CHDO operating support and housing program allocations were approved for funding at a Public Hearing before the Springfield City Council on April 16, 2012 and are included in this One-Year Action Plan. A table of Springfield’s HOME Attachment 2-28 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 29 activities and programs, and summary descriptions of Springfield’s approved HOME projects follow this narrative section. City of Springfield: HOME Recapture Provisions for Homeownership Projects The HOME Program requires that a jurisdiction must impose either resale or a recapture provisions when providing HOME assistance to homeownership projects, including homes acquired with SHOP downpayment assistance. In order to ensure affordability, the City of Springfield is imposing HOME recapture provisions on all homeownership projects and programs which include a “homebuyer subsidy” as described in 24CFR §92.254(a)(5)(ii). Under this recapture provisions, the HOME period of affordability is based on the total amount of homebuyer subsidy per unit: HOME Affordability Table Homebuyer Subsidy Less than $15,000 $15,000 to $40,000 Over $40,000 Period of Affordability Five Years Ten Years Fifteen Years Homebuyer subsidy is the amount of the HOME assistance that enabled the homebuyer to buy the dwelling, and is the amount that is subject to recapture. This amount includes SHOP downpayment assistance, purchase financing (silent mortgages) and assistance with closing costs. It doesn’t include any “development subsidy” which is the amount of HOME assistance provided to the housing developer that bridges the gap between the cost of producing the unit and its fair market value. HOME recapture provisions ensure that if the housing does not continue to be the principal residence of the family for the period of affordability, then all or a portion of the homebuyer subsidy shall be recaptured. Net Proceeds Limitation Under the recapture provisions, the homebuyer must repay to the City of Springfield the full amount of the homebuyer subsidy whenever the housing unit does not continue to be the principal residence of the family for the duration of the period of affordability. However, if the recapture requirement is triggered by the sale (voluntary or involuntary) of the housing unit, and there are no net proceeds or the net proceeds are insufficient to repay the entire homebuyer subsidy amount, the City may only recapture the net proceeds, if any. HOME affordability requirements will end upon recapture of the homebuyer subsidy. Any recaptured funds will be deposited into the consortium HOME account and will provide assistance to future HOME projects. NEDCO and St. Vincent de Paul Homeownership Housing This section clarifies how the HOME recapture provisions will be applied to NEDCO and St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) HOME assisted housing. In their loan agreement with the homebuyer, both NEDCO and SVDP divide the purchase price into two or more parts. The intent of dividing the purchase price into separate parts is to make the purchase more affordable to the homebuyer and to prevent the homebuyer from profiting from the non- Attachment 2-29 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 30 profit status of each agency and its programs by immediately selling the property at a profit. The parts are: • Part A is the first mortgage between the borrower and the agency. This part is not subject to the HOME recapture provisions. • Part B is a “silent mortgage” between the borrower, the agency and the City of Springfield. This is considered to be direct assistance to the homebuyer, and the full amount is subject to the HOME recapture provisions. If the property is no longer the primary residence of the borrower at any time during the period of affordability, the recapture provisions will take effect and the borrower will be required to repay the full amount of Part B to the City of Springfield. However, if the recapture provisions are triggered by sale or foreclosure of the property, the amount that the borrower will be required to repay to the City of Springfield will be subject to the net proceeds limitation previously described. • Other parts may be incorporated in the loan agreements that include grants, loans and other financing assistance provided by other sources. These parts are not subject to the HOME recapture provisions. • NEDCO and SVDP will often encourage its homebuyers to use the SHOP program to provide downpayment assistance during the purchase. SHOP assistance is also regarded as a direct homebuyer subsidy and is, therefore, subject to the HOME recapture provisions including the net proceeds limitation. For these properties, the full amount subject to recapture is the sum of Part B and the SHOP assistance. Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Housing This section clarifies how the HOME recapture provisions will be applied to HOME assisted housing produced by the Springfield-Eugene chapter of Habitat for Humanity (HfH). In its Note and Loan Agreement with the homebuyer, HfH divides the purchase price into three parts. The intent of dividing the purchase price into three parts is to prevent the borrower from profiting from the non-profit status of HfH and its programs by immediately selling the property at a profit. The three parts are: • Part A is the first mortgage between the borrower and HfH. This part is not subject to the HOME recapture provisions. • Part B is a “silent second mortgage” between the borrower, HfH and the City of Springfield. This is the full amount of the direct HOME assistance to the homebuyer, and is the amount subject to the HOME recapture provisions. If the property is no longer the primary residence of the borrower at any time during the period of affordability, the recapture provisions will take effect and the borrower will be required to repay the full amount of Part B to the City of Springfield. However, if the recapture provisions are triggered by sale or foreclosure of the property, the amount that the borrower will be required to repay to the City of Springfield will be subject to the net proceeds limitation previously described. • Part C is a “silent third mortgage” between the borrower and HfH and is not subject to the HOME recapture provisions. Optional Assumption of HOME Affordability Obligations Springfield is making an additional provision available only to NEDCO, SVDP and HfH homeownership projects. Springfield will permit a subsequent low-income purchaser of a Attachment 2-30 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 31 NEDCO, SVDP or HfH HOME assisted unit to assume the HOME loan and recapture obligation entered into by the original buyer. This includes any SHOP downpayment assistance. The new homeowner will also assume the remaining period of affordability. This provision will give these agencies the opportunity to prolong the affordability of its homes in keeping with their missions. This consideration is optional and does not limit or eliminate the original buyer’s right to sell the home to a willing buyer at any income level. Extended Affordability, Occupancy and Repayment Requirements The HOME affordability requirements and recapture provisions will expire at the end of the mandated periods shown in the HOME Affordability Table. However, many homeownership programs extend affordability, occupancy and repayment requirements beyond the HOME mandated periods. For instance, most SHOP loans have a five-year HOME period of affordability. However, the loan made by the City to the homebuyer does not expire, and repayment is required upon sale or transfer, or whenever the unit is no longer the principle residence of the homebuyer. If a SHOP homebuyer sells his home ten years after the date of purchase, the HOME recapture provisions will have expired and repayment is not subject to the net proceeds limitation. The homebuyer must repay the full amount of the SHOP loan. Homeownership loan agreements by NEDCO, SVDP and HfH may include affordability, occupancy and repayment terms that continue beyond the HOME mandated period of affordability and after the HOME recapture provisions expire. When repayment occurs after the HOME mandated period of affordability, the repayment is considered program income and will be returned to the HOME Consortium account to be used to support future HOME activities. If the HOME assistance is only used for the development subsidy and therefore not subject to recapture, the resale provision described in 24CFR §92.254(a)(5)(i) must be used. The City of Springfield does not anticipate participating in a homeownership project where only a development subsidy is provided, therefore, a resale provision is not included in this section. Monitoring Regulations state that the One-Year Action Plan must describe the standards and procedures that the jurisdiction will use to monitor activities carried out in furtherance of the Plan and to ensure that long-term compliance with requirements of the programs involved. • HOME Project Monitoring – Client income certification sheets are submitted annually by developers of HOME-funded projects and are placed in the project file. Review of income and other eligibility documentation are completed on-site. Physical inspections of HOME-assisted units are conducted on a one-, two-, and three-year cycle based on the number of HOME units. The inspector summarizes the findings and any follow-up work required. These inspection forms are filed in the project files. • Consortium Monitoring – The cities of Eugene and Springfield recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding which states the program responsibilities of the Attachment 2-31 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 32 Consortium. Springfield participates in an annual monitoring conducted by the City of Eugene as lead agency. • City Single Audit – The Federal HOME program is reviewed by the City’s external auditors annually. • Project Management – Each project is managed by Springfield HOME program staff. The project manager reviews projects for compliance throughout the implementation of the project. Project contracts include a scope of work, timeline, and budget as well as regulatory requirements – use of minority business enterprises, environmental requirements, mitigation efforts, record keeping, etc. • Affirmative Marketing – Both cities have a joint Affirmative Marketing Policy that complies with 24CFR §92.351. The City of Springfield periodically reviews the marketing plans for all affordable housing developments in Springfield. The housing providers have active plans in place and are diligent in their work to seek out and provide housing to our minority communities. NEDCO provides homebuyer outreach and marketing activities in Spanish. Attachment 2-32 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 33 FY 2013/14 HOME Funding Allocations Funding Amounts: New Grant Funds $ 279,910 Previous Year $ 102,496 TOTAL AVAILABLE $ 382,406 Applicant Project HOME Amount New Funds Previous Year Carryover HACSA, Metropolitan Housing Acquisition and development of Glenwood Place mixed-use development $ 107,674 $102,496 Habitat for Humanity Infrastructure development of R Street subdivision $ 30,250 - Grant Administration* $ 27,991 - City Housing Programs $100,000 - CHDO Operating $ 13,995 - Unallocated amount (carry forward to next year) $0 - Subtotal $297,910 $102,496 GRAND TOTAL $382,406 *In addition, Springfield will continue to assign10% of all program income received within the program year to HOME Grant Administration Attachment 2-33 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 34 City of Springfield Summary of FY2013/14 HOME Proposals and Approved Funding Amounts 1. Project: Glenwood Place Location: 4224 Franklin Blvd, Glenwood Developer: HACSA, Metropolitan Affordable Housing Approved: $210,170 Total Proj. Cost: $22,665,550 HACSA, in partnership with Metropolitan Affordable Housing is receiving $210,170,000 of HOME funding to support the development of Glenwood Place, a multi-family mixed used development located in Glenwood. When completed, the development will consist of 150 affordable workforce housing units and ground floor commercial space fronting Franklin Blvd. Glenwood is located in a transit-rich area, positioned between Eugene and Springfield, with easy access to the U of O, LCC, Peace Health Medical Center, and both downtowns. The workforce housing within the development will consist of studio, one-bedroom and two- bedroom apartments set at rent levels affordable to individuals and families earning 30-60% of median area income. The development will include community spaces and meeting rooms, open areas, and parking for the commercial and residential tenants. The development will be a catalyst for new economic activity along the Franklin Blvd. corridor, and is consistent with the goals of the Glenwood Refinement Plan. If awarded, these funds may not be used by the developers until the site has received environmental clearance, and has been annexed to the City of Springfield. The annexation process has been initiated. HACSA received a HOME grant of $96,500 in FY2012 for predevelopment costs associated with Glenwood Place. 2. Project: R Street Development Location: R Street (south side) just east of 11th Place Developer: Springfield-Eugene Habitat for Humanity Approved: $30,250 Total Proj. Cost: $893,175 The Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity is requesting $60,500 of HOME funds for private infrastructure development to support seven single family homes on a lot owned by HfH at R Street near 11th Place. The funds will be used to pay surveying and platting services and fees, architectural and engineering costs, planning and permit fees, utility and infrastructure development costs, and site development. Attachment 2-34 FY2013/14 One-Year Action Plan 35 While no particular design for the homes has been selected, the homes will be Energy Star certified and flexible enough to serve families needing 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms. This is a new construction housing project that will provide affordable homeownership for families between 30% and 60% of the area median income. HfH is nearing the completing of the 10 unit Meyer Estates subdivision. The City contributed $245,000 of HOME funds to Meyer Estates over four funding cycles. Attachment 2-35