HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/20/2014 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE SPRING COMPETITIVE PROCESSAgenda Item 23
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AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY May 20, 2014
City Council
STAFF
Sharon Thomas, CDBG/HOME Program Administrator
SUBJECT
Items Relating to the Spring Competitive Process.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to approve the funding of the 2014 Spring Cycle of the Competitive Process
A. Public Hearing and Resolution 2014-041 Approving the Programs and Projects that Will Receive Funds
from the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships
Program (HOME) and the City’s Human Services Program (HSP).
B. Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance No. 080, 2014, Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue and
Authorizing the Transfer of Appropriations Between Projects in the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Program.
C. Public Hearing and Resolution 2014-042 Approving the Fiscal Year 2014 Home Investment Partnerships
(HOME) Program’s Administration and Project Budgets.
D. Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance No. 081, 2014, Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue in the Home
Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program.
E. Public Hearing and Resolution 2014-043 Adopting the Citizen Participation Plan: 2014 Amendment as
Required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Resolution 2014-041 will complete the 2014 Spring Cycle of the Competitive Process for allocating $3,229,902
in City financial resources to affordable housing projects, public service programs and administration of the
program that will receive funding beginning October 1, 2014. Projects receiving program income and prior year
funds (FY2013 and FY2012) can expend funds immediately. Ordinance No. 080, 2014, appropriates the City’s
FY2014 CDBG Entitlement Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and CDBG
Program Income and transfers funds from FY2013 CDBG Reprogrammed funds and FY2012 CDBG
Unprogrammed funds for allocation in FY2014. Resolution 2014-042 establishes the major funding categories
within the HOME Program for the FY 2014 program year, which also starts on October 1, 2014. Specific
projects for the use of the remainder of HOME funds will be determined in November as a result of the 2014
Fall Cycle of the Competitive Process. Ordinance No. 081, 2014, appropriates the City’s FY2014 HOME
Participating Jurisdiction Grant from HUD and HOME Program Income. Resolution 2014-043 approves the
Citizen Participation Plan: 2014 Amendment, one of HUD’s five required federal planning and reporting
activities.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolutions and Ordinances on First Reading.
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BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Resolution 2014-041, establishes which programs and projects will receive funding with CDBG, HOME and
HSP funds for the FY2014 program year that begins October 1, 2014. This includes federal FY2014 CDBG
Entitlement Grant funds, a portion of FY2014 HOME Participating Jurisdiction Grant funds and the City’s 2014
HSP funds including an allocation of Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG) funds, which begins October 1, 2014. In
addition, CDBG Program Income, FY2013 CDBG Reprogrammed funds, FY2012 CDBG Unprogrammed funds
and HOME Program Income dollars are available for immediate expenditure. The following table provides the
funding sources for FY2014 allocated in the spring:
2014 CDBG, HOME and HSP Funding Sources
Funding Source Amount
FY2014 CDBG Entitlement Grant $924,036
CDBG Program Income $797,304
FY2013 CDBG Reprogrammed $250,000
FY2012 CDBG Unprogrammed $61,245
FY2014 HOME Participating Jurisdiction Grant* $539,698*
HOME Program Income - Housing Projects $530,280
HOME Program Income - Administration & Planning $43,192
FY2014 HSP $389,601
FY2014 HSP KFCG $250,047
Total $3,785,403
*HOME Funds are typically approved in the spring and allocated during the fall funding cycle. The FY2014
HOME Grant portion for housing, $485,729 (grant of $539,698 minus the $53,969 for Planning and
Administration) is not included in the total available funds for spring.
The FY2014 CDBG Entitlement Grant is $924,036 and the City received $797,304 in CDBG Program Income.
HUD regulations allow a maximum of 20% of CDBG Entitlement and CDBG Program Income to be used for
planning and program administrative purposes. Program Income includes repayments from rehabilitation
loans, homebuyer assistance loans, acquisition loans and development loans. Program Income must be
expended as soon as is reasonable, whereas CDBG Entitlement dollars are available for expenditure
beginning October 1, 2014. Twenty percent of the FY2014 CDBG Entitlement Grant is $184,807 and 14%
(amount requested by staff) of CDBG Program Income is $111,109 for a total of $295,916. HUD regulations
require that the Program Income designated to Planning and Administration must be spent by the end of the
current fiscal year, which is September 30, 2014. CDBG Reprogrammed funds ($250,000) are monies
returned to the program that were allocated in a prior year. CARE Housing received funding in the spring of
2013 for pre-development costs for their Provincetowne II project. Because the project will not be ready to
proceed as soon as anticipated, funds were returned to the program. CDBG Unprogrammed funds ($61,245)
are Planning and Administration dollars that were not disbursed. HUD regulations require both categories of
funds go back into the program for housing projects.
The maximum limit allowed by HUD regulations in the Public (Human) Services category for the CDBG
Entitlement Grant and CDBG Program Income is 15% (Reprogrammed and Unprogrammed dollars are not
allowed to be used towards this category). Allowable CDBG funds in this category total $218,889 - $138,605
from the CDBG Entitlement Grant and $80,284 from CDBG Program Income. The City’s FY2014 HSP adds
$389,601 and HSP KFCG funds add an additional $250,047, for use in the category for a total of $639,648 of
available City funds. The total available funding in the Public (Human) Services category is $858,537.
Resolution 2014-042, establishes the major funding categories within the HOME program for the FY2014
program year, which starts October 1, 2014. The FY2014 HOME grant is $539,698, HOME 2014 Program
Income for housing projects is $530,280, and HOME Program Income for Planning and Administration is
$43,192, for a total of $1,113,170. HUD regulations allow a maximum of 10% of the HOME Grant, or $53,969,
and eligible Program Income ($43,192) for a total of $97,161, to be used for HOME program administrative
purposes. HUD regulations also require a 15% set-aside of the HOME grant, or $80,954, for Community
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Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). CHDOs in Fort Collins include CARE Housing, Neighbor to
Neighbor, and The Villages (formerly the Fort Collins Housing Corporation).
Considering the set-asides for Planning and Administration and Public (Human) Services mentioned above,
along with the balance of the FY2014 CDBG Entitlement Grant ($600,624); the balance of FY2013 CDBG
Program Income ($605,911); FY2013 CDBG Reprogrammed ($250,000); FY2012 CDBG Unprogrammed
($61,245) amounts; and HOME Program Income ($573,472), a total of $2,091,252 is available for allocation to
the Housing category.
The following tables summarize the total funding amounts and sources of available from CDBG and HOME
funds for Planning and Administration during the FY2014 fiscal year:
Available Funding for FY2014 CDBG Planning and Administration
Funding Source Planning and Administration
FY2014 CDBG Grant $184,807
CDBG Program Income* $111,109
Total Available Funding $295,916
*CDBG Program Income for Planning and Administration ($111,109) must be expended by September 30,
2014 per HUD Regulations.
Available Funding for FY2014 HOME Planning and Administration
Funding Source Planning and Administration
FY2014 HOME Grant $53,969
HOME Program Income-Admin $43,192
Total Available Funding $97,161
The following tables summarize the total funding amounts and sources of all available CDBG, HOME and HSP
funds for distribution in the housing and public service categories during the FY2014 Spring Cycle of the
Competitive Process:
Available Funding for Housing in 2014 Spring Cycle
Funding Source Housing
FY2014 CDBG Grant $600,624
CDBG Program Income $605,911
FY2013 CDBG Reprogrammed $250,000
FY2012 CDBG Unprogrammed $61,245
FY2014 HOME Grant* $0*
HOME Program Income-Projects $530,280
Total Available Funding $2,048,060
*HOME Funds are typically approved in the spring and allocated during the fall funding cycle. The FY2014
HOME Grant portion for housing, $485,729 (grant of $539,698 minus the $53,969 for Planning and
Administration) is not included in the total available funds for spring.
Available Funding for Public Service in 2014 Spring Cycle
Funding Source Public Service
FY2014 CDBG Grant* $138,605
CDBG Program Income* $80,284
FY2014 HSP $389,601
FY2014 HSP KFCG $250,047
Total Available Funding $858,537
*A maximum of 15% is allowed by HUD in the Public Service category from the CDBG Entitlement Grant and
CDBG Program Income.
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The City received a total of 42 applications for funding and staff administration requests for CDBG and HOME
as part of the 2014 spring funding cycle, resulting in a total request of $3,493,840. The total amount of funds
available for housing and public service projects in the spring from all sources is $2,906,597. This does not
include HOME Grant funds of $485,729 typically allocated during the fall funding cycle. Application requests
were $544,051 higher than available funding. HUD regulation limitations within the Public Service category
results in a total of $447,112 more in requests than available funds in that category. Unfortunately, funds in the
Planning/Administration and Housing categories cannot be used to fund any Public Service applications. The
following table summarizes the amount of funding requests compared to the amount of funding available for
each of the major funding categories:
Housing and Public Service Funding Requests by Category
Category Number of
Applications
Available
Funding
Requested
Funding
Available -
Request
Difference
FY2014 CDBG Planning &
Administration
* $295,916 $295,916 $0
FY2014 HOME Planning &
Administration
* $97,161 $97,161 $0
Housing 5 $2,048,060 $2,188,191 -$140,131
Public (Human) Services 37 $858,537 $1,305,649 -$447,112
Totals 42 $3,299,674 $3,886,917 -$587,243
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, and the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME)
Program (typically allocated in the fall) provide federal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) to the City of Fort Collins, which can be allocated to housing and community development
related programs and projects, thereby reducing the demand on the City’s General Fund Budget to address
such needs. During FY2014, the total amount of CDBG funds available for allocation is $2,032,585 and
$1,113,170 for HOME. The City’s General Fund contributes $389,601 in the Human Services Program (HSP)
and $250,047 in HSP KFCG funds for allocation during the Spring Cycle of the Competitive Process, and
$325,047 in Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) dollars in the fall. The total City contribution for FY2014 is
$964,695.
HOME grant funds are typically allocated in the fall process. In FY2014 HOME Program Income is being
allocated in the spring so funds can be spent as quickly as possible to satisfy HUD regulations. Also, this
spring the CDBG Commission is deviating from normal procedures by recommending $140,131 of HOME
Grant funds be allocated in the spring to fill the funding gap between requested and available funds for the five
housing proposals.
Through the provision of affordable housing, more of Fort Collins’ work force is able to reside within the
community. This creates an available labor pool within the city, which helps maintain economic sustainability.
Public/human services programs contribute to economic sustainability by providing access to programs such
as job training and child care that enable workers to maintain employment and housing. By providing funding
to these programs - either for facility upgrades or partial purchase of service locations; the agencies are better
able to utilize other funds to serve their clients.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Affordable housing programs help provide for a healthy environment. By offering affordable housing options for
lower income people, more of Fort Collins’ work force can live in the community rather than living outside city
limits and commuting to the city for work. In addition, many affordable housing projects are located within close
proximity to City bus routes. This helps reduce traffic congestion and vehicle miles traveled, thereby reducing
pollution and improving air quality.
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Affordable housing developers, including for-profit and non-profit agencies, are utilizing green building
practices in both new construction and major rehabilitation of existing housing unit projects. These practices
include geo-thermal applications and other energy saving techniques.
All affordable housing projects utilizing CDBG and HOME funds are required to pass a HUD Environmental
Review, which covers such items as noise impacts, floodplains, hazardous materials, etc.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The CDBG Commission presents recommendations on which programs and projects in the housing and public
service categories should receive funding from the available funding sources presented above, including
CDBG, HOME and HSP.
Allocation of HOME funds for specific affordable housing projects/programs and community development
activities, is normally determined in November as a result of the fall funding cycle of the Competitive Process.
In this cycle, funding requests totaled $140,131 more than the housing category’s available funds. The CDBG
Commission determined all five housing proposals were projects that would benefit from receiving full funding
in the spring. This recommendation deviates from the established process approved by Council in 2000
(Resolution 2000-13). A similar deviation occurred following the Spring Cycle of 2012, where Council approved
partial allocation of the City’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to fill a gap in a funding request by the Fort
Collins Housing Authority (Resolution 2012-037). This year, the CDBG Commission is recommending using
$140,131 of FY2014 HOME Grant funds to fill the gap present in the 2014 Spring Cycle. In addition, the HOME
Program Income was allocated in the spring to satisfy HUD requirements for immediate expenditure of
program income dollars. The following tables present the allocations recommended by the Commission to the
City Council within each major category:
Housing Category
Applicant Project/Program Funding
Request
Commission’s
Recommended
Funding
Unfunded
Balance
Percent
of
Request
Funded
Fort Collins Housing Authority: Redtail
Ponds Permanent Supportive Housing
$350,000 $350,000 $0 100%
Fort Collins Housing Authority: Seventy
Two: A Vibrant, Sustainable Community
$720,000 $720,000 $0 100%
Habitat for Humanity: Avondale Lot
Purchase
$700,000 $700,000 $0 100%
Housing Catalyst (FCHA): Cunningham
Corner Rehab
$38,191 $38,191 $0 100%
Villages: Village on Matuka - Housing
Rehabilitation
$380,000 $380,000 $0 100%
Housing Total $2,188,191 $2,188,191* $0
*HOME funds of $104,131, typically allocated in the fall funding cycle, are being recommended by the CDBG
Commission to be allocated in the Spring Cycle to fill the funding requests of all 5 housing proposals.
Public Service Category
Applicant Project/Program Funding
Request
Commission’s
Recommended
Funding
Unfunded
Agenda Item 23
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Applicant Project/Program Funding
Request
Commission’s
Recommended
Funding
Unfunded
Balance
Percent
of
Request
Funded
Boys & Girls Clubs: Building Great
Futures
$43,973 $24,927 $19,046 57%
CASA Program: Court Appointed
Special Advocate
$28,487 $6,784 $21,703 24%
CASA Program: Harmony House
Supervised Visitation Center
$28,750 $15,000 $13,750 52%
Catholic Charities: Senior Services $15,000 $15,000 0% 100%
Catholic Charities: Shelter & Post-
Shelter Services
$60,000 $40,000 $20,000 67%
Center for Family Outreach: Low
Income Youth Scholarship Program
$7,500 $7,500 $0 100%
ChildSafe Colorado: Child Sexual
Abuse Treatment Program
$36,000 $30,000 $6,000 83%
ChildSafe Colorado: Healthy Families
Program
$3,500 $0 $3,500 0%
Colo. Health Network (NCAP): Client
Services & Homelessness Prev.
$32,754 $18,514 $14,240 57%
Crossroads Safehouse: Advocacy
Program
$60,318 $39,000 $21,318 65%
Disabled Resource Services: Access to
Independence (ATI)
$28,736 $26,261 $2,475 91%
Education & Life Training Center:
JobReady & Circles Employment
$53,735 $0 $53,735 0%
Elderhaus: Therapeutic Activity
Program
$35,355 $27,878 $7,477 79%
Family Center: Childcare Scholarships $50,000 $42,500 $7,500 85%
FoCo Café: Farm-to-Fork Food Service
Skill Development
$19,800 $0 $19,800 0%
Food Bank for Larimer County: Kids
Café
$27,182 $27,182 $0 100%
GLBT Community Center: Rainbow
Alley Youth Services
$7,500 $3,000 $4,500 40%
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Applicant Project/Program Funding
Request
Commission’s
Recommended
Funding
Unfunded
Balance
Percent
of
Request
Funded
Rehab. & Visiting Nurse Association:
Home Health Care Scholarships
$40,000 $35,000 $5,000 88%
Respite Care: Childcare Scholarships $35,000 $32,500 $2,500 93%
Serve 6.8: Sister Mary Alice Murphy
Center for Hope
$30,888 $18,533 $12,355 60%
SAVA Center: Bisexual Sexual Assault
Victim Services
$44,725 $14,367 $30,358 32%
Teaching Tree Early Childhood
Learning Center: Childcare
Scholarships
$60,000 $50,000 $10,000 83%
Touchstone Health Partners: CDDT
Program
$62,702 $31,328 $31,374 50%
Touchstone Health Partners: Mental
Health Services - Murphy Center
$24,707 $18,000 $6,707 73%
Turning Point: Crisis Intervention
Program
$25,000 $12,500 $12,500 50%
Volunteers of America: Home Delivered
Meal Program
$33,600 $33,600 $0 100%
Public Service Total $1,305,649 $858,557 $447,112 66%
A summary of the Commission’s funding recommendations by category is presented in the following table:
Funding Recommendations by Category
Category Recommended Funding % of
Total
Housing $2,188,191 72%
Public Service $858,557 28%
Total $3,046,748 100%
The CDBG Commission has recommended $3,046,748 (105%) of the available spring funding amount
($2,906,597) be allocated. In the Housing category the Commission has recommended full funding for all 5
proposals, using $104,131 of the HOME Grant funds typically allocated in the fall funding cycle to fill the gap.
The Commission has recommended that 6 of the 37 Public Service proposals receive full funding; 26
proposals receive partial funding (ranging from 24% to 91%); and 5 proposals receive no funding. The
justifications for the CDBG Commission’s recommendations can be found in the minutes from the April 10,
2014 meeting (not yet approved by the CDBG Commission), submitted here as Attachment 5.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
HUD regulations require a 30-day public comment period on the proposed allocation of CDBG funds as
recommended by the CDBG Commission. Staff placed an ad in the Coloradoan on April 13, 2014, presenting
the list of recommended funding for programs/projects, and also indicated the public comment period would
run from April 14, 2014 - May 13, 2014. Additionally, the public notice announcing funding recommendations
was placed on the Social Sustainability Department’s website and distributed to 12 entities serving a majority
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CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN: 2014 AMENDMENT
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets forth five major reporting activities that it
requires of communities receiving federal funds. The City of Fort Collins submits several large reports and
plans each year as part of that framework. An additional reporting component is the Citizen Participation Plan.
This document upholds HUD’s values for inclusive, accessible, and equitable engagement for all community
members in the planning and decision making processes of government. As such, it outlines requirements for
everything from the length of public review periods to communications standards for public notices. The
Citizen Participation Plan was last updated in 2010.
The Citizen Participation Plan: 2014 Amendment is a major reworking, intended to address and implement--
among other things--new regulatory requirements and communications standards best practices. The
amendment was crafted to reflect the City’s commitments to regulatory compliance, “exceptional service for an
exceptional community,” and operational excellence for civic engagement. It was also redesigned to be a
more effective reference tool for compliance.
The draft document requires a 30-day public review period before its final submittal to HUD in August. Notice
of the review period was published in The Coloradoan, posted on the City’s website, and posted and shared at
a dozen community partner entities serving those community members in legally protected classes (e.g.,
racial/ethnic minorities, persons with a disability, female heads of households) or other persons with potential
barriers to civic participation.
The draft document was available at all three Poudre River Library District branches, at the Social
Sustainability Department, and on the City’s web site. In addition, focus group chats (some bilingual) were
conducted at the Murphy Center, the Family Center/la Familia, and Circles Larimer. The Citizen Participation
Plan: 2014 Amendment was reviewed internally by City staff in Social Sustainability, CPIO, the City Attorney’s
Office, and by the Grants Compliance Administrator. The amendment does not require formal
recommendation by the CDBG Commission.
The draft document was reviewed by the City’s HUD Community Partnership Division (CPD) and Fair Housing
and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) division representatives. It was also subject to an official review by HUD staff
during a mid-May, on-site monitoring at the City of Fort Collins, with satisfactory results.
To date, no complaints or concerns regarding the draft document have been received. This Citizen
Participation Plan: 2014 Amendment is being brought forward, as required, for City Council adoption. The
document is included as Exhibit A to Resolution 2014-043.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Background Summary of Recommendations (PDF)
2. Competitive Process Background (PDF)
3. Affordable Housing Board Priority Rankings Spring 2014 (PDF)
4. CDBG and HOME Background (PDF)
5. CDBG Commission Deliberations Minutes (PDF)
6. Focus Questions (PDF)
7. Deliberations Info Sheet (PDF)
8. Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
Attachment 1
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF CDBG COMMISSION’S
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUNDING
At the May 20, 2014, regular City Council Meeting, the Council will be conducting
a public hearing and considering the adoption of a Resolution establishing which
programs and projects will receive funding with Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) and City Human Services
Program (HSP) funds for the FY2014 Program year, which starts on October 1,
2014.
The Resolution establishing which programs and projects will receive funds
represents the culmination of the spring cycle of the Competitive Process
approved in January 2000 by the Council for the allocation of the City’s financial
resources to affordable housing programs/projects and community development
activities. Additional background material about the Competitive Process is
included in Attachment 2.
Since early January of this year, the CDBG Commission and members of the
City’s Social Sustainability Department have conducted public hearings to assess
community development and housing needs in Fort Collins, conducted individual
technical assistance sessions for applicants, and solicited applications for
funding. The City’s Affordable Housing Board (AHB) reviewed the written
applications for affordable housing projects and forwarded comments on the
proposals to the CDBG Commission. See Attachment 3 for a copy of AHB’s
priority rankings from their March 27, 2014 special meeting. The CDBG
Commission, in addition to reviewing the 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 Commission also considered the funding guidelines
contained in the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan 2010-2014 report adopted by
the Council in July 2010.
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 funds as an Entitlement Community since
1975 and has been a HOME Participating Jurisdiction since 1994. This means
the City is guaranteed a certain level of funding each year. The level of funding is
dependent upon the total amount of funds allocated to the program by Congress
and on a formula developed by HUD comprised of several measures of
community need, including the extent of poverty, population, housing
overcrowding, age of housing, and population growth lag in relationship to other
metropolitan areas. Additional background information on the City's CDBG and
HOME programs is presented in Attachment 4.
2
The Human Services Program (HSP) was formerly the Community Partnership
Program, a joint human services funding venture between the City of Fort Collins
and Larimer County. Historically administered by the County, the City’s funding
portion of the program switched to internal administration as a result of the 2006
Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) process. In a focus towards streamlining
government processes, improving customer service, and fine tuning desired
results, HSP has been folded into the Spring Cycle of the City’s semi-annual
Competitive Process, which manages a variety of funding streams. Funding
awarded to programs targets households in Fort Collins whose incomes are at or
below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Those monies help fill other funding
gaps, and lower the cost of housing and other basic services for Fort Collins
citizens who are most vulnerable and in need. By empowering and stabilizing
families, these funds strengthen and improve the fundamental building blocks of
Fort Collins - its neighborhoods.
AVAILABLE FUNDS
The following table summarizes the amount and sources of all available CDBG,
HOME and HSP funds for distribution in the housing and public service
categories during the FY2014 Spring Cycle of the Competitive Process:
Available Funding
Funding Amount Funding Source
$924,036 FY2014 CDBG Entitlement Grant
$797,304 CDBG Program Income
$250,000 FY2013 CDBG Reprogrammed
$61,245 FY2012 CDBG Unprogrammed
$530,280 HOME Program Income
$389,601 FY2014 HSP
$250,047 FY2014 HSP Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG)
$3,202,513 Total Funding Available
Program Income includes repayments from rehabilitation loans and home buyer
assistance loans, along with repayments from development and acquisition
loans. Funds allocated in a previous funding cycle that did not proceed and have
been returned to the program are Reprogrammed funds. Unprogrammed funds
are from administrative dollars that were not spent and are returned to the
program for housing projects. HUD regulations do not allow Reprogrammed or
Unprogrammed funds to be used for Planning and Administration or Public
Service categories.
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process for the City's FY2014 Spring Competitive Process began
on January 9, 2014, when the CDBG Commission held a public hearing to obtain
citizen input on community development and affordable housing needs. The
3
Social Sustainability Department placed legal advertisements in local
newspapers in January to solicit requests for housing and community
development projects for FY2014. Notices were sent via email to potential
applicants in late December 2013. The Competitive Process utilizes a web-based
application through ZoomGrants. Pre-applications were due Thursday, January
23, 2014 and applications were due Thursday, February 20, 2014. The City
received 42 applications and a staff program administration proposals requesting
over $3.8 million in funding. On March 6, 2014, all applications were made
available to the CDBG Commission and the housing proposals were made
available to the Affordable Housing Board (AHB) for review.
On Wednesday, March 26, Tuesday, April 1, Wednesday, April 2, and Thursday,
April 3, the Commission met to hear presentations and ask clarification questions
from each applicant. A subcommittee of the AHB, at a special meeting on
Thursday, March 27, 2014, voted to recommend to the CDBG Commission a
priority ranking of the five affordable housing proposals (see Attachment 3). The
priority ranking was presented to the CDBG Commission on Thursday, April 3.
The Commission then met on Thursday, April 10, for the purpose of preparing a
recommendation to City Council as to which programs and projects should be
funded for the FY2014 program year. At this meeting the Commission reviewed
the written applications, the applicant's verbal presentations, the information
provided during the question and answer session, and reviewed the performance
of agencies who received funding in previous years. The Commission then
worked on the formulation of its list of recommendations.
CDBG COMMISSION'S LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
In addition to HUD funding limitations (20% for Planning and Administration and
15% for Public Services), the Commission had to decide which applicants
presented programs and projects which best fit the City's affordable housing
needs and follow the funding priorities contained in the Affordable Housing
Strategic Plan 2010-2014. Listed below is a summary of each applicant's initial
request for funding and the Commission's list of recommendations.
HOUSING
HO-1 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Redtail Ponds Permanent Supportive
Housing
Request: $350,000 Recommendation:
$350,000
Percentage: 100%
The Fort Collins Housing Authority (FCHA) is requesting additional dollars to be
used for development fees associated with Redtail Ponds Permanent Supportive
Housing. Once completed, Redtail Ponds will provide 60 units of affordable
housing for the chronically homeless, and those at risk of homelessness.
4
Residents will receive long-term case-management and supportive services. Full
funding is recommended.
HO-2 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Seventy Two: A Vibrant, Sustainable
Community
Request: $720,000 Recommendation:
$720,000
Percentage: 100%
Seventy Two: A Vibrant, Sustainable Community will be a 72 unit multi-family
affordable housing development with a mixture of one, two and three bedroom
units. When completed, the project will provide affordable housing for families at
60% or below of the Area Median Income (AMI). FCHA is requesting funds for
development fees associated with building the project. Full funding is
recommended.
HO-3 Habitat for Humanity: Avondale Lot Purchase
Request: $700,000 Recommendation:
$700,000
Percentage: 100%
Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with the community and partner
families to build affordable owner-occupied home units. Fort Collins Habitat for
Humanity is requesting funds for land acquisition costs in the Ridgewood Hills
subdivision at the southeast corner of Trilby Road and Avondale Road. Once
built, Cottages at Avondale will provide a total of 10 homeownership housing
units affordable to households with income between 30-60% AMI. The families
will have affordable mortgages, paying no more than 30% of their income
towards housing costs. Full funding is recommended.
HO-4 Housing Catalyst: Villages at Cunningham Corner – Housing
Rehabilitation
Request: $38,191 Recommendation:
$38,191
Percentage: 100%
Housing Catalyst is a wholly owned entity of the Fort Collins Housing Authority. It
was established to create the appropriate legal structure most conducive to
utilization of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. In December
2012, Housing Catalyst was given the opportunity to purchase 284 rental units,
known as Cunningham Corner, to prevent the units from going to market rate
rentals. Housing Catalyst purchased the units with the intent of substantially
rehabilitating the properties, thereby providing long-term preservation of a
significant portion of the community’s affordable housing stock. Total renovations
are expected to cost more than $8.5 million dollars. This is the remainder of the
nearly $1 million dollars of total funding requested to have “first-in” money from
the City, which leverages dollars from other funding sources. Full funding is
recommended.
5
HO-5 Villages: Village on Matuka – Housing Rehabilitation
Request: $380,000 Recommendation:
$380,000
Percentage: 100%
FCHA created Villages (formerly the Fort Collins Housing Corporation) in 1982
as a non-profit partner organization to extend the capabilities of FCHA. Village on
Matuka is located on Matuka Court just off East Conifer. It is an affordable
housing development consisting of 20 units in five buildings serving households
with incomes from 0 – 30 % AMI. Four buildings were built in 1979 and the fifth
was built in 1988. Villages is requesting funding to partially fund the rehabilitation
of the units estimated to cost over $900,000. Full funding is recommended.
PUBLIC SERVICE
PS-1 Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County: Education,
Awareness & Support Programs
Request: $10,148 Recommendation: $4,250 Percentage: 42%
The Alliance provides education, awareness, and grief support for various
sectors of the community around the issue of suicide. The request is for partial
payment of the education and outreach materials costs needed for the programs,
and partial salary support for the part-time grief support specialist and two other
direct service staff. The funding recommendation is for the partial costs of the
outreach materials.
PS-2 B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare Scholarships
Request: $66,000 Recommendation:
$56,000
Percentage: 85%
B.A.S.E. Camp is a before- and after-school childcare service, and also provides
full-day care for “school-out” days and the 11-week summer break. This
application requests funding to cover the gaps created when serving low-income
families with reduced fees. The recommendation is to fund a portion (85%) of the
request.
PS-3 Boys & Girls Club: Building Great Futures
Request: $43,973 Recommendation:
$24,927
Percentage: 57%
The Boys and Girls Club has requested assistance for its long-standing after-
school and summer care program. The Club charges an annual fee of only $5
and provides activities for a broad age-range of kids. The Club charges $10/day
for full day program participation during the summer. This application requests
funds to partially supplement the salaries of four full time Program Directors and
$19,046 for summer full-day program care scholarships. The recommendation is
to fund the first priority of the applicant, partial salaries of Youth Development
6
Specialists.
PS-4 CASA Program: Court Appointed Special Advocates
Request: $28,487 Recommendation: $6,784 Percentage: 24%
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) provides trained community
advocates for children who have been abused and/or neglected by their parents.
CASA is requesting assistance with partial salary and benefits for the CASA
Program Team, which consists of two CASA Case Supervisors and the Volunteer
Trainer. They provide training and supervision to the children’s advocates. The
CDBG Commission recommendation is to partially fund (1/4) of the Program
Team request of $27,137. This is CASA’s first priority.
PS-5 CASA Program: Harmony House Supervised Visitation Program
Request: $28,750 Recommendation:
$15,000
Percentage: 52%
Harmony House, operated by CASA, provides a safe, conflict-free public place
for families to have supervised visitations, exchanges and interactions. Harmony
House staff also document information used in deciding the child’s permanent
placement. This request by CASA is for partial salary and benefit of 4.5 FTE
Case Managers, utility costs and intern/staff training costs. The recommendation
is to partially fund ($15,000) the first priority, $27,600 in salary and benefits.
PS-6 Catholic Charities: Senior Services
Request: $15,000 Recommendation:
$15,000
Percentage: 100%
Senior Services provides outreach and assistance to at-risk elderly with the goal
of enabling them to maintain greater health, safety, and independence. Funding
would cover approximately 35% of the salary and benefits of the Senior Case
Manager. Full funding is recommended.
PS-7 Catholic Charities: Shelter Services and Post-Shelter Services
Request: $60,000 Recommendation:
$40,000
Percentage: 67%
Catholic Charities’ Shelter (The Mission) provides shelter, food, case
management, resource navigation, benefits application assistance and
transitional housing help in support of the homeless and near homeless. Catholic
Charities is requesting $40,000 for partial salaries (50%) of 2 FTE shelter staff
and $20,000 for financial assistance (rent and/or utility deposits, application fees,
moving costs, minimal household goods and/or food) for the Post-Shelter
Services component of transitional housing. The recommendation by the CDBG
Commission is to fund $40,000 for the shelter staff, Catholic Charities’ first
priority.
7
PS-8 Center for Family Outreach: Low-Income Youth Scholarship Program
Request: $7,500 Recommendation: $7,500 Percentage: 100%
The Center for Family Outreach provides early intervention for youth ages 10 to
18 (and their parents) who are experiencing high-risk behaviors, such as alcohol
and drug use. Funding would pay for program scholarships ($200 average) for
extremely low-income youth, who comprise 20% for the program’s participants.
Full funding is recommended.
PS-9 ChildSafe: Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program
Request: $36,000 Recommendation:
$30,000
Percentage: 83%
ChildSafe provides treatment to children, teen and adults from low-income
families who have been sexually abused – treating trauma, reducing risk of re-
victimization, providing safety skills, dealing with impacts in life sectors (school,
work, health issues, etc.). Funding requested would assist with salaries for
therapy ($30,000); Neurofeedback equipment ($3,500), and operating expenses
(rent $2,000/phones $500). The recommendation is to fund the $30,000 request
for assistance with salaries.
PS-10 ChildSafe: Healthy Families Program
Request: $3,500 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0%
The Healthy Families Program provided by ChildSafe is a supplemental program
that clients can participate in free of charge. It helps them create healthy well-
balanced lifestyles, understanding that physical and emotional health are
interwoven. Funding would pay for instructors and counseling and meals for
outdoor programs (Equine, Ropes, etc.), Yoga and Self-Defense classes. No
funding is recommended.
PS-11 Colorado Health Network, dba Northern Colorado AIDS Project
(NCAP): Client Services and Homelessness Prevention Program
Request: $32,754 Recommendation:
$18,514
Percentage: 57%
The Case Management and Homelessness Prevention Programs help families
and individuals coping with HIV/AIDS retain their household stability and health
as their ability to maintain financial independence diminishes. NCAP’s request
will supplement the salaries of direct service providers ($18,514). The remainder
will provide medical, emergency and basic needs to clients of NCAP. The funding
recommendation is to fund salaries, the first priority.
PS-12 Crossroads Safehouse: Domestic Violence Family Advocacy Project
Request: $60,318 Recommendation: Percentage: 65%
8
$39,000
Crossroads provides emergency shelter, services and outreach to abused adults
at a full-service facility. This application requests funding for a portion of salaries
for evening/overnight ($44,237) and relief ($16,080) staff. The recommendation
by the CDBG Commission is for partial funding of the first priority of salaries for
the evening/overnight staff.
PS-13 Disabled Resource Services: Access to Independence
Request: $28,736 Recommendation:
$26,261
Percentage: 91%
People with disabilities who are facing issues around poverty, survival,
discrimination and dependency are provided with assistance from Disabled
Resource Services. Access to Independence provides supportive case
management and community assistance to increase the independence of adults
with severe disabled. This application requests funds to pay a portion of salaries
for five case managers. It is recommended that a portion (91%) of the request be
funded.
PS-14 Education and Life Training Center (ELTC): JobReady & Circles
Employment Skills Training
Request: $53,735 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0%
ELTC provides employment skills, literacy training and tools for building social
capital to economically disadvantaged populations. The JobReady and Circles
programs provide integrated and complementary training and support to address
the skills gaps and stability challenges of low-income participants. The programs
also work to address area employer needs through workforce development. This
application requests partial salary support ($28,800) of JobReady instructors;
partial support ($4,000) for curriculum development to serve needs of area
employers; and partial salary support ($20,935) for the Circles program Coach.
No funding is recommended.
PS-15 Elderhaus Adult Day Program: Therapeutic Activity Program
Request: $35,355 Recommendation:
$27,878
Percentage: 79%
Through the Therapeutic Activity Program, Elderhaus provides a therapeutic
daytime program for adults with special needs such as congenital issues (Downs
Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy), acquired afflictions (traumatic brain injury) and
various dementias. This request seeks funding to supplement direct service
costs; partial salaries ($27,878) of four Program Directors, partial salary of the
Dietary Manager ($3,685) and program transportation expenses for Fort Collins
($3,793). The first priority ($27,878) is being recommended for funding by the
CDBG Commission.
9
PS-16 Family Center/La Familia: Childcare Scholarships
Request: $50,000 Recommendation:
$42,500
Percentage: 85%
The Family Center provides affordable child care for infants, toddlers and
preschool-aged children. This application requests $50,000 to provide
scholarships for low-income households who do not qualify for Colorado
Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) or who need supplemental support for
childcare expenses while working or going to school. 85% of the request is
recommended for funding.
PS-17 Feeding Our Community Ourselves: Farm-to-Fork Skill Development
Request: $19,800 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0%
Feeding Our Community Ourselves or FoCo Café seeks to build a healthy
community by providing food and job training and skill development. The model
is based on the SAME Café and Café 180 in Denver. Low income and/or persons
experiencing homelessness are trained to prepare food and serve it in a
restaurant atmosphere. Dining is open to all, on a donation basis. The funding
request is for a portion of the annual fresh food budget. Zero funding is
recommended.
PS-18 Food Bank for Larimer County: Kids Café
Request: $27,182 Recommendation:
$27,182
Percentage: 100%
Kids Café provides meals for children ages 3 to 18 who are food insecure. Meals
are provided without regard to the income of the child’s family, but the sites
where the meals are provided are in or near schools with the highest eligibility
rates for free or reduced priced lunches. This application requests funds to cover
partial salaries of the Kids Café Manager ($19,575) and Delivery Driver ($7,607).
Full funding is recommended.
PS-19 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community Center:
Rainbow Alley Youth Services
Request: $7,500 Recommendation: $3,000 Percentage: 40%
The Center is a community engagement and support program for LGBT
populations who often can experience isolation, discrimination, and decreased
access to needed resources. The Center is requesting help with the youth
services program; partial salary support of a part-time Program Coordinator
($6,000); and program supplies for an overnight camping trip ($1,500). The
recommendation is to partially fund (50%) the first priority, salary for Program
Coordinator.
10
PS-20 Health District of Northern Larimer County: Dental Connections
Request: $54,900 Recommendation:
$23,000
Percentage: 42%
Dental Connections, through the Health District, seeks to develop a sustainable,
cost-effective system for delivering oral health care to underserved low-income
and disabled adults. Poor dental health often connects to other health issues,
economic instability (job search/success), and presents barriers to self-
sufficiency. This request asks for 50% of salary assistance for two core, direct
service team members; Dental Care Coordinator ($30,180) and Dental Care
Specialist ($24,720). The CDBG Commission’s recommendation is to fund
Dental Connections at 42% of request.
PS-21 Homelessness Prevention Initiative: Emergency Rental Assistance
Request: $60,000 Recommendation:
$45,000
Percentage: 75%
Emergency Rent Assistance provides temporary funding to cover the cost of rent
for families facing eviction. This application requests $60,000 to cover one-time
assistance towards rent for 520 individuals (or approximately 200 households).
75% of request is recommended for funding.
PS-22 Larimer County Child Advocacy Center: Victim Services – Child
Abuse Prevention
Request: $32,000 Recommendation:
$22,000
Percentage: 69%
The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) serves the needs of low-income, victimized
children and families by acting as “first-in” in providing trauma-informed services
(forensic interviews and victim advocacy). The goal is to avoid re-victimization of
children as they move through the legal system. Because the need for objective
information, CAC cannot accept payments from the families it serves or the
government entities to which it provides information. The request is for a portion
of the salaries of the Bilingual Victim Advocate ($22,000) and Prevention
Coordinator ($10,000). The recommendation is to fund the Bilingual Victim
Advocate, the CAC’s first priority.
PS-23 Learning House Foundation for Early Childhood Development:
Project Help The House!
Request: $13,400 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0%
The Learning House is a non-profit science and math curriculum-based school
with a long history in the community serving children from 12 months to 8 years
old. This funding request is to make needed minimal safety, energy efficiency
and functionality upgrades to the building. No funding is recommended.
11
. PS-24 Learning House Foundation for Early Childhood Development:
Project Playing to Learn!
Request: $8,706 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0%
The Learning House is a non-profit science and math curriculum-based school
with a long history in the community serving children from 12 months to 8 years
old. The Learning House is requesting funding to address the gap between low-
income parent payments and tuition costs. No funding is recommended.
PS-25 Matthews House: Empowering Youth Program
Request: $34,158 Recommendation:
$34,158
Percentage: 100%
The Matthews House works intensively with at-risk, homeless, and abused youth,
ages 16 to 21, transitioning them to become contributing adult community
members. Case management, independent living skills, and aftercare are offered
towards achieving self-sufficiency. This request is for partial (50%) salaries of two
full time Case Managers. Full funding is recommended.
PS-26 Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing Counseling
Request: $60,000 Recommendation:
$38,630
Percentage: 64%
Housing Counseling consists of the following services: Emergency Rent
Assistance Counseling, Pre-rental Counseling, Landlord/Tenant Counseling, Pre-
purchase Counseling/Homebuyer Classes and Training, Mortgage Default
Counseling and Reverse Mortgage Counseling. Neighbor to Neighbor has
requested funding for a Rental Counselor ($38,630) and a Homeownership
Counselor ($21,370). The recommendation is to fund priority one, Rental
Counselor.
PS-27 Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent Assistance
Request: $36,125 Recommendation:
$36,125
Percentage: 100%
Neighbor to Neighbor’s Emergency Rent Assistance Program provides rent
assistance and first month’s rent for residents who need financial assistance to
maintain housing. N2N has requested funding to subsidize 220 persons (85
households). Clients are assisted with a one-time payment up to $350 for rent
assistance, and up to $500 towards a first month’s rent payment. Full funding is
recommended.
PS-28 Project Self-Sufficiency: Services for Single-Parent Families
Request: $35,000 Recommendation:
$30,000
Percentage: 86%
12
The mission of Project Self-Sufficiency (PS-S) is to assist low-income single
parents in their efforts to build and maintain strong, healthy families, achieve
economic independence, and become free from community and government
assistance. They have requested funding to pay partial salaries and benefits for
three PS-S Advisors who work with program participants living in Fort Collins. A
portion (86%) of the request is being recommended for funding.
PS-29 Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association: Home Health Care
Scholarships
Request: $40,000 Recommendation:
$35,000
Percentage: 88%
RVNA provides home care services, skilled and unskilled, as well as acute and
long-term care in the clients’ homes. Services include nursing, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social services, certified nurse
aide service, personal care service and homemaking services. RVNA has
requested $40,000 of City funds to pay for both skilled and unskilled service for
57 low-income clients. Partial request (88%) is recommended.
PS-30 Respite Care: Childcare Scholarships
Request: $35,000 Recommendation:
$32,500
Percentage: 93%
Respite Care offers day and overnight care as a service for families who have
children (up to age 21) with developmental disabilities. Funding is being
requested to help with 37 childcare assistance scholarships for low-income
families. Partial funding (93%) is recommended.
PS-31 Serve 6.8: Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope
Request: $30,888 Recommendation:
$18,533
Percentage: 60%
Serve 6.8 assumed ownership and the operations function for the Murphy Center
in the summer of 2013. The request covers a portion of salaries for the five
resource specialists. Partial funding (60%) is recommended.
PS-32 Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center: Sexual Assault Victim
Services
Request: $44,725 Recommendation:
$14,367
Percentage: 32%
Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center (SAVA) provides crisis intervention,
advocacy, and counseling for all those affected by sexual violence and provides
prevention through community outreach and education. The request from SAVA
is to partially fund salaries of the Director of Client Services ($15,991), the
Licensed Clinical Therapist ($14,367) and the Licensed Bilingual Clinical
13
Therapist ($14,367). The Commission is recommending funding for the third
priority, the Licensed Bilingual Clinical Therapist.
PS-33 Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center: Childcare
Scholarships
Request: $60,000 Recommendation:
$50,000
Percentage: 83%
Teaching Tree provides full-day early child care and education programs for
children from 6 weeks to 8 years old. $60,000 is being requested to subsidize
the difference between the sliding scale parent fee and the actual cost of care for
60 children in low-income families. Partial funding (83%) is recommended.
PS-34 Touchstone Health Partners: Community Dual Disorders Treatment
(CDDT) Program
Request: $62,702 Recommendation:
$31,328
Percentage: 50%
The CDDT is a collaboration of Touchstone Health Partners, the Health District of
Northern Larimer County and the Fort Collins Housing Authority, which combines
intensive case management and therapeutic services with housing assistance for
persons with severe mental illness and substance abuse disorders. The request
covers partial salaries for three key positions within the CDDT team ($45,975)
and a Case Aide ($10,277). Partial funding (68%) of the first priority is being
recommended, 50% of the entire request.
PS-35 Touchstone Health Partners: Critical Mental Health Services at the
Murphy Center
Request: $24,707 Recommendation:
$18,000
Percentage: 73%
The Mental Health specialist at the Murphy Center is a Touchstone employee
who provides initial mental health assessments, provides up to 10 short-term
therapy sessions, collaborates for a spectrum of care with other community
health providers and performs crisis intervention triage, as necessary. The
request is to cover .41% of the salary cost for a full-time employee for one year.
The CDBG Commission’s recommendation is to fund 73% of the request.
PS-36 Turning Point Center for Youth and Family Development: Crisis
Intervention Services
Request: $25,000 Recommendation:
$12,500
Percentage: 50%
This program at Turning Point provides no-cost mental health and substance
abuse treatment services to low-income families who are uninsured,
underinsured and/or unable to access more conventional providers for
14
assistance. The funding request is to partially assist with the cost of two direct
staff salaries, a Crisis Intervention Specialist ($12,500) and a
Coaching/Mentoring Coordinator ($12,500). The recommendation is to fund the
first priority for a Crisis Intervention Specialist.
PS-37 Volunteers of America: Home Delivered Meal Service
Request: $33,600 Recommendation:
$33,600
Percentage: 100%
Volunteers of America, through its Home Delivered Meals service, offers home
delivered frozen meals, nutrition education, nutrition risk assessment and
nutrition education/counseling to low-income seniors who are frail, homebound
and struggling to meet their nutritional needs. The requested funds would
leverage the federal grant and help cover the costs of providing 11,390 home
delivered meals to about 102 seniors at $2.95 per meal. The service operates on
a donation basis. Full funding is recommended.
Summary
A summary of the Commission's funding recommendations by category is
presented in the following table:
Funding Recommendations by Category
Category Recommended
Funding
% of Total
Public Service $858,537 28%
Housing $2,188,191 72%
Total $3,046,728 100.0%
The CDBG Commission has recommended 3,046,728 (105%) of the available
funding amount of $2,906,597 be allocated. This year the City received a total of
42 proposals. In the Housing category five applications were received. The
CDBG Commission recognized that all five proposals were good projects and
voted to fully fund all five housing requests. Because the funding amount in the
housing category needed to fully fund all of the requests was short by just under
$150,000 the Commission elected to deviate from normal practices and use
$140,131 from HOME grant monies to fill the gap. These funds are typically
allocated in the Fall Cycle of the Competitive Process. Funding in this manner
allows projects to move forward. Some projects benefit from receiving funds from
the City at this time to leverage other dollars for their projects.
In the Public Service category 37 proposals were submitted. The Commission is
recommending full funding for 6 proposals, partial funding for 26 proposals
(ranging from 24% to 93%); and that 5 proposals receive no funding. In the
Housing category the recommendation is for full funding for all 5 housing
proposals. The justifications for the CDBG Commission’s recommendations can
15
be found in Attachment 5, minutes of the April 10, 2014, meeting (not approved
at this time by the CDBG Commission).
Attachment 6 contains Focus Questions used by the Commission to review the
applications.
Attachment 7 contains information provided to general citizen attendees on the
Commission’s deliberations session and how the Commission formulates its
funding recommendations.
Attachment 2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE COMPETITIVE PROCESS
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 (AHB) 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 AHB and the CDBG Commission. The option
selected would have the AHB providing recommendations to the City Council in regards
to affordable housing policy. In addition, the option would have the AHB reviewing all
affordable housing applications for CDBG, Home Investment Partnership (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 funds and Affordable Housing
Funds (AHF) 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
necessitate an increase in staff technical assistance to applicants. Both the
subcommittee and staff recognize that a bi-annual process will require additional
2
meetings by both the CDBG Commission and AHB, and will require more time from 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 ends 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 to 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).
Application Forms
Two new application forms have also been developed for a new on-line application
process using a web-based platform through a product called ZoomGrants. One form
is used for Housing proposals, while the other form is 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.
Human Services Program
The Human Services Program (HSP) was formerly the Community Partnership
3
Program, a joint human services funding venture between the City of Fort Collins and
Larimer County. Historically administered by the County, the City’s funding portion of
the program switched to internal administration as a result of the 2006 Budgeting for
Outcomes (BFO) process. This funding source has been folded into the spring cycle of
the Competitive Process where funding is targeted to programs that serve Fort Collins
households and individuals whose incomes are at or below 80% of the Area Median
Income (AMI).
Guidance Charts for CDBG, HSP, HOME and AHF
There are two different “ranking sheets” which are used as guidelines for the
Competitive Process. Primarily, the components listed serve to ensure that federal
regulations and local policies and preferences are being addressed. These guidance
charts are one set of many tools to assist the CDBG Commission and the AHB in
Competitive Process decision making. The ranking sheets are completed by staff,
based on information provided in proposal applications.
Public (Human) Service Category Guidance Chart
For Public (Human) Service applications, 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.
PS-# [ ] Agency Name: Program Name
The ranking criteria are divided into five major categories. Each category is given a total
number of points that has been weighed according to its importance with respect to
local and federal priorities.
A. Impact/Benefit (maximum 30 points)
1. Primarily targets low income persons? (0-10)
(all persons 0-30% of AMI and presumed benefit = 10 pts; at
least half of the persons at or below 30% of AMI and the
remaining persons at 31-50% of AMI = 8 pts; at least half of
the persons at 31-50% of AMI (or below) and at least half of
the persons at 51-80% of AMI = 6 pts; all persons between
51-80% of AMI = 4 pts)
2. Project produces adequate community benefit related to cost? (0-5)
3. Does the project provide assistance for persons to gain self-
sufficiency or maintain independence, or serve a special
population? (0-5)
4. Does the project provide long-term benefit or affordability? (0-10)
(1-10 yrs = 3 pts, 11-19 yrs = 6 pts, 20 - 30 yrs = 8 pts,
permanent = 10 pts)
Sub-total
4
B. Need/Priority (maximum 15 points)
1. Meets a Consolidated Plan priority? (0-10)
2. Has the applicant documented a need for this project? (0-5)
Sub-total
C. Feasibility (maximum 15 points)
1. The project will be completed within the required time period? (0-3)
2.
Project budget is justified? (Costs are documented and
reasonable.) (0-4)
3.
The level of public subsidy is needed? (Private funds are not
available.) (0-4)
4.
Has the applicant documented efforts to secure other
funding? (0-4)
Sub-total
D. Leveraging Resources (maximum 20 points)
1. Does the project allow the reuse of our funding? (0-10)
A. Principal and interest (30 - year amortization or less) 10 points
B.
Principal and no interest or principal and balloon payment
(repayment) 6 points
C. Due-on-sale loan 4 points
D. Grant (no repayment) 2 points
2. Project leverages other financial resources? (0-10)
A. Less than 1:1 0 points
B. 1:1 to 1:3 4 points
C. 1:3.01 to 1:6 7 points
D. More than 1:6 10 points
Sub-total
E. Capacity and History (maximum 20 points)
1. Applicant has the capacity to undertake the proposed project? (0-10)
2.
If previously funded, has the applicant completed prior
projects and maintained regulatory compliance? (0-10)
3.
If new, applicant has capacity to maintain regulatory
compliance? (0-20)
Sub-total
GRAND TOTAL
Housing Category Guidance Chart
5
COMPETITIVE PROCESS SELECTION CRITERIA GUIDANCE CHART
Project ID: HO-1 HO-2
Primary Applicant: Name Name
Secondary Applicant:
Program/Project: Program or
Project Name
Program or
Project Name
Funding Request: $--,--- $--,---
Spring 2013
POLICIES AND STRATEGIES ALIGNMENT Name Name
Affordable Housing Srtrategic/Consolidated Plan Priority
Yes #? or No: Y - #1 & #3 Y - #2
Targets Low Income Persons
Number of units serving households: 30% of AMI or lower: 27 1
31-50% of AMI: 6 3
51-60% of AMI: 6 3
61-80% of AMI: 1 1
81% of AMI or higher: 0 0
Total Units: 40 8
Percentage of units serving 50% of AMI or lower: 83% 50%
Long Term/Benefit/Affordability
Number of years of affordability: 40 N / A
Serves Special Population
Yes ( ? ) or No: Y (Homeless) N
PLANNING FRAMEWORK ALIGNMENT Name Name
Location According to City Plan
located within… Skattered sites.
…1/4 mile of a transit line (Yes or No): Y Unknown
1/4 mile of an employment district (Yes or No): Y Unknown
1/4 mile of a community commercial district (Yes or No): Y Unknown
located in…
...the downtown (Yes or No): N Unknown
...a targeted redevelopment area (Yes or No): Y Unknown
Distribution Policies of City Plan
distance to nearest AH project: .25 miles Unknown
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nearest Affordable Housing project name: ??? Unknown
Hotel
FINANCIAL HEALTH ALIGNMENT Name Name
Justified Budget
all cost documented: X
more then 1/2 costs documented: X
less than 1/2 costs documented:
no costs documented:
Attempt to Secure Other Funding
Yes or No: Y Y
Returns Funds to City
principle and interest:
principle, no interest, balloon:
due-on-sale: X
grant: X
unknown:
Leverage other Financial Resources
Leveraging ratio (City funds .vs. other funds) 1 / ?: 1 / 11.89 1 / 1.54
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ALIGNMENT Name Name
"Ready to Go" Status
"final" gap financing:
some funding, but not all: X X
"conceptual" project:
Capacity to Undertake the Project
Proven track record: X X
some concerns with the capabilities:
serious concerns with the capabilities:
Previously Funded, Regulatory Compliance
successfully adminstered previous funding: X X
some administrative issues:
serious administrative issues:
New Applicant, Demonstrated Capacity
proven administrative track record, no concerns: N/A N/A
some administrative concerns: N/A N/A
serious administrative concerns: N/A N/A
ATTACHMENT 3
Attachment 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
and
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (HOME) PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM
CDBG Program National Objectives
The primary objective of the CDBG Program is the 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.
HUD regulations require at least 70% of CDBG funds be used for activities that
primarily benefit low and moderate-income persons.
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.
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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.
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (HOME) PROGRAM
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. DIRECT HOUSING ASSISTANCE: Down payment assistance: To help
low-income individuals to purchase housing for their principal residence.
Applicants must meet income guidelines of no more than 80% of the
current 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 $10,000 to help cover
downpayment and closing cost expenses. The funding is repaid with a
5% simple interest charge when the property is sold or transferred out of
the buyer’s name. Restrictions will apply which will assure the property
remains affordable. This is accomplished by the “recapturing” of the
HOME investment.
Tenant based rental assistance: To help low-income households avoid
eviction and homelessness, TBRA provides up to two years of housing
subsidy and case management services to stabilize households and put
them on the road to self-sufficiency.
2. NEW CONSTRUCTION of units for homeownership as well as rental
occupancy targeted for low-income individuals and families which are
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developed, sponsored, or owned by community housing development
organizations (CHDOs), non-profit agencies, and for-profit developers.
3. 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 and 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 $212,015.
HOME Program Priorities
The 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan, a planning document required for HUD by
entities receiving federal monies for housing and community development
activities, 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.
Attachment 5
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION
FUNDING DELIBERATIONS - DRAFT
215 N. MASON ST., FORT COLLINS
APRIL 10, 6:00 P.M.
2014
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Robert Browning, Chair
Anita Basham
Holly Carroll
Gordon Coombes
Jamaal Curry
Margaret Long
Kay Rios
Kristin Stephens
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Catherine Costlow
STAFF PRESENT: Heidi Phelps; Sharon Thomas; Janet Freeman; Beth Rosen; Laura
Bowman, Social Sustainability Department intern
OTHERS PRESENT: A dozen citizens; Kate Jeracki, Note Taker.
Beth Rosen and Laura Bowman left during the break at 6:55.
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bob Browning at 6 p.m. with a quorum
present. Chair Browning and Sharon Thomas reviewed the process to be followed
by the Commission and reminded observers they would not able to give input to the
decision-making this evening.
The purpose of the meeting was to allocate funds requested during the 2014 Spring
Cycle of the Competitive Process. The Commission deliberated five Housing requests
and 37 Public Service requests.
Kay Rios moved the Commission validate the amount of HOME funds available and
authorize allocation of those funds. Bob Browning seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
HOUSING
Although the amount of funding available was less than the total amount requested;
Bob Browning moved the Commission fully fund all five applications for a total of
$2,188,191, recommending the gap be filled with HOME Grant funds typically
allocated during the Fall Cycle of the Competitive Process. Gordon Coombs
seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
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HO-1 Fort Collins Housing Authority – Redtail Ponds Permanent Supportive
Housing – $350,000
Full funding approved.
HO-2 Fort Collins Housing Authority – Seventy Two – A Vibrant Sustainable
Community – $720,000
Full funding approved.
HO-3 Habitat for Humanity – Avondale Lot Purchase – $700,000
Full funding approved.
HO-4 Housing Catalyst – Cunningham Corner Housing Rehab – $38,191
Full funding approved.
HO-5 Villages – Matuka Housing Rehabilitation – $380,000
Full funding approved.
PUBLIC SERVICE
The amount requested by applicants totaled $1,305,649; the total available for
allocation was $858,537. Several commissioners expressed regret they would not be
able to fully fund all the worthy proposals. Kay Rios said she was relying on the
priorities outlined by applicants to ascertain final funding levels.
The Commission took a 10-minute break during deliberations, from 6:55 to 7:05
p.m.
PS-1 Alliance for Suicide Prevention – Education and Awareness Support
Program – $10,148 requested
Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-1 in the amount of $4,250; Kristin Stephens
seconded. Rios said she was not comfortable funding administrative salaries, and
felt the applicant had not provided solid numbers demonstrating the full impact of
reduced suicides.
Motion to fund PS-1 at $4,250 passed unanimously.
$4,250 approved.
PS-2 B.A.S.E. Camp – Childcare Scholarships – $66,000 requested
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Margaret Long moved to fully fund PS-2; Gordon Coombes seconded. Long said that
even though childcare is really important, it’s often the first thing cut when budgets
get tight. Parents need an affordable, safe place for their kids while they are
employed or attending school. Coombes added that these scholarships could mean
the difference to people living paycheck to paycheck.
Kay Rios offered a friendly amendment to fund PS-2 at $60,000; Jamaal Curry
seconded, and Long and Coombes accepted.
Motion to fund PS-2 at $60,000 passed unanimously.
Gordon Coombes moved to reduce funding to PS-2 to $56,000; Holly Carroll
seconded. Coombes said the reduction was simply to balance the budget.
Motion to fund PS-2 in the amount of $56,000 passed unanimously.
$56,000 approved.
PS-3 Boys & Girls Clubs – After-School-Break Childcare/Youth Program –
$43,973 requested
Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-3 in the amount of $24,927; Holly Carroll
seconded. Rios said this amount would fund the applicant’s first priority. Carroll
said the program provides important services during school breaks. Jamaal Curry
offered a friendly amendment to fully fund the request; Rios rejected the
amendment, only because there isn’t enough money available.
Motion to fund PS-3 in the amount of $24,927 passed unanimously.
$24,927 approved.
PS-4 CASA program – Court-Appointed Special Advocates – $28,487 requested
Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-4 in the amount of $6,784; Kristin Stephens
seconded. Rios said just having an advocate for someone without a voice is
important, and this amount would pay for one-quarter of the program team.
Motion to fund PS-4 in the amount of $6,784 passed 6-0, with Gordon Coombes and
Jamaal Curry abstaining.
$6,784 approved.
PS-5 CASA program – Harmony House Supervised Visitation Center – $28,750
requested
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Holly Carroll moved to partially fund PS-5 in the amount of $15,000; Margaret Long
seconded. Carroll said that even though this amount won’t cover the applicant’s first
priority, it will help provide case management services. Rios added that these
services are not duplicated by other agencies.
Motion to fund PS-5 in the amount of $15,000 passed 7-0, with Bob Browning
abstaining.
$15,000 approved.
PS-6 Catholic Charities – Senior Services – $15,000 requested
Kristin Stephens moved to fully fund PS-6; Kay Rios seconded. Stephens said the
importance of these services is underappreciated, since it keeps seniors in their
homes and avoids elder abuse. Rios added that it is a very small amount of money
for what the organization does.
Motion to fund PS-6 at $15,000 passed unanimously.
Full funding approved.
PS-7 Catholic Charities – Shelter and Rapid Rehousing – $60,000 requested
Holly Carroll moved to fully fund PS-7; Kristin Stephens seconded. Carroll pointed
out that both sheltering and post-sheltering services are an important part of
helping clients transition out of homelessness. Jamaal Curry offered a friendly
amendment to fund PS-7 at $40,000; Kay Rios seconded. Carroll did not accept the
amendment.
Motion to fund PS-7 at $60,000 was defeated 6-2, with Holly Carroll and Kristin
Stephens in support.
Jamaal Curry moved to fund PS-7 at $40,000; Kay Rios seconded. Curry pointed out
that $40,000 would fund the applicant’s first priority, and is in line with the amount
of last year’s funding from the Commission. Anita Basham added that the post-
sheltering service is a new program.
Motion to fund PS-7 at $40,000 passed unanimously.
$40,000 approved.
PS-8 Center for Family Outreach – Low-Income Youth Scholarship Program –
$7,500 requested
Kay Rios moved to fully fund PS-8; Jamaal Curry seconded. Rios said the services
provided can help the population served from encountering serious consequences
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later. Stephens added that keeping young offenders from reoffending saves
everyone money.
Motion to fully fund PS-8 in the amount of $7,500 passed 7-1, with Gordon Coombes
opposed.
Full funding approved.
PS-9 Child Safe Colorado – Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program – $36,000
requested
Holly Carroll moved to fully fund PS-9; there was no second.
Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-9 in the amount of $30,000; Jamaal Curry
seconded. Rios said the program provides needed services, but $30,000 will cover
the applicant’s first priority, salary for a therapist. Anita Basham said the additional
funding was for equipment to help measure the impact of treatment. Bob Browning
pointed out the organization already had one piece of equipment, and this request
was for funding a new one.
Motion to fund PS-9 in the amount of $30,000 passed unanimously.
$30,000 approved.
PS-10 Child Safe Colorado – Healthy Families Program – $3,500 requested
Margaret Long moved the Commission provide not funding for PS-10; Kay Rios
seconded. Long said it was a good program, but with the limited funds available, the
Commission should fund programs that address critical needs.
Motion to provide zero funding for PS-10 passed unanimously.
Zero funding approved.
PS-11 Colorado Health Network-NCAP Client Services/Homelessness
Prevention – $32,754 requested
Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-11 in the amount of $18,518; Jamaal Curry
seconded. Rios said the program serves an underserved population, and this amount
would fund the applicant’s first priority.
Motion to fund PS-11 in the amount of $18,514 passed unanimously.
$18,514 approved.
PS-12 Crossroads Safehouse – Advocacy Program – $60,318 requested
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Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-12 in the amount of $44,237; Kristin Stephens
seconded. Rios said this needed program has seen incredible growth, and this
amount would fund the applicant’s first priority. Stephens agreed, saying it provides
housing for very vulnerable people.
Motion to fund PS-12 in the amount of $44,237 passed unanimously.
Kay Rios moved to reduce funding to PS-12 to $39,000; Margaret Long seconded.
Rios said this amount was still above what the organization received last year.
Motion to fund PS-12 in the amount of $39,000 passed unanimously.
$39,000 approved.
PS-13 Disabled Resource Services – Access to Independence – $28,736
requested
Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-13 in the amount of $26,261; Gordon Coombes
seconded. Rios said the organization provides essential services to an underserved
population and this amount would fund the top priority.
Motion to fund PS-13 in the amount of $28,736 passed unanimously.
$26,261 approved.
PS-14 Education and Life Training Center (ELTC) – Job Ready and Circles
Employment Training – $53,735 requested
Kay Rios moved the Commission provide no funding for PS-14; Gordon Coombes
seconded. Rios cited the many changes that have taken place at the organization in
the past year that have disrupted the consistency of services delivered. She would
like to see evidence the new programs are making an impact. Coombes agreed,
saying he also had issues and concerns with the agency’s new direction. Holly
Carroll offered a friendly amendment to fund PS-14 in the amount of $28,000 to
fund a teacher’s salary; Rios did not accept the amendment.
Motion to provide zero funding for PS-14 passed 4-3, with Kay Rios, Gordon
Coombes, Kristin Stephens and Bob Browning in favor and Jamaal Curry abstaining.
Zero funding approved.
PS-15 Elderhaus – Mindset Therapeutic Activity Program – $35,355 requested
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Jamaal Curry moved to partially fund PS-15 in the amount of $27,878; Gordon
Coombes seconded. Curry said this amount would fund the applicant’s top priority,
salary for a therapist.
Motion to partially fund PS-15 in the amount of $27,878 passed unanimously.
$27,878 approved.
PS-16 Family Center – Childcare Scholarships – $50,000 requested
Margaret Long moved to fully fund PS-16; Kristin Stephens seconded. Long said
there is a critical need for high quality childcare in Fort Collins to help keep parents
employed. Stephens agreed, pointing out this is one of only two nonprofit centers in
the city that provides infant care. Jamaal Curry offered a friendly amendment to
fund PS-16 at $45,000; Kay Rios seconded. Long refused the amendment.
Motion to fund PS-16 at $50,000 failed 5-3, with Kay Rios, Margaret Long, and
Kristin Stephens in favor.
Jamaal Curry moved to fund PS-16 at $45,000; Kay Rios seconded. Curry said his
intent is to spread the Commission’s limited funds around, and lots of kids in need
will still get direct scholarships with this amount.
Motion to fund PS-16 at $45,000 passed unanimously.
Jamaal Curry moved to reduce funding to $42,500 and reallocate the difference to
PS-30; Gordon Coombes seconded. Curry said this is slightly more than the applicant
received last year, and putting the difference into Respite Care serves a population
with more specialized needs. Margaret Long said the Family Center serves low-
income Hispanic clients who have few alternatives, whereas Respite Care can raise
its rates if more money is needed. Kay Rios pointed out the shift in funds would still
give both organizations more money than they received last year.
Motion to fund PS-16 in the amount of $42,500 and PS-30 in the amount of $42,500
passed 6-2, with Kristin Stephens and Holly Carroll opposed.
$42,500 approved.
PS-17 FoCo Café – Farm-to-Fork Food Service Skill Development – $19,800
requested
Anita Basham moved the Commission provide no funding for PS-17; Kay Rios
seconded. Basham felt it was a good program, but that it also represented new
funding for the Commission, and the money wasn’t there.
Motion to provide zero funding for PS-17 passed unanimously.
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Zero funding approved.
PS-18 Food Bank for Larimer County – Kids Café Program – $27,182 requested
Jamaal Curry moved to fully fund PS-18; Kristin Stephens seconded. Curry said this
program feeds kids at low cost, and benefits lots of people by continuing through the
summer. Stephens agreed, and pointed out the program also partners with other
organizations to help in other ways, too.
Motion to fully fund PS-18 passed unanimously.
Full funding approved.
PS-19 GLBT Community Center – Rainbow Alley Youth Services – $7,500
requested
Jamaal Curry moved the Commission provide no funding for PS-19; Kay Rios
seconded. Curry said that while one of the City’s priorities is to make Fort Collins
safe for all people, he didn’t see where the services proposed were not already
available to this population elsewhere. Rios also questioned the numbers presented
by the applicant, which were corrected after the presentation; she would like to see
actual numbers on the needs in the community. Bob Browning said he would like to
support the program. Anita Basham agreed, saying it was important for a new
organization to have a coordinator to get it started, and there are at-risk GLBT teens
who are homeless. Curry still would like a better idea of the size of the population to
be served.
Motion to provide zero funding for PS-19 failed, with Kay Rios, Jamaal Curry and
Gordon Coombes in favor.
Holly Carroll moved to partially fund PS-19 in the amount of $6,000; Anita Basham
seconded. Carroll said funding a coordinator to direct the program was important.
Motion to fund PS-19 in the amount of $6,000 failed on a tie vote, with Holly Carroll,
Kristin Stephens, Anita Basham and Margaret Long in favor.
Kristin Stephens moved to fund PS-19 in the amount of $3,000; Holly Carroll
seconded. Stephens said this amount would fund half the applicant’s first priority,
the coordinator’s salary. She added there is a need in the community and the
Commission should support the effort to serve that need. Curry said he was not
convinced the services provided are not duplicated elsewhere, and that the resource
center would not necessarily serve homeless youth since it isn’t a shelter. Basham
said this is a very special population with special issues to deal with. Curry said he
was sensitive to the needs of the population but didn’t think there was no other
place where they could receive these services. Stephens pointed out how vulnerable
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this population is, not just those who are homeless. Carroll added there is a need for
a safe place for clients to receive these services.
Heidi Phelps clarified that the request for funding was to provide services to all
youth with gender issues, not just those who are homeless, and not specifically for
GLBT youth.
Motion to fund PS-19 in the amount of $3,000 passed 5-2, with Anita Basham and
Jamaal Curry opposed and Kay Rios abstaining.
$3,000 approved.
PS-20 Health District of Larimer County – Dental Connections – $54,900
requested
Margaret Long moved to partially fund PS-20 in the amount of $30,180; Holly
Carroll seconded. Long said this is a needed program, and this amount funds the
applicant’s first priority. Carroll added that adult dental health is often overlooked.
Motion to fund PS-20 at $30,180 failed 5-3, with Holly Carroll, Margret Long and
Kristin Stephens in favor.
Kay Rios moved to fund PS-20 at $15,090; Kristin Stephens seconded.
Motion to fund PS-20 at $15,090 failed 4-3, with Jamaal Curry, Kay Rios and Kristin
Stephens in favor and Holly Carroll abstaining.
Margaret Long moved to fund PS-20 in the amount of $23,000; Kristin Stephens
seconded. Long said that dental health is connected to other physical health
problems, and that our aging population needs access to dental care.
Motion to fund PS-20 at $23,000 passed 4-3, with Holly Carroll, Anita Basham,
Kristin Stephens and Margaret Long in favor and Bob Browning abstaining.
$23,000 approved.
PS-21 Homelessness Prevention Initiative – Emergency Rental Assistance –
$60,000 requested
Gordon Coombes moved to partially fund PS-21 in the amount of $50,000; Holly
Carroll seconded. Coombes said the program plays a valuable role in the community,
and the only reason for the reduction is to spread the available money around. Kay
Rios pointed out that at this level, direct service will be funded, but no
administrative costs.
Motion to fund PS-21 in the amount of $50,000 passed unanimously.
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Kay Rios moved to reduce funding to PS-21 to $45,000; Jamaal Curry seconded. Rios
said the reduction was simply to balance the budget, and $45,000 is the amount the
organization received last year.
Motion to fund PS-21 in the amount of $45,000 passed unanimously.
$45,000 approved.
PS-22 Larimer County Child Advocacy Center – Victim Services – $32,000
requested
Gordon Coombes moved to partially fund PS-22 in the amount of $22,000; Kay Rios
seconded. Coombes said this amount would fund the applicant’s first priority, and
this is an important service that focuses on the children.
Motion to fund PS-22 in the amount of $22,000 passed unanimously.
$22,000 approved.
PS-23 Learning House – Project Help the House – $13,400 requested
Kay Rios moved the Commission provide no funding for PS-23; Jamaal Curry
seconded. Rios said the application does not serve the neediest in the community,
and that’s where the Commission should spend its limited funds.
Motion to provide zero funding to PS-23 passed unanimously.
Zero funding approved.
PS-24 Learning House – Project Playing to Learn – $8,706 requested
Kay Rios moved the Commission provide no funding for PS-24; Margaret Long
seconded. Rios said it was a good program but not for the neediest. Anita Basham
said she saw a lot of similarities with Teaching Tree, but Long pointed out this
request does not provide all-day childcare, and while the programs are excellent,
they are for a very short time and not necessarily providing childcare to a low-
income population.
Motion to provide zero funding for PS-24 passed unanimously.
Zero funding approved.
PS-25 Matthews House – Empowering Youth Program – $34,158 requested
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Margaret Long moved partial funding of PS-25 in the amount of $32,000; Holly
Carroll seconded. Long said the program provides essential services to youth
transitioning out of foster care, and that many don’t make it without assistance.
Jamaal Curry offered a friendly amendment to increase funding to the full amount
requested; Carroll seconded. Long accepted the amendment.
Motion to fully fund PS-25 passed 7-1, with Kay Rios opposed.
Full funding approved.
PS-26 Neighbor to Neighbor – Housing Counseling – $60,000 requested
Kay Rios moved to provide partial funding of $36,830 to PS-26; Jamaal Curry
seconded. Rios said Neighbor to Neighbor does a good job, but the Commission
doesn’t have the money for full funding. Curry pointed out that the lesser amount is
still more than the Commission allocated last year.
Motion to fund PS-26 at $36,830 passed unanimously.
$38,630 approved.
PS-27 Neighbor to Neighbor – Rent Assistance – $36,125 requested
Gordon Coombes moved to fully fund PS-27; Kay Rios seconded.
Motion to fully fund PS-27 passed unanimously.
Full funding approved.
PS-28 Project Self-Sufficiency – Services Single-Parent Families – $35,000
requested
Margaret Long moved to fully fund PS-28; Jamaal Curry seconded. Long said this
program has a long track record of helping people get out of poverty. Curry said you
can see the effects; the program is working.
Motion to fully fund PS-28 passed unanimously.
Jamaal Curry moved to reduce funding to PS-28 to $30,000; Kristin seconded. Curry
said he didn’t want to cut the program, but this was simply to balance the budget.
Motion to fund PS-28 in the amount of $30,000 passed 6-2, with Jamaal Curry and
Kay Rios opposed.
$30,000 approved.
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PS-29 Rehabilitation Visiting Nurse Association – Home Health Care
Scholarships – $40,000 requested
Anita Basham moved to fund PS-29 at $35,000, the amount RVNA received last year.
Margaret Long seconded. Basham pointed out this is the only sliding-fee scale health
care program available for people under the age of 60.
Motion to fund PS-29 at $35,000 passed unanimously.
$35,000 approved.
PS-30 Respite Care – Childcare Scholarships – $35,000 requested
Anita Basham moved to fully fund PS-30; Kay Rios seconded. Basham said this
program serves the most difficult children to care for and does a fantastic job
providing a safe place for parents to take their children.
Motion to fully fund PS-30 passed unanimously.
Holly Carroll moved to reduce funding to PS-30 to $30,000; Gordon Coombes
seconded. Carroll said the cut was simply to balance the budget. Jamal Curry said
this was a very tough decision, as the need is so different for this population.
Motion to fund PS-30 in the amount of $30,000 passed 4-3, with Kay Rios, Kristin
Stephens and Jamaal Curry opposed.
An additional $2,500 was added to the final approved funding on a motion by Jamaal
Curry in conjunction with PS-16.
$32,500 approved.
PS-31 Serve 6.8 – Sister Mary Alice Center for Hope – $30,888 requested
Kristin Stephens moved to fully fund PS-31; Margaret Long seconded. Stephens said
the Murphy Center has become a clearinghouse for all public services, and the
money spent on the center spreads out to other organizations. She added it’s good to
have all the services located in one building; without the Murphy Center, a lot of
what the Commission does doesn’t happen. Long said Serve 6.8 is a good way for the
City to become a partner with the Murphy Center. Kay Rios offered a friendly
amendment to fund PS-31 in the amount of $18,533; Gordon Coombes seconded.
Long and Stephens accepted the amendment.
Motion to fund PS-31 in the amount of $18,533 passed unanimously.
$18,533 approved.
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PS-32 SAVA Center – Bilingual Sexual Assault Victim Services – $44,725
requested
Gordon Coombes moved to partially fund PS-32 in the amount of $36,058; no
second was received.
Kay Rios moved to partially fund PS-32 in the amount of $14,367; Kristin Stephens
seconded. Rios said bilingual services for victims are extremely important, and this
amount would fund the applicant’s first priority of a salary for a bilingual advocate.
Motion to fund PS-32 in the amount of $14,367 passed unanimously.
$14,367 approved.
PS-33 Teaching Tree – Childcare Scholarships – $60,000 requested
Margaret Long moved to fully fund PS-33; Jamaal Curry seconded. Long said this is
one of two nonprofit childcare centers in Fort Collins; it allows parents to go to work
or attend school. Kay Rios offered a friendly amendment to reduce the funding to
$56,000; Anita Basham seconded. Long accepted the amendment.
Motion to fund PS-33 in the amount of $56,000 passed unanimously.
Kay Rios moved to reduce funding to PS-33 to $50,000; Kristin Stephens seconded.
Rios said she was reluctant to make this cut but the budget needs to balance and this
was the amount the applicant received last year.
Motion to fund PS-33 in the amount of $50,000 passed 7-1, with Kay Rios opposed.
$50,000 approved.
PS-34 Touchstone Health Partners – CDDT Program – $62,702 requested
Gordon Coombes moved to partially fund PS-34 in the amount of $45,975; Kay Rios
seconded. Coombes said this program is important because it serves a difficult-to-
treat population and this amount would fund the applicant’s first priority. Bob
Browning said he would like to fund it fully, but without enough funds, it was
important to fund the first priority.
Motion to fund PS-34 at $45,975 passed unanimously.
Kay Rios moved to fund PS-34 in the amount of $26,091; Jamaal Curry seconded.
Margaret Long said this is a very vulnerable population, and the Commission should
be careful not to cut too far. Curry pointed out the applicant received $29,004 last
year.
14
Motion to fund PS-34 at $26,091 passed 5-3, with Margaret Long, Holly Carroll and
Anita Basham opposed.
Kay Rios moved to fund PS-34 in the amount of $37,328 – corrected to $31,328;
Anita Basham seconded. Rios explained that the previous amount was too big a cut,
and she wanted to move the funding from PS-12 to PS-34.
Motion to fund PS-34 in the amount of $31,328 approved unanimously.
$31,328 approved.
PS-35 Touchstone Health Partners – Mental Health Services-Murphy Center –
$24,707 requested
Margaret Long moved to fully fund PS-35; Holly Carroll seconded. Long pointed out
this funding is central to the running of the Murphy Center, since many of the clients
who need housing also need mental health services. This request would fund .41 of a
full time position. Kristin Stephens was concerned the Commission was running out
of money to allocate. Kay Rios offered a friendly amendment to fund PS-35 in the
amount of $12,354; seconded by Stephens. Long did not accept the amendment. Rios
offered a friendly amendment to fund PS-35 in the amount of $28,000; seconded by
Stephens. Long and Carroll accepted the amendment.
Motion to fund PS-35 in the amount of $18,000 passed 7-0, with Jamaal Curry
abstaining.
$18,000 approved.
PS-36 Turning Point – Crisis Intervention Services – $25,000 requested
Gordon Coombes moved partial funding for PS-36 in the amount of $12,500; Jamaal
Curry seconded. Coombes said this amount would fund their first priority and the
Commission’s budget was stretched thin.
Motion to fund PS-36 in the amount of $12,500 passed unanimously.
$12,500 approved.
PS-37 Volunteers of America – Home Delivered Meal Program – $33,600
requested
Kay Rios moved to fully fund PS-37; Jamaal Curry seconded. Rios said this is a
needed service that provides nutrition to isolated individuals, and is not duplicated
in the community.
Motion passed unanimously.
15
Full funding approved.
The funds had all been allocated and the budget balanced at 7:35 p.m. Chair Bob
Browning asked the Commission to take a 10-minute break to take a look at how the
balance had been achieved and consider whether some of the cuts had been made
too fast or were too harsh. The Commission reconvened at 7:45 p.m. and made
adjustments to PS-12 and PS-34.
Kay Rios thanked Browning for the opportunity to reconsider, and moved to adopt
the funding matrix as it stood. Gordon Coombes seconded. Jamaal Curry said he
would like to make another adjustment – to PS-16 and PS-30 – and asked to pull the
motion from the floor. Chair Browning agreed.
After the adjustments were made, Anita Basham moved the Commission adopt the
final funding matrix as presented; Kay Rios seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.
Bob Browning thanked the Commission for its careful consideration and hard work
to get to the crux of what the Fort Collins community really needs.
The next meeting of the Commission is May 8, 6:30 p.m., 215 N. Mason St.
Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.
Attachment 6
City of Fort Collins: Spring Competitive Process Cycle
Public (Human) Service Category
(rev: 2/12)
Focus Questions for CDBG Commission Decision Making: “The Big Framework”
One of the three main national objectives for CDBG funds is “benefit to low and
moderate income persons or households.”
Historically, the City’s Human Service Program funds have been used for various
services benefiting primarily low and moderate income persons in Fort Collins.
Questions:
1) Is it serving the lower end income levels?
2) How many is it serving?
3) Is there a majority of Fort Collins area residents being served?
4) Is it a good cost/unit (understanding that the cost of case management is more than the cost
of a hot meal)?
5) Who else needs to be stepping up to the plate in terms of funding or service (volunteers)?
6) Maslow’s Hierarchy: Is it critical in terms of:
a) Food, shelter or other basic needs
b) Health and safety issues
c) Serving a special population, or
d) Self-sufficiency or major empowerment (teaching to fish vs. giving a fish)?
7) Is there anyone else in the community who can or is serving this need (i.e., trying to avoid
duplication of service)?
8) Is City money being used as “gap financing”, match money, or seed money?
9) Is this a program/project where City $ is really making a difference for, i.e., -- it’s nobody
else’s “baby”, not “sexy”, or there’s been a critical cut in funding?
10) Has project/program been aggressively seeking other funding sources?
11) If the agency requesting funding has a statewide or national base, is the umbrella
organization providing adequate proportionate funding and resources? (Is the local operation
a priority for them?)
12) How does this application address and provide solutions for social sustainability issues in
our community?
Attachment 7
Formulation of Funding Recommendations Session: Information Sheet
City of Fort Collins CDBG Commission
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Commission has prepared this hand-out to
help you understand how the Commission formulates funding recommendations for City
Council. It is the Commission’s wish that our methodology during this meeting be
understandable to even the most casual observers. As you might imagine, the entire process is
complex and time-consuming, especially given that requests usually greatly exceed the amount
of available funding.
City staff has prepared an electronic matrix in advance which shows each application, the
funding requested, and the total funds available. The Commission discusses the pros and cons of
every application within each major funding category (Housing, Public Service, etc.). The order
in which applications are discussed has no bearing on the final outcome, and there is no danger
of ‘running out’ of funds before all applications are fully discussed. There will be preliminary
funding motions made, seconded, and approved throughout the deliberation process. These
recommendations will be incorporated into the matrix. It must be emphasized that the matrix is a
working document. Any figures used, whether they be for full, partial, or zero funding, are
tentative until a final vote is taken for each category. It is also possible that the total funds listed
on the matrix might exceed the total of funds available at any point in the process.
After all applications within a major funding category have been discussed, the Commission
starts to finalize its funding recommendations to City Council. The matrix gets adjusted
accordingly. Funding amounts shown on the matrix may change drastically -- either positively
or negatively -- during this part of the process. As a final action, the Commission agrees on the
matrix as shown (reflecting the funding recommendations) by: a motion to accept it, a second to
the motion, and a positive majority vote. The recommendation is then forwarded to Council.
While the Commission’s main purpose is to provide Council with the best funding allocation
alternative, the Commission is also sensitive that the funds being recommended for expenditure
are taxpayer-provided. For this reason, it is entirely possible that not all available funds may be
recommended for expenditure. Some applications may be recommended for zero or reduced
funding, even if there is still money available.
Finally, while this meeting is open to the public, in fairness to applicants who are not present, no
public comments will be taken.
1
~Public Hearing~
2014 Spring Cycle of the
Competitive Process
Allocating City Financial Resources to
Affordable Housing,
and
Public/Human Service Programs
ATTACHMENT 8
2
~Public Hearing~
Citizen Participation Plan:
2014 Amendment
• Plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD)
• Public Hearing required
• Extensive Public and Internal Review
3
2014 Spring Cycle Funding Sources
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
– Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
– Affordable Housing, Public Facility, Public Service,
Economic Development
• HOME Investment Partnership (HOME)
– HUD
– Affordable Housing
• Human Services Program (HSP)
– City program (General Fund and KFCG)
– Human/Public Service non-profit agencies
4
2014 Spring Cycle
Funding Uses by Category
CDBG HOME HSP
Affordable Housing 65% or more 90% or more 0%
Public (Human) Service Up to 15% 0% 100%
Plan/Admin Up to 20% Up to 10% 0%
5
The Allocation Process
Staff
– Prepares applications
– Provides technical assistance
– Reviews applications, provides comments
Affordable Housing Board
– Reviews Affordable Housing proposals
– Provides priority ranking and comments to
CDBG Commission
6
The Allocation Process
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Commission
– Reviews written proposals
– Watches presentations, submits questions
– Meets to discuss proposals
– Presents recommendations to Council
City Council
– Conducts a Public Hearing
– Makes final decision on funding allocations
7
CDBG Commission Decision
Process
Funding recommendations based on:
– Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
– Consolidated Plan
– HUD Regulations
– AHB Priority Rankings
– Project readiness, capacity, cost per unit and
performance of the applicant
– Needs of the community
8
2014 Spring Cycle
All Available Funds by Category
CDBG HOME HSP Total
Housing $1,517,780 $530,280 $0 $2,048,060
Public Service $218,889 $0 $639,648 $858,537
Plan/Admin $295,916 $97,161 $0 $393,077
Total $2,032,585 $627,441 $639,648 $3,299,674
9
2014 Spring Cycle
Available Vs. Requested Funds
Category Available Requested Difference
Housing $2,048,060 $2,188,191 - $140,131
Public Service $858,537 $1,305,649 - $447,112
Total $2,906,597 $3,493,840 - $587,243
10
CDBG Commission
Funding Recommendations
Affordable Housing Projects
• 5 Proposals:
– Fund all at 100% of requests
– Fill funding gap of $140,131 with FY2014
HOME Grant funds typically allocated in fall
• Total Requests = $2,188,191
• Total Funds Available = $2,048,060
• Deficit = $140,131
11
Housing Proposals
Agency Project
Amount of
Request
Fort Collins Housing
Authority
Redtail Ponds Permanent
Supportive Housing
$350,000
Fort Collins Housing
Authority
Seventy Two: A Vibrant,
Sustainable Community
$720,000
Habitat for Humanity Avondale Lot Purchase $700,000
Housing Catalyst Villages on Cunningham Corner –
Housing Rehabilitation
$38,191
Villages Village on Matuka – Housing
Rehabilitation
$380,000
Total $2,188,191
12
CDBG Commission
Funding Recommendations
Public/Human Service
• 37 Proposals
– Fund 6 at 100% of requests
– Partially fund 26 at 24% - 93% of requests
– Fund 5 at 0% of requests
• Total Requests = $1,305,649
• Total Funds Available = $858,537
• Deficit = $447,112
13
Public/Human Service Proposals
Full Funding
Agency Request Funding
% of
Request
Catholic Charities: Senior Services $15,000 $15,000 100%
Center for Family Outreach: Low-income
Youth Scholarship Program
$7,500 $7,500 100%
Food Bank for Larimer County: Kids
Café Program
$27,182 $27,182 100%
The Matthews House: Empowering
Youth Program
$34,158 $34,158 100%
Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent Assistance $36,125 $36,125 100%
Volunteers of America: Home Delivered
Meal Program
$33,600 $33,600 100%
14
Public/Human Service Proposals
Agency Request Funding %
Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Education/Support $10,148 $4,250 42%
B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare Scholarships $66,000 $56,000 85%
Boys & Girls Clubs of LC: After-School/Break Prog. $43,973 $24,927 57%
CASA Program: Court Appointed Special Advocates $28,487 $6,784 24%
CASA Program: Harmony House Visitation Center $28,750 $15,000 52%
Catholic Charities: Shelter & Post-Shelter Services $60,000 $40,000 67%
ChildSafe: Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program $36,000 $30,000 83%
NCAP: Client Services/Homelessness Prevention $32,754 $18,514 57%
Crossroads Safehouse: Advocacy Program $60,318 $39,000 65%
Disabled Resource Serv.: Access to Independence $28,736 $26,261 91%
Elderhaus: Mindset Therapeutic Activity Program $35,355 $27,878 79%
Family Center/La Familia: Childcare Scholarships $50,000 $42,500 85%
GLBT Comm. Center: Rainbow Alley Youth Services $7,500 $3,000 40%
15
Public/Human Service Proposals
Agency Request Funding %
Health District of N. Colorado: Dental Connections $54,900 $23,000 42%
HPI: Emergency Rent Assistance $60,000 $45,000 75%
LC Child Advocacy Center: Victim Services $32,000 $22,000 69%
Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing Counseling $60,000 $38,630 64%
Project Self-Sufficiency: Single Parent Services $35,000 $30,000 86%
RVNA: Home Health Care Scholarships $40,000 $35,000 88%
Respite Care: Childcare Scholarships $35,000 $32,500 93%
Serve 6.8: Murphy Center $30,888 $18,533 60%
SAVA Center: Sexual Assault Victim Services $44,725 $14,367 32%
Teaching Tree: Childcare Scholarships $60,000 $50,000 83%
Touchstone Health Partners: CDDT Program $62,702 $31,328 50%
Touchstone: Mental Health Care at Murphy Center $24,707 $18,000 73%
Turning Point: Crisis Intervention Services $25,000 $12,500 50%
16
Public/Human Service Proposals
Zero Funding
Agency Request Funding
ChildSafe: Healthy Families Program $3,500 $0
Education & Life Training Center: JobReady
and Circles Employment Training
$53,735 $0
FoCo Café: Farm-to-Fork Skills Development $19,800 $0
The Learning House: Project Help the House! $13,400 $0
The Learning House: Project Playing to Learn! $8,706 $0
17
Funding Recommendations
Category
Recommended
Funding
Percent of
Total
Housing $2,188,191 71.8%
Public Service $858,537 28.2%
Total $3,046,728 100.0%
18
THANK YOU!
Staff recommends adoption of the recommendations
presented by the CDBG Commission.
19
20
2014 Spring Cycle
Available CDBG Funds
FY2014
CDBG
Grant
CDBG
Program
Income
FY2013
CDBG
Reprogr
ammed
FY2012
CDBG
Unprogr
ammed
Total
Housing $600,624 $605,911 $250,000 $61,245 $1,517,780
Public
Service
$138,605 $80,284 $0 $0 $218,889
Plan/Admin $184,807 $111,109 $0 $0 $295,916
Total $924,036 $797,304 $250,000 $61,245 $2,032,585
21
2014 Spring Cycle
Available HOME Funds
FY2014
HOME
Grant
HOME
Program
Income -
Projects
HOME
Program
Income -
Admin
Total
Housing* $0 $530,280 $0 $530,280
Public Service $0 $0 $0 $0
Plan/Admin $53,969 $0 $43,192 $97,161
Total $53,969* $530,280 $43,192 $627,441
*HOME dollars are typically appropriated in the spring and allocated
in the Fall Cycle; $485,729 of FY2014 HOME grant funds are not
included in the available housing total for the spring. HOME Program
Income is being allocated this spring to satisfy HUD regulations.
22
2014 Spring Cycle
Available HSP Funds
FY2014
HSP
FY2014
HSP - KFCG
Total
Housing $0 $0 $0
Public Service $389,601 $250,047 $639,648
Plan/Admin $0 $0 $
Total $389,601 $250,047 $639,648
23
Proposals Receiving Zero Funding
Recommendation
ChildSafe Colorado: Healthy Families Program
• Request - $3,500
• A supplemental program for clients
• Helps create healthy well-balanced lifestyles
Discussion/Vote:
• Great merit, not top priority, limited funds
available
• Unanimous vote
24
Proposals Receiving Zero Funding
Recommendation
Education and Life Training Center (ELTC):
JobReady and Circles Employment Skills Training
• Request - $53,735
• Funding partial salary JobReady instructors, Circles
Coach, & curriculum development
Discussion/Vote:
• Recent program changes, contract instructors, need to
rectify issues in the agency, behind on FY2013 grant
• 4-3-1 vote
25
Proposals Receiving Zero Funding
Recommendation
Feeding Our Community Ourselves (FoCo Café):
Farm-to-Fork Food Service Skill Development
• Request - $19,800
• Fund a portion of annual fresh food budget
Discussion/Vote
• Good program, not top priority, money not there
• Unanimous vote
26
Proposals Receiving Zero Funding
Recommendation
The Learning House: Project Help the House!
• Request - $13,400
• Provides science and math classes to children
• Funds needed to make minimal safety, energy
efficiency and functionality building upgrades
Discussion/Vote:
• This is a good program, doesn’t serve the biggest
community needs with limited funds
• Unanimous vote
27
Proposals Receiving Zero Funding
Recommendation
The Learning House: Project Playing to Learn!
• Request - $8,706
• This project provides funding gaps for “play
groups” for infants/toddlers.
Discussion/Vote
• Very intriguing program, doesn’t provide all-day
childcare, excellent programs but very short time.
• Unanimous vote
- 1 -
RESOLUTION 2014-041
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROVING THE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT WILL RECEIVE FUNDS
FROM THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS,
AND THE CITY’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND
WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the Home
Investment Partnership (HOME) Program are ongoing grant administration programs funded by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and
WHEREAS, the City has received CDBG Program funds since 1975 and HOME
Program funds since 1994; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Affordable Housing Fund provides General Fund money for use
in assisting affordable housing programs and projects; 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 and projects, and community development activities; and
WHEREAS, on April 10, 2014, the CDBG Commission met for the purpose of preparing
a recommendation to the City Council as to which programs and projects should be funded with
FY 2014 CDBG Entitlement Grant funds, a portion of FY2014 HOME Participating Jurisdiction
grant funds and the City’s 2014 HSP funds; and
WHEREAS, as required by HUD regulations, a 30-day public comment period on the
proposed allocation of CDBG and HOME funds as recommended by the CDBG Commission
began on April 14, 2014, and ended on May 13, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the recommendations of the CDBG
Commission, and has determined that the City’s 2014 allocation should be made as set out in this
Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That City staff is hereby authorized to submit an application to HUD as
follows:
Housing Category
Applicant Project/Program Funding
Request
Commission’s
Recommended
Funding
Unfunded
Balance
Percent
of
Request
Funded
Fort Collins Housing Authority:
Redtail Ponds Permanent Supportive
$350,000 $350,000 $0 100%
- 2 -
Housing
Fort Collins Housing Authority:
Seventy Two: A Vibrant,
Sustainable Community
$720,000 $720,000 $0 100%
Habitat for Humanity: Avondale Lot
Purchase
$700,000 $700,000 $0 100%
Housing Catalyst (FCHA):
Cunningham Corner Rehab
$38,191 $38,191 $0 100%
Villages: Village on Matuka -
Housing Rehabilitation
$380,000 $380,000 $0 100%
Housing Total $2,188,191 $2,188,191* $0
*HOME funds of $104,131, typically allocated in the fall funding cycle, are being recommended
by the CDBG Commission to be allocated in the Spring Cycle to fill the funding requests of all 5
housing proposals.
Public Service Category
Applicant Project/Program Funding
Request
Commission’s
Recommended
Funding
Unfunded
Balance
Percent
of
Request
Funded
Alliance for Suicide Prevention:
Education, Awareness & Support
Programs
$10,148 $4,250 $5,898 42%
B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare
Scholarships
$66,000 $56,000 $10,000 85%
Boys & Girls Clubs: Building Great
Futures
$43,973 $24,927 $19,046 57%
CASA Program: Court Appointed
Special Advocate
$28,487 $6,784 $21,703 24%
CASA Program: Harmony House
Supervised Visitation Center
$28,750 $15,000 $13,750 52%
Catholic Charities: Senior Services $15,000 $15,000 0% 100%
Catholic Charities: Shelter & Post-
Shelter Services
$60,000 $40,000 $20,000 67%
Center for Family Outreach: Low
Income Youth Scholarship Program
$7,500 $7,500 $0 100%
ChildSafe Colorado: Child Sexual
Abuse Treatment Program
$36,000 $30,000 $6,000 83%
ChildSafe Colorado: Healthy
Families Program
$3,500 $0 $3,500 0%
- 3 -
Disabled Resource Services: Access
to Independence (ATI)
$28,736 $26,261 $2,475 91%
Education & Life Training Center:
JobReady & Circles Employment
$53,735 $0 $53,735 0%
Elderhaus: Therapeutic Activity
Program
$35,355 $27,878 $7,477 79%
Family Center: Childcare
Scholarships
$50,000 $42,500 $7,500 85%
FoCo Café: Farm-to-Fork Food
Service Skill Development
$19,800 $0 $19,800 0%
Food Bank for Larimer County:
Kids Café
$27,182 $27,182 $0 100%
GLBT Community Center:
Rainbow Alley Youth Services
$7,500 $3,000 $4,500 40%
Health District of Larimer County:
Dental Connections
$54,900 $23,000 $31,900 42%
Homelessness Prevention Initiative:
Emergency Rental Assistance
$60,000 $45,000 $15,000 75%
Larimer County Child Advocate
Center: Victim Services - Child
Abuse Prevention
$32,000 $22,000 $10,000 69%
Learning House: Project Help the
House
$13,400 $0 $13,400 0%
Learning House: Project Playing to
Learn
$8,706 $0 $8,706 0%
The Matthews House: Empowering
Youth Program
$34,158 $34,158 $0 100%
Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing
Counseling
$60,000 $38,630 $21,370 64%
Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent
Assistance
$36,125 $36,125 $0 100%
Project Self-Sufficiency: Services
for Single Parent Families
$35,000 $30,000 $5,000 86%
Rehab. & Visiting Nurse
Association: Home Health Care
Scholarships
$40,000 $35,000 $5,000 88%
Respite Care: Childcare Scholarships $35,000 $32,500 $2,500 93%
Serve 6.8: Sister Mary Alice Murphy
Center for Hope
$30,888 $18,533 $12,355 60%
SAVA Center: Bisexual Sexual
Assault Victim Services
- 4 -
Program
Touchstone Health Partners: Mental
Health Services - Murphy Center
$24,707 $18,000 $6,707 73%
Turning Point: Crisis Intervention
Program
$25,000 $12,500 $12,500 50%
Volunteers of America: Home
Delivered Meal Program
$33,600 $33,600 $0 100%
Public Service Total $1,305,649 $858,557 $447,112 66%
Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized to prepare and submit to HUD
for approval the 2014 Fort Collins Annual Action Plan, consistent with this Resolution.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
20th day of May, A.D. 2014.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
- 1 -
ORDINANCE NO. 080, 2014
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED REVENUE AND AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER
OF APPROPRIATIONS BETWEEN PROJECTS IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT FUND
WHEREAS, the City will receive in federal fiscal year 2014-2015 unanticipated revenue
in the form of federal Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funds totaling
$924,036; and
WHEREAS, the City has received unanticipated CDBG Program income in the amount
of $797,304; and
WHEREAS, the City also has CDBG 2013-2014 Grant funds ($250,000) to be
reprogrammed and unprogrammed CDBG 2012-2013 Grant funds ($61,245) that will be
transferred to the 2014-2015 CDBG Grant; and
WHEREAS, by adoption of Resolution 2014-041, the City Council approved the 2014
Community Development Block Grant Program and authorized the City Manager to transmit to
HUD for approval the 2014 Fort Collins Annual Action Plan as required to receive the grant
funds; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter permits City Council to make
supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year, provided that the
total amount of such supplemental appropriations, in combination with all previous
appropriations for that fiscal year, does not exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated
revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 10, of the City Charter authorizes the City Council to
transfer by ordinance any unexpended and unencumbered appropriated amount or portion thereof
from one fund (project) to another fund (project), provided that the purpose for which the
transferred funds are to be expended remains unchanged; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 11, of the City Charter provides that federal grant
appropriations shall not lapse if unexpended at the end of the budget year until the expiration of
the federal grant; and
WHEREAS, City staff has determined that the appropriation of all unanticipated CDBG
grant and program revenue as described herein will not result in total appropriations in excess of
the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues for fiscal year 2014.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
- 2 -
Section 1. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated
revenue in the federal fiscal year 2014-2015 into the Community Development Block Grant
Fund, the sum of NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND THIRTY-SIX DOLLARS
($924,036), upon receipt thereof for federal fiscal year 2014-2015 Community Development
Block Grant Funds.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated
program income revenue, upon receipt thereof into the Community Development Block Grant
Fund, the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED
FOUR DOLLARS ($797,304), for approved Community Development Block Grant projects.
Section 3. That the unexpended and unencumbered amount of TWO HUNDRED
FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000) is hereby authorized for transfer from the 2013-
2014 Community Development Block Grant Program to the 2014-2015 Community
Development Block Grant Program and appropriated therein.
Section 4. That the unexpended and unencumbered amount of SIXTY-ONE
THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($61,245) is hereby authorized for
transfer from the 2012-2013 Community Development Block Grant Program to the 2014-2015
Community Development Block Grant Program and appropriated therein.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 20th day of
May, A.D. 2014, and to be presented for final passage on the 3rd day of June, A.D. 2014.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 3rd day of June, A.D. 2014.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
- 1 -
RESOLUTION 2014-042
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2014 ADMINISTRATION AND
PROJECT BUDGETS FOR THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
WHEREAS, 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; 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, specific projects for the use of federal HOME funds will be determined in
November as a result of the fall funding cycle of the competitive process for the allocation of the
City’s financial resources to affordable housing programs and projects, and community
development activities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that City staff is hereby authorized to submit the FY 2014 Home Investment
Partnership Program application as follows:
Funding Source Amount
FY 2014 HOME Grant $53,969
FY 2014 HOME Program Income-Admin $43,192
Total $97,161
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
20th day of May A.D. 2014.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
- 1 -
ORDINANCE NO. 081, 2014
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED REVENUE IN THE HOME
INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS FUND
WHEREAS, the Home Investment Partnership Program (the “HOME Program”) was
authorized by the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 to provide funds in the form of
Participating Jurisdiction Grants for a variety of housing-related activities which would increase
the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 1994, the City Council adopted Resolution 1994-092
authorizing the Mayor to submit to the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(“HUD”) a notification of intent to participate in the HOME Program; and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 1994, HUD designated the City as a Participating Jurisdiction in
the HOME Program, allowing the City to receive an allocation of HOME Program funds as long
as Congress re-authorizes and continues to fund the program; and
WHEREAS, the City has been notified by HUD that the City’s HOME Participating
Jurisdiction Grant for the federal fiscal year 2014-2015 is $539,698; and
WHEREAS, the City also received unanticipated HOME Program income in the amount
of $573,472; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter permits the City Council to make
supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year, provided that the
total amount of such supplemental appropriations, in combination with all previous
appropriations for that fiscal year, do not exceed the then current estimate of actual and
anticipated revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, City staff has determined that the appropriation of the HOME Program
funds as described herein will not cause the total amount appropriated in the HOME Program
Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received in that fund
during the 2014 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 11, of the City Charter provides that federal grant
appropriations shall not lapse if unexpended at the end of the fiscal year until the expiration of
the federal grant.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated
revenue in the federal fiscal year 2014-2015 in the HOME Program Fund the sum of FIVE
HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETY-EIGHT DOLLARS
- 2 -
($539,698), upon receipt from federal fiscal year 2014-2015 HOME Participating Jurisdiction
Grant Funds.
Section 2. That there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated
program income revenue, upon receipt thereof, in the HOME Program Fund the sum of FIVE
HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-TWO
DOLLARS ($573,472), for approved HOME Program projects.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 20th day of
May, A.D. 2014, and to be presented for final passage on the 3rd day of June, A.D. 2014.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 3rd day of June, A.D. 2014.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
- 1 -
RESOLUTION 2014-043
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ADOPTING THE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN: 2014 AMENDMENT
AS REQUIRED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, the City receives federal Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”)
and HOME Investment Partnership (“HOME”) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (“HUD”); and
WHEREAS, HUD requires five federal planning and reporting activities, one of which is
a Citizen Participation Plan, with amendments as required; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Citizen Participation Plan was last updated in 2010; and
WHEREAS, the City strives to comply with the all HUD-required regulations for citizen
engagement, and the City also has implemented new procedures for grants administration
compliance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, the City organization, and specifically the Social
Sustainability Department and the City’s Communication and Public Involvement Office
(“CPIO”), are committed to meaningful and effective public engagement with all Fort Collins
community members; and
WHEREAS, notice of a 30-day public review period for the Citizen Participation Plan:
2014 Amendment (the “Plan”) was provided through a notice in the Coloradoan, posting on the
City’s web site, and posting and sharing with a dozen community partner entities serving those
citizens in legally protected classes, or those citizens who might otherwise have barriers to
participating in the decision making processes of local government; and
WHEREAS, the draft Plan was made available on the City’s website, at the Social
Sustainability Department, and at all three branches of the Poudre River Library District; and
WHEREAS, City staff held three focus group “chats” at the Sister Mary Alice Murphy
Center for Hope, at Circles Larimer, and at the Family Center/la Familia (with an interpreter) in
order to ascertain the specific needs and wishes of those citizens in legally protected classes--
including those in ethnic/racial minorities, those with disabilities, and those who are female
head-of-household, those with limited English language proficiency, and of those who might
otherwise experience barriers to public participation; and
WHEREAS, the draft Plan was subject to internal review by City staff in the Social
Sustainability Department, grants compliance administration, the City Attorney’s Office, and the
CPIO; and
- 2 -
WHEREAS, the draft Plan was also informally reviewed by the City’s HUD Community
Partnership Development (“CPD”) representative and Fair Housing and Equal opportunity
Division representative; and
WHEREAS, the draft Plan was also subject to a formal review during a recent HUD
monitoring, with satisfactory results; and
WHEREAS, the Plan does not require a formal recommendation from the City’s CDBG
Commission, nor does it require formal approval by HUD; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City that the Plan be adopted.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that the Citizen Participation Plan: 2014 Amendment, dated May 20, 2014, and
attached as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein by reference, is hereby adopted.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
20th day of May, A.D. 2014.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN
(for HUD’s* five federal planning and reporting activities)
2014 Amendment
May 20, 2014
City of Fort Collins Colorado
Social Sustainability Department
P. O. Box 580
Fort Collins CO 80522-0580
fcgov.com/socialsustainability
* U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
EXHIBIT A
2
Table of Contents
I. Introduction 4
II. Plan Overview and Emphasis 4
III. General Guidelines and Standards for Public Participation 5
Standards for Distribution and Access 5
Reasonable and Special Accommodations 6
Overall Citizen Participation Standards 6
Review Periods 6
Public Hearings 7
Notices for Meetings, Public Hearings and
Review Periods 8
IV. Additional Guidelines and Information for HUD’s
Five Planning and Reporting Activities 8
Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan 8
Annual Action Plan 9
Amendments 9
Amendment Guidelines 9
Amendment Category Determination 10
Consolidated Annual Performance and
Evaluation Report 10
VI. Citizen Participation: Other Guidelines and Information 11
Interdepartmental Coordination and Cooperation 11
Document Retention 11
Technical Assistance 11
Complaint Procedures 11
Response Standards for Citizen Complaints 11
Complaint and Response Process 12
Funding Application Complaints 13
Discrimination Complaints 13
3
VII. Conclusion 13
VIII. Attachment A: Citizen Process Table 14
IX. Attachment B: Definitions 15
X. Attachment C: Anti-Displacement Policy 17
4
Introduction
The City of Fort Collins’ mission is to provide “exceptional service for an exceptional
community.” In support of its overall Strategic Plan—and to the greatest extent
possible—the City recognizes the importance of involving all community members in the
planning and decision making process of government. The goal of this Citizen
Participation Plan is to fully integrate citizen input into the five planning and reporting
activities required to successfully manage the City’s current community development,
housing, and other future U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
programs.
The five planning and reporting activities are:
Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan;
Annual Action Plans (AAP);
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports (CAPER);
Substantial Amendments to the Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plans;
Amendments to this Citizen Participation Plan.
Currently, the City of Fort Collins is the recipient of federal Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) funds and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds.
The Social Sustainability Department has primary responsibility for managing the citizen
participation process and the development, implementation and reporting of annual
accomplishments referenced in this Citizen Participation Plan. This plan also fulfills the
requirements of federal regulation, 24 CFR Part 91.105.
Plan Overview and Emphasis
At the highest level, the City of Fort Collins has an overarching goal of being a
sustainable community: environmentally, socially, and economically. Therefore, the City
intends that its programs and policies have the greatest community impact possible.
Effective and meaningful civic engagement is a strategy towards that goal. Specific to
this arena, Fort Collins will encourage those persons who are intended to directly
benefit from federal funds to participate in the formulation and implementation of
projects to be funded with those dollars. These community members may include:
minority residents or other persons in a legally protected class; those who do not speak
English (Limited English Proficiency or LEP); persons with disabilities; female heads of
households; and residents who identify themselves as low- and moderate-income.
Of particular emphasis—in addition to the organizations and agencies that serve low-
and moderate-income clients—is the participation of low- and moderate-income
persons and residents of Public Housing and assisted housing. Moreover, special efforts
will be made to include persons who are within one or more legally protected class
5
categories, or who have English language barriers, or who are language isolated.
Additionally, the City is committed to the meaningful public engagement of community
members who may be part of a special population (such as at-risk youth), or who are
considered to be in a federal Presumed Benefit category (such as persons experiencing
homelessness or those with HIV/AIDs).
The City will enlist nonprofit and community organizations, including faith-based groups,
resident associations, housing and human service agencies and other groups—as well as
businesses and developers—to assist the City with fully engaging residents in the
planning and implementation of its federal programs. In addition, the City will use
developing communications strategies and media to further this goal. Those avenues to
increase citizen input may include newsletters, news releases, web bulletins, social
media, email, or other print or electronic materials. Finally, the City will use
communications strategies which specifically address and connect with the unique
needs of sub-populations within our community (e.g., persons experiencing
homelessness, Spanish-speaking-only female heads of households).
This Citizen Participation Plan will be incorporated (by attachment or reference) into
every Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan, Annual Action Plans, and Consolidated
Annual Performance Reports.
General Guidelines and Standards for Public Participation
The Citizen Participation Table, which organizes important process information in
matrix form, is located in Attachment A. This Table is a quick reference tool, outlining all
requirements for each planning and reporting activity. Definitions are provided in
Attachment B.
Standards for Distribution and Access
Public review and comments are welcome at any point in the process for the five
reporting and planning activities. The City will encourage citizen input by:
Posting ADA- and Title VI-compliant notices in The Coloradoan, Fort Collins’
general circulation newspaper, in English and in Spanish;
Posting notices through partner agencies serving persons in legally protected
classes, special populations, or Presumed Benefit categories (as determined by
HUD). The City’s Communications and Public Involvement Office’s (CPIO)
Multicultural/Diversity Contact database will be used as a reference. The notices
will be posted and shared by those community partners determined to be most
appropriate and effective, according to the Social Sustainability Department and
CPIO, or by request;
6
Providing opportunities for interviews, surveys or focus groups, when
appropriate;
Posting an electronic copy of the document on the City’s website (which is
compatible with web readers for the visually impaired and connected to Google
Translate); and
Providing paper copies of documents at City offices and area libraries.
Whenever possible, using specialized communications strategies to address the
needs of unique sub-populations (e.g., persons experiencing homelessness,
Spanish-speaking-only female heads of households).
Reasonable and Special Accommodations
Copies of the five reporting and planning activities documents will be made
available in fully accessible locations.
Public input will be solicited in fully accessible locations.
Public meetings and public hearings will occur in fully accessible locations.
Upon request, the City will provide materials in Braille, large print, in Spanish or
other languages as needed, or in a voice recording, at no cost to the requestor.
The City’s TDD/TYY number is: 970-221-3490.
Interpretation services will be made available where it is reasonably anticipated
there will be a significant number of non-English speaking residents in
attendance.
City Council proceedings are available with Closed Captioning on the local
government cable channel (Channel 14).
The City will also deliver a copy of any Plan, Amendment or Report to a
homebound person upon request.
Reasonable notice for requests is usually considered to be 48 hours.
Any content on the City of Fort Collins website may be immediately translated
into any one of 81 languages. The Google Translate feature is located in the
upper right section of the City’s Home page at: fcgov.com.
Regulation 24 CFR Part 91.105 (b) (1) also requires that any HUD-funded project
or program that may displace residents describe how the City will assist those
displaced. The City’s current Anti-Displacement Policy is an attachment to this
document (Attachment C).
Overall Citizen Participation Standards
Review Periods
Thirty-day (30-day) Public Review Periods are federally required and specifically set
aside for public comments and input:
7
For funding (federal and local) allocation recommendations prior to any final City
Council funding allocation decision;
Prior to the submission of a Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan to City
Council for approval;
Prior to the submission of an Annual Action Plan to HUD; and
Prior to the submission of any Substantial Amendment for the Consolidated Plan,
an Annual Action Plan, and this Citizen Participation Plan or its updates.
A fifteen-day (15-day) Public Review Period is federally required and specifically set
aside for public comments and input:
Prior to the submission of a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation
Report (CAPER) to HUD.
Public Hearings
A minimum of two (2) federally required public hearings are held each Program Year to
solicit citizen viewpoints and input. These public hearings are designed to ensure the
City follows its purposes and proposed goals, and fully integrates citizen input into the
corresponding documents in order to meet community needs. One public hearing will
be held for the purpose of soliciting viewpoints on community needs and the proposed
use of funds. The second public hearing will be held to assess how funds were spent
during the prior Program Year. To comply with regulations, the public hearings are held
at times and locations convenient to potential and or actual beneficiaries.
In addition, City Council holds a public hearing before making a final decision at the end
of each funding allocation process. City Council also holds public hearings before
adopting the Five-Year Strategic Plan or its Substantial Amendments, and the Citizen
Participation Plan or its Substantial Amendments. Public hearings for each Annual Action
Plan, or its Amendments, are held by the Social Sustainability Department. Because the
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is a summary and
report on the previous federal Program Year’s performance, it does not include a public
hearing as part of its process. Citizens still have varied opportunities throughout the
Public Review Period to express their thoughts on the accuracy and content of that
document.
All public hearing venues are in an accessible location. Interpretation services are made
available where it is reasonably anticipated that there will be a significant number of
non-English speaking residents in attendance.
8
Notices for Meetings, Public Hearings and Review Periods
At a minimum, notices for meetings, public hearings, and public review periods will be
posted according to General Guidelines and Standards for Citizen Participation.
Meetings
Notices of pending meetings are posted at the Fort Collins City Clerk’s office
in accordance with the Colorado Open Meetings Act. Additionally, they are also
posted on the City’s website. The notices include a summary of the content
included in the notice. Notices of pending meetings are posted at least 24 hours
prior to a meeting, both physically at City Hall, and on the City’s website. Notices
of a meeting cancellation or a special meeting are posted at least 24 hours in
advance of the change, both physically at City Hall, and on the City’s website.
Public Hearings
Whenever possible, notice of a public hearing will be published at least fifteen
(15) days* prior to the hearing, and never less than seven (7) days before a
hearing. Additionally, General Guidelines and Standards for Public Participation
will be followed. Those Guidelines and Standards in this document are intended
to facilitate maximum citizen awareness, and participation in the Hearing.
Public Review Periods
Notice for a public review period will be published at least seven (7) days prior
to the review period. Additionally, General Guidelines and Standards for Public
Participation will be followed.
Content in notices for public review periods will include the anticipated
Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership
Program funding, any other HUD or City funding the City reasonably expects to
receive, how the funds are proposed to be allocated, and where further
information is available.
An exception is the public review period for funding allocation
recommendations. That notice is published 24 hours in advance of the public
review period. A full thirty days is allowed for citizen comment and input prior
to City Council’s final decision.
* According to 2014 HUD CPD technical assistance received by the City, the 15-day advance notice for
hearings is set out as a best practice by HUD, but is not required by regulation. The intent is to solicit
maximum citizen awareness and participation, as outlined in the remainder of the paragraph.
9
Additional Guidelines and Information for HUD’s
Five Planning and Reporting Activities
At a minimum, the City will follow standards outlined under General Guidelines and
Standards for Public Participation.
Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan
In order to receive an annual allocation of federal funds from the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City must submit a Five-Year Strategic
(Consolidated) Plan, which serves as the City’s strategic plan for five years, outlining
goals to be achieved with its federal funds.
To develop its Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan, the City may use a combination of
the services of a consultant, along with consultations with other agencies, public
hearings, and the solicitation of written comments, surveys, focus groups, and other
methods of public engagement. The City will also coordinate its Plan with the Fort
Collins Housing Authority for its Public Housing requirements.
Annual Action Plan
To implement the City’s five-year goals, an Annual Action Plan is also submitted to HUD
each year listing the location, cost, proposed outcome, and ancillary information related
to each project or program. Federal regulations require these funds be targeted to
where they provide the greatest benefit to residents designated to receive HUD
assistance, primarily the City’s low- and moderate-income residents.
Amendments
An amendment to the approved Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan will occur in the
following instances: when the City adds a new priority, project or program not
previously considered; decides not to carry out a project (activity) described in the Plan;
decides to carry out a project not previously described; or to substantially change the
purpose, scope, and/or location of beneficiaries of a project.
Amendment Guidelines
Substantial Amendments to Five-Year Strategic Plans (including AAPs)
Substantial changes may include, but are not limited to:
10
Major project changes in: service area; significant change to a new location;
purpose; program beneficiaries; or national objective compliance;
Changing the use of CDBG funds from one eligible activity to another;
Changes from one activity to another, such as project cancellation and a new
project approval;
Establishment of a new Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA); and
Funding changes (+/-) greater than $25,000.
Minor Amendments to Five-Year Strategic Plans (including AAPs)
Amendments not considered substantial are small increases or decreases in the
amount of funds allocated to an approved project or activity in order to achieve
the original purpose of the project or activity. These minor changes may be
carried out at the discretion of the department and are not subject to the criteria
that apply to Substantial Amendments. Accordingly, there is no specific citizen
participation process outlined for this activity.
Because of potential impact to citizens being served by funding, Substantial
Amendments will be subject to the same Guidelines and Standards for Public
Participation as the other planning and reporting activities. Substantial Amendments
will require: adequate notice of a 30-day public review period and a City Council public
hearing; the public review period and public hearing; and approval by City Council (see
Attachment A, Citizen Participation Table, Substantial Amendments).
Amendment Category Determination for Citizen Participation Plan
Amendments
Due to a variety of circumstances and timelines under which such an amendment might
occur, should there be a need for an amendment to the Citizen Participation Plan,
departmental staff will consult with the designated HUD CPD Representative in regard
to required and appropriate public participation processes. City staff will obtain a
written determination as to whether the amendment is considered substantial or minor,
and what items are subsequently required.
Citizen Participation Plan updates for the purposes of addressing housekeeping items
such as contact name changes, will be considered as minor updates, and not an
amendment.
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
An integral part of measuring the success of the City’s HUD-funded activities is the
publication of a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER),
which provides an objective assessment of the City’s progress toward meeting the
11
stated goals outlined in the Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan, as well as the
corresponding Annual Action Plan being reported on.
Citizen Participation: Other Guidelines and Information
Interdepartmental Coordination and Cooperation
The Social Sustainability Department will work with the Communications and Public
Involvement (CPIO), any communications employees assigned to the Social
Sustainability Department, and employees of the Finance Department who are
responsible for overall grants compliance administration and Title VI compliance.
Document Retention
All Plans, Amendments, Reports, and activity files are public documents and are
available both in paper copy and electronically from the City of Fort Collins. All
documents are retained for a minimum of five years and are available for review with
sufficient notice (usually 48 hours). To maintain confidentiality, the City will take all
necessary measures to ensure any sensitive beneficiary information contained within
the department’s files is compliant with federal, state, and local privacy requirements.
Technical Assistance
Upon request, Social Sustainability Department staff will provide technical assistance to
any group representative of persons of low- and moderate-income interested in
developing proposals for funding assistance under any of the programs covered by the
Consolidated Plan. The department may determine, at its discretion, the level and type
of assistance following consultation with those requesting technical assistance.
Complaint Procedures
Response Standards for Citizen Complaints
Substance and Timeliness
Should a citizen have concerns/complaints related to the Plans, Amendments
and/or Reports or any other federal program document or procedure, the
concerns may be submitted in writing. The City will provide a timely, substantive
written response to every citizen complaint within 15 business days, as required
by federal regulation.
12
Inclusion in Documents/Plans
Complaints received during any of the five reporting and planning activity
processes, and the outcome of their consideration by the City, will be included in
the corresponding, adopted Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan or Annual
Action Plans submitted to HUD.
Excluded Comments
City staff shall notate citizen comments excluded from any document, the
general nature of the comment, and the reason for exclusion.
Complaint and Response Process
Level One:
1) The response to the complaint will be handled by the Project Manager
assigned to the plan or activity, or by a Social Sustainability employee designated
by the Department Director.
2) When a Project Manager or other contact information is not expressly
provided, written complaints may be submitted to:
Address: Director of Social Sustainability
City of Fort Collins
P. O. Box 580
Fort Collins CO 80522-0580
Phone: 970-221-6734
Level Two:
If not resolved by the Department, formal complaints should be addressed to the
Fort Collins City Manager and filed in writing at: City Manager’s Office, City
Hall, 300 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521. The City Manager will refer the
complaint to appropriate City staff for a written response regarding the
complaint within 15 business days upon receipt of the complaint.
Level Three:
If the complainant is not satisfied with the City Manager’s response, further
appeals should be addressed to the Fort Collins City Council, c/o the Mayor (City
Hall, 300 W. Laporte Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521). The Council has 30 days in
which to take further action as deemed necessary to address the complainant’s
concerns.
13
Level Four:
If the complainant has not been satisfied with the response of City Council, a
formal complaint may then be addressed directly to the regional Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at: Department of Housing & Urban
Development, 1670 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202-4801.
Funding Application Complaints
Formal complaints regarding HUD’s approval of the City of Fort Collins’ application for
CDBG and/or HOME funding should be submitted in writing to the HUD Area Office
within 30 days of the publication of the application notice. In order to ensure submitted
objections are considered during the review process, HUD will not approve an
application until at least 45 days after receipt of an application. In the interest of time,
therefore, if the complainant is not satisfied with the response from the City staff and
wants her/his comments to be considered during the HUD review process of the City’s
CDBG/HOME funding application, she/he should then contact HUD directly within the
designated time frame.
Discrimination Complaints
When the complainant’s concern is of a discrimination-related nature (e.g.,
discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability; race; creed; color; sex;
marital status; familial status; religion; national origin; and/or ancestry; or other legally
protected classes), the complainant should immediately contact one of the following
resources:
1) City Manager’s Office: Civil Rights/ADA Officer
300 W. Laporte Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521
Phone: 970-416-2253
2) City of Fort Collins: Title VI Coordinator
Phone: 970-221-6526
3) The Colorado Civil Rights Commission/Division
Phone: 303-894-2997, Toll Free: (800) CO-CIVIL (282-4845).
The Colorado Civil Rights Division website, www.dora.state.co.us/civil-rights,
provides information about the Division, the Civil Rights Commission, and the
process for filing a complaint.
4) The HUD Fair Housing Hotline (discrimination and housing-related issues)
Phone: 800-669-9777
14
Conclusion
The City of Fort Collins has a commitment to fostering public participation within the
broadest spectrum of community members. This Plan is intended to reflect not only
adherence to federal requirements, but also standards for meaningful communications
excellence. As future strategies for community engagement emerge, develop, and are
proven effective, they will be incorporated into Amendments to this Plan.
15
Attachment A
Citizen Participation Table
Document
Public Participation:
Minimum Standards
Required Time
for Public
Review
Required
Approval
Deadline
Citizen
Participation
Plan and
Amendments
1) 7-day prior notice of Public
Review Period.
2) 7-day notice of Public
Hearing.
3) Public Hearing: City Council.
30-day Public
Review Period
City Council
Approval
1) Amended as needed.
2) Most current update
included with Five-Year
Strategic (Consolidated)
Plan
Five-Year
Strategic
(Consolidated)
Plan and/or
Annual Action
Plans
1) 7-day prior notice of Public
Review Period.
2) 7-day prior notice of Public
Hearing.
3) Consolidated Plan Public
Hearing: City Council.
4) Annual Action Plan Public
Hearing: Social Sustainability
Department.
30-day Public
Review period
1) Consolidated
Plan: City Council
Approval
2) Annual Action
Plan: n/a*
Submit to HUD August 15
(45 days prior to start of
new Program/Fiscal Year)
Substantial
Amendments
1) 7-day prior notice of Public
Review Period.
2) 7-day prior notice of Public
16
Attachment B
Definitions
Annual Action Plan (AAP). The Annual Action Plan, required annually by HUD, details
the expenditure of yearly CDBG and HOME grants and ensures funds are directed
towards activities addressed in the Consolidated Plan. HUD requires the City to maintain
a significant correlation between the goals identified in the Consolidated Plan and use of
federal funds. Currently, the CDBG Commission evaluates and recommends activities to
City Council. However, the City Council has the right to approve activities outside the
recommendations of the Commission. The Annual Plan is due to HUD on August 15,
forty-five (45) days before the start of the City’s new federal fiscal year on October 1.
Area Median Income (AMI). This household income measurement is used by some
federal agencies such as HUD, in contrast to the Federal Poverty Level. This
measurement is community-based, and assesses a household’s income in the context of
other households in a geographic area.
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). This report is a self-
assessment of the implementation of the Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan.
Activity outcomes and outputs are reported showing the effectiveness of the federal
funds. This report includes details of the number and demographics of the community
served. The CAPER is due to HUD by December 31
st
, 90 days from the end of the City’s
federal fiscal year.
Five-Year Strategic (Consolidated) Plan. As an Entitlement Community recipient of
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and a Participating Jurisdiction in
the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funding, the City is required by HUD
to develop a Consolidated Plan that evaluates the needs of its low- and moderate-
income residents. This includes a review of the City’s housing, homeless, and community
development needs; provides a housing market analysis; and creates a strategy to
address the needs identified. This plan is revised every five (5) years. The current
Consolidated Plan cycle is: 2010-2014 (October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2015)
and 2015-2019 (October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2020).
Low-Income Neighborhood. A low-income neighborhood is a predominantly low-
income neighborhood identified as such by Census Tract, because 50% or more of the
residents in that tract have incomes below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), an
income measurement used by HUD. In Fort Collins, Qualified Census Tracts are located
in the Old Town area, near Colorado State University, and on the northern-most border
of the City (as of 2010 Census).
17
Predominantly Low- and Moderate-Income Neighborhood. A predominantly low- and
moderate-income neighborhood is identified as such by Census Tract, because 50% or
more of the residents in that tract have incomes below 80% of the Area Median Income
(AMI), an income measurement used by HUD.
18
Attachment C
Anti-Displacement Policy
As part of the Citizen Participation Plan, the City must include its plan to minimize
displacement of persons and to assist any persons displaced, specifying the types and
levels of assistance. The City has in effect and is following the Residential Anti-
Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan as described below which will minimize
displacement of any person as a result of a federally-assisted activity.
All occupied and vacant occupiable lower-income dwelling units that are either
demolished or converted to a use other than providing low-income dwelling units, in
connection with a federally-assisted activity, must be replaced with comparable lower-
income dwelling units. Replacement of lower-income dwelling units may be provided by
any government agency or private developer and must meet the following
requirements:
1. The units must be located within the recipient’s jurisdiction.
2. The units must be sufficient in number and size to house no fewer than the
number of occupants previously housed in the units that were demolished or
converted.
3. The units must be provided in standard condition.
4. The units must initially be made available for occupancy at any time during the
period—beginning one year before the action—and remain available for three
years following the action.
5. The units must remain lower-income units for 10 years from the date of initial
occupancy.
Before work shall commence, the recipient must make public and submit in writing to
the HUD field office the following information: a description of the proposed federally-
assisted activity, the location on a map and the number of dwelling units by size, the
time schedule for the commencement and completion of the demolition or conversion,
the location and number of dwelling units by size that will be provided as replacement
units, the source of funding and time schedule for the provision of replacement dwelling
units, the basis for concluding that each replacement dwelling unit will remain a lower-
income dwelling unit for at least 10 years from the date of initial occupancy, and
information demonstrating that any proposed replacement of dwelling units with
smaller dwelling units is consistent with the needs assessment contained in its HUD-
approved Consolidated Plan.
19
Replacement is not required if the HUD field office determines there is an adequate
supply of vacant lower-income dwelling units in standard condition available on a
nondiscriminatory basis within the area.
In addition, the displaced person will be advised of his or her rights under the Fair
Housing Act. Each person will be provided moving expenses at the levels described in 49
CFR Part 24. Each person will also receive the cost of a security deposit and credit check
required for the replacement unit and any actual out-of-pocket costs including moving
expenses, if required to temporarily relocate. Displaced persons are eligible for either
rental assistance equal to 60 times the amount necessary to reduce the monthly rent or
a payment equal to the capitalized value of 60 times the amount that is obtained by
subtracting the “Total Tenant Payment” as determined under part 813 of this title as
listed above, from the monthly rent and estimated average monthly cost of utilities at a
comparable replacement dwelling unit.
A person who disagrees with the determination concerning whether the person
qualifies as a displaced person or with the amount of relocation assistance for which the
person is eligible may file a written appeal of that determination. A person who is
dissatisfied with the determination on his or her appeal may submit a written request
for review of that determination to the HUD field office for the applicable region. If the
full relief is not granted, the person shall be advised of his or her right to seek judicial
review.
Hearing.
3) Public Hearing: City Council
30-day Public
Review period
City Council
Approval
Submit to HUD after City
Council approval
Consolidated
Annual
Performance
and Evaluation
Report
(CAPER)
7-day prior notice of Public
Review Period.
15-day Public
Review period
n/a
Submit to HUD
December 31
Public Hearing
Notices
Posting standards and
implementation reflect a goal
of maximizing citizen
awareness and participation
in Hearing.**
n/a n/a
Goal of 15 days, not less
than 7 days before
Hearing,
Additional
Public
Hearings
Two (2) general Public Hearings are required annually:
1) One Public Hearing is to solicit citizen viewpoints and comments on how funds for affordable
housing, community development programs and projects, and other funding-eligible activities
should be spent.
2) One Public Hearing is to solicit citizen viewpoints and comments, and to also report to the
community on how funds were spent during the City’s previous Program Year.
* Funding recommendations are subject to the 30-day Public Review period prior to final City Council approval,
but the document content is not approved by Council prior to submission to HUD. As indicated, the Annual Action
Plan document is also subject to a 30-day public review period.
** According to 2014 HUD CPD technical assistance, there is no regulatory time frame for notice postings prior to
a Public Hearing. However, HUD’s suggested guideline is 15 days prior to any Hearing.
$44,725 $14,367 $30,358 32%
Teaching Tree Early Childhood
Learning Center: Childcare
Scholarships
$60,000 $50,000 $10,000 83%
Touchstone Health Partners: CDDT $62,702 $31,328 $31,374 50%
Colo. Health Network (NCAP):
Client Services & Homelessness
Prev.
$32,754 $18,514 $14,240 57%
Crossroads Safehouse: Advocacy
Program
$60,318 $39,000 $21,318 65%
of clients in legally protected classes - including those in a racial/ethnic minority, those with a disability, or
female heads of household - or serving those community members who might otherwise have barriers to
public participation in the City’s civic engagement processes. To date no public comments have been received.
Health District of Larimer County:
Dental Connections
$54,900 $23,000 $31,900 42%
Homelessness Prevention Initiative:
Emergency Rental Assistance
$60,000 $45,000 $15,000 75%
Larimer County Child Advocate Center:
Victim Services - Child Abuse
Prevention
$32,000 $22,000 $10,000 69%
Learning House: Project Help the House $13,400 $0 $13,400 0%
Learning House: Project Playing to
Learn
$8,706 $0 $8,706 0%
The Matthews House: Empowering
Youth Program
$34,158 $34,158 $0 100%
Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing
Counseling
$60,000 $38,630 $21,370 64%
Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent Assistance $36,125 $36,125 $0 100%
Project Self-Sufficiency: Services for
Single Parent Families
$35,000 $30,000 $5,000 86%
Balance
Percent
of
Request
Funded
Alliance for Suicide Prevention:
Education, Awareness & Support
Programs
$10,148 $4,250 $5,898 42%
B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare Scholarships $66,000 $56,000 $10,000 85%