HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/3/2021 - City Council - City Council Meeting Agenda Packet - Jerrilea Crawford (2)
CITY OF EAST WENATCHEE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
271 9th Street NE * East Wenatchee, WA 98802
Phone (509) 884-5396 * Fax (509) 884-6233
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Lori Barnett, Director
Date: August 3, 2021
Subject: Correction to CDBG Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plans for 2020
and 2021
The goals and objectives in the Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action
Plans have become confusing and inconsistent. The Consolidated Plan
Goals are intended to cover the five years of the plan. They were
developed to address the priority needs identified in the analysis section
(See below). The goals listed in the Annual Action Plans should only be
those that are intended to be addressed during that program year.
The following goals are currently in the Consolidated Plan.
A. Expand development of affordable housing options B. Reduce homelessness C. Maintain existing affordable housing stock D. Increase access to owner-occupied housing through direct financial assistance to
homebuyers
E. Enhance economic development F. Support and improve public facilities for neighborhood revitalization G. Support public services H. General planning and administration of the City's CDBG program
The goals are based upon these priority needs.
Priority 1. Public facilities to support revitalization: The opportunities for
neighborhood revitalization have been a priority since the city became a CDBG Entitlement Jurisdiction. Improvements and upgrades to street and utility infrastructure benefits neighborhoods by providing improved pedestrian mobility, better lighting, removal of graffiti, and improvements to utility infrastructure.
Priority 2. Increase affordable housing supply: The cost of rental and homeowner
housing is beyond the reach of many East Wenatchee households. The City will explore programs that improve access to affordable housing, reduction in homelessness, and increase homeownership.
Priority 3. Assist special needs populations: Public services are needed to help individuals and families with special needs obtain help with basic needs, food,
housing, health, and other important services.
Priority 4. Enhance economic development: Public services are needed to help with job training, direct assistance is needed to support local businesses to preserve and increase job opportunities.
Priority 5. Administration and planning: Implementation of this consolidated plan requires certain administrative and planning activities including the development of the plan, environmental review of projects, subrecipient monitoring, development of
fair housing information, and other activities required by law.
Given the small amount of annual grant allocations, it is unlikely that we would ever be able to construct affordable housing or provide a meaningful contribution to do so. Since 2010 the average annual allocation is just over $120,000 although recent awards have exceeded $140,000. Staff proposes
that the goals be reduced to:
1. Improve public facilities and infrastructure for neighborhood
revitalization (This would allow funds to be used for street
improvement projects and other similar activities.)
2. Increase access to owner-occupied housing through direct financial assistance to homebuyers
3. Enhance economic development (This would allow the continued support for microenterprise grants as well as technical assistance)
4. Maintain existing affordable housing stock (With aging housing
stock, this would allow the City to use funds for rehabilitation of
public and private housing.)
5. Support public services (This is broad enough to allow the funds
to be used for homeless services, graffiti removal, classes and
training, services for special needs population, and other services provided by various local agencies.)
6. Support efforts to reduce homelessness and prevent those at risk from becoming homeless (This would allow us to use the funds for the sleep center and services to the homeless as well as efforts necessary to prevent people from being evicted.)
7. Effectively plan for & administer the City’s CDBG program
(This is the administrative costs such as advertising, staff time,
consultant services, etc.)
Since the 2020 and 2021 funds are allocated to the Hamilton Street
improvement project, not all of the goals are necessary. For the 2020 and
the 2021 Annual Action Plans, the goals would be:
1. Improve public facilities and infrastructure for neighborhood revitalization
7. Effectively plan for & administer the City's CDBG program
Staff will make the necessary changes throughout the documents to make the goals consistent with this list.