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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 05/19/2015 - PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION 2015-051 APPROVING TAgenda Item 8 Item # 8 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY May 19, 2015 City Council STAFF Sharon Thomas, CDBG/HOME Program Administrator Beth Sowder, Director of Social Sustainability Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager SUBJECT Public Hearing and Resolution 2015-056 Approving the Programs and Projects That Will Receive Funds From the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and the City's Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and Human Services Program (HSP). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to approve the funding of the 2015 spring cycle of the Competitive Process. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION Resolution 2015-056 establishes which programs and projects submitted in the 2015 spring cycle of the Competitive Process will receive funding with CDBG, HOME, AHF and HSP funds for the FY2015 program year that begins October 1, 2015 (Background information about the Competitive Process can be found in Attachment 2. The CDBG Program, and the HOME Program 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 and administration of the funds. Background information about the CDBG and HOME programs is included in Attachment 5. AHF and HSP are City General Fund and KFCG funds. In 2015 the total available dollar amount is $3,164,304. The following table provides a summary of all 2015 funding sources: FY2015 Funding Sources Funding Source Amount CDBG $1,133,128 HOME $862,009 AHF $525,047 HSP $644,120 Total $3,164,304 Allocations for the three funding categories are: Housing $2,081,091; Public (Human) Service $799,248; and Planning and Administration $283,965. FY2015 Funding Categories Funding Source Amount FY2015 Housing $2,081,091 FY2015 Public (Human) Service $799,248 Agenda Item 8 Item # 8 Page 2 FY 2015 and 2014 Planning and Administration $283,965 Total $3,164,304 Total CDBG funds for FY2015 is $1,133,128 which comes from the 2015 CDBG Entitlement Grant of $951,389, FY2014 CDBG Unprogrammed funds of $82,803 and FY2013 CDBG Unprogrammed funds of $98,936. Unprogrammed funds represent previously committed grant funds that are available for re-allocation as a result of the receipt of program income. Program income includes repayments from loans issued for housing rehabilitation, homebuyer assistance, affordable housing acquisition and development. HUD regulations allow a maximum of 20% CDBG Entitlement and current year (FY2014) Unprogrammed funds to be used for CDBG planning and program administration. This equals $190,277 of Entitlement and $16,560 of Unprogrammed funds, for a total of $206,837. Unprogrammed funds must be spent during FY2014, which ends September 30, 2015. The maximum limit allowed by HUD regulations in the Public (Human) Service category for the CDBG Entitlement Grant and current year CDBG Reprogrammed is 15%. Allowable CDBG funds in this category total $155,128: $142,708 from the CDBG Entitlement Grant and $12,420 from CDBG FY2014 Unprogrammed. The following table provides a summary of 2015 CDBG funding sources: FY2015 CDBG Funding Sources Funding SourceAmount FY2015 CDBG Entitlement Grant $951,389 FY2014 CDBG Unprogrammed $82,803 FY2013 CDBG Unprogrammed $98,936 Total $1,133,128 The City’s contribution to the Public (Human) Service category is $389,601 in 2015 HSP funds, $250,047 in HSP KFCG funds. Unprogrammed HSP funds from 2014 and 2013 add an additional $4,472, for a total of $644,120. The total available funding in the Public (Human) Services category is $799,248. The following table provides a summary of 2015 HSP funding sources: FY2015 HSP Funding Sources Funding SourceAmount FY2015 HSP General Fund $389,601 FY2015 HSP KFCG $250,047 FY2014/2013 HSP Unprogrammed $4,472 Total $644,120 In January of 2015 City Council approved allocating HOME and AHF funds in the spring cycle of the Competitive Process rather than holding them for allocation in the fall (Resolution 2015-009). Therefore, all funds are available for allocation during the spring cycle of the Competitive Process. The total HOME funds for FY2015 is $862,009 which is made up of the FY2015 HOME Participating Jurisdiction Grant of $519,485 and HOME 2014 Unprogrammed funds of $342,524. HUD regulations allow a maximum of 10% of the HOME Grant, $51,948 and FY2014 HOME Unprogrammed funds (with certain restrictions), $25,180 for a total of $77,128, to be used for HOME program administrative purposes. HUD regulations also require a 15% set-aside of the HOME Grant for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). Currently the only verified CHDO in Fort Collins is Habitat for Humanity. The City of Fort Collins is ahead of schedule for the required CHDO set-aside, therefore no HOME funds were allocated to this category in FY2015. The following table summarizes the FY2015 HOME funding sources: Agenda Item 8 Item # 8 Page 3 FY2015 HOME Funding Sources Funding SourceAmount FY2015 HOME Participating Jurisdiction Grant $519,485 FY2014 HOME Unprogrammed $342,524 Total $862,009 The City’s contribution for the housing category is $525,047: $325,047 in AHF funds and $200,000 in AHF KFCG funds. The following table summarizes the FY2015 AHF funding sources: FY2015 AHF Funding Sources Funding SourceAmount FY2015 AHF General Fund $325,047 FY2015 AHF KFCG $200,000 Total $525,047 The following table summarizes the total funding amount and sources of all available CDBG, HOME, AHF and HSP funds for distribution during the 2015 spring cycle of the Competitive Process and how the funding is distributed among the three categories: Available Funding for FY2015 Funding Source Funding Amount Administration (Maximum of 20% of CDBG Grant) Administration HOME Grant (Maximum of 10% of HOME Grant) Public Service (Maximum of 15% of CDBG Grant) Housing FY2015 CDBG Grant $951,389 $190,277 $0 $142,708 $618,404 FY2014 CDBG Unprogrammed $82,803 $16,560* $0 $12,420 $53,823 FY2013 CDBG Unprogrammed $98,936 $0 $0 $0 $98,936 FY2015 HOME Grant $519,485 $0 $51,948 $0 $467,537 FY2014 HOME Unprogrammed $342,524 $0 $25,180 $0 $317,344 FY2015 AHF $325,047 $0 $0 $0 $325,047 FY2015 AHF KFCG $200,000 $0 $0 $0 $200,000 FY2015 HSP $389,601 $0 $0 $389,601 $0 FY2015 HSP KFCG $250,047 $0 $0 $250,047 $0 Agenda Item 8 Item # 8 Page 4 $1,349,494. There were shortages in both the housing and public service categories of more than $500,000. The following table summarizes the amount of funding requests compared to the amount of funding available for each of the funding categories: FY2015 Funding Requests by Category Category Number of Applications Available Funding Requested Funding Available - Request Difference Administration - CDBG * $206,837 $206,837 $0 Administration - HOME * $77,128 $77,128 $0 Housing 6 $2,081,091 $2,621,982 -$540,891 Public (Human) Services 34 $799,248 $1,349,494 -$550,246 Totals 40 $3,164,304 $4,255,441 -$1,091,137 CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS The CDBG and HOME Programs provide federal funds from HUD to the City of Fort Collins for allocation to housing and community development related programs and projects and administration of the funds, thereby, reducing the demand on the City’s General Fund Budget to address such needs. During FY2015 the total amount of CDBG funds available for allocation is $1,133,128 and HOME funds is $862,009. The City contributes $644,120 through the General Fund and KFCG in the Human Services Program (HSP) and $525,047 in General Fund and KFCG Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) dollars. The total City contribution for 2015 is $1,169,167. Through the provision of affordable housing, more of Fort Collins’ work force can reside within the community. This means there is an available labor pool within the city, which is a positive benefit to economic sustainability. Public (human) service programs contribute to economic sustainability by providing such programs as job training, child care, and housing counseling, so workers can maintain their employment and housing situations. By providing funding to these programs for needed upgrades to their facilities or for partial purchase of service locations, the agencies are better able to utilize other available 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 instead of being forced to live outside the community and commute into the city for work. In addition, many affordable housing projects are located within close proximity to bus routes in the City. This helps reduce traffic congestion and thus improves air quality. 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 recommends adoption of the following funding recommendations as to which programs and projects should receive funding from the available funding sources presented above, which include CDBG, HOME, AHF and HSP funds. More details about each applicant can be found in Attachment 1. The Commission reviewed all 40 applications, watched presentations by each applicant, and asked clarifying questions. In addition, they considered the priority rankings of the Affordable Housing Board (Attachment 3) and the goals of the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. The following tables present the allocations Agenda Item 8 Item # 8 Page 5 recommended by the Commission to City Council within each major category: Planning and Administration Category Applicant Project/Program Funding Request Commission’s Recommended Funding Unfunded Balance Percent of Request Funded City of Fort Collins: CDBG Administration/Planning* $206,837 $206,837 $0 100% City of Fort Collins: HOME Administration/Planning $77,128 $77,128 $0 100% Administration/Planning Total $283,965 $283,965 $0 100% *CDBG FY2014 Unprogrammed funds for Planning and Administration ($16,560) must be expended by September 30, 2015 per HUD Regulations. The CDBG Commission determined five of the six housing proposals were projects that would benefit from receiving funding, three for full funding and two for partial. One proposal received $0 funding. There was a funding gap of $540,891. Those recommendations are listed in the table below: Housing Category Applicant Project/Program Funding Request Commission’s Recommended Funding Unfunded Balance Percent of Request Funded City of Fort Collins: Homebuyer Assistance Program $200,000 $200,000 $0 100% Fort Collins Housing Authority: Tenant Based Rental Assistance for CDDT $170,227 $170,227 $0 100% Fort Collins Housing Authority: Village on Redwood: A Vibrant Sustainable Community $1,407,255 $1,407,255 $0 100% GRID Alternatives: Residential Solar Affordable Housing Program $52,500 $0 $52,500 0% Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight Sliding Glass Doors $42,000 $21,000 $21,000 50% Villages: Legacy Senior Residences II $750,000 $282,609 $467,391 38% Housing Total $2,621,982 $2,081,091 $540,891 79% In the Public (Human) Service category 33 proposals are being recommended for partial funding, ranging from 16% to 87%. One proposal is not being recommended for funding and no proposals received a recommendation for full funding. There is a funding gap of $550,246. Those recommendations are listed in the table below: Public Service Category Agenda Item 8 Item # 8 Page 6 CASA Program: Harmony House Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program $28,818 $15,000 $13,818 52% Catholic Charities: Senior Services $25,000 $15,000 $10,000 60% Catholic Charities: Shelter & Follow-Up Services $60,000 $30,000 $30,000 50% The Center for Family Outreach: Low- Income Youth Scholarship Program $10,050 $7,537 $2,513 75% ChildSafe Colorado: Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program $50,000 $32,250 $17,750 65% Colo. Health Network (NCAP): Client Services & Homelessness Prevention Program $31,748 $5,000 $26,748 16% Crossroads Safehouse: Advocacy Program $53,730 $38,095 $15,635 71% Disabled Resource Services: Access to Independence $29,686 $25,000 $4,686 84% *Education & Life Training Center: Employment Skills Training $36,186 $10,000 $26,186 28% Elderhaus Adult Day Program: Community Based Therapeutic Care $55,000 $38,016 $16,984 69% The Family Center/La Familia: Childcare Scholarships $50,000 $40,000 $10,000 80% Food Bank for Larimer County: Kids Café $34,599 $23,500 $11,099 68% GRID Alternatives Colorado: Community Solar Affordable Housing Program $30,000 $0 $30,000 0% Health District of Larimer County: Dental Connections $54,500 $20,000 $34,500 37% Homeless Gear: Services for the Homeless $30,000 $5,500 $24,500 18% Homelessness Prevention Initiative: Rental Assistance $45,000 $37,500 $7,500 83% Larimer County Child Advocacy Center: Victim’s Services - Child Abuse Prevention $32,000 $22,000 $10,000 69% *The Matthews House: Empowering Youth Program $35,200 $20,000 $15,200 57% Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing Counseling $60,000 $30,000 $30,000 50% Agenda Item 8 Item # 8 Page 7 Touchstone Health Partners: Community Dual Disorders Treatment Program $70,173 $25,000 $45,173 36% Touchstone Health Partners: Essential Mental Health Services at the Murphy Center $25,447 $18,000 $7,447 71% Turning Point Center for Youth and Family Development: Crisis Intervention Services $25,000 $12,500 $12,500 50% Volunteers of America: Home Delivered Meal Service $35,000 $30,600 $4,400 87% Public Service Total $1,349,494 $799,248 $550,246 59% *Education and Life Training Center merged with The Matthews House in April, 2015. A summary of the funding recommendations by category is presented in the following table: Funding Recommendations by Category Category Recommended Funding % of Total CDBG and HOME Program Administration $283,965 9% Housing $2,081,091 66% Public Service $799,248 25% Total $3,164,304 100% The CDBG Commission has recommended allocating all the available funding, which is $3,164,304. The justifications for the CDBG Commission’s recommendations can be found in Attachment 4. PUBLIC OUTREACH HUD regulations require a 30-day public comment period on the proposed allocation of CDBG and HOME funds. Staff placed an ad in the Coloradoan on April 19, 2015 presenting the list of recommended funding for programs/projects and indicated the public comment period would start on April 20, 2015, and end on May 19, 2015. The public notice of funding recommendations was placed on the Social Sustainability Department’s website. It was also distributed to 12 entities serving a majority of clients in legally protected classes-including those in a racial/ethnic minority, those with a disability, or female heads of households-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. ATTACHMENTS 1. 2015 Spring Competitive Process (PDF) 2. Background on the Competitive Process (PDF) 3. Affordable Housing Board Priority Rankings (PDF) 4. CDBG Commission minutes, April 16, 2015 (draft) (PDF) 5. CDBG and HOME Background Information (PDF) Attachment 1 BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF CDBG COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUNDING At the May 19, 2015, 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), City Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) and City Human Services Program (HSP) funds for the FY2015 Program year, which starts on October 1, 2015. The Resolution 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. 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 5. The City’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) was established in 2000 to supplement federal funding from the CDBG and HOME programs. One purpose of the AHF was to have a source of funding free of federal rules and regulations. Funding awarded to programs targets households in Fort Collins whose incomes are at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). The 2015-2016 BFO Cycle added $200,000 in Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG) funds to the program. These AHF 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. 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 Competitive Process. Funding awarded to programs targets households in Fort Collins whose incomes are at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). KFCG funds were later added to the program. Like AHF funds, these funds help fill other funding gaps to provide services and support for Fort Collins citizens who are most vulnerable. AVAILABLE FUNDS The following table summarizes the amount and sources of all available CDBG, HOME, AHF and HSP funds for distribution in the housing and public service categories during the FY2015 Spring Cycle of the Competitive Process: Available Funding Funding Amount Funding Source $951,389 FY2015 CDBG Entitlement Grant $82,803 FY2014 CDBG Unprogrammed $98,936 FY2013 CDBG Unprogrammed $519,485 FY2015 HOME Participating Jurisdiction Grant $342,524 FY2014 HOME Unprogrammed $325,047 FY2015 AHF $200,000 FY2015 AHF KFCG $389,601 FY2015 HSP $250,047 FY2015 HSP KFCG $4,472 FY2014/2013 HSP Unprogrammed $3,164,304 Total Funding Available Unprogrammed funds represent previously committed grant funds that are available for re-allocation as a result of the receipt of program income. Program income includes repayments from loans issued for housing rehabilitation, homebuyer assistance, affordable housing acquisition and development. SELECTION PROCESS Notices for the City’s FY2015 Spring Competitive Process were sent via email to potential applicants in late December 2014 and the Social Sustainability Department placed an advertisement in the Coloradoan in January to solicit requests for housing and community development projects. Applications were available beginning January 9, 2015 via ZoomGrants, a web-based application, and were due February 19, 2015. The City received 40 applications (6 in the housing category and 34 in the public service category) requesting over $3 million in funding. On March 5 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 March 24, March 26, March 31 and April 2 the Commission met to hear presentations and ask clarification questions from each applicant. The AHB, at a special meeting on March 26, 2015, voted to recommend to the CDBG Commission a priority ranking of the six affordable housing proposals (see Attachment 3). The priority ranking was presented to the CDBG Commission on April 2. The Commission met on April 16 for the purpose of preparing a recommendation to City Council as to which programs and projects should be funded for the FY2015 program year. At this meeting the Commission reviewed the written applications, the applicants’ verbal presentations, the information provided during the question and answer session, and reviewed the performance of agencies who received funding in previous years. They considered the priority rankings of the AHB and the goals of the City’s Affordable Housing Strategic Plan 2010-2014. The Commission then worked on the formulation of its list of recommendations. CDBG COMMISSION'S LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS Using HUD’s funding limitations (20% for Planning and Administration and 15% for Public Services), the Commission had to decide which programs and projects best fit the City's needs. Listed below is a summary of each applicant's initial request for funding and the Commission's list of recommendations. HOUSING HO-1 City of Fort Collins: Homebuyer Assistance Program Request: $200,000 Recommendation: $200,000 Percentage: 100% The Social Sustainability Department is requesting additional dollars for the Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) Program that provides downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers. The program provides loans up to 6% of the purchase price of a home (to $15,000) to households earning less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Full funding is recommended. HO-2 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Tenant Based Rental Assistance for CDDT Request: $170,227 Recommendation: $170,227 Percentage: 100% As part of a the Community Dual Disorders Team’s (CDDT) collaborative service program, the Fort Collins Housing Authority is requesting funding for the rental assistance component that supports chronically homeless people. The $170,227 request would provide for 24 months of rental and deposit assistance for up to 10 individuals suffering from both severe mental illness and a substance abuse disorders. Full funding is recommended. HO-3 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Village on Redwood: A Vibrant, Sustainable Community Request: $1,407,255 Recommendation: $1,407,255 Percentage: 100% The Fort Collins Housing Authority request is for development costs associated with the building of a new affordable rental housing community. Once built, Village on Redwood: A Vibrant Sustainable Community will provide 72 units of affordable rental housing to households with incomes at 0-60% AMI. Full funding is recommended. HO-4 GRID Alternatives Colorado Request: $52,500 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0% GRID Alternatives is a nonprofit entity that offers residential and community solar services. The request of $52,500 for residential solar panels would serve 5 low-income households. The program provides clients energy efficiency services, education, rooftop solar installations and job training opportunities. Funding is not recommended. HO-5 Neighbor to Neighbor Request: $42,000 Recommendation: $21,000 Percentage: 50% This request, from the nonprofit agency Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N), is to replace all 68 sliding glass doors in its largest affordable housing community, Coachlight Plaza Apartments. The recommendation is to fund a portion (50%) of the request. HO-6 The Villages: Legacy Senior Residences II Request: $750,000 Recommendation: $282,609 Percentage: 38% This request for $750,000 is from the Villages, Inc., the nonprofit arm of Fort Collins Housing Authority. The funds are for development costs associated with the building of a new affordable senior rental housing community. Once built, Legacy Senior Residences II will provide 60 units of affordable rental housing to seniors with incomes at 0-60% AMI. The recommendation is to fund a portion (38%) of the request. PUBLIC SERVICE PS-1 Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County: Education, Awareness & Grief Support Programs Request: $10,530 Recommendation: $4,250 Percentage: 40% The Alliance provides education, awareness, and grief support to 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 one other direct service staff. The funding recommendation is for the partial costs of the outreach materials (40% of request). PS-2 B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare Scholarships Request: $66,000 Recommendation: $49,000 Percentage: 74% 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 request will cover the gaps created when serving low-income families with reduced fees. The recommendation is to fund a portion (74%) of the request. PS-3 Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County: Great Futures Start Here Request: $48,706 Recommendation: $23,000 Percentage: 47% 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 $10 and provides activities for a broad age-range of kids. The Club encourages a donation from families for full day program participation during the summer. This application requests funds to supplement the salaries of five full time Program Directors and one Unit Director. The recommendation is to fund a portion (47%) of the request. PS-4 CASA Program: Court Appointed Special Advocates Request: $28,872 Recommendation: $12,000 Percentage: 42% Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) provides trained community advocates for children who have been abused and/or neglected by their parents. These advocates provide neutral recommendations to the courts as to the future placement of the child. CASA is requesting assistance with partial salary and benefits for the CASA Program Team, which consists of Case Supervisors and a Volunteer Trainer, and training expenses. The recommendation is to partially fund (42%) the Program Team. PS-5 CASA Program: Harmony House Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program Request: $28,818 Recommendation: $15,000 Percentage: 52% Harmony House, operated by CASA, provides a safe, conflict-free 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) salary and benefits. PS-6 Catholic Charities: Senior Services Request: $25,000 Recommendation: $15,000 Percentage: 60% 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 partial salary and benefits of the Senior Case Manager. Partial funding is recommended (60%). PS-7 Catholic Charities: Shelter and Follow-Up Services Request: $60,000 Recommendation: $30,000 Percentage: 50% 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 salary and benefits of a part-time Case Manager who provides follow-up services to clients in transitional housing. The recommendation is to fund $30,000 (50%) for the shelter staff. PS-8 Center for Family Outreach: Low-Income Youth Scholarship Program Request: $10,050 Recommendation: $7,537 Percentage: 75% The Center for Family Outreach provides early intervention for youth ages 10 to 18 (and their families) 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. Funding recommendation is for 75% of request. PS-9 ChildSafe: Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program Request: $50,000 Recommendation: $32,250 Percentage: 65% ChildSafe provides treatment to victims of child sexual abuse and their non-offending family members, treating trauma, reducing risk of re-victimization, providing safety skills, dealing with impacts in other life sectors (school, work, health, etc.). Funding requested would assist with salaries for therapy and pay a portion of rent. The recommendation is to fund $32,500 (65%) for assistance with salaries. PS-10 Colorado Health Network, dba Northern Colorado AIDS Project (NCAP): Client Services and Homelessness Prevention Program Request: $31,748 Recommendation: $5,000 Percentage: 16% NCAP’s 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. This request will supplement the salaries of direct service providers ($26,912). The remainder will provide medical, emergency and basic needs to clients of NCAP. The funding recommendation is to fund medical, emergency and basic needs, which is 16% of the request. PS-11 Crossroads Safehouse: Advocacy Program Request: $53,730 Recommendation: $38,095 Percentage: 71% Crossroads is a domestic violence shelter serving Larimer County. The shelter provides emergency housing, crisis intervention and other services, outreach and education. This request is for a portion of salaries of one Domestic Violence Advocate and a part-time Family Advocate. The recommendation is for partial funding (71%). PS-12 Disabled Resource Services (DSR): Access to Independence Request: $29,686 Recommendation: $25,000 Percentage: 84% People with disabilities who are facing issues around poverty, survival, discrimination and dependency are provided assistance from DSR. Access to Independence provides supportive case management and community assistance to increase the independence of adults with severe disabilities. DSR is requesting funds to pay a portion of salaries for four Independent Living Specialists. It is recommended that a portion (84%) of the request be funded. PS-13 Education and Life Training Center: Employment Skills Training Request: $36,186 Recommendation: $10,000 Percentage: 28% ELTC provides employment skills, literacy training and tools for building social capital to economically disadvantaged populations. ELTC is requesting funding for scholarships to help low-income students afford classes. Partial funding (28%) is recommended. During presentations, the ELTC Board President disclosed that The Matthews House was merging with ELTC and that ELTC would become a program under The Matthews House. PS-14 Elderhaus Adult Day Program: Community Based Therapeutic Care Request: $55,000 Recommendation: $38,016 Percentage: 69% 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 of five Program Directors, Food Service costs and program transportation expenses. Funding recommendation is $38,016 for salaries (69%). PS-15 Family Center/La Familia: Childcare Scholarships Request: $50,000 Recommendation: $40,000 Percentage: 80% The Family Center/La Familia 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. 80% of the request is recommended for funding. PS-16 Food Bank for Larimer County: Kids Café Request: $34,599 Recommendation: $23,500 Percentage: 68% Kids Café provides meals for children ages 3-18 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 and the Child Programs Coordinator. Partial funding is recommended (68%). PS-17 GRID Alternatives Colorado: Community Solar Affordable Housing Program Request: $30,000 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0% Grid Alternatives is a nonprofit, fully licensed contractor that provides solar electricity to low-income families. They offer residential and community solar services, and they provide job training and career education. The request for $30,000 would pay for a portion of the costs to provide solar services to 5 low-income households. The application requests help with partial costs of solar equipment ($19,330), construction materials ($6,250) and personnel ($4,420). No funding is recommended for this program. PS-18 Health District of Northern Larimer County: Dental Connections Request: $54,500 Recommendation: $20,000 Percentage: 37% 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, a Dental Care Coordinator and a Dental Connections Specialist. The recommendation is to fund Dental Connections at 37% of request. PS-19 Homeless Gear: Services for the Homeless Request: $30,000 Recommendation: $5,500 Percentage: 18% Homeless Gear provides homeless individuals and families with services that help them survive in the short term (supplies), connect to resources in the interim, and regain and maintain self-sufficiency. The request for $30,000 would provide partial salary for the Hand Up Program Coordinator ($15,000—35%), funding of $5,000 (50%) of the One Village One Family Program, $3,000 (77%) of the Outreach Vehicle and $7,000 (64%) for Warehouse costs (rent, utilities, etc.). The recommendation is to fund 18% of request for the One Village One Family Program and Outreach Vehicle. PS-20 Homelessness Prevention Initiative (HPI): Rental Assistance Request: $45,000 Recommendation: $37,500 Percentage: 83% HPI’s Rent Assistance provides temporary funding to cover the cost of rent for families facing eviction. This application requests $45,000 to cover one-time assistance towards rent for 600 individuals (or approximately 150 households). 83% of request is recommended for funding. PS-21 Larimer County Child Advocacy Center: Victim Services – Child Abuse Prevention Request: $32,000 Recommendation: $22,000 Percentage: 69% The CAC serves the needs of low-income, victimized children and families by acting as “first-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 of 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 and Prevention Services Coordinator. The recommendation is to fund the Bilingual Victim Advocate, 69% of request. PS-22 The Matthews House: Empowering Youth Program Request: $35,200 Recommendation: $20,000 Percentage: 57% The Matthews House works intensively with at-risk, homeless, and abused youth, ages 16-21, 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. Partial funding of 57% is recommended. PS-23 Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing Counseling Request: $60,000 Recommendation: $30,000 Percentage: 50% 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 salary and benefits funding for a Rental Counselor and a Homeownership Counselor. The recommendation is to fund 30% of request. PS-24 Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent Assistance Request: $36,125 Recommendation: $30,000 Percentage: 83% Neighbor to Neighbor’s 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. Partial funding of $30,000 (83%) is recommended. PS-25 Project Self-Sufficiency: Services for Single-Parent Families Request: $35,000 Recommendation: $30,000 Percentage: 86% 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. 86% of the request is being recommended for funding. PS-26 Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association (RVNA): Home Health Care Scholarships Request: $40,000 Recommendation: $25,000 Percentage: 63% 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 to pay for both skilled and unskilled service for 116 low-income clients. Partial funding (63%) is recommended. PS-27 Respite Care: Childcare Scholarships Request: $35,000 Recommendation: $30,000 Percentage: 86% 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 (86%) is recommended. PS-28 SERVE 6.8: Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope Request: $57,517 Recommendation: $28,000 Percentage: 49% Serve 6.8 operates the Murphy Center which provides services to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The request covers a portion of salaries for the three Resource Specialists, an Intake Specialist and the Program Coordinator. Partial funding (49%) is recommended. PS-29 Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) Center: Bilingual Sexual Assault Victim Services Request: $24,607 Recommendation: $20,000 Percentage: 81% SAVA provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and counseling for those affected by sexual violence and provides prevention through community outreach and education. The request from SAVA is to partially fund salaries of the Bilingual Victim Advocate, Therapist and Director of Client Services. The recommendation is 20% of request. PS-30 Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center: Childcare Scholarships Request: $60,000 Recommendation: $47,500 Percentage: 79% Teaching Tree provides full-day 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 (79%) is recommended. PS-31 Touchstone Health Partners: Community Dual Disorders Treatment (CDDT) Program Request: $70,173 Recommendation: $25,000 Percentage: 36% 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 four positions within the CDDT team. The recommendation is for 36% of request. PS-32 Touchstone Health Partners: Essential Mental Health Services at the Murphy Center Request: $25,447 Recommendation: $18,000 Percentage: 71% 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 a portion of the salary for a full-time employee. The recommendation is to fund 71% of the request. PS-33 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 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 partial funding (50%). PS-34 Volunteers of America: Home Delivered Meal Service Request: $35,000 Recommendation: $30,600 Percentage: 87% 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 11,510 home delivered meals to about 105 seniors at $3.04 per meal. The service operates on a donation basis. Partial funding (87%) 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 Housing $2,081,091 72% Public (Human) Service $799,248 28% Total $2,880,339 100.0% The CDBG Commission has recommended all the available funding for the Housing and Public (Human) Service categories, $2,880,339, be allocated. This year the City received a total of 40 proposals. In the Housing category six applications were received. The CDBG Commission voted to fully fund three requests, partially fund two and recommend no funding for one proposal (GRID Alternatives), although it was recognized that all were worthy projects. In the Public Service category 34 proposals were submitted. The Commission is recommending partial funding for 33 proposals (ranging from 16% to 87%); and no funding for one, GRID Alternatives. The justifications for the CDBG Commission’s recommendations can be found in Attachment 4, minutes of the April 16, 2015 meeting (not yet approved by the CDBG Commission, to be approved at the June 11, 2015 meeting). 1 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 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 had the AHB providing recommendations to City Council in regards to affordable housing policy. In addition, the option would have the AHB reviewing all affordable housing applications. The Board would provide a priority listing of proposals to the CDBG Commission. The CDBG Commission would make final recommendations to 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 meetings by both the CDBG Commission and AHB, and will require more time from City staff, and increase the City Council’s involvement. 2 In January, 2015 City Council approved allocating all available funds during the spring cycle of the Competitive Process (Resolution 2015-009). This means HOME and AHF funds are added to available CDBG housing funds for allocation. An optional fall cycle for housing projects will be held if enough additional funds (about $500,000 or more) are returned to the program. 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 gauge 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 The City uses a web-based application system through ZoomGrants. Two application forms have been developed, one for housing and one for non-housing. 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. 3 Human Services Program 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. 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 weighted 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 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) 1. Sub-total 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 5 Housing Category Guidance Chart 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 nearest Affordable Housing project name: ??? Unknown Hotel 6 FINANCIAL HEALTH ALIGNMENT Name Name Justified Budget all cost documented: X more than 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 principal and interest: principal, 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 Social Sustainability 321 Maple Street PO Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522 970.221.6758 Attachment 3 Affordable Housing Board Priority Rankings To: CDBG Commission April 2, 2015 From: Affordable Housing Board Re: Spring Competitive Process Housing Rankings The Affordable Housing Board met on March 26, 2015 and ranked the 6 housing projects that applied for CDBG funds for the spring cycle. Our rankings are as follows (a lower number is a more favorable rank): #1 Rank was HO-3 Villages on Redwood. The board was generally in agreement that this project should be funded because it provides new affordable units, is leveraging many funding sources, and is generally a strong project all of which were considered to be desirable attributes to their project. #2 Rank was HO-1 Home Buyers Assistance. Our board supports this program because it supports home ownership for low-income buyers. Even though fund not yet empty, want to make sure enough funds to make it to next funding cycle. #3 Rank was HO-6 Legacy II. This project brings new units of housing to a special population. Funding support now shows local support for the tax credit application. Successful development partnership with good track record. #4 Rank was HO-2 Tenant Based Rental Assistance. Even though this is not bricks and sticks it offers long term housing assistance and serves a vulnerable population that could easily fall into homelessness costing the individuals loss of human dignity and costing the community more in emergency services. #5 Rank was HO-5 Coachlight Apartments. With more requests than money, a tough choice was made to rank this low. It doesn’t add new units. This is not the first request to improve this development. A holistic view with a capital needs assessment would be helpful to know the condition of the property. #6 Rank was HO-4 Residential Solar. This proposal does not match up with any of the AHSP goals. Cool project, but doesn’t assist that many people. Maybe they could come back when they have a more developed track record and if our goals get broadened, it could be eligible in future. 1 Attachment 4 CDBG Commission Deliberations Meeting Minutes COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION FUNDING DELIBERATIONS DRAFT 215 N. Mason St., Fort Collins April 16, 2015 6:00 P.M. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Margaret Long (Chair) Holly Carroll (Vice Chair) Steve Backsen Catherine Costlow Jamaal Curry Taylor Dunn Stephanie Mertens COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Anita Basham, Kristin Stephens STAFF PRESENT: Sharon Thomas, Janet Freeman, Heidi Phelps, Beth Sowder, Beth Rosen, Sue Beck- Ferkiss OTHERS PRESENT: Twenty citizens; Donna Visocky (note taker) The meeting was called to order by Chair, Margaret Long at 6:07 p.m. with a quorum present. The purpose of the meeting was to allocate funds requested during the 2015 Spring Cycle of the Competitive Process. The Commission deliberated six Housing requests and 34 Public Service requests. Heidi Phelps addressed the community attendees, welcoming them and letting them know that funding is short approximately $500,000 in both categories based on the amount requested. She emphasized that the committee takes this process very seriously and is tasked with making the best choices possible. She reminded observers that they would not be able to give input to the decision- making this evening and asked them to be mindful that much has been done each step of the process. If they have concerns they can talk to staff member Sharon Thomas at a later date. Thomas reported that staff had further information to report on a couple of the applicants.  Fort Collins Housing Authority’s Village on Redwood is on track to get most of the anticipated money from DOH they need to move forward with their project.  RVNA is on track and staff is pleased with their progress.  HPI – Heidi Phelps audited the agency and feels they are doing a good job with income eligibility. Their only employee, Joseph, is doing a good job. Heidi feels good about federal compliance and recommends them for funding. The organization has hired a new director with good experience in this arena, who will start in May. 2  SERVE 6.8 – Staff has received information about the agency’s performance from prior staff members and met with SERVE 6.8 management. Staff will be conducting an audit soon and will report if there are any concerns. They have undergone some transition with staffing and new management. Taylor Dunn noted that a larger share of funding went to childcare programs last year. Is there a reason? Thomas said city leaders are very favorable of supporting childcare programs, as it helps families who are struggling. Thomas advised the Commission they aren’t required to spend all the money on the Housing side if they don’t feel the programs warrant it and that it’s okay to partially fund a project. Chair Long reviewed the process to be followed by the Commission. Thomas noted that the total dollar amount for Public Service applications is slightly higher than previously reported because unprogrammed HSP dollars from 2013 and 2014 were added into available 2015 funds to be allocated. HOUSING HO-1 City of Fort Collins: Homebuyer Assistance Program - $200,000 requested Jamaal Curry made a motion to fully fund this program in the amount of $200,000. Holly Carroll seconded. Curry said homeownership is important and gives stability to a family. Carroll agreed. The motion to fund HO-1 at $200,000 passed 6-1. HO-2 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Tenant Based Rental Assistance for CDDT - $170,227 Holly Carroll made a motion to fully fund this program in the amount of $170,227. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Carroll feels there is a need for rental assistance for those working through their dual disorder diagnosis and this is one of the few options. Mertens – ditto. The motion to fund HO-2 at $170,227 passed 4-2 with Jamaal Curry abstaining. HO-3 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Village on Redwood: A Vibrant, Sustainable Community - $1,407,255 Catherine Costlow made a motion to fully fund this program in the amount of $1,407,255. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Costlow felt affordable housing is a priority for the city and this program is shovel ready. Mertens – ditto. The motion to fund HO-3 at $1,407,255 passed unanimously. HO-4 GRID Alternatives Colorado: Residential Solar Affordable Housing Program - $52,500 Catherine Costlow recommended zero funding for HO-4. Jamaal Curry seconded. 3 Costlow felt that though it is a worthwhile project, given the city’s priorities, this is further down on the list. She recommended they reapply in the future. The motion to fund HO-4 at $0 passed unanimously. HO-5 Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight Sliding Glass Doors - $42,000 No motion was made regarding this program. Chair Margaret Long moved on to the next item on the list. HO-6 The Villages: Legacy Senior Residences II - $750,000 Catherine Costlow made a motion to fund HO-6 for the amount of $673,836. The motion died for lack of second. Holly Carroll made a motion to zero fund HO-6. Taylor Dunn seconded. Carroll felt the program was not shovel ready though it is a good project to fund when they get the needed tax credits. Long agreed and encouraged them to come back when the program is more shovel ready. Margaret Long noted that there is clearly a need for senior housing. However, she would also concur that it is better to wait with funding until it is shovel ready. The motion to fund HO-6 at $0 passed 6-1. HO-5 Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight Sliding Glass Doors revisited Margaret Long made a recommendation to fully fund HO-5 at $42,000. Steve Backsen seconded. Long pointed out that this organization works with some of the lowest income people in the community. It would be worthwhile to fund and is not a lot of money. Backsen noted that the residents pay their own utilities, new doors would help make the homes more energy efficient and save them money. Curry mentioned that new doors address a security issue also. Dunn said he would prefer to stay away from maintenance funding in the future and felt the money could be better spent in ways that increase the amount of affordable housing in the city. The motion to fund HO-5 at $42,000 was defeated 4-2 with one abstention. Holly Carroll moved to partially fund the project at $21,000. Margaret Long seconded. Carrol offered that though Coachlight has healthy reserves, this will at least get the project started. Long - Ditto. Backsen asked if partially funding a project works. Sharon Thomas responded yes. Backsen agreed he would support, in hopes this would at least get the project started. Taylor Dunn offered a friendly amendment to fund half the project with a requirement that the entire 68 doors be replaced. The organization must come up with the remaining funds. If they are not able to match, the money would not be given to them. Curry seconded. Catherine Costlow noted that a lot of agencies have to stage repairs over the course of time because they don’t have enough money do everything at once. She feels they could do a portion of the project now and complete the rest later The vote was 3 in favor, 3 opposed and 1 abstention. The motion failed. 4 Carroll made a motion to fund HO-5 at $21,000 with no conditions. Steve Backsen seconded. Carroll felt this would give them a start and with their healthy reserve they should be able to finish the project. Backsen – Ditto. The motion to fund HO-5 at $21,000 passed 4-1 with 2 abstaining. Chair Margaret Long asked for any further discussion before approval of the full Housing budget. HO-6 The Villages: Legacy Senior Residences II revisited Catherine Costlow made a motion to fund HO-6 for $282,609, the remaining funds. Jamaal Curry seconded. Costlow felt this program definitely fits within the city’s housing plan and appreciated the public/private partnership and Housing Authority sponsorship, which she felt was important. They had indicated during their presentation that the tax credit was fairly certain. Funding could be contingent on getting the tax credit. Curry expressed concerns about shovel readiness. His understanding is that the money, if not allocated, would go into the fund for the next round and be available to fund new projects that are ready to go. This organization could apply again. Beth Rosen noted that historically the Housing Authority is often dependent on getting City funding in order to get tax credits. Getting tax credits can be a difficult process and one determination is whether the project has local support. She recommended that the board make funding contingent on getting the tax credit and if not, the funds would be released for the next funding cycle in spring 2016. Holly Carroll offered a friendly amendment to award the remaining $282,609 contingent on being awarded tax credits. Curry seconded the motion based on a question for staff. When will they know if they will get tax credit? Beth Rosen responded that they will know by this July at the latest. The motion to fund HO-6 at $282,609 passed unanimously with the condition to receive tax credits. Chair Margaret Long asked for a motion to approve the Housing matrix as shown. Steve Backsen made a motion to approve the Housing matrix as presented. Jamaal Curry seconded. No discussion. The motion to approve the Housing matrix passed unanimously. Chair Margaret Long called for a five minute break before discussion on the Public Service Applications. PUBLIC SERVICE APPLICATIONS PS-1 Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Education, Awareness & Grief Support - $10,530 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-1 at $4,000. Catherine Costlow seconded. Dunn said $4,000 seems like an appropriate number, as it is a worthy cause to support. Costlow said that is consistent with the amount funded in 2014 and even a little will help the program. Jamaal Curry pointed out that their application request was for a total of $9,630 while the form today says $10,050. 5 Sharon Thomas stated that there was a calculation error on the application form. $10,050 is the correct amount. Thomas asked if we are allowing them to use the fund as they want or designate them. Dunn made a motion to use the funds as they see fit. Jamaal Curry seconded. Steve Backsen made a friendly motion to raise the amount to $6,000. Jamaal Curry seconded the motion on the condition that the amount is raised to $6,630. Backsen said that considering the number of people impacted by this program, a larger amount would be helpful. Dunn did not accept the motion. Jamaal Curry made a friendly motion to fund PS-1 at $4,250, the same amount funded in 2014. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Dunn accepted the motion. The motion to fund PS-1 at $4,250 passed 6-1. PS-2 B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare Scholarships - $66,000 requested Stephanie Mertens made a motion to fund PS-2 for the full amount of $66,000. Jamaal Curry seconded. Mertens stated there is a big need for before and after-school childcare to keep kids safe. Holly Carroll made a friendly amendment to fund at $50,000. Taylor Dunn seconded. Carroll agreed it was a worthwhile program, but the City does not have the dollars to fully fund. Taylor Dunn seconded. The motion was accepted by Mertens. The motion to fund PS-2 at $50,000 passed 6-1. PS-3 Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County: Great Futures Start Here -$48,706 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-3 at $23,000. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Dunn said CDBG can’t afford to fund the full amount but this is a good organization and they deserve support. Steve Backsen commented that this organization has good community support. He is confident they can make up the difference. Jamaal Curry made a friendly motion to fund PS-3 for $24,927, the same amount given in 2014. Stephanie Mertens seconded the motion. Dunn accepted the motion. Curry offered that this organization gives a good bang for the buck. Kids can participate for very little cost and they should be at least supported at last year’s level. The motion to fund PS-3 at $24,927 passed unanimously. PS-4 CASA Program: Court Appointed Special Advocates - $28,872 requested Holly Carroll made a motion to fund PS-4 at $14,300. Margaret Long seconded. Carrol said that this program offers a very much needed service, providing consistent advocacy for children going through the system. Long stated that given the turnover, this is the one constancy the children have. Taylor Dunn made a friendly amendment to drop the funded amount to $12,000. 6 Jamaal Curry seconded. Carroll accepted the motion. Curry said this was almost twice as much as they got last year. This amount shows support and gives them a little wiggle room. The motion to fund PS-4 at $12,000 passed unanimously. PS-5 CASA Program: Harmony House Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program - $28,818 requested Catherine Costlow made a motion to fund PS-5 at $15,000. Jamaal Curry seconded. Costlow said CASA offers this program on a sliding scale for clients and the funding will also help with staff salaries. Sharon Thomas clarified if the funds were for the first priority. Costlow responded that there are no restrictions; sliding fee or salaries, funding should be spent as needed, not by priority. The motion to fund PS-5 at $15,000 passed unanimously. PS-6 Catholic Charities: Senior Services - $25,000 requested Jamaal Curry made a motion to fund PS-6 at $15,000. Margaret Long seconded. Curry stated that this program offers important services for seniors and this amount is the same as last year’s funding. Long stated that this is a very important service in terms of case management for seniors who can’t afford case management. The motion to fund PS-6 at $15,000 passed unanimously. PS-7 Catholic Charities: Shelter and Follow- up Services - $60,000 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-7 at $30,000. Catherine Costlow seconded. Dunn noted that this organization was awarded $40,000 last year. He felt this was an area funding could be pulled back a little. Catholic Charities might have other resources for additional funding. Holly Carroll made a friendly amendment that the money be restricted to be used only for the shelter. Jamaal Curry seconded. Dunn accepted the motion. Jamaal 2 nd The motion to fund PS-7 at $30,000 passed unanimously. PS-8 The Center for Family Outreach: Low-Income Youth Scholarship Program - $10,050 requested Holly Carrol made a motion to fund PS-8 for $7,537. Jamaal Curry seconded. Carrol said this would allow for 75% of the scholarships to be awarded. It is an important program for families, however CDBG just can’t fund it all. The motion to fund PS-8 at $7,537 passed unanimously. PS-9 ChildSafe: Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program - $50,000 requested Holly Carrol made a motion to fund PS-9 at $32,250. Steve Backsen seconded. Carroll said this would fund 75% of the salaries requested. It is a very much needed program. Backsen added that this helps a 7 very vulnerable population. Margaret Long shared that she worked in this area and knows what happens with children if you don’t treat this early on. The motion to fund PS-7 for $32,250 passed 6-0 with Taylor Dunn abstaining. PS-10 Colorado Health Network – Northern Colorado AIDS Project: Client Services and Homelessness Prevention Program - $31,748 requested Catherine Costlow made a motion to fund PS-10 at $5,000. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Costlow said this would cover emergency expenses and basic needs. Margaret Long agreed that it’s often difficult to get funding for basic needs. The motion to fund PS-10 at $5,000 passed unanimously. PS-11 Crossroads Safehouse: Advocacy Program - $53,730 requested Stephanie Mertens made a motion to fund PS-11 at $39,000, the same amount as in 2014. Taylor Dunn seconded. Mertens said this provides a critical service though she understands the Commission can’t fund at the full amount given budget restrictions. Dunn offered that he would like to give a larger amount because of the organization’s growing need. Holly Carroll made a friendly amendment to fund PS-11 at $38,476. Jamaal Curry seconded. Carrol stated that this amount funds their number 1 priority and agreed that their program is really important. Jamaal concurred. The motion to fund PS-11 at $38,476 passed unanimously. PS-12 Disabled Resource Services: Access to Independence - $29,686 requested Jamaal Curry made a motion to fund PS-12 at $26,261. Steve Backsen seconded. Curry stated that there is an obvious need for this service and this amount is consistent with what they got last year and not much less than requested. Backsen agreed. Stephanie Mertens made a motion to increase the amount to $26,902, which would cover their first three priorities. Taylor Dunn seconded. Curry accepted the motion. The motion to fund PS-12 for $26,902 passed 6-1. PS-13 Education and Life Training Center: Employment Skills Training - $36,186 requested Holly Carroll made a motion to fund PS-13 at $18,000 which is half their request. Margaret Long seconded. Carroll noted that ELTC has recently merged with The Mathews House. Their service is critical and felt it was wise that they merged to keep it available to the community. Long agreed and also noted that they have been part of the United Way collaborative to increase self- sufficiency. The motion to fund PS-13 at $18,000 passed 5-2. 8 PS-14 Elderhaus Adult Day Program: Community Based Therapeutic Care - $55,000 requested Catherine Costlow made a motion to fund PS-14 at $30,000. Taylor Dunn seconded. Costlow stated that this is an unduplicated service and very much needed. Dunn concurred. Stephanie Mertens made a friendly motion to increase funding to $38,016 which will fund their top priority though she would allow them to use the funding as they choose. Jamaal Curry seconded. Costlow accepted the motion. Taylor Dunn stated that he felt this amount was a little high and would like to come back to it. Steve Backsen noted that this is a one of a kind service and there will be an increased need for more in the future. The motion to fund PS-14 at $38,016 passed unanimously. PS-15 The Family Center/La Familia: Childcare Scholarships - $50,000 requested Holly Carroll made a motion to fund PS-15 at $40,000 which is 75% of their request. Catherine Costlow seconded. Carroll stated that childcare for families is a critical need and this organization doesn’t have the fundraising resources that others might. Costlow said that it helps keeps families working and in their homes. Taylor Dunn said he would like to see them diversify their funding in the future. The motion to fund PS-15 at $40,000 passed unanimously. PS-16 Food Bank for Larimer County: Kids Café - $34,599 requested Jamaal Curry made a motion to fund PS-16 at $27,182. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Curry said this is much needed, especially the summer program, and this funds them the same as last year. Holly Carroll made a friendly motion to reduce funding to $20,969 which funds their first priority which is salaries. Margaret Long seconded. Curry made a second friendly motion to fund the program at $23,500. Taylor Dunn seconded. The motion to fund PS-16 at $23,500 passed unanimously. PS-17 GRID Alternatives Colorado: Community Solar Affordable Housing Program - $30,000 requested Steve Backsen made a motion to give PS-17 zero funding. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Backsen said given the board’s limited funds there are too many other priorities with higher needs. Taylor Dunn said he would like to see them pair with a solar housing project. The motion to fund PS-17 at $0 passed unanimously. PS-18 Health District of Northern Larimer County: Dental Connections - $54,500 requested Jamaal Curry made a motion to fund PS-18 at $24,300. Holly Carroll seconded. Curry said this would give them funding for their second priority which provides good service by leveraging the dentists in the community. Carroll noted that preventive dental care is often overlooked. 9 Stephanie Mertens made a friendly motion that if they are only partially funded it would be good to fund both positions at the same rate. The amount would be split evenly between both positions. Taylor Dunn seconded. Curry accepted. The motion to fund PS-17 at $24,300 passed unanimously. PS-19 Homeless Gear: Services for the Homeless - $30,000 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-19 at $25,000. The motion failed for lack of a second. Catherine Costlow made a motion to fund PS-19 at $5,000. Holly Carroll seconded. Costlow said this fully funds the One Village One Family program request which is 50% of the program. She likes the group but there are other services in the city for the homeless and would like to support those that promote self-sufficiency. Carroll concurred. Steve Backsen made a friendly amendment to fund PS-19 for $3,000 for street outreach. Jamaal Curry seconded. Costlow did not accept the motion. Taylor Dunn made a friendly motion to add the $3,000 to the $5,000 for a total of $8,000. Holly Carroll seconded. Costlow accepted the motion. The motion to fund PS-17 at $8,000 passed unanimously. PS-20 Homelessness Prevention Initiative: Rental Assistance - $45,000 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-20 at the full amount of $45,000. Jamaal Curry seconded. Dunn said rents in Fort Collins have gotten increasingly out of reach for the average person. He also noted that this organization has had reporting issues in the past and would like to see those rectified to make sure they are following protocol. He would like staff to include those stipulations in the contract. Margaret Long said it is a very worthwhile program. Holly Carroll made a motion to reduce the funding amount to $30,000. Margaret Long seconded. Dunn did not accept again, noting that rents in the city have gone sky high and rental assistance is much needed. The motion to fund PS-20 at $45,000 was 3-4. Motion failed. PS-21 Larimer County Child Advocacy Center: Victim’s Services – Child Abuse Prevention - $32,000 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-21 at $22,000, which funds their priority 1. Steve Backsen seconded. Dunn said this gives them the same funding as 2014. There is still a need and this is one of the most vulnerable groups in our community. Backsen commented that we don’t want to appear to punish organizations that do a good job of fundraising, but this organization has good resources for support. 10 The motion to fund PS-21 at $22,000 passed unanimously. PS -22 The Matthews House: Empowering Youth Program - $35,200 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-22 at $20,000. Margaret Long seconded. Dunn said this is a good program. Long-ditto. The motion to fund PS-22 at $20,000 passed unanimously. PS-23 Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing Counseling - $60,000 requested Holly Carroll made a motion to fund PS-23 at $30,000. Taylor Dunn seconded. Carroll said this program offers needed help for clients working to become self-sufficient. Jamaal Curry asked if it was for rental counseling or home owner counseling. It was agreed that the money could be used for both. The motion to fund PS-23 at $30,000 passed 6-0 with Stephanie Mertens abstaining. PS-24 Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent Assistance - $36,125 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fully fund PS-24 at $36,125. Jamaal Curry seconded. Taylor noted that rent in Fort Collins is terribly high, making it difficult for people to support their families. Holly Carrol made a friendly motion to fund PS-24 at $30,000. Dunn accepted the motion. The motion to fund PS-24 at $30,000 passed 6-0 with Stephanie Mertens abstaining. PS-25 Project Self-Sufficiency: Services for Single-Parent Families - $35,000 requested Stephanie Mertens made a motion to fully fund PS-25 at $35,000. Catherine Costlow seconded. Mertens said this is a very good program and its key focus is to bring families to self-sufficiency. Costlow noted that PS-S encourages people to get college degrees so they are able to fully support their families. Taylor Dunn commented on how well-written their grant request was. The motion to fund PS-25 at $35,000 passed unanimously. PS-26 Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association: Home Health Care Scholarships - $40,000 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-26 at $25,000. Catherine Costlow seconded. Dunn noted that this is an important program answering a crucial need and there is not much competition. Costlow agreed it is a one-of-a kind program designed to help keep people in their homes. She also asked staff to work with them to address some of the weaknesses in their proposal. Taylor Dunn made a friendly amendment to his motion that it be put in the contract that any issues RVNA had with reporting be corrected and not reoccur. Holly Carroll seconded. Costlow accepted the amendment. Margaret Long noted that this is the only game in town for the uninsured under 60 age group. She concurred with the friendly amendment that reporting needs to be tended to very carefully. 11 The motion to fund PS-26 at $25,000 passed unanimously. PS-27 Respite Care: Childcare Scholarships - $35,000 requested Steve Backsen made a motion to fund PS-27 at $30,000. Taylor Dunn seconded. Backsen said this is an important program for both the clients and their families. The organization also has other funding sources to make up the difference. Dunn agreed and also noted they had a well-written and well- presented proposal. The motion to fund PS-27 at $30,000 passed unanimously. PS-28 SERVE 6.8: Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope - $57,517 requested Holly Carroll made a motion to fund PS-28 at $36,000. The motion failed for lack of a second. Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-28 at $28,000. Holly Carroll seconded. Dunn said the original amount of $36,000 seems high but the program does good work and he wants to continue to support them. Carroll agreed it is a good program. The motion to fund PS-28 at $28,000 passed 5-1 with Jamaal Curry abstaining. PS-29 Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center: Bilingual Sexual Assault Victim Services - $24,607 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-29 at $20,000. Catherine Costlow seconded. Dunn said this is a vulnerable population and it is an increasing problem that needs to be supported. Costlow agreed. The motion to fund PS-29 at $20,000 passed unanimously. PS-30 Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center: Childcare Scholarships - $60,000 requested Holly Carroll made a motion to fund PS-30 at $45,000 which is 75% of their request. Steve Backsen seconded. Carroll said childcare is expensive and very important. If a parent doesn’t have childcare they aren’t able to work and support their family. Backsen agreed. Jamaal Curry made a friendly motion to increase the amount to $50,000. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Carroll did not accept the motion. Jamaal Curry made a friendly motion to fund PS-30 at $47,500. Carroll seconded and accepted the motion. Curry stated that with the “rising cost of everything”, it helps to be able to offer more childcare scholarships. Taylor Dunn said that dollar amount seems a little high given the Commission’s budget. The motion to fund PS-30 at $47,500 passed 5-2. 12 PS-31 Touchstone Health Partners: Community Dual Disorder Treatment Program - $70,173 requested Holly Carroll made a motion to fund PS-31 at $35,065. Taylor Dunn seconded. Carroll said this is half of their request and if we don’t provide the support services to those we provide affordable housing to, it cancels out the affordable housing funding. Dunn agreed but said he would like to fund a smaller amount. Catherine Costlow made a friendly amendment to fund PS-31 at $25,000. Dunn seconded. Carroll accepted the motion. Carroll noted that this is one of the most vulnerable populations in the city and support services for them is critical. Margaret Long said that without these services, the cost to the general public can be considerable. The motion to fund PS-31 at $25,000 passed unanimously. PS-32 Touchstone Health Partners: Essential Mental Health Services at the Murphy Center - $25,447 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-32 at $25,000. The motion died for lack of a second. Stephanie Mertens made a motion to fund PS-32 at $18,000, the same as in 2014. Steve Backsen seconded. Mertens agreed this is a good program but money is tight. The Commission does not have the money to fund at a higher amount. Backsen agreed. The motion to fund PS-32 at $18,000 passed unanimously. PS-33 Turning Point Center for Youth and Family Development: Crisis Intervention Services - $25,000 requested Taylor Dunn made a motion to fund PS-33 at $12,500. Margaret Long seconded. Dunn said this is the same amount funded last year. It’s good to provide consistent funding. Long agreed. The motion to fund PS-33 at $12,500 passed unanimously. PS-34 Volunteers of America: Home Delivered Meal Service - $35,000 requested Steve Backsen made a motion to fund PS-34 at $33,600. Taylor Dunn seconded. Backsen said this is a very important program and would like to see it funded the same as last year. Dunn concurred. The motion to fund PS-34 at $33,600 passed unanimously. PS-20 Homelessness Prevention Initiative revisited Stephanie Mertens made a motion to fund PS-20 at $9,490. Jamaal Curry seconded. Mertens said this is what we have left in the budget. Curry agreed. Taylor Dunn said he did not want to give this program just what is left, it is an important program very needed right now in light of the fact that rents are so high in the city of Fort Collins. 13 Catherine Costlow made a friendly amendment to fund PS-20 at $35,000. Mertens seconded and both accepted the motion. Dunn said that the idea of reducing the amount of rental assistance this year, given the current market, seems out of line with the city’s priorities. Holly Carroll made a friendly amendment to fund PS-20 at $37,500. Jamaal Curry seconded. Costlow accepted the amendment. Carroll said this is a priority for the residents of Fort Collins. Costlow agreed. The motion to fund PS-20 at $37,500 passed 6-1. PS-13 Education and Life Training Center revisited Steve Backsen made a motion to change the funding for PS-13 ELTC from $18,000 to $10,000. Jamaal Curry seconded. Backsen said that since they just merged with The Matthews House and sold a building they should have the needed funds to provide support for their program. The motion to fund PS-13 at $10,000 passed 6-1. Chair Margaret Long called for a 10 minute break at 8:11 p.m. The meeting resumed at 8:20 p.m. PS-20 Homelessness Prevention Initiative revisited Taylor Dunn made a motion to amend the funding for PS-20 to include a condition that proper tracking, documenting and reporting be maintained. Jamaal Curry seconded. The motion to add a condition to PS-20 to have proper reporting passed unanimously. PS-25 Project Self-Sufficiency revisited Catherine Costlow made a motion to fund PS-25 at $30,000. Taylor Dunn seconded. Costlow said this was simply because it was the only program funded at 100 %. Necessary to adjust in order to even out our funding. Dunn – ditto. The motion to fund PS-25 at $30,000 passed unanimously. PS-18 Health District of Larimer County revisited Taylor Dunn made a motion to revise the funding for PS-18 from $24,300 to $20,000. Jamaal Curry seconded. Dunn said while this is a good program, they can’t give more than last year given the number of other priorities. Curry agreed and again noted that the funds are to be split evenly between the two positions. The motion to fund PS-18 at $20,000 passed 6-1. PS-34 Volunteers of America revisited Catherine Costlow made a motion to revise the funding for PS-34 from $33,600 to $30,600. Margaret Long seconded. Costlow felt that this program was funded at a higher rate than most other requests. Long agreed, saying it was a good program but they just can’t fund everyone fully. 14 The motion fund PS-34 at $30,600 passed 5-1 with Jamaal Curry abstaining. PS-3 Boys & Girls Clubs revisited Taylor Dunn made a motion to change the funding for PS-3 from $24,927 to $22,500. Steve Backsen seconded. Dunn said this is a small cut and the program should be able to get by with a little less funding. Backsen agreed, saying they have good community support and other revenue sources. The motion to fund for PS-3 at $22,500 passed 6-1. PS-12 Disabled Resource Services revisited Holly Carroll made a motion to reduce funding for PS-12 from $26,902 to $25,000. Catherine Costlow seconded. Carroll said that the original funding was at 91% and that in order to balance the budget a reduction is needed. She also requested that there be no restrictions on how the funding is used. Costlow concurred. The motion to fund for PS-12 at $25,000 passed unanimously. PS-5 CASA – Harmony House revisited Taylor Dunn made a motion to reduce funding for PS-5 from $15,000 to $12,000. The motion died for lack of a second. PS-15 The Family Center revisited Catherine Costlow made a motion to reduce funding for PS-15 from $40,000 to $39,000. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Costlow said we can cut a little bit in order to balance the budget. Mertens agreed. The motion to fund PS-15 at $39,000 passed 6-1. PS-27 Respite Care revisited Holly Carroll made a motion to reduce funding for PS-27 from $30,000 to $29,000. Margaret Long seconded. Carroll said she was in favor of cutting funding just a little bit in order to balance the budget. The motion to fund PS-27 $29,000 passed 5-2. PS-2 B.A.S.E. Camp revisited Steve Backsen made a motion to reduce funding for PS-2 from $50,000 to $49,000. Taylor Dunn seconded. Backsen sited again the need to cut slightly in order to balance the budget. The motion to fund PS-2 at $49,000 passed 6-1. PS-14 Elderhaus Adult Day Program revisited Taylor Dunn made a motion to reduce funding for PS-14 from $38,016 to $32,000. The motion died for lack of a second. 15 PS-19 Homeless Gear revisited Jamaal Curry made a motion to reduce funding for PS-19 to $5,000 in order to put money back into other programs. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Curry said the program makes him nervous, as it is very specialized. Mertens added that they have private funding available to them. Steve Backsen likes the program because it is unique. Taylor Dunn and Margaret Long agreed. Taylor Dunn made a friendly amendment to fully fund the van and part of the One Villages One Family program for $5,500. Curry seconded and accepted the motion. The motion fund PS-19 at $5,500 was 3-3 1 abstention, Margaret Long. The motion failed, funding remained at $8,000. PS-3 Boys & Girls Clubs 2 nd revisit Stephanie Mertens made a motion to reduce funding for PS-3 from $22,500 to $20,000. Taylor Dunn seconded. Mertens said they have good community support and other funding available to them. Dunn agreed. The motion to fund PS-3 at $20,000 was 3-4. The motion failed. PS-11 Crossroads Safehouse revisited Steve Backsen made a motion to reduce funding for PS-11 from $38,476 to $38,095. Holly Carroll seconded. Backsen said they have good community support to make up the difference and this will get us closer to a balanced budget. Carroll agreed. The motion to fund PS-11 at $38,095 passed unanimously. Chair Long asked the board to review the full list. She asked for any changes. PS-19 Homeless Gear 2 nd revisit Jamaal Curry made a motion to fund PS-19 at $5,500. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Curry said this is a great program but when he compares it to other programs he feels the goal should be to prevent people from becoming homeless. Mertens agreed. Taylor Dunn suggested they fund half the 2 nd priority, One Village One Family, and the full request for priority 3, the Street Outreach Vehicle. He likes the organization and feels it’s important to support and reward new programs rather than get stuck in supporting the same programs over and over. Curry said to him the goal is to prevent this problem from even existing and likes supporting programs that prevent homelessness. The motion to fund PS-19 at $5,500 passed 4-3. PS-27 Respite Care 2 nd revisit Jamaal Curry made a motion to restore funding for PS-27 from $29,000 to $30,000. Stephanie Mertens seconded. 16 The motion to fund PS-27 at $30,000 passed 5-1 with one abstention, Margaret Long. PS-20 Homelessness Prevention Initiative revisited Taylor Dunn made a motion to increase funds for PS-20 to $39,000. The motion died for lack of a second. PS-15 The Family Center/La Familia 2 nd revisit Holly Carroll made a motion to restore the funding for PS-15 to $40,000. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Carroll said affordable childcare is critical to keep parents working so they can support their families. Mertens concurred. Jamaal Curry made a friendly amendment to fund PS-15 at $39,750. Carroll did not accept. Dunn noted that he is in favor of childcare but concerned that the board has cut rental assistance from last year’s amount, even though rents have gone up. The motion to fund PS-20 at $40,000 passed 5-2. PS-3 Boys & Girls Club 3 rd revisit Catherine Costlow made a motion to fund PS-3 at $23,000. Margaret Long seconded. Costlow said we have decreased them twice trying to balance the budget. This is a worthwhile program. Long agreed. The motion to fund PS-3 at $23,000 passed 6-1. The funds have all been allocated and the budget balanced. Chair Margaret Long asked the Commission to do one more review. Upon no further comments she asked for a motion to approve the funding matrix as shown. Steve Backsen made a motion to adopt the funding matrix as presented. Stephanie Mertens seconded. Taylor Dunn commented that rental assistance is still underfunded. The motion to adopt the funding matrix as shown passed unanimously. Sharon Thomas reminded the Commission that staff will determine which funding source the money will come from. Chair Margaret Long asked the Commission if they wanted to hold a meeting in May. It was agreed to cancel the May 14 meeting. The next meeting is June 11, 2015 at 321 Maple Street. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 pm. 1 Attachment 5 CDBG and HOME Background Information Background Information on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (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 2 economic opportunities for low and moderate income people and the handicapped. Certain activities are ineligible, under most circumstances, for CDBG funds including: (1) purchase of equipment, (2) operating and maintenance expenses including repair expenses and salaries, (3) general government expenses, (4) political and religious activities, and (5) new housing construction. HOME Investment Partnerships (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. 3 2. NEW CONSTRUCTION of units for homeownership as well as rental occupancy targeted for low-income individuals and families which are developed, sponsored, or owned by 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.) 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. 4 Implementation and funding of activities to address these priorities will come, in part, from the City of Fort Collins HOME Investment Partnerships Program. An updated Consolidated Plan is in the draft stage. - 1 - RESOLUTION 2015-056 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 PROGRAM, THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM AND THE CITY’S HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the Home Investment Partnerships (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 Council has budgeted General Fund and Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG) dollars in the Human Services Program and the Affordable Housing Fund for use in assisting affordable housing programs and projects and community development activities; 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 January 20, 2015, the City Council approved Resolution 2015-009, adopting a revised competitive process that changed from two annual funding cycles, in the spring and fall, to one funding cycle in the spring, with the fall funding cycle being optional and used only when funds are available that were not allocated in the spring or were returned to the City; and WHEREAS, the CDBG Commission reviewed 40 applications for the 2015 funding cycle, watched presentations by each applicant, and asked clarifying questions; and WHEREAS, on April 16, 2015, 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 2015 CDBG, HOME, Affordable Housing Fund and Human Services Program funds; and WHEREAS, as required by HUD regulations, a 30-day comment period began on April 20, 2015 and ended on May 19, 2015, and to date no comments have been received; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the recommendations of the CDBG Commission and has determined that the City’s 2015 allocation should be made as set out in this Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that City staff is hereby authorized to submit an application to HUD based on the following recommended funding allocations: - 2 - Section 1. Planning and Administration Category Applicant Project/Program Funding Request Commission’s Recommended Funding Unfunded Balance Percent of Request Funded City of Fort Collins: CDBG Administration/Planning* $206,837 $206,837 $0 100% City of Fort Collins: HOME Administration/Planning $77,128 $77,128 $0 100% Administration/Planning Total $283,965 $283,965 $0 100% Section 2. Housing Category Applicant Project/Program Funding Request Commission’s Recommended Funding Unfunded Balance Percent of Request Funded City of Fort Collins: Homebuyer Assistance Program $200,000 $200,000 $0 100% Fort Collins Housing Authority: Tenant Based Rental Assistance for CDDT $170,227 $170,227 $0 100% Fort Collins Housing Authority: Village on Redwood: A Vibrant Sustainable Community $1,407,255 $1,407,255 $0 100% GRID Alternatives: Residential Solar Affordable Housing Program $52,500 $0 $52,500 0% Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight Sliding Glass Doors $42,000 $21,000 $21,000 50% Villages: Legacy Senior Residences II $750,000 $282,609 $467,391 38% Housing Total $2,621,982 $2,081,091 $540,891 79% Section 3. Public Service Category Applicant Project/Program Funding Request Commission’s Recommended Funding - 3 - Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County: Great Futures Start Here $48,706 $23,000 $25,706 47% CASA Program: Court Appointed Special Advocates $28,872 $12,000 $16,872 42% CASA Program: Harmony House Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program $28,818 $15,000 $13,818 52% Catholic Charities: Senior Services $25,000 $15,000 $10,000 60% Catholic Charities: Shelter & Follow-Up Services $60,000 $30,000 $30,000 50% The Center for Family Outreach: Low-Income Youth Scholarship Program $10,050 $7,537 $2,513 75% ChildSafe Colorado: Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program $50,000 $32,250 $17,750 65% Colo. Health Network (NCAP): Client Services & Homelessness Prevention Program $31,748 $5,000 $26,748 16% Crossroads Safehouse: Advocacy Program $53,730 $38,095 $15,635 71% Disabled Resource Services: Access to Independence $29,686 $25,000 $4,686 84% *Education & Life Training Center: Employment Skills Training $36,186 $10,000 $26,186 28% Elderhaus Adult Day Program: Community Based Therapeutic Care $55,000 $38,016 $16,984 69% The Family Center/La Familia: Childcare Scholarships $50,000 $40,000 $10,000 80% Food Bank for Larimer County: Kids Café $34,599 $23,500 $11,099 68% GRID Alternatives Colorado: Community Solar Affordable Housing Program $30,000 $0 $30,000 0% Health District of Larimer County: Dental Connections $54,500 $20,000 $34,500 37% Homeless Gear: Services for the Homeless $30,000 $5,500 $24,500 18% Homelessness Prevention Initiative: Rental Assistance $45,000 $37,500 $7,500 83% Larimer County Child Advocacy Center: Victim’s Services - Child Abuse Prevention - 4 - Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing Counseling $60,000 $30,000 $30,000 50% Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent Assistance $36,125 $30,000 $6,125 83% Project Self-Sufficiency: Services for Single-Parent Families $35,000 $30,000 $5,000 86% Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association: Home Health Care Scholarships $40,000 $25,000 $15,000 63% Respite Care Inc.: Childcare Scholarships $35,000 $30,000 $5,000 86% SERVE 6.8: Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope $57,517 $28,000 $29,517 49% SAVA Center: Bilingual Sexual Assault Victim Services $24,607 $20,000 $4,607 81% Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center: Childcare Scholarships $60,000 $47,500 $12,500 79% Touchstone Health Partners: Community Dual Disorders Treatment Program $70,173 $25,000 $45,173 36% Touchstone Health Partners: Essential Mental Health Services at the Murphy Center $25,447 $18,000 $7,447 71% Turning Point Center for Youth and Family Development: Crisis Intervention Services $25,000 $12,500 $12,500 50% Volunteers of America: Home Delivered Meal Service $35,000 $30,600 $4,400 87% Public Service Total $1,349,494 $799,248 $550,246 59% *Education and Life Training Center merged with the Matthews House in April 2015. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 19th day of May, A.D. 2015. _________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk $32,000 $22,000 $10,000 69% *The Matthews House: Empowering Youth Program $35,200 $20,000 $15,200 57% Unfunded Balance Percent of Request Funded Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Education, Awareness & Grief Support Services $10,530 $4,250 $6,280 40% B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare Scholarships $66,000 $49,000 $17,000 74% Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent Assistance $36,125 $30,000 $6,125 83% Project Self-Sufficiency: Services for Single-Parent Families $35,000 $30,000 $5,000 86% Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association: Home Health Care Scholarships $40,000 $25,000 $15,000 63% Respite Care Inc.: Childcare Scholarships $35,000 $30,000 $5,000 86% SERVE 6.8: Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope $57,517 $28,000 $29,517 49% SAVA Center: Bilingual Sexual Assault Victim Services $24,607 $20,000 $4,607 81% Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center: Childcare Scholarships $60,000 $47,500 $12,500 79% Applicant Project/Program Funding Request Commission’s Recommended Funding Unfunded Balance Percent of Request Funded Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Education, Awareness & Grief Support Services $10,530 $4,250 $6,280 40% B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare Scholarships $66,000 $49,000 $17,000 74% Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County: Great Futures Start Here $48,706 $23,000 $25,706 47% CASA Program: Court Appointed Special Advocates $28,872 $12,000 $16,872 42% FY2014/2013 HSP Unprogrammed $4,472 $0 $0 $4,472 $0 Total Available Funding $3,164,304 $206,837 $77,128 $799,248 $2,081,091 *FY2014 CDBG Unprogrammed funds for Planning and Administration must be expended in the program year they were received, and therefore must be spent by September 30, 2015. APPLICATION INFORMATION The City received 40 housing and public service funding applications totaling $3,971,476, and staff administration requests for CDBG and HOME for $283,965, for a total request of $4,255,441. In the housing category, 6 proposals were received totaling $2,621,982. Thirty four public service proposal requests total