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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/05/2002 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE COMPLETION OF THE FALL CYCLE AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 27 A-C FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: November 5, 2002 lip . STAFF: Ken Waido SUBJECT: items Relating to the Completion of the Fall Cycle of the Competitive Process for Allocating City Financial Resources to Affordable Housing Projects/Programs and Community Development Activities: the City's Fiscal Year 2002-2003 Home Investment Partnerships(HOME) Program,the City's Affordable Housing Fund,and Reprogrammed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Funds. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Resolutions. The CDBG Commission presents a list of recommendations as to which programs and projects should receive funding. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Home Investment Partnerships(HOME)Program and the Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) Program provide funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD)to the City of Fort Collins that can be allocated to affordable housing related programs and projects,thereby reducing the demand on the City's General Fund Budget to address such needs. The City Council is being asked to consider the adoption of three Resolutions. The first Resolution establishes which programs and projects will receive lipfunding with HOME funds for the FY 2002-2003 Program year,which started October 1, 2002. The second Resolution establishes which programs and projects will receive funding from the City's Affordable Housing Fund. And, the third Resolution establishes which programs and projects will receive funding from reprogrammed CDBG Program funds. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A. Public Hearing and Resolution 2002-104 Approving the FY 2002-2003 Home Investment Partnerships Program for the City of Fort Collins. B. Public Hearing and Resolution 2002-105 Allocating Funding from the City's Affordable Housing Fund. C. Public Hearing and Resolution 2002-106 Approving the Allocation of Reprogrammed Community Development Block Grant Funds. The City Council is being asked to consider the adoption of three Resolutions that represent the culmination of the fall cycle of the competitive process for allocating City financial resources to affordable housing and community development activities. The first Resolution establishes which programs and projects will receive funding with HOME funds for the FY 2002-2003 Program year, which started October 1,2002. The second Resolution establishes which programs and projects will receive funding from the City's Affordable Housing Fund. The third Resolution establishes which programs and projects will receive funding from reprogrammed CDBG Program funds. Additional background material about the competitive process is included in Attachment A. DATE: ovem er ITEM NUMBER: 7 A BACKGROUND: Since early January of this year,the CDBG Commission and members of the City staff's Affordable Housing Team have conducted public hearings to assess community development and housing needs in Fort Collins, conducted technical assistance training workshops for applicants, and solicited applications for funding. The Affordable Housing Board has been involved in the process and has reviewed all of the affordable housing proposals. The CDBG Commission reviewed written applications,personally interviewed each applicant,analyzed the applications,and formulated a list of recommendations to the City Council as to which programs and projects should receive funding. The competitive process established refined criteria to determine priorities between proposals received by the City. The ranking criteria are divided into five major categories. Each category is given a total number of points that has been weighed according to their importance with respect to local and federal priorities. The five major categories are: 1. Impact/Benefit 2. Need/Priority 3. Feasibility 4. Leveraging Resources 5. Capacity and History The Impact/Benefit criteria provide greater rewards to proposals that target lower income groups. The Need/Priority criteria help assure the proposal meets adopted City goals and priorities. The Feasibility criteria reward projects for timelines and documented additional funding. The Leveraging Resources criteria reward proposals which will return funds to the City (via loans).and for their ability to leverage other resources. And, the Capacity and History criteria help gage an applicant's ability to do the project and reward applicants that have completed successful projects in the past (have good track records). The ranking sheet used to assist the CDBG Commission is presented in Attachment A. The Commission also considered the funding guidelines contained in the Priority Affordable Housing Needs and Strategies report adopted by the Council on February 2, 1999. These guidelines include: • HOME funds should generally be allocated as follows: 90% for Housing projects and 10% for Program Administration. HUD HOME Program regulations also require the City to set aside 15% for Community Housing Development Organization(CHDO)projects and allow an allocation of 5%for CHDO operations; • CDBG funds should generally be allocated as follows: 65% for Housing projects; 10%for Program Administration; 10%for Public Facilities; and 15% for Public Services; • funds allocated to housing should generally be divided as follows: 70% for rental projects and 30% for homeownership opportunities; and • the average subsidy should be $5,000 per unit, with relatively more funding to projects producing housing for lower income families. November 27 A-C DATE: ITEM NUMBER: The CDBG and HOME Programs are ongoing grant administration programs funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of Fort Collins has received CDBG Program funds since 1975 and HOME Program funds since 1994. The City is an Entitlement recipient of CDBG funds and a Participating Jurisdiction recipient of HOME funds, meaning the City is guaranteed a certain level of funding each year. The level of funding is dependent on the total amount of funds allocated to the programs by Congress and on a formula developed by HUD, which includes data on total population, minorities as a percentage of population, income levels, housing stock conditions,etc. Additional background information on the City's HOME and CDBG Programs are presented in Attachment C and D respectively. AVAILABLE FUNDS The amount of the City's HOME Grant for FY 2002-2003 is $684,000. Added to the HOME grant will be$200,000 of HOME Program Income to make a combined amount of$884,000 available for projects and administrative purposes. Subtracting $88,400 (10% maximum allowed by HOME regulations)for administrative purposes,leaves$795,600 available for projects and programs. The HOME funds will be combined with $893,962 from the City's Affordable Housing Fund and $484,826 of reprogrammed CDBG funds to create a potential pool of$2,174,338 of funds available for programs from the Fall cycle of the competitive process. CDBG funds are typically allocated in the spring and are,thus,not available for use in the fall cycle of the competitive process. However, of some projects previously allocated CDBG funds, one has been canceled. The $484,826 of reprogrammed CDBG funds comes from the following source: $484,826 FCHA Rigden Farm Project The following summarizes the amount and sources of available funds: AMOUNT SOURCE ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- $ 795,600 FY 2002 HOME Grant and Program Income 893,962 City's Affordable Housing Fund 484,826 Reprogrammed CDBG Funds ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $2,174,338 Total SELECTION PROCESS On January 10, 2002, the CDBG Commission held a public hearing to obtain citizen input on community development and affordable housing needs. The HOME Program office placed legal advertisements in local and regional newspapers starting in July to solicit requests for HOME funded programs and projects and for proposals for the use of funding from the City's Affordable Housing Fund. The application deadline was Thursday, August 22. At the close of the deadline the City received nine (9) applications requesting a total of approximately $2.3 million. Copies of all applications were forwarded to the City Council on September 12,2002 and placed in the Council Office for review. Also on September 12, 2002 copies of the applications were distributed to the CDBG Commission. 27 DATE: November ITEM NUMBER: A On Wednesday, September 18, 2002, the Affordable Housing Board conducted a special meeting to review the affordable housing proposals and formulate a list of priority projects which was forwarded to the CDBG Commission (see Attachment B). On Thursday, September 26, 2002, the CDBG Commission met to hear presentations and ask clarification questions from each applicant. The Commission then met on Thursday, October 3 for the purpose of preparing a recommendation to the City Council as to which programs and projects should be funded within funds available from the fall cycle of the competitive process. At this meeting the Commission reviewed the written applications, the applicant's verbal presentation, the information provided during the question and answer session, and reviewed the performance of agencies who received HOME funds or other funding in previous years. The Commission then worked on the formulation of its list of recommendations. CDBG COMMISSION'S COMMENDATIONS HUD HOME regulations limit the amount of available funds that can be allocated to various categories. Funds for Administrative purposes are limited to 10%of the HOME Grant which means 90%of the Grant must be used for housing projects. Within the 90%required for projects,the City is required to set aside 15%for Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) projects and allow an allocation of 5% for CHDO operations. The Commission, thus, not only had to decide which applicants presented programs and projects which best fit into the City's HOME and CDBG Programs,but also had to insure funding allocations were kept within HUD regulations and follow the funding guidelines contained in the Priority Affordable Housing Needs and Strategies report. Listed below is a summary of each applicant's initial request for funding and the Commission's recommendations. City of Fort Collins - Home Buyer Assistance Request: $600,000 (3 applications) Recommendation: $600,000: $76,826 CDBG, $423,174 HOME, $100,000 AFH This program is administered by the Advance Planning Department and provides zero- percent interest loans to eligible first-time homebuyers.The assistance covers down payment and closing costs to a maximum of$9,000 for households at 51% to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) and $18,000 for buyers at or below 50% of AMI. The $100,000 requested from the AHF will be used in those cases where properties are currently rented and subjected to Federal relocation requirements and to supplement the regular HBA program. Approximately 90 households will be assisted in the next year with this program. Habitat for Humanity Request: $150,000 Recommendation: $150,000 CDBG Habitat is requesting CDBG funds to acquire three new lots for Habitat families. 27 DATE: ITEM NUMBER: A Care Housing—Fairbrooke Heights Development Request: $200,000 Recommendation: $200,000 AHF CARE has requested assistance with debt reduction on its Fairbrooke Heights development that previously received HOME and Affordable Housing funds. Fort Collins Housing Corporation—Rehabilitation Project, Phase III Request: $258,000 Recommendation: $258,000 CDBG The Fort Collins Housing Corporation is doing a major rehabilitation of existing permanently affordable rental properties. This allocation will rehab 18 units. i Neighbor to Neighbor—Clearview acquisition and rehabilitation Request: $102,600 Recommendation: $102,600HOME-CHDO Neighbor to Neighbor is requesting funding to replace decreased funding from the Colorado Division of Housing for the acquisition of the Clearview property which previously was granted CDBG funding. In addition, Neighbor to Neighbor is also requesting $20,000 in CHDO operating expenses to assist in the management of the acquisition and funding for the rehabilitation of the units. Beaucaire—Phase II Rehabilitation Request: $391,000 Recommendation: No funding Beaucaire is requesting funds to complete the purchase of property and the construction of additional office space and two bedrooms for its facility at 302 Cherry Street. Community Housing and Independent Reintegration (CHIRP)— Construction of facility Request: $650,000 Recommendation: No funding Larimer County's Community Housing service is requesting City funds to help build a transitional housing facility for adults-transitioning from the Detention Center to independent living. This facility will increase the Fort Collins capacity from 94 beds to 176 beds. Total amount of funding requested = $2,351,250 Total amount of funding available = $2,174,388 Total amount of funding allocated = $1,310,600 DATE: ITEM NUMBER: The total amount of funding requests considered by the CDBG Commission was approximately$2.3 million; however, only about$2.1 million of funds are available.With the amount of total requests far exceeding available funding, obviously not all applications could be funded. Also, some applicants requested funds for projects that are ineligible for the use of funds for that particular funding source. The CDBG Commission has recommended full funding for seven(7)proposals and no funding for two(2)projects. The two projects not recommended for funding were the Beaucaire and the CHIRP requests. The Commission believes the Beaucaire project is premature and has many neighborhood issues to resolve through the development review process. The funding is more for administrative space than "housing"since only two(2)beds would be added. The Commission also had problems with some of the financial figures contained in the application finding some inconsistencies. The Commission struggled with the CHIRP application because it was well presented. The bottom line turned out to be a determination that the requested funding source, the City's Affordable Housing Fund, was not established to subsidize this type of project. The Commission, and the Affordable Housing Board,believes the Council's direction for use of the City's Affordable Housing Fund was for the production of units for lower income families, not for "public facility" types of projects and, thus, has recommended the project not be funded. The Commission's reasons for either full funding, or no funding, for all projects are presented in Attachment E. 1. The Commission has recommended allocating all (100%) of the available $484,826 of reprogrammed.CDBG funds. 2. The Commission has recommended allocating$423,174(61%)of the$693,000 available HOME funds, leaving $269,826 available for the 2003 spring cycle. 3. The Commission has recommended allocating $102,600 (100%) of the $102,600 available from the HOME-CHDO set-aside. 4. The Commission has recommended allocating$300,000(33%)of the$893,962 available from the Affordable Housing Fund,leaving$593,962 available for the 2003 Spring cycle or future competitive process cycles. RESOLUTION 2002-104 • OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROVING THE FY 2002-2003 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS WHEREAS, the purpose of the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program is to increase the supply of decent,safe,and affordable housing in the City of Fort Collins for an extended period of time; and WHEREAS, the City's Consolidated Plan identifies the following priorities for housing related needs: (1)stimulate housing production for very low,low,and moderate income households; (2)increase home ownership opportunities for very low,low,and moderate income households;and (3) increase the supply of public housing for families and those with special needs; and WHEREAS,on January 18,2000,the City Council approved Resolution 2000-13,formally adopting a competitive process for the allocation of City financial resources to affordable housing programs/projects and community development activities; and WHEREAS,specific proposals for the use of HOME funds have been reviewed by the City's Affordable Housing Board and Community Development Block Grant Commission which have forwarded recommendations to the City Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT • COLLINS that the administration is authorized to submit the FY 2002-2003 Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program application as follows: Amount Applicant - Project $423,174 City of Fort Collins - Homebuyer Assistance Community Housing Development Organization Funds Amount Applicant - Project $102,600 Neighbor to Neighbor Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 5th day of November A.D. 2002. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk . RESOLUTION 2002-105 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS ALLOCATING FUNDING FROM THE CITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND WHEREAS, the City Council has identified affordable housing as a primary need in the community; and WHEREAS,the Council has established an Affordable Housing Fund consisting of General Fund revenues from the City's Annual Budget; and WHEREAS,on January 18, 2000,the City Council approved Resolution 2000-13,formally adopting a competitive process for the allocation of City financial resources to affordable housing programs/projects and community development activities; and WHEREAS,specific proposals for the use of Affordable Housing funds have been reviewed by the City's Affordable Housing Board and Community Development Block Grant Commission which have forwarded recommendations to the City Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000) from the City's Affordable Housing Fund be allocated as follows: . Amount Applicant - Project $200,000 CARE Housing, Inc. —Fairbrooke Debt Reduction $100,000 City of Fort Collins - Homebuyer Assistance (for previously rented property) Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 5th day of November A.D. 2002. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk . RESOLUTION 2002-106 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROVING THE ALLOCATION OF REPROGRAMMED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is an ongoing grant administration program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD); and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins has received CDBG Program funds since 1975; and WHEREAS,on January 18, 2000,the City Council approved Resolution 2000-13,formally adopting a competitive process for the allocation of City financial resources to affordable housing programs/projects and community development activities; and WHEREAS,since January 2002,the CDBG Commission has held a public hearing to obtain citizen input on community development and affordable housing needs, heard presentations and asked clarification questions from each applicant that submitted a proposal to the City requesting CDBG funding; and WHEREAS, the CDBG Commission met in a special meeting for the purpose of preparing a recommendation to the City Council as to which programs and projects should be funded with • CDBG funds. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY- SIX DOLLARS ($484,826) of reprogrammed Community Development Block Grant funds be allocated as follows: Amount Applicant- Project $150,000 Habitat for Humanity—Land Acquisition $258,000 Fort Collins Housing Corporation—Housing Rehabilitation $ 76,826 City of Fort Collins - Homebuyer Assistance 0 Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 5th day of November A.D. 2002. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk • Attachment A Background Information on the Competitive Process for the Allocation of City Financial Resources to Affordable Housing Programs/Projects and Other Community Development Activities In February of 1999, the City Council approved the Priority Affordable Housing Needs and Strategies report, which contained the following strategy: Change from an administrative funding mechanism...to a competitive application process for the Affordable Housing Fund. Between September and November of 1999, a subcommittee consisting of members from the Affordable Housing Board and the Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) Commission met with staff to review issues and develop options for establishment of a competitive process. In addition, the staff solicited ideas from existing affordable housing providers. The subcommittee established the following Mission Statement for their work: Develop a competitive application process and establish a set of shared criteria for the allocation of the City's financial assistance resources to affordable housing projects/programs that address the City's priority affordable housing needs. Competitive Process Five options for a competitive process were reviewed and discussed by the subcommittee. The subcommittee reached a general consensus to support a competitive process that involved both the Affordable Housing Board and the CDBG Commission. The option selected would have the Affordable Housing Board providing recommendations to the City Council in regards to affordable housing policy. In addition,the option would have the Affordable Housing Board reviewing all affordable housing applications for CDBG,HOME and Affordable Housing funds. The Board would then provide a priority listing of proposals to the CDBG Commission. The CDBG Commission would then make the final recommendations to the City Council for funding. Funding Cycles The subcommittee also agreed that there should be two funding cycles per year, one in the spring and the other in the fall. CDBG Program funds would be allocated in the spring to affordable housing programs/projects and other community development activities (public services,public facilities, etc.). HOME Program and Affordable Housing funds would be allocated in the fall primarily to affordable housing programs/projects. The staff and subcommittee agreed that overlaying the new process and cycles would be heightened staff technical assistance to applicants. Both the subcommittee and staff recognize that a bi-annual process will require additional meetings by both the CDBG Commission and Affordable Housing Board, and will require more time from current City staff, and increase the City Council's involvement. Schedule The subcommittee also discussed two alternative schedules for the funding cycles. The option selected incorporates a spring cycle that starts in January and ends in May, and a fall cycle that starts in July and end in November. Review Criteria The subcommittee also discussed and agreed to a new set of review criteria to be used to rank proposals. The criteria are divided into the following five major categories: 1. Impact/Benefit 2. Need/Priority 3. Feasibility 4. Leveraging Resources 5. Capacity and History The Impact/Benefit criteria provide greater rewards to proposals that target lower income groups and provide longer benefits. The Need/Priority criteria help assure the proposal meets adopted City goals and priorities. The Feasibility criteria reward projects for timeliness and documented additional funding. The Leveraging Resources criteria reward proposals which will return funds to the City(loans) and for their ability to leverage other resources. And, the Capacity and History criteria help gage an applicant's ability to do the project and reward applicants that have completed successful projects in the past(have good track records). See next page for a detailed criteria scoring sheet. Application Forms Two new application forms have also been developed. One form would be used for Housing proposals while to other form would be used for Non-Housing Proposals (public services,public facilities, etc.). City Council Adoption On January 18, 2000, the City Council approved Resolution 2000-13, formally adopting the competitive process for the allocation of City financial resources to affordable housing programs/projects and community development activities and the component parts discussed above. • Ranking Criteria for CDBG, HOME and Affordable Housing Funding The ranking criterion is divided into five major categories. Each category is given a total number of points that has been weighed according to their importance with respect to local and federal priorities.This ranking sheet will be used to assist the Community Development Block Grant Commission(CDBGC)and the Affordable Housing Board(AHB)in the FY01 Competitive Funding Process.CDBG and AHB members will rank projects according to the questions and criteria shown below. Impact/Benefit(maximum 30 oointsl I. Primarily targets low income persons? (0-10) (0-30%of AMI= 10 pts,31-50%=8 pts,51-80%=4 pts) 2. Project produces adequate community benefit related to cost? (0-5) 3. Does the project provide direct assistance for persons to gain self-sufficiency? (0-5) 4. Does the project provide long-term benefit or affordability? (0-10) (1-10 yrs=3 pts, 1 I-19 yrs=6 pts,20 to 30 yrs=8 pts,and Permanent= 10 pts) Sub-total Need/Priority(maximum 15 ooints) 1. Meets a Consolidated Plan priority? (0-5) 2. Project meets goals or objectives of City Plan and Priority Needs and Strategies study (0-5) 3. Has the applicant documented a need for this project? (0-5) Sub-total Feasibility(maximum 15 ooints) I. The project will be completed within the required time period? (0-3) 2. Project budget is justified?(Costs are documented and reasonable)? (04) 3. The level of public subsidy is needed?(Private funds not available)? (0-4) 4. Has the applicant documented efforts to secure other funding? (0-4) Sub-total Leveraging Resources(maximum 25 points) I. Does the project allow the reuse of our funding? (0-8) A. Principal and interest(30 year Amortization or less) 8 point B. Principal and no interest or Principal and balloon payment 4 point C. Declining balance lien(amount forgiven over time) I point D. Grant(no repayment) 0 point 2. Project or agency leverages human resources(Volunteers) (0_7) 3. Project leverages financial resources?(Including in-kind) (0-10) A. Less than 1:1 0 point B. 1:1 to 1:3 4 point C. 1:4 to t:6 7 point D. More than 1:7 10 poit Caoacity and History(maximum 15 points) Sub-total I. Applicant has the capacity to undertake.the proposed project? (0-10) 2. If previously funded,has the applicant completed prior project and maintain regulatory compliance? (0-5) 3. If new,applicant has capacity to maintain regulatory compliance? (0-15) Sub-total GRAND TOTAL • Attachment B September 18, 2002 Fall 2002 Competitive Process The Affordable Housing Board's priority listing of the affordable housing applications is as follows: 1. Homebuyer Assistance Programs (HO-1, HO-2, and HO-3) 2. CARE Housing — Fairbrooke Heights Debt Reduction (DR-1) 3. Neighbor-to-Neighbor— Acquisition and Rehab (CHDO-1) 4. Ft. Collins Housing Corporation — Rehab Phase III (RE-1) 5. Habit for Humanity— Land Acquisition (AQ-1) The Board believes the above proposals all should be funded. The Board also believes that the following two proposals should not be funded: 6. Beaucaire Expansion (NC-1) 7. CHIRP Transitional Housing Construction (NC-2) • Attachment C ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION on the HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GUIDELINES (Adopted by the Fort Collins City Council, July 18, 1995) PURPOSE: The purpose of the Home Investment Partnership (HOME)Program is to increase the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing in the City of Fort Collins for an extended period of time. All of the HOME funds must benefit low and very low income households which are defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as having a total household income not exceeding 80%of the median household income for the Fort Collins area. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS: HOME funds must be used in the following ways: 1. To help low-income individuals to purchase housing for their principal residence. . Applicants must meet income guidelines of no more than 80%of the median household income for the Fort Collins area and will be required to attend a homebuyer workshop. Assistance is in the form of zero percent deferred loan up to a maximum of$5,000 to help cover downpayment and closing cost expenses. The funding is repaid when the property is sold or transferred out of the buyer's name. See Eligible Property Types section below for a list of property types eligible for HOME assistance and purchase price restrictions. Restrictions will apply which will assure the property remains affordable. This is accomplished by the"recapturing"of the HOME investment. Income Limits: 1 person $34,050 2 persons $38,900 3 persons $43,800 4 persons $48,650 5 persons $52,550 6 persons $56,400 7 persons $60,300 8 persons $64,200 2. For new construction of units for homeownership as well as rental occupancy targeted for low-income individuals and families which are developed, sponsored, or owned by • 1 community housing development organizations (CHDOs), non-profit agencies, and for- profit developers. 3. For acquisition of undeveloped, or developed, land resulting in the development or purchase of units for homeownership as well as rental occupancy. All regulations regarding income guidelines, purchase price limitations, resale limitations, rental rates, etc., will apply to acquisition projects. ELIGIBLE PROPERTY TYPES: Eligible property types for purchase include both existing property or newly constructed homes. Eligible property includes a single-family property, a condominium unit, a manufactured home (including mobile homes on a permanent foundation), or a cooperative unit. For purposes of the HOME program,homeownership means: (1) ownership in fee simple title, or (2) a 99 year leasehold interest, or (3) ownership or membership in a cooperative, or (4) an equivalent form of ownership which has been approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The value and purchase price of the HOME assisted property to be acquired must not exceed 95%of the area median purchase price for that type of housing as established by HUD. RECAPTURE RESTRICTIONS WILL APPLY. (The value must be verified by a qualified appraiser or current tax assessment.) Initial purchase price limit established by HUD is currently $201,000. PROGRAM ACTIVITY BY YEAR Home Buyer HOME Year Administration Assistance Projects Total 1994-95 50,000 50,000 400,000 500,000 1995-96 45,500 165,700 243,800 455,000 1996-97 53,900 269,500 215,600 539,000 1997-98 53,300 319,800 159,900 533,000 1998-99 56,900 319,750 192,350 569,000 1999-00 61,500 253,309 342,250 657,059 2000-01 70,000 75,000 630,000 775,000 2001-02 78,300 251,000 433,500 762,800 2 HOME PROGRAM PRIORITIES The 1995-99 Consolidated Plan identifies the following priorities for housing related needs: 1. Stimulate housing production for very low, low and moderate income households. 2. Increase home ownership opportunities for very low, low and moderate income households. 3. Increase the supply of public housing for families and those with special needs. Implementation and funding of activities to address these priorities will come, in part, from the City of Fort Collins HOME Investment Partnership Program. 3 ATTACHMENT D ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION on the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM CDBG PROGRAM NATIONAL OBJECTIVES The primary objective of the CDBG Program is Athe development of viable urban communities,by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.=_ Programs and projects funded with CDBG funds must address at least one of the following three broad National Objectives: (1) provide a benefit to low or moderate income households or persons, (2) eliminate or prevent slum and blight conditions, or (3) meet urgent community development needs which pose an immediate and serious threat to the health and welfare of the community. Presented below is a comparison of City CDBG expenditures for programs and projects categorized • according to the National Objectives: National Objectives Low/Moderate Slum/Blight Urgent Income Benefit Elimination Need National Average 90% 10% 0% City Expenditures for: 2001 100% 0% 0% 2000 100% 0% 0% 1999 100% 0% 0% 1998 100% 0% 0% 1997 100% 0% 0% 1996 100% 0% 0% 1995 100% 0% 0% 1994 90% 10% 0% 1993 100% 0% 0% 1992 100% 0% 0% 1991 100% 0% 0% • CDBG PROGRAM ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES CDBG funds can be used on a wide range of activities including: (1) acquiring deteriorated and/or inappropriately developed real property (including property for the purpose of building new housing); (2) acquiring, constructing, rehabilitating or installing publicly owned facilities and improvements; (3) restoration of historic sites; (4) beautification of urban land; (5) conservation of open spaces and preservation of natural resources and scenic areas; (6) housing rehabilitation can be funded if it benefits low and moderate income people; and (7) economic development activities are eligible expenditures if they stimulate private investment of community revitalization and expand economic opportunities for low and moderate income people and the handicapped. Certain activities are ineligible, under most circumstances, for CDBG funds including: (1) purchase of equipment, (2) operating and maintenance expenses including repair expenses and salaries, (3) general government expenses, (4) political and religious activities, and (5) new housing construction. Presented below is a comparison of CDBG expenditures by activity category: National City Expenditures for: Activity Average 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 Housing 43% 72% 64% 73% 73% 63% 61% 74% 62% Public Facilities 21% 2% 5% 2% 2% 13% 15% 7% 15% Planning/Admin. (20%) 14% 11% 17% 10% 10% 9% 9% 5% 9% Economic Development 13% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Public Services (15%) 9% 15% 14% 15% 15% 15% 15% 14% 14% The Planning and Administration category can include funds allocated for planning related projects as well as program administration. In the past,planning projects have included funds for the East and West Side Neighborhood Plans and the Downtown Plan. The 2000 figure includes funds for the BAVA Neighborhood Plan. The 2001 Administrative percentage was 12%. • 4x.CY..""- r "' x Y �4 w: k ` ... ... .. ..i x..ram:.5 ..�.. . :. OCTOBER 2002ftINEVONG 'RECOMMENDATIONS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT y x rx s ^r x e va: •n` v Commission members present: Phil Majerus Terri Bryant Robert Browning Linda Coxen Vi Guthrie Brett Hill Tia Molander . Billie Rosen Dennis Vanderheiden Cheryl Zimlich Staff: Ken Waido Heidi Phelps Maurice Head Julie Smith Stacy Kelley Produced by Meadors Court Reporting, LLC 140 West Oak Street, Suite 266 Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 • 970.482.1506 1 970.482.1230 fax meadors@reporterworks.com e-mail 2 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Ms. Phelps noted the importance of detailing pros and cons with specificity. Mr. Waido gave an overview of the process and recommendations. He reviewed the schedule of the October 22nd Council work session and the November 5th Council meeting for final resolution. He then explained the matrix, its organization, and the categories of allocable funding. Recommendations by Affordable Housing Board: The Board did not review the CHRP,(Larimer County Community Corrections), or Beaucaire proposals. Priorities recommended by the Board, by order of preference: 1. Home Buyer Assistance 2. CARE debt reduction 3. Neighbor to Neighbor 4. Fort Collins Housing Corporation Rehab 5. Habitat for Humanity. • The Board recommended full funding for all these applicants. In response to questions and from discussion by the Commission and Staff, the following salient points emerged: Home buyer assistance is a likely and desirable target for surplus allocations. Whether a surplus can be carried to another funding cycle is dependent on the category. CDBG can assist up to 50% of the moneys allocated to home buyer assistance from the Affordable Housing Fund; HOME can match it. Staff noted that it was making no recommendations, due to the City's status as an applicant. Following voting on funding recommendations: The Commission noted the surplus left from this cycle. This is a deliberate strategy to address larger-scale projects that may be on the horizon for the spring cycle. Moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Ms. Bryant: To adopt the final recommendations in toto, to be forwarded to City Council for its determination. Motion passed unanimously. . The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. 3 FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS Home buyers assistance. Request $300,000, from HOME funds. Moved by Ms. Bryant seconded by Ms. Rosen.: To recommend full funding. Motion approved unanimously. Total recommended funding level - $300,000 Pros of Application Cons of Application Excellent program. Excellent goals. Excellent track record and success history. Many families successfully served. The waiting list proves the need. The program is timely due to availability of product and interest rates. Home buyers assistance. Request $100,000, from the Affordable Housing Fund (rentals). Moved by Ms. Rosen, seconded by Mr. Browning: To recommend full funding. Motion approved 9-1. This funding source is applicable to families buying former investment housing. In the present market, landlords may be looking to sell their units, and assistance for buying such units can only be achieved without funding that does not have Federal restrictions. Total recommended funding level - $100,000 Pros of Application Cons of Application Excellent program. Excellent . goals. Brings rental units off the market. Excellent track record and success history. Many families successfully served. The waiting list proves the need. The program is timely due to availability of product and interest rates. This particular category makes housing available that would not be under present regulations. This program helps bring rental units into affordable ownership 4 Home buyers assistance. Request $200,000, from Affordable Housing Fund. Moved by Ms. Rosen, seconded by Ms. Zimlich: To recommend full funding of $200,000, comprised of $123,174 from HOME, 76,826 from CDBG funds. Motion approved 7-3. Commission comments: Leaving money in HOME leaves it flexible, with potential future applications potentially needing the funding. Money left in the Affordable Housing Fund has the greatest flexibility; in the Federal program, HOME has more flexibility than CDBG, which is the most highly restricted. The Commission debated at length on ways to manipulate the funding among the various categories to maximize expenditures within the applicable restrictions. Total recommended funding level - $200,000 ($123.714 HOME: $76,826, CDBG) Pros of Application Cons of Application Excellent program. Excellent goals. Excellent track record and success history. Many families successfully served. The . waiting list proves the need. The program is timely due to availability of product and interest rates. This particular allocation to the various categories maximizes funding within the applicable restrictions. 5 Habitat. Request $150,000, from CDBG funds. Moved by Ms. Guthrie, seconded by Ms. Bryant: To recommend full funding. Friendly amendment proposed by Mr. Browning, but not accepted: To defer the standard two-year window on "substantial progress" to three years. Motion passed 9-1. Discussion concerning the proposed friendly amendment dealt with the precedent that would be seen by other applicants who seek property acquisition. Progress should be reported. Total recommended funding level -$150,000 Pros of Application Cons of Application Many families are served. The program Funding still remains from last cycle. The seems to be hitting its stride and has program could inadvertently enter a land improved its ability to resolve its projects. banking situation, which is not allowable The program is showing good direction. It under CDBG rules. Progress needs to be encourages home ownership. The recent proved with the funding it has received and history is favorable. This program provides will receive. The completion of project will a valuable service within the housing be two years from acquisition; the spectrum. Should the program not meet its Commission needs to feel comfortable goals, unused funding would be with the two-year limit of CDBG funds. By reprogrammed. Federal regulation, the applicant has until September 2003 to acquire property. No contingencies presently exist to have a structure in place within a given time. Fort Collins Housing Corporation. Request$258,000, from HOME funds. Moved by Ms. Zimlich, seconded by Mr. Vanderheiden: To recommend full funding from CDBG funds. Motion approved 9-1. This funding is recommended to be taken from CDBG because those more restrictive funds need to be expended. Total recommended funding level - $258 000 (from CDBG funds) Pros of Application Cons of Application Rehab needs to move ahead. Accessibility Level of discomfort about how the and safety problems are untenable. applicant is providing for reserves and Applicant has hit its targets timely. The future maintenance needs. Reserves need program addresses a very low AMI level, to be built up to ensure maintenance self- which reduces opportunity for reserve sufficiency. building. Rehab would help reduce the appearance of urban blight. 6 • Beaucaire. Request $391,000, from CDBG funds. Moved by Ms. Molander, seconded by Ms. Rosen: To recommend no funding. Unanimous. Total recommended funding level - $0 Pros of Application Cons of Application Reduces recidivism. Program has worthy The application is premature, with many goals. possible changes on the horizon. The program can continue with its current situation. Program numbers are not solid. The request is not timely when considering status of the project. The neighborhood situation needs to be clarified; funding may show disregard for neighbor concerns. The funding applied more to administration and less applied to benefit of youth. With two beds added, there is a high subsidy level . per unit. The program received funding in the last cycle and needs to establish a track record for future funding possibilities. Community Housing. Request $650,000, from Affordable Housing Fund. Moved by Mr. Browning, seconded by Mr. Hill: To recommend no funding. Motion failed 3-5, with two abstentions. Moved by Ms. Coxen, seconded by Ms. Zimlich: To recommend funding of $450,000. Motion failed 1-7, with two abstentions. Moved by Ms. Rosen, seconded by Mr. Browning: To recommend no funding. Motion passed 7-1, with two abstentions. Some commission members wished to see funding at some level. Staff noted that the application in form was one of the best ever seen. The program is only eligible for funding from the Affordable Housing Fund; that fund's stated purpose is housing for low- income families. This is a very worthy cause seek funding from an inappropriate source. • Total recommended funding level - $0 Pros of Application Cons of Application Worthy project. May be able to leverage Community corrections issue is the State funding. High number of units for the responsibility of the County. Example: level of subsidy. Present facility is not Broomfield became _a county unto Itself adequate. City realizes a benefit from the trying to build jails and take on ccur.ry. program; its participation is valid. The responsibility. It is not an appropriate population is demonstrably from Fort target of the Affordable Housing Fund; the Collins, even before incarceration. The more appropriate target of that fund is program provides transitional housing and housing and families. Fort Collins life skills that are needed for this residency is not clear, in that it is defined population. The existing structure can by the fact of the residents' incarceration. leverage resources. The view that this is a It does not fit within the priority needs and "County-only" function is not correct, the definition of transitional housing as because local law enforcement agencies those priorities and definitions presently share these responsibilities by agreement. exist. The Affordable Housing Board The program serves a needy population recommended no funding. which the community does not care to serve. It leverages tax dollars by taking inmates into community-based and more productive housing. Neighbor to Neighbor. Request $102,600 from CHDO funds. Moved by Mr. Hill, seconded by Ms. Molander: To recommend full .funding of $102,600. Motion approved unanimously. Growth of this program is a concern, and the program structure needs to match its growth. The organization is being responsible with its resources and trying to target self- sufficiency. The applicant has always worked cooperatively with other programs. The program is run like a business, with planned reserves. It has a good board of directors and dynamic executive director. Total recommended funding level -$102,600 Pros of Application Cons of Application Impressive organization. This rehab project is more impressive than that proposed by other applicants. The organization has an exemplary history. Serves an important community need. Addresses an important AMI level. The Commission has a high comfort level with the organization and its goals. Excellent location. 8 CARE. Request $200,000, from Affordable Housing Fund. Moved by Ms. Molander, seconded by Mr. Browning: To recommend full funding. Motion approved 8-2. This program is seeing trouble due to past mistakes. This particular project was structured differently than past projects. Painful lessons have been learned. Staff will be continually monitoring the numbers. The Commission has concern that the program advertising itself as low-income stigmatizes the development and reduces the level of community pride. Total recommended funding level - $200,000 Pros of Application Cons of Application This project is illustrative of the targets of The Commission is not fully comfortable this type of funding. A low AM[ is served with subsidizing debt. The numbers and by this project. The applicant serves the chance for success is somewhat community well and builds quality units. problematic. The units would be lost to market rate units without this funding. The applicant is one of the few viable affordable developers. This project received a high ranking by the Affordable Housing Board. Attachment 1 Ms. Rosen Home Buyer Assistance Ms. Bryant Habitat for Humanity Mr. Vanderheiden Fort Collins Housing Cor oration Ms. Molander Beaucaire Ms. Coxen Community Housing Mr. Hill Neighbor to Neighbor Ms. Molander CARE 9