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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Development Newsletter 4. 2001 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Apr4 2001 Volume 1, Issue 2 CITY OF COLLEGE STATION _ Inside this issue: Downpayment Assistance 2 Other CD Programs 3 Applications Due for CDBG Funds Big Event 3 The Cities of College Station and Bryan will soon New Employees 4 begin the process of considering Public Service Agency applications for the Community Development Block Fair Housing Act 4, 5 Grant (CDBG) funds, a HUD program that has direct impact on public services in our community. This proc- ess is an excellent example of a joint effort by College Present & Upcoming Projects 5 Station and Bryan to recognize and serve our joint city Calendar of Events (2nd quarter of FY 2001) 6 community as partners, insuring that health and human service programs are efficiently and fairly delivered ac- Projects 7 cording to CDBG guidelines. College Station and Bryan each receive a yearly alloca- tion of CDBG funds through the U.S. Department of Calendar of JRFRC Activities 7 Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Cities have historically used the funds to improve housing, streets, facilities and utilities in low- income neighbor- and moderate - income residents. The Joint Relief Fund - hoods. Since 1986, the Cities have channeled 15% (the ing Review Committee meets weekly for a period of ap- maximum percentage allowed by HUD) of the funds to proximately six weeks to review each application and non - profit public service agencies delivering a variety of visit each agency that is applying. At the end of the programs. process a Public Hearing is held and the Committee se- lects the agencies to be recommended for funding and For the fiscal year of October 2001 to September distributes the amount of the funding accordingly. Each 2002, the City of College Station has allocated a total of City Council reviews and makes final approval of the $184,050. Bryan will receive $162,750. The Public Ser- funding recommendations of the Committee. vice percentage of the combined total will be $247,260. These amounts are directly attributable to population Both Cities are committed to helping the selected numbers based on the 2000 Census. The Cities have agencies implement reporting procedures in compliance developed an application process that involves a Joint with HUD requirements and helping to identify sources Relief Funding Review Committee. This Committee is of financial support other than CDBG funds. Technical composed of three College Station and three Bryan citi- assistance is also provided. zens. Staff members of each City's Community Develop - O April 12, 2001, all Non - Profit Public Service ment Department work together in distributing a Agencies, that are applying for CDBG funds for the FY "Bryan /College Station Application" to non - profit agen- 2001-2002, must turn in their applications to either cies in our community. Each agency must demonstrate Gary Balmain at the College Station Community Devel- programs that will result in providing a new or quantifi- opment office or Alsie Bond at the Bryan Community able increase in service that will primarily benefit low- Development office. Down Payment Assistance Navasota ladies' tresses The City of College Station has a homeownership program Did you know that located in the College Station area --, called the Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP). DAP are the endangered Navasota ladies' tresses? This wild - was designed to assist prospective first time homebuyers with flower is the only federally listed species currently listed in the purchase of a residential property in College Station. Brazos County. The Navasota ladies' tresses (Spiranthes The DAP loan amount is 10% of the sales price with a cap of parksii) is a member of the orchid family. $7,500. The DAP loans are deferred and forgiven after five years. For properties developed by the City, additional subsi- According to the United States Department of the Inte- dies are made available to assist with purchases. DAP assis rior, Fish and Wildlife Service, proposed projects that tance can be provided to qualified applicants in two meth - would not likely affect this species include: ods: downpayment and/or closing cost assistance. • Renovation or demolition of existing single- or multi- family housing units or any other existing publicly or Eligible applicants must be first time homebuyers, have a sat- privately owned buildings. • Rental assistance to needy tenants or relocation ex isfactory credit history, must agree to occupy the prospective penses paid to displaced homeowners or residents be- property as their principal residence for a period of five years, cause of building demolition. and must have a gross income of less than 80% of the Bryan- • Administration procedures related to HOME and College Station area median income, as shown below. CDBG programs. • Creation and operation of a Community Housing De- 2001 MEDIAN INCOME LIMITS velopment Organization. Projects which may impact this species, if present on a pro - Household 30% 50% 80% ject site, include: • Construction of new buildings or other facilities, in- 1 $9,450 $15,700 $25,150 cluding roads, on previously undeveloped land. 2 $10,800 $17,950 $28,750 • Clearing, leveling, or grading of previously undevel- 3 $12,100 $20,200 $32,300 oped land. • Construction or significant modification of ditches or 4 $13,450 $22,450 $35,900 drainages. 5 $14,550 $24,250 $38,800 hots Purchased & Donated 6 $15,650 $26,050 $41,650 In January, Community Development purchased two lots 7 $16,700 $27,850 $44,550 on Arizona Street. In February, a lot on the corner of 8 $17,800 $29,650 $47,400 South Preston and Churchill Streets was donated by CD to Habitat for Humanity for a single - family home. In a letter from Habitat for Humanity, Trish Burk, Executive Director, stated that on the donated lot there will be built The left column (Household) refers to the number of people in the home. The right column (80 %) refers to the maximum income allowed per year by HUD " an affordable, three bedroom single family dwelling for a guidelines. low- income, divorced mother of three boys, who works at the College Hills Elementary School, and currently lives in substandard housing." Total 1st & 2nd Quarter DAP Applicants CDNewsletter can now During the first quarter of FY 2001 -2002, there were 50 be seen at applicants for downpayment assistance. During the second quarter, there were 73 applicants for downpayment assis- tance. Of these applicants, four qualified and purchased homes in College Station. A total of $26,820 was given in http : / /www2.college- station.tx.us/ downpayment assistance in the purchase of these four homes. Each of the remaining applicants received Home CommDev /newsletters /index.htm Buyer Budget Counseling and are in varying stages of the home buying process. Page 2 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Other CD Programs Facade Improvement Program L Among the other programs that we have in Community T Facade Improvement Program Advisory committee +elopment are the Optional Relocation Program (ORP) members are: Gary Balmain, Rick Lemons, Debbie Jasek, .i the Rehabilitation Program. Jane Kee, Bob Mosley, and Karen Kasper who is the Chair - Grants up to $25,000 are available under the Rehabilita- person. tion Program. To qualify, one must own and occupy the house needing repair and it must be within the College Sta- The goal of the City's Facade Improvement Program is to tion city limits. The applicant must be current on property restore and preserve the historical integrity and character of taxes. The house must be in repairable condition, and the targeted areas and blighted commercial structures, and to repairs must be basic and in violation of city building codes maintain or increase the economic vitality of these proper- ties. or HUD's Housing Quality Standards. The family income cannot exceed the maximum income allowed per year by The City provides from 40-70% of project costs, with the HUD guidelines (please see the "Income Limits" on page 2). property owner contributing the remainder. Only exterior Grants up to $50,000 are available to demolish and re- facade improvements are eligible. Applicants are responsi- place substandard structures under the Optional Relocation ble for interior improvements and any other ineligible or Program (ORP). This past year there were contracts signed unfunded expenses. Committee review ensures that code for six ORP's and two Rehabs. In January, three more and architecturally appropriate design are observed. For ORP's and two additional Rehabs will go out for bid. Last projects of $25,000 or more, liens are placed against the year a total of $384,641.81 in CDBG and HOME funds were property for a period of five years to ensure expended for housing and related activities related to hous- guideline compliance. ing assistance, optional relocation, demolition, acquisition Currently, the renovations to the Northgate Center, 301 and new construction and down payment assistance. These College Main, is now out for bid. After the bidding proc- funds leverage an estimated $1,385,370 in other private ess, the Facade Improvement Committee will look at the funds, fee waivers, and mortgage lending proceeds. bids and make their recommendations. For final approval, the proposal will go to Council. Census 2000 BIG EVENT Community Development received a letter from the Direc- The BIG EVENT was held on March 31st as a way for the tor of the U.S. Census Bureau, Kenneth Prewitt. Mr. students of Texas A&M University to say thank you to the Prewitt thanked the department for "outstanding efforts in making Census 2000 a success." He went on to say that our communities of Bryan /College Station for their support "organization's role in Census 2000 had a significant im- throughout the year. This is the largest one-day, student pact on ... successful data collection, which will in turn help your community and this country move confidently into the run service project in the nation. Over 570 projects were 21st Century." completed community-vide. Projects completed in low/ moderate income areas of College Station were funded with According to "Nation's Cities Weekly," The Commerce Secretary stated that "Census 2000 was a major success be- CDBG dollars through the City of College Station Commu- cause of the participation by the people of this country." nity Development Division. The first Census, taken in 1790, showed that the popula- tion of the United States was 3.9 million. The Census 2000 revealed that the U.S. population is 281,421,906, an 11111° lirs increase of 13.2 percent over the 1990 Census. It was • stated that "Texas, with a population of 20,903,994 people, likierilligi4r replaces New York as the second most populous state." Also the Census 2000 showed that College Station had a 30% increase in population since 1990, and Bryan had a YOPAN31111/1114/1114* o r'J% increase in population since the last Census in 1990. Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 3 Community Development is proud to introduce our two new employees, Art Roach and Eric Barton. On April 9, 2001, Eric Barton joined CD's staff as Housing Art Roach joined the Community Development staff as Housing Program Coordinator. He is responsible for projects and pro- Development Coordinator on April 2, 2001. He will be tasked grams that promote the development of affordable housing in with developing affordable housing in the city and cooperating College Station. He is responsible for overseeing the City's with local Community Housing Development Organizations. single family Rehabilitation and Optional Relocation programs, and the Facade Improvement Program. Previously, Art was the Energy Coordinator for the City of Col- lege Station - working in the Energy Department for four years. Previously, Eric was employed by the City of Bryan Community Before that, Art worked ten years locally in real estate brokerage Development from 1991 -1997, and owned and operated a local and property management. plumbing company. Art was raised in Bryan and has two children Alexis (age 6) and He was raised in Arlington, Texas., and married his high school Alyssa (age 2). He enjoys hunting (especially wild hogs), fishing sweetheart, Martha. They have two sons Brandon (age 20) and and golf. Art volunteers his time as treasurer of the alumni asso- Darrin (age 14). They have been residents of Bryan - College ciation and a student mentor for Texas A &M's Alpha Gamma Station for 18 years. He also has performed volunteer construc- Rho professional agricultural fraternity. tion /plumbing installations for one Habitat for Humanity house and five low income owner-occupied homes in our com- Joint Presentation munity. Eric enjoys hunting, fishing, baseball, football, doing yard work Gary Balmain will be making a joint presentation with and taking vacations with my family at the beach or snow skiing staff of the City of Bryan about Needs Assessment and in the mountains. He is a deacon at Central Baptist Church. He is also Player Agent for the Bryan National Bonham Little Consolidated Plans for College Station and Bryan at the League. Health and Human Needs Conference at the Brazos Cen- AIN Contractors Wanted ter on May 15, 2001. The City of College Station's Community Develop - The Fair Housing Act anent Office is currently looking for local contractors The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing interested in obtaining training and certifications to because of race or color, national origin, religion, sex, famil- ial status, or handicap. perform lead -based paint mitigation activities in the The Fair Housing Act covers most housing. In some cir- city's housing repair program. Local contractors are cumstances, the Act exempts owner - occupied buildings with also encouraged to apply to the City's Community no more than four units, single - family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker, and housing operated by Development office to be approved to bid on future organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members. new construction and remodeling projects. In the sale and rental of housing, it is prohibited to: The City of College Station received the Rainbow Award at the United Way's Annual Recognition Banquet for the most creative and energetic employee campaign and was runner -up for the Blitz Award for the most volunteers at Blitz. Page 4 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The Fair Housing Act, Continued from page 4 Refuse to rent or sell housing • An accessible route into and through the unit Refuse to negotiate for housing • Accessible light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats • Make housing unavailable and other environmental controls • Reinforced bathroom walls to allow later installation of • Deny a dwelling grab bars • Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of • Kitchens and bathrooms that can be used by people in a dwelling wheelchairs • Provide different housing services or facilities • Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale or If a building with four or more units has no elevator and will rental be ready for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, these Stan- • For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or dards apply to ground floor units. • Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service These requirements for new buildings do not replace any related to the sale or rental of housing. more stringent standards in State or local law. In mortgage lending, it is prohibited to: Unless a building or community qualifies as housing for • Refuse to make a mortgage loan older persons, it may not discriminate based on familial • Refuse to provide information regarding loans status. That is, it may not discriminate against families in • Impose different terms or conditions on a loan which one or more children under 18 live with a parent, a • Discriminate in appraising property person who has legal custody of the child or children, or the • Refuse to purchase a loan or designee of the parent or legal custodian, with the parent or • Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan custodian's written permission. In addition, it is illegal for anyone to: Familial status protection also applies to pregnant women and anyone securing legal custody of a child under 18. • Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising "00 a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right Housing for older persons is exempt from the prohibition against familial status discrimination if: • Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, • The HUD Secretary has determined that it is specifically familial status, or handicap. This prohibition against discrimi- designed for and occupied by elderly persons under a natory advertising applies to single - family and owner-occupied Federal, State or local government program or housing that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act. • It is occupied solely by persons who are 62 or older or If you or someone associated with you have a physical or mental • It houses at least one person who is 55 or older in at disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities, Least 80 percent of the occupied units, and adheres to a have a record of such a disability, or are regarded as having such a policy that demonstrates an intent to house persons who disability, your landlord may not: are 55 or older. • Refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwell- A transition period permits residents on or before September ing or common use areas, at your expense, if necessary for the 13, 1988, to continue living in the housing, regardless of disabled person to use the housing. their age, without interfering with the exemption. • Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, If you think your rights have been violated, the Housing Dis- practices or services if necessary for the disabled person to use crimination Complaint Form is available for you to the housing. download, complete and return, or complete online and sub - Buildings that are ready for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, mit, or telephone the HUD office at 817 - 978 -5965. and have an elevator and four or more units, are required to pro- vide: • Public and common areas that are accessible to persons with http : / /www.hud.gov /fhe /fheact.html disabilities 0016'• Doors and hallways wide enough for wheelchairs Page 5 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR OF EVENTS DURING THE 2nd QUARTER OF FY 2001 EVENIHUD Environmental Issues Training EVENT HomeBuyer Fast -Track Classes PLACE San Antonio, Texas PLACE BVCOG. Bryan DATE January 22 -24, 2001 DATE March 5. 2001 Gary Balmain and Gregg Lancaster attended The topic "Selecting a Home" was presented HUD's Environmental Training. We now have by the HomeBuyer Education Coalition. five CD employees who have taken this train- ing presented by HUD. EVENT HomeBuyer Fast -Track Classes PLACE BVCOG, Bryan EVENT Media/Education Awareness/Political / ATE March 12, 2001 Community Leaders Committee The topic "Financing a Home" was presented PLACE Project Unity's Family Center, Bryan by the HomeBuyer Education Coalition. DATE January 23, 2001 . Gary Balmain is a member of this Committee. EVENT HomeBuyer Fast -Track Classes However, he was unable to attend because he PLACE BVCOG, Bryan was in San Antonio for HUD's Environmental DATE March 19, 2001 Issues Training. The topic "Budgeting and Credit" was pre - sented by the HomeBuyer Education Coali- EVENT ARC View Training tion. PLACE City of College Station, OTIS training room DATE February 21 -22, 2001 EVENT Public Hearing on CDBG & HOME funds Sharon Montague attended training on ARC PLACE Lincoln Center. College Station View. We now have four people trained in DATE March 20, 2001 Intro ARC View. Debbie Eller has taken Public hearing involved discussion and solici- Advanced ARC View classes. tation of citizen input regarding the City's proposal of the use of CDBG funds and EVENT HomeBuyer Fast -Track Class HOME funds for the year 2001 -2002. Also. PLACE BVCOG, Bryan there was discussion and solicitation of citi- DATE February 26, 2001 zen input in the Fair Housing Plan regarding The first class of a series of five was held. compliance with the National Fair Housing Gregg Lancaster presented, "Are You Ready Alliance. Buy a Home ?" Thirty -one people participa in an educational program with topics coveri EVENT HomeBuyer Fast -Track Classes qualifying ratios for obtaining a mortgage. deg tiPLACE BVCOG, Bryan ninon of credit bureaus and credit reports and DATE March 26, 2001 how they enter into the home buying process.. The topic "Maintaining a Home and Fi- Gregg ran and evaluated a credit report for nances" was presented by the HomeBuyer everyone in the class. Education Coalition. 'ENT Project Unity's CPB (Community Partnership $VENT BIG EVENT Board) Meeting 'LACE Bryan/College Station PLACE Heritage Apartments, College Station DATE March 31, 2001 DATE February 27, 2001 The BIG EVENT was held as a way for the CD Staff attended the Community Partnership students of Texas A &M to say thank you to Board Meeting. Discussion Topics included: the communities of Bryan/College Station for staff development, referral/resource. media/ ' their support throughout the year. education awareness. Jefferson Rogers of Alpha Phi Omega sent a card thanking CD for a donation of promotional items to the Southern Regional Conference on Student Community Service. Page 6 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Completed Projects Present & Upcoming Projects 1 .-- "')E of PROTECT TYPE of PROJECT 0 —AP Single family detached home on Lincoln Rehab Single family detached home on Harrington DAP Single family detached homes on Windfree Rehab Single family detached home on Wildrye DAP Single family detached home on Antelope Rehab Single family detached home on Westover DAP Single family detached home on Fairview ORP Two single family detached homes on Park Place Rehab Single Family detached home on Milner ORP Single family detached home on Highland Three emergency repairs on Marshal Ln ORP Single family detached home on Churchill ORP Single family detached home on Poplar ORP Two single family detached homes on Thompson ORP Single family detached home on Fairview - _ ORP Single family detached home on Columbus (i ---- ` \\ , FACADE 301 College Main Northgate Proiect _ Calendar of JRFRC Activities Agency Pre- Application Workshop February 22 8:00 am Service Agency Applications Due April 12 5:00 pin Update on Completed Projects JRFRC Application Review Meeting April 26 11:30 am JRFRC Application Review Meeting May 3 11:30 am :n January an ORP house on Poplar was started, and is JRFRC Application Review Meeting May 10 11 :30 am now 70% complete. A house on Churchill is also JRFRC Application Review Meeting May 17 11:30 am about 70% complete. An ORP home on Columbus is 50% complete. Two houses on Thompson are 20% JRFRC Application Review Meeting May 24 11:30 am complete, and a house on Fairview is 20% complete. JRFRC Application Review Meeting May 31 11:30 am A house on Milner was started last year, but finished in JRFRC Application Review Meeting June 7 11:30 am January. The type of work done on this rehab was inte- Public Hearing to Prioritize Applications June 11 5:00 pm rior work, window replacement, house leveling, and replaced railings on porch. JRFRC Meeting to Calculate Funding June 12 11:30 am Public Hrg to Select Agencies Funded June 12 5:00 pm The rehab work on a house on Harrington was started in February and is now 40% complete. The type of Public Hearing to Present Goals and July 12 3:00 pm work done was window replacement, exterior vinyl sid- Objectives and JRFRC recommendations ing and trim, rewiring, and a new heating system. and Proposed Budget Gregg Lancaster (Community Development Housing Council Mtg to Request Approval of August 9 3:00 pm Analyst), Karl Goldapp (Environmental Training Coor- Action Plan and Proposed 2001 -2002 dinator for City of College Station), and Don Plitt (Department of Health) have been working together to Budget get separate sewer lines and access to the City sewer system to three homes on Marshal Lane. We should be 400'►receiving bids from plumbing contractors soon. Volume 1, Issue 2 p age 7 City of College Station Community Development 903 Texas Ave 5 P.G. Box 9960 College Station, TX 77842 Phone: 979 -764 -3778 Fax: 979 - 764 -3785 Email: smontague©ci .college - station.tx.us Were on the Web! Www.ci.college- station.Ix.us PUBLIC HEARINGS Tid Bits The City of College Station Community Development Office In March, Debbie Eller was recognized as United held a public hearing on March 20, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. at the Way's Volunteer of the Year. Lincoln Center. The purpose of the hearing was to present and solicit discussion and citizen input regarding the City's pro- Gary Balmain continues to participate in United posal of the use of CDBG funds and HOME funds for the year Way's "Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership and 2001 -2002. Management." The funds must be used to meet one of these three National In February, Gregg Lancaster appeared on Objectives: KBTX Good Morning Brazos Valley to promote • Benefit low to moderate income individuals the first of the HomeBuyer Fast -Track Classes, which is presented by the HomeBuyer Education • Eliminate slum or blight Coalition. • Meet an urgent community need Gary Balmain will be presenting CDBG material Included in the discussion and solicitation of citizen input was to the Hospice Brazos Valley Board on May 9. the Fair Housing Plan regarding compliance with the National Fair Housing Alliance. Debbie Eller will be serving on the United Way's 2001 Campaign Cabinet as the Loaned Executive Chair. On Tuesday. April 3, 2001. the City of College Station Community Development Office conducted another public The Brazos Valley Council of Governments in- hearing involving discussion and soliciting citizen input regard - vited Gary Balmain to attend the Region VII ing the City's proposal of the use of CDBG funds and HOME Texas Longterm Care Conference in Salado, funds for the year 2001 -2002 and Fair Housing Plan regarding Texas, which was held on April 11th and 12th. compliance with the National Fair Housing Alliance. This Some of the issues that were discussed included hearing was held at the A &M Methodist Church Fellowship barriers to services, funding, advocacy and tech - Hall. nology.