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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 CDBG-CV3 funds AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 5/24/2021 Meeting Type: Work Session Staff Contact/Dept.: Erin Fifield / DPW Staff Phone No: 541-726-2302 Estimated Time: 30 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: Promote and Enhance our Hometown Feel while Focusing on Livability and Environmental Quality ITEM TITLE: CDBG-CV3 DRAFT FUNDING ALLOCATION ACTION REQUESTED: Provide direction on a draft funding allocation for the use of CDBG-CV3 funds to be published for public comment. ISSUE STATEMENT: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) authorized Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV1 and CV3) funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the City of Springfield. Springfield must allocate these CDBG-CV3 funds to eligible strategies through a substantial amendment to the FY2021 CDBG One Year Action Plan by August 16, 2021. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Council Briefing Memo DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City is receiving $ 366,652 in additional CDBG funds through the CARES Act (CDBG-CV3) and needs to allocate funds by August 2021. • Activities funded with these funds need to be CDBG-eligible, and primarily targeted for low-income households. • Activities need to show they “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” • 80% of funds must be spent be used by December 2023 A list of projects and unmet needs has emerged in conversations with Lane County Human Services Division staff, through public comment at the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) meetings, through the 2021 CDBG Request for Proposals, and in conversations with HUD. That list is included in this packet for discussion. M E M O R A N D U M City of Springfield Date: 5/24/2021 To: Nancy Newton COUNCIL From: Erin Fifield, Community Development Analyst Tom Boyatt, Director, Community Development Director BRIEFING Subject: CDBG-CV3 draft funding allocation MEMORANDUM ISSUE: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) authorized Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV1 and CV3) funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the City of Springfield. Springfield must allocate these CDBG-CV3 funds to eligible strategies through a substantial amendment to the FY2021 CDBG One Year Action Plan by August 16, 2021. COUNCIL GOALS/ MANDATE: Promote and Enhance our Hometown Feel While Focusing on Livability and Environmental Quality BACKGROUND The City is receiving $ 366,652 in additional CDBG funds through the CARES Act (CDBG- CV3) and needs to allocate funds by August 2021. • Activities funded with these funds need to be CDBG-eligible, and primarily targeted for low-income households. • Activities need to show they “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” • 80% of funds must be spent by December 2023 This is the second allocation of CDBG-CV funds the City has received under the CARES Act. The first allocation, CDBG-CV1, was made available in Spring 2020. In July 2020, the City Council approved an allocation of $327,639 in CDBG-CV1 funds towards Meals on Wheels and for rent assistance, at least 15% of which was dedicated to reaching Latinx households. This past year, local service providers, and Lane Council of Governments have been carrying out these activities to low-income households in Springfield. PROPOSED PROCESS Springfield needs to follow the Public Participation Plan for HUD funds: • City makes a draft plan available for public comment (for 5 days) • Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation to Council • Council approves a final allocation Attachment 1, Page 1 of 3 MEMORANDUM Page 2 Staff is proposing the City follow a similar process as the CDBG-CV1 allocation. Namely, Council meets to review known needs and projects, and proposes a draft allocation to be published for public comment. The CDAC would then hold a public hearing, allowing the public to comment on the draft plan, and make a recommendation to Council on funding. Given other CDBG projects, there is limited Springfield staff capacity to implement more programs directly. It is advised that the City limit the amount of new activities it funds. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS / ACTIVITIES The following list of projects and unmet needs has emerged in conversations with Lane County Human Services Division staff, through public comment at the CDAC, through the 2021 CDBG Request for Proposals, and in conversations with HUD. Other projects / activities may also exist*; the public comment period and public hearing is an opportunity to hear more about these projects and what other needs exist. *Of note, the County is expecting to receive $60 million in coronavirus relief funding to be put toward rent assistance. County staff have stated that while rent assistance is a need for low- income households in the County, they do not need additional allocations. Consolidated Plan Strategy Organization and Project Summary of Project Estimated cost Notes Increase the supply of affordable housing Ann’s Heart (with Carry It Forward) Start-up operation of home to house and support 6 unhoused women in Springfield TBD Rep. Lively has included acquisition of property in his list to the legislature for funding. Remove barriers to affordable and supportive housing Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) Contract with FHCO to provide trainings on fair housing rights to renters and/or landlords in Springfield $10,000 (ballpark) Support a human services delivery system to address the needs of low- income populations White Bird: Street outreach to the unhoused Continue supporting outreach to include a team (3.0 FTE) that is able to provide consistency in outreach and in-depth and ongoing case management, particularly for those experiencing severe mental and physical health conditions. $ 350,000 / year (with Nurse Practitioner and medical focus) or $ 177,000 / year (w/o medical focus) City’s Emergency Operations Center currently funds outreach reimbursed by FEMA Attachment 1, Page 2 of 3 MEMORANDUM Page 3 Daisy C.H.A.I.N.: Support for unhoused pregnant woman Certified doulas performing outreach, and providing shelter and support to new (and soon-to-be new) mothers who are homeless $ 56,000 / year (Request submitted through RFP) Springfield Eugene Tenants Assoc. (SETA) Help SETA expand/sustain paid staff to address questions renters have (including the coming end to the eviction moratorium) and where to access resources and support $ 15,000 – $ 60,000 / year (estimate) SETA expects to have sufficient funds for FY2022; these funds could be used for FY2023 Oregon Law Center Support part of an FTE of a staff attorney dedicated to serving Springfield residents who have civil legal housing issues $ 20,000 (1 year) These funds would be used in FY2022. Catholic Community Services of Lane County Expand staffing at OASIS in order to expand homeless day access center to 7 days/week, 8 hours/day $ 200,000 / year Grant administration City staff Administer / support / monitor projects (depends on # projects chosen) $10,000 – 20,000 PROPOSED TIMELINE: • 5/24 Get direction from Council during work session • 5/28 Draft CDBG-CV3 allocation posted for public comment • 5 day public comment period • Register Guard runs legal ad; draft allocation posted to website • Notice to e-mail list of interested parties • 6/9 CDAC meeting / public hearing / allocation recommendation to Council • 6/21 City Council RS to approve CDBG-CV3 allocation RECOMMENDED ACTION: Provide direction on a draft funding allocation for the use of CDBG-CV3 funds. Attachment 1, Page 3 of 3