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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Community Assessment for 1999 Program Year• • Honorable Lynn Mcllhaney Mayor of College Station P.O. Box 9960 College Station, TX 77842 -9960 Dear Mayor Mcllhaney: MAR 2 9 2001 SUBJECT: Annual Community Assessment for the 1999 Program Year US. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Texas State Office Office of Community Planning and Development 801 Cherry Street, 28 Floor PO Box 2905 Fort Worth, Texas 76113 -2905 r CEOVE--- APR - 22001 HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development has sought to establish partnerships with State and local governments. The focus of our partnership has been to work with communities to ensure that our joint efforts result in housing and community development programs and policies that benefit and serve low- and moderate - income persons. These efforts occur within the framework of the statutes we administer and the regulations and emerging policies that are designed to improve program performance. The provisions of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, require the annual submission of performance reports by grant recipients receiving federal assistance through programs covered under these Acts. Additionally, these Acts require that a determination be made by the Secretary, that the grant recipient is in compliance with the statutes and has the continuing capacity to implement and administer the programs for which assistance is received. Traditionally, these determinations were made through the review of annual reports submitted by grantees for each individual program receiving assistance. With the implementation of the Consolidated Planning Regulations of January 5, 1995, the Department has been making a comprehensive performance review of your overall progress annually, as required by the statutes and section 24 CFR 91.525 of the regulations. The review consists of analyzing your consolidated planning process, reviewing management of funds, determining the progress made in carrying out your policies and programs, determining the compliance of funded activities with statutory and regulatory requirements, determining the accuracy of required performance reports, as well as evaluating your accomplishments in meeting key Departmental objectives. Please provide a copy of this report to the Independent Public Accountant (IPA) who will be completing the city's next single audit. This assessment not only meets the mandates of the statutes, but it also provides a basis for working together collaboratively to help you achieve housing and community development goals. One critical outcome of this collaboration should be the development of a more comprehensive, effective, and concise Consolidated Plan and improved performance in achieving specific goals that correspond to the activities outlined in.your Action Plan. Report We congratulate you on your many accomplishments during the 1999 program year: Primary Benefit. In 1999, the city expended 72.9 percent of its CDBG funds for the primary benefit of low - and moderate - income persons. This meets the 70 percent minimum standard for overall program benefit. Overall Progress. The city is implementing its CDBG program in a timely manner. HUD's timeliness standard is that 60 days before the end of the program year, a grantee must not have more than 1.50 program years of • t grant funds in its line of credit. The city's line of credit balance was 1.49 grant years as of July 31, 2000. This rate of progress assures that the benefits of the CDBG program are reaching the intended beneficiaries within a reasonable period of time after grant approval. Planning and Administration. The amount of funds expended on planning and administration was 17.51 percent which is below the 20 percent cap for such activities. Providing Decent Housing. In its effort to promote affordable housing, the City of College Station assisted a total of 351 households during the program year. Through the city's CDBG rehabilitation program, two units were rehabilitated (this included two full rehabilitations). Through the city's HOME program, funds were responsible for providing 325 prospective homebuyers with counseling and technical assistance related to homeownership issues. Additionally, 22 families received down payment assistance and successfully purchased homes. The city's CHDO assisted two families with the purchase and rehabilitation of their homes. The city continues to make progress on its objective of providing low- and moderate - income homeowners an opportunity to live in safe, decent and affordable housing. In its effort to increase affordable housing stock, the city created a new staff position to facilitate this goal. Under its clearance and demolition activity, the city has continued to make improvements with its Demolition Activity. A total of two unsafe single family structures were demolished. In addition, 90 units of a dilapidated multi - family property were demolished. The city will continue with demolition projects as necessary to provide safe and healthy living conditions. Code enforcement. The city has continued to aid in the prevention of slum and blighted areas by inspecting unoccupied and occupied structures for minimum code compliance. The city issued 3,503 code enforcement citations during the program year. Citations were issued for high grass/weeds, open storage, sanitation, signs, junked motor vehicles, and housing violations. Relocation. Through the city's Optional Relocation Program (ORP), six ORP projects were processed, designed, bid, approved by City Council and placed under contract during the program year. The six projects will be reported as completed in the next program year. Providing a suitable living environment. The city carried out a variety of public facility activities during the program year. This year's program accomplishment included the completion of the LULAC 202 Recreational Facilities project at the apartment complex for the elderly. On -going public facility projects include the Bryan - College Station Community Health Center, sidewalk improvements to the Lincoln- Tarrow- University Drive areas, engineering and design work for improvements to Church Street in the Northgate area, and planning and design work for the Cherry Street Project. In addition, the city carried out a commercial rehabilitation project which provided rehabilitation assistance for exterior facades of commercial businesses in low income areas. The city reported that two projects were completed this period, Satchel's Restaurant and Loupot's Bookstore. Public Services. The city's program assisted 1,402 persons with its health services programs; 437 youths with its educational, transportation, job and employment skills training, and recreational after school activities; 1,260 elderly persons with transportation, and case management assistance; and 6,312 persons with emergency shelter, food, and clothing assistance. The city is reporting that the funds provided to these agencies have enabled them to administer vital human service needs in the community and also have allowed them in some instances to increase the services provided. 1r • -., Recommendations We provide the following recommendation for your consideration as you continue to improve performance and correct areas of noncompliance, continue to develop and refine your Consolidated Planning process, and carry out your program. • The city should also be aware that HUD training for grantees is provided during the fiscal year. Courses often available include CDBG, ESG, HOPWA, HOME and Homeless grants. You can contact this office for information on which courses are currently available. • • O Public Access This report must be made readily available to the public. There are several ways the report can be made available to the public. You can assist us in this regard by sharing HUD's report with the media; with a mailing list of interested persons; with members of your advisory committee; or with those who attended hearings or meetings. HUD will make this information available to the public upon request and may provide copies of future reports to interested citizens and groups. Conclusion Based on our review of information pertaining to your performance in the CDBG and HOME programs during the past year, we have determined that the City of College Station has carried out its program substantially as described in its Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan submission as implemented complies with the requirements of the Housing and Community Development Act and other applicable laws and regulations, and the City of College Station has the continuing capacity to carry out its approved program in a timely manner. Overall, we feel that the city has made substantial progress in the management of its grants. If you have any questions about this assessment, please contact Mr. Robert H. Carreras, Community Planning and Development Representative, at (817) 978 -5624. Sincerely, atie orsha Director cc: Randy Brumley, Interim CD Program Administrator