HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/18/2014 - ITEMS RELATING TO THE COMPLETION OF THE 2014 FALLAgenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY November 18, 2014
City Council
STAFF
Sharon Thomas, CDBG/HOME Program Administrator
Beth Sowder, Neighborhood Services Manager
SUBJECT
Items Relating to the Completion of the 2014 Fall Cycle of the Competitive Process for Allocating City Financial
Resources to Affordable Housing and Community Development Activities Utilizing Funds from the Federal
HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and the City’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Public Hearing and Resolution 2014-101 Approving the Programs and Projects that Will Receive Funds
from the Home Investment Partnership Program and the City’s Affordable Housing Fund.
B. Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance No. 167, 2014, Appropriating Unanticipated Revenue in the
Home Investment Partnership Program Fund.
The purpose of this item is to approve the funding of the 2014 Fall Cycle of the Competitive Process.
Resolution 2014-101 will complete the 2014 Fall Cycle of the Competitive Process for allocating $816,741 in
City financial resources to affordable housing projects and the administration of the HOME program that began
October 1, 2014. Ordinance No. 167, 2014 appropriates HOME Program Income received between April 1,
2014 and September 30, 2014 for affordable housing and planning/administration uses.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution and Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Resolution 2014-101 establishes which programs and projects will receive funding with HOME and AHF funds
for the FY2014 program year that began October 1, 2014. The FY2014 HOME grant is $539,698. During the
2014 spring funding cycle $140,131 was allocated to a housing project, Habitat for Humanity, and $53,969 for
Planning and Administration. The remaining HOME funds of $345,598 are available for allocation in the fall
funding cycle. HUD requires that 15%, or $80,954, of the grant be set aside for funding for Community Housing
Development Organizations (CHDOs) which leaves $264,644 for housing projects. Currently there are no
certified CHDOs in Fort Collins so the CHDO funds are not being allocated at this time. HOME Program
Income received between April 1, 2014 and September 30, 2014 totals $158,096. Of that, $143,311 is for
affordable housing projects and $14,785 is for planning and administration. The City’s General Fund
contributes $313,047 of AHF dollars to the fall cycle of the Competitive Process.
The following table summarizes the total funding amounts and sources of available HOME and AHF funds for
distribution in the housing and planning/administration categories during the FY2014 Fall Cycle of the
Competitive Process:
Agenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 2
Available Funding for Housing and Planning/Administration in 2014 Fall Cycle
Funding Source Funding
Amount
Planning &
Administration
Housing
HOME FY2014 Grant (remaining) $264,644 $0 $264,644
HOME CHDO 15% Set-Aside $80,954 $0 $80,954
HOME Program Income (4/1 through 9/30) $158,096 $14,785 $143,311
Affordable Housing Fund $313,047 $0 $313,047
Total Available Funding $816,741 $14,785 $801,956
HOME Funds are typically approved in the spring cycle and allocated during the fall funding cycle. This year
$140,131 of the FY2014 HOME Grant was allocated to Habitat for Humanity to complete their funding request
of $700,000. The remaining grant portion for housing, $345,598, is available for allocation in this fall cycle.
The City received six applications for affordable housing projects/programs with a total request of $2,007,792.
Application requests were $1,176,266 more than available housing funding of $801,956.
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
The Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program provides federal funds from the Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) to the City of Fort Collins which can be allocated to housing related programs
and projects, thereby reducing the demand on the City’s General Fund budget to address such needs. The
General Fund contributes dollars for affordable housing projects through the Affordable Housing Fund. The
funds provided by the City to housing programs and projects leverage millions of dollars in funding from other
sources.
Through the provision of affordable housing, more of Fort Collins’ workforce can reside within the community.
This creates an available labor pool within the city, which helps maintain economic sustainability.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Affordable housing programs help provide for a healthy environment. By offering affordable housing options for
lower income people, more of Fort Collins’ workforce can live in the community rather than living outside city
limits and commuting to the city for work. In addition, many affordable housing projects are located within close
proximity to City bus routes. This helps reduce traffic congestion and vehicle miles traveled, thereby reducing
pollution and improving air quality.
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 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 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Commission presents recommendations on which
programs and projects should receive funding from the available funding sources presented above. Of the six
proposals received the recommendation is to fully fund two proposals, partially fund one, and provide zero
funding for the remaining three proposals. The following table shows the allocations recommended by the
Commission to City Council.
Agenda Item 16
Item # 16 Page 3
Housing Category
Applicant Project/Program Funding
Request
Commission’s
Recommended
Funding
Unfunded
Balance
Percent of
Request
Funded
CARE Housing: Uniform Federal
Accessibility Standards (UFAS)
Accessibility
$127,356 $0 $127,356 0%
Fort Collins Housing Authority:
Administrative Fee for the Community
Dual Disorders Treatment (CDDT)
Program
$26,449 $0 $26,449 0%
Fort Collins Housing Authority: Tenant
Based Rental Assistance for CDDT
$225,730 $0 $225,730 0%
Fort Collins Housing Authority: Village on
Redwood: A Vibrant, Sustainable
Community
$1,500,000 $592,745 $907,255 40%
Loveland Housing Development Corp:
Larimer Home Improvement Program
(LHIP)
$85,000 $85,000 $0 100%
Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight Plaza
Windows Phase 2
$43,257 $43,257 $0 100%
Housing Total $2,007,792 $721,002 $1,286,790
The justifications for the CDBG Commission’s recommendations can be found in the minutes from the October
16, 2014 meeting (not yet approved by the CDBG Commission), submitted here as Attachment 3.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
HUD regulations require a 30-day public comment period on the proposed allocation of HOME funds as
recommended by the CDBG Commission. Staff placed an ad in the Coloradoan on October 20, 2014,
presenting the list of recommended funding for programs/projects, and indicated the public comment period
would run from October 21, 2014-November 18, 2014. Additionally, the public notice announcing funding
recommendations was placed on the Social Sustainability Department’s website and distributed to 12 entities
serving a majority of clients in legally protected classes-including those in a racial/ethnic minority, those with a
disability, or female heads of household-or serving those community members who might otherwise have
barriers to public participation in the City’s civic engagement processes. To date no public comments have
been received.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Background Summary of Recommendations Fall 2014 (PDF)
2. Affordable Housing Board 2014 Priority Rankings (PDF)
3. CDBG Commission minutes, October 16, 2014 (PDF)
4. Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
Attachment 1
Background and Summary of
CDBG Commission’s Recommendations for Funding
At the November 18, 2014, regular City Council Meeting, the Council will be
conducting a public hearing and considering the adoption of a Resolution
establishing which programs and projects will receive funding in the fall
Competitive Process. Available funding comes from the HOME Investment
Partnership (HOME) grant and the City’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) for the
FY 2014 program year, which began on October 1, 2014 and HOME Program
Income received between April 1, 2014 and September 30, 2014.
The Resolution establishing which programs and projects will receive funds
represents the culmination of the fall cycle of the Competitive Process. The City’s
Competitive Process funding was approved in January 2000 by Council for the
allocation of the City’s financial resources to affordable housing
programs/projects and community development activities.
The HOME Program is an ongoing grant administration program funded by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of Fort Collins
has received HOME Program funds since 1995. The City is a Participating
Jurisdiction (PJ) recipient of HOME funds, meaning 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.
The City’s Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) was established in 2000 to
supplement federal funding from the Community Development Block Grant
(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). Those monies help fill other funding gaps and lower the
cost of housing and other basic services for Fort Collins citizens who are most
vulnerable and in need. By empowering and stabilizing families, these funds
strengthen and improve the fundamental building blocks of Fort Collins: its
neighborhoods.
AVAILABLE FUNDS
The FY2014 HOME grant is $539,698; during the 2014 spring funding cycle
$140,131 was allocated to a housing project, Habitat for Humanity, and $53,969
for Planning and Administration. The remaining HOME funds of $345,598 are
available for allocation in the fall funding cycle. HUD requires that 15%, or
2
$80,954, of the grant be set-aside for funding for Community Housing
Development Organizations (CHDOs) which leaves $264,644 for housing
projects. Currently there are no certified CHDOs in Fort Collins so the CHDO
funds are not being allocated at this time. HOME Program Income received
between April 1, 2014 and September 30, 2014 totals $158,096, of that $143,311
is for affordable housing projects and $14,785 is for planning and administration.
The City’s General Fund contributes $313,047 of AHF dollars to the fall cycle of
the Competitive Process.
The following table summarizes the amount and sources of all available HOME
and City funds for distribution during the 2014 fall cycle of the Competitive
Process:
Available Funding
AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE
$ 345,598 FY2014 HOME Participating Jurisdiction Grant (remaining)
$ 158,096 FY2014 HOME Program Income* (April 1 – September 30)
$ 313,047 FY2013 Affordable Housing Fund
$ 816,741 Total Available Funding
* Program Income includes repayments from rehabilitation loans and home buyer
assistance loans, along with repayments from development and acquisition
loans.
SELECTION PROCESS
The Social Sustainability Department solicited requests for housing and
community development projects in June 2014. This was accomplished by
placing a legal advertisement in a local newspaper, sending notices via email to
potential applicants, posting to the Social Sustainability web site and distributing
to four partner agencies for posting. The process for the City's FY2014 fall cycle
of the Competitive Process began on July 8, 2014, when the applications
became available. The Competitive Process utilizes a web-based application
through ZoomGrants. Applications were due Thursday, August 21, 2014. At the
close of the deadline the City had received 6 proposals requesting over $2 million
in funding. On September 4, 2014, all applications were made available to the
CDBG Commission and the Affordable Housing Board for review.
On Thursday, September 25 the Commission met to hear presentations and ask
clarification questions from each applicant. At the Affordable Housing Board’s
regular meeting held on Thursday, October 2, 2014 the board voted to
recommend to the CDBG Commission a priority ranking of the six affordable
housing proposals (see Attachment 2). The priority ranking was presented to the
CDBG Commission at the beginning of the Thursday, October 16 meeting.
3
On Thursday, October 16 the Commission met for the purpose of preparing a
recommendation to City Council as to which programs and projects should be
funded. At this meeting the Commission reviewed the written applications, the
applicant's verbal presentations, and the information provided during the question
and answer session.
The Commission also considered the funding guidelines contained in the
Affordable Housing Strategic Plan 2010-2014 adopted by Council in July 2010.
Based on the most significant affordable housing need, four goals have been
identified and prioritized as:
1) Increase the inventory of affordable rental housing units
2) Preserve existing affordable housing units
3) Increase housing and facilities for people with special needs
4) Provide financial assistance for first-time homebuyers
The Commission then worked on the formulation of its list of recommendations.
The draft minutes from the October 16, 2014 meeting are included as
Attachment 3. These minutes will be approved at the November 13, 2014 CDBG
Commission regular meeting.
CDBG COMMISSION'S LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Listed below is a summary of each applicant's initial request for funding and the
Commission's list of recommendations.
Affordable Housing Category
Applicant Project /
Program
Funding
Request
Commission’s
Recommendation
Unfunded
Balance
Percent of
Request
Funded
HO-1 CARE Housing:
Uniform Federal
Accessibility Standards
(UFAS) Accessibility
$127,356
$0
$127,356 0%
HO-2 Fort Collins Housing
Authority: Administrative
Fee for CDDT
$26,449
$0
$26,449 0%
HO-3 Fort Collins Housing
Authority: Tenant Based
Rental Assistance for CDDT
$225,730 $0 $225,730 0%
HO-4 Fort Collins Housing
Authority: Village on
Redwood: A Vibrant,
Sustainable Community
$1,500,000
$592,745 $907,255 40%
HO-5 Loveland Housing
Development Corp: Larimer
Home Improvement
$85,000
4
Program (LHIP)
HO-6 Neighbor to Neighbor:
Coachlight Plaza Window
Phase 2
$43,257
$43,257 $0 100%
Housing Total $2,007,792 $721,002 $1,286,790 36%
All funding recommendations in the Affordable Housing category are in the form
of a “Due on Sale Loan + 5% Simple Interest” unless noted as a grant.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING and PUBLIC FACILITY APPLICATIONS
HO-1 CARE Housing: Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS)
Accessibility
Request: $127,356 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0%
CARE Housing requested $127,356 for the necessary construction costs related
to retrofit 5% of their units as accessible in compliance with the Uniform Federal
Accessibility Standards (UFAS). This requirement is the result of a Fair Housing
Equal Opportunity (FHEO) compliance monitoring performed by HUD in the
spring of 2013. As a result of the findings of the monitoring, and a mandatory
evaluation of all its properties, CARE Housing entered into a Voluntary
Compliance Agreement (VCA) with FHEO in June 2013. CARE Housing agreed
to make all necessary repairs and modifications within two years of the signing of
the agreement.
HO-2 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Administrative Fee for CDDT
Request: $26,449 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0%
The Fort Collins Housing Authority requested $26,449 for housing assistance
administration that supports the currently requested Tenant Based Rental
Assistance funds for the Community Dual Disorders Team (CDDT) treatment
program participants. The housing eligibility, compliance, coaching, housing
search, lease negotiations, housing retention and re-housing issues are among
the functions of the administrative support.
HO-3 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Tenant Based Rental Assistance for
CDDT
Request: $225,730 Recommendation: $0 Percentage: 0%
As part of a the Community Dual Disorders Team’s (CDDT) collaborative service
program, the Fort Collins Housing Authority submitted an application for the
rental assistance component to support chronically homeless people. The
$225,730 request would provide for 24 months of rental and deposit assistance
for up to 15 individuals suffering from both severe mental illness and a severe
substance abuse disorder.
5
HO-4 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Village on Redwood: A Vibrant,
Sustainable Community
Request: $1,500,000 Recommendation: $592,745 Percentage: 40%
This request from the Fort Collins Housing Authority for $1,500,000 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 between 0-60% Area Median Income (AMI).
HO-5 Loveland Housing Development Corp: Larimer Home Improvement
Program (LHIP)
Request: $85,000 Recommendation: $85,000 Percentage: 100%
This request from the Loveland Housing Authority is to provide funding for the
Larimer Home Improvement Program (LHIP) which provides low- to no-interest
loans for homeowners in the City Limits of Fort Collins to address health, safety,
and energy efficient repairs to their homes. The program is available to families
earning no more than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), but the average
participant is closer to 50% AMI. The Emergency Funds Program provides a one-
time-only grant of up to $1,000 to very low income families (50% or below of AMI)
who have emergency repair needs (e.g., no hot water, leaking or burst pipes,
dangerous electrical issues).
HO-6 Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight Plaza Windows Phase 2
Request: $43,257 Recommendation: $43,257 Percentage: 100%
This request is from the non-profit agency, Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N), for
Phase II of its energy efficient upgrades to its largest affordable housing
community, Coachlight Plaza apartments. Specifically, N2N is seeking to replace
windows in approximately 34 units at the 68-unit complex.
Summary
Of the $801,956 available housing funds the CDBG Commission has
recommended $721,002, be allocated to three housing projects. Since no
certified CHDOs applied for funding this fall, the $80,954 CHDO set aside was
not allocated. The City received a total of 6 housing proposals. The Commission
has recommended that 2 of the proposals receive full funding, 1 proposal receive
partial funding (40%), and 3 proposals receive no funding.
HOME Program Income of $14,785 received between April 1 and September 30
of this year will be allocated to planning and administration of the HOME
program.
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Attachment 3
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION
FUNDING DELIBERATIONS
215 N. MASON ST., FORT COLLINS
OCT. 16, 2014 5:45 P.M.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Anita Basham
Holly Carroll
Gordon Coombes
Catherine Costlow
Jamaal Curry
Margaret Long
Kay Rios
Kristin Stephens
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert Browning
STAFF PRESENT: Sharon Thomas; Janet Freeman; Beth Rosen; Bruce Hendee
OTHERS PRESENT: Troy Jones, Tatiana Martin and Diana Cohn of the Affordable Housing
Board; a half-dozen citizens; Kate Jeracki, Note Taker.
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Gordon Coombes at 5:45 p.m. with a
quorum present.
The purpose of the meeting was to allocate funds requested during the 2014 Fall Cycle
of the Competitive Process. The Commission deliberated six Housing requests and no
Public Service requests. A total of $801,956 was available, with a 15 percent CHDO set
aside of $80,954; none of the current projects were CHDO-eligible, so that amount could
not be allocated in this funding cycle. Requests totaled $2,007,792.
Representatives from the Affordable Housing Board presented their priority rankings of
the requests before the Commission:
1. HO-4 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Village on Redwood - $1,500,000
2. HO-6 Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight Plaza Windows Phase 2 - $43,257
3. HO-3 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Tenant-Based Rental Assistance for CDDT
- $225,730
4. HO-5 Loveland Housing Development Corp.: LHIP - $85,000
5. HO-1 CARE Housing: UFAS Accessibility - $127,356
6. HO-2 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Administrative Fees for CDDT Program -
$26,449
Affordable Housing Board Chair Troy Jones said his members had a difficult time coming
to consensus on many of the requests. They generally agreed on the first and last
rankings; HO-6 was the least controversial and ranked second. He and the other board
members in attendance agreed that the rest of the requests received individual rankings
2
that varied greatly from member to member. While some felt strongly that HO-3 should
be prioritized because it was making new rental units available, even if only temporarily,
others questioned the amount of resources to be devoted to serving a relatively small
number of people, for example.
Jones also reviewed the City’s housing goals that his board used to evaluate each project
and the point system used to determine the final priorities presented to the
Commission.
Acting Chair Coombes thanked the Affordable Housing Board for their thoughtful review
and recommendations. He then opened commission deliberations at 6:08 p.m.
Coombes and Sharon Thomas reviewed the process to be followed by the Commission
and reminded observers they would not able to give input to the decision-making this
evening.
HO-1 CARE Housing: UFAS Accessibility -- $127,356
Anita Basham moved the Commission allocate zero funding to HO-1. The motion died
for the lack of a second.
Kay Rios moved to fully fund HO-1. The motion died for the lack of a second.
Gordon Coombes moved to allocate zero funding for HO-1. Margaret Long seconded.
Coombes said that with all the other requests before the Commission, there just wasn’t
enough money to fund them all. Long agreed.
Motion passed 7-1, with Kay Rios opposed.
Zero funding approved.
HO-2 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Administrative Fees for CDDT Program -- $26,449
Kay Rios moved the Commission allocate zero funding to HO-2; Holly Carroll seconded.
Rios said she agreed with the Affordable Housing Board’s assessment that this is not a
“bricks and sticks” request and not within the purview of the Commission. Carroll
agreed, and suggested the Authority could find the money in its budget to support the
program. Margaret Long also agreed. Rios added that it’s not that the project isn’t
important, it’s that the Commission has to look at what is the best use of the taxpayers’
money.
The motion was approved unanimously.
3
Zero funding approved.
HO-3 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Tenant-Based Rental Assistance for CDDT --
$225,730
Kay Rios moved to allocate zero funding to HO-3. The motion died for the lack of a
second.
Kay Rios again moved to allocate zero funding to HO-3. Catherine Costlow seconded.
Rios said she understands the need for the services, but the Commission doesn’t have
the money to fund the request. She was also concerned about the amount of resources
that would be spent per person.
Kristin Stephens pointed out that this is a very vulnerable population, and funding these
services now could save spending money on other services on the chronically homeless
in the future.
Margaret Long agreed, saying those services can become very expensive if case
management isn’t provided early. Services can have a multiplier effect. Holly Carroll
agreed, saying it’s good to help people stay off the streets.
Kay Rios said she understands the need, but she was looking at the overall impact of the
program. Jamaal Curry agreed, pointing out that the Commission is very low on funds to
allocate and the Commission needs to keep in mind what we can do with what we have.
He asked which other projects the Commission could pull money from for this one.
Kristin Stephens said she couldn’t recommend any, since the funding for the Village at
Redwood was already a third of what is needed.
Motion passed 4-3, with Gordon Coombes abstaining, Holly Carroll, Margaret Long and
Anita Basham opposed.
Zero funding approved.
HO-4 Fort Collins Housing Authority: Village on Redwood -- $1,500,000
Catherine Costlow moved the Commission allocate partial funding in the amount of
$673,699 to HO-4; Kristin Stephens seconded. Costlow said the project supports the
City’s No. 1 goal of increasing the number of rental units, and there was good leverage
of funds in the proposal. Stephens agreed, pointing out that this was the top priority of
the Affordable Housing Board. Kay Rios agreed, pointing out that the project had
received $720,000 in the last funding cycle.
4
After clarification of funding sources by staff and the unavailability of the $80,954 CHDO
set-aside, Costlow amended her motion to partially fund HO-4 in the amount of
$592,745; Stephens accepted the amendment.
The motion passed on a 4-3 vote, with Jaamal Curry abstaining, Kay Rios, Holly Carroll
and Margaret Long opposed.
Holly Carroll moved to reduce the funding amount for HO-4 by $143,311. Margaret Long
seconded. Carroll said she would like to use that amount to partially fund HO-3. Long
agreed.
Motion failed, 5-2, with Gordon Coombes abstaining, Holly Carroll and Margaret Long in
favor.
Partial funding of $592,745 approved.
HO-5 Loveland Housing Development Corp.: LHIP -- $85,000
Catherine Costlow moved to allocate full funding to HO-5; Kay Rios seconded. Costlow
said there was good justification for preserving existing units and supporting
homeowners who may be struggling.
The motion passed unanimously.
Full funding approved.
HO-6 Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight Plaza Windows Phase 2 -- $43,257
Kay Rios moved to fully fund HO-6; Jaamal Curry seconded. Rios said the units to be
rehabbed are in a state of disrepair and this project will address that. Curry agreed
The motion passed unanimously.
Full funding approved.
Catherine Costlow moved to accept the funding matrix for the 2014 Fall Competitive
Process as presented. Kay Rios seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
The Deliberations Meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
5
CDBG Commission Special Meeting
The Commission reconvened at 6:48 p.m. for a Special Meeting in Conference Room 1A.
In addition to Commissioners, the meeting included Sharon Thomas, Bruce Hendee,
Janet Freeman, Tatiana Nelson and Kate Jeracki.
Public Comment
None
Approval of Minutes
Anita Basham moved to approve the minutes from the August 2014 meeting as
presented; Kristin Stephens seconded. Motion passed with three abstentions.
Social Sustainability Department Discussion
Bruce Hendee, assistant city manager for the City of Fort Collins, thanked the
Commission for the difficult work they do as volunteers on behalf of the City and its
citizens.
He said that in the wake of the resignation of Mary Achison as the director of the Social
Sustainability Department, he would be acting head of the department until an interim
could be appointed. He discussed the letter from the Commission that Kay Rios
described as a rebuttal to the consultants’ recommendations for changes to the
Competitive Process. In light of the concerns raised by the Commission, the City has
decided to slow down the process to gather more input, and he assured the Commission
that the City’s Human Services mission would not be unfunded.
Hendee said he would like to hear the Commission’s thoughts on the process. He added
that it has been 15 years since the Commission was created, and the charge and the
bylaws have not been updated although the Commission’s role has evolved, in part in
response to changes at the federal funding level. He added that the role of the
Affordable Housing Board will be reviewed as part of that process as well, but any
changes, if they happen, will have to be approved by City Council. The consultants’
recommendations are not ready to be be implemented yet and will very likely be the
subject of a Council worksession before they are.
Hendee asked about the concept of the Affordable Housing Board being responsible for
allocating funding for housing projects. Kay Rios said that was how it was done in the
past and gave a brief history of why the CDBG Commission was created to remove the
conflicts of interest that arose under that system. She also pointed out that the
consultants made that recommendation with very little input from Commissioners and
it seems they didn’t really understand the process.
6
Hendee said that he had asked the consultants to review the funding process in an
effort to be transparent and increase community engagement.
Gordon Coombes said the organizational structure can be improved, but it’s important
to have a dialog with the people who are doing the work, who need to have input
before any change is proposed. The Commission needs to be part of that discussion.
He suggested that someone from the City come and sit through the entire Spring
funding cycle, from applications to presentations and deliberations, to understand the
role that the Commission plays.
Kristin Stephens added that Commissioners take their job seriously and are very
thoughtful about what they do and she felt blindsided when she saw the consultants’
recommendations.
Hendee said he appreciates the amount of their own time Commissioners spend on
reviewing documents. He said he will take their comments to heart and would like to
engage in a meaningful way, starting with being on the agenda at future meetings.
Tatiana Martin of the Affordable Housing Board said that her board has had similar
discussions and would like to sit down with the CDBG Commission to share their
thoughts. Gordon Coombes suggested a joint special meeting for a worksession, after
the November Commission meeting but before the end of the year. Hendee said staff
will find a date that works for everyone.
Hendee assured Commissioners that even though there are changes on the horizon, the
Social Sustainability Department and its commitment to the triple bottom line will
continue. He thanked the Commission once again for its hard work and left the meeting
at 7:18 p.m
Work Plan, Periodic Review
Sharon Thomas reminded Commissioners that annual Work Plan is due in February, and
the bylaws need to be updated. All boards and commissions do a periodic review. In
2015 all boards and commissions under the City’s Outcome area of Community and
Neighborhood Livability will be conducting a periodic review; the CDBG Commission is in
this category.
Kay Rios said she would take a look at the bylaws and present a draft update at the
November meeting. She asked Commissioners to send her comments via email to
incorporate.
Staff Reports and Program Updates
7
Sharon Thomas urged everyone to attend the annual Boards and Commissions event on
Nov. 6, 5:30-7 p.m., when Kay Rios will be recognized for her many years of service to
the City. RSVP soon.
Gordon Coombes announced that he will be stepping down from the Commission at the
end of the year, as he has become executive director of Team Fort Collins. That makes
three Commissioners who will be leaving – Kay Rios is term limited and Bob Browning
announced his intention to leave in September – so Sharon Thomas asked
Commissioners to begin recruiting possible new members. Applications are open and
available on the City’s website.
The next meeting of the Commission is Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m., 215 N. Mason St.
Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
1
PUBLIC HEARING
2014 FALL CYCLE
of the
COMPETITIVE PROCESS
Allocating Financial Resources
to
Affordable Housing
Projects
ATTACHMENT 4
2
THE ALLOCATION PROCESS
• Staff
– Prepares applications
– Provides technical assistance
– Reviews applications, provides comments
• Affordable Housing Board
– Reviews Affordable Housing proposals
– Provides priority ranking and comments to
CDBG Commission
3
THE ALLOCATION PROCESS
• Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Commission
– Reviews written proposals
– Watches presentations, submits questions
– Meet to discuss proposals
– Presents recommendations to Council
• City Council
– Conducts a Public Hearing
– Makes final decision on funding allocations
4
CDBG COMMISSION
DECISION PROCESS
The CDBG Commission bases their
funding recommendations on:
– Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
– Consolidated Plan
– HUD Regulations
– AHB Priority Rankings
– Project readiness, capacity, cost per unit and
performance of the applicant
– Needs of the community
5
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
STRATEGIC PLAN 2010-2014
Four goals based on most significant
affordable housing needs:
• Increase the inventory of affordable rental housing
units
• Preserve existing affordable housing units
• Increase housing and facilities for people with
special needs
• Provide financial assistance for first-time
homebuyers
6
CONSOLIDATED PLAN 2010-2014
Consolidated Housing & Community
Development Plan or Con Plan
• Improve the availability, affordability, and
sustainability of housing
• Provide decent housing and a suitable living
environment
• Improve the availability and sustainability of
economic development
7
HUD – HOME REGULATIONS
HOME Investment Partnership (HOME)
Objectives:
• Provide decent, safe affordable housing
• Expand capacity of non-profit housing providers
• Strengthen local government’s ability to provide
housing
• Leverage private-sector participation
8
2014 FALL CYCLE
AVAILABLE HOUSING FUNDS
*Community Housing Development Organization funds of $80,954 not
allocated – no CHDO certified applicant at this time.
Amount Funding Source
$264,644 FY2013 HOME Grant (remaining)
$143,311 FY2013 HOME Program Income
$313,047 Affordable Housing Funds
$721,002 Total Available Funds* **
**$14,785 in HOME PI Admin Fees (not included in total available
funds) are being appropriated to the administration of the City’s HOME
program.
9
FUNDING REQUESTS
Project / Program Request
CARE Housing: Uniform Federal Accessibility
Standards (UFAS) Accessibility
$127,356
FCHA: Administrative Fees for Community Dual
Disorders Treatment (CDDT) Program
$26,449
FCHA: Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) for
CDDT
$225,730
FCHA: Village on Redwood: A Vibrant, Sustainable
Community
$1,500,000
Loveland Housing Development Corp: Larimer
Home Improvement Program (LHIP)
$85,000
Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight Plaza Windows – 2 $43,257
Total Funding Requests $2,007,792
10
FUNDING
REQUESTS / RECOMMENDATONS
Project / Program Request Recommended
Amount
Unfunded
Balance
CARE Housing: UFAS $127,356 $0 $127,356
FCHA: CDDT Admin $26,449 $0 $26,449
FCHA: TBRA for CDDT $225,730 $0 $225,730
FHCA: Redwood $1,500,000 $592,745 $907,255
Loveland Housing: LHIP $85,000 $85,000 $0
N2N: Coachlight Plaza $43,257 $43,257 $0
Total $2,007,792 $721,002 $1,286,790
11
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPOSALS
• CARE Housing: UFAS Accessibility
12
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPOSALS
Continued
• FCHA: Admin Fees for CDDT
• FCHA: TBRA for CDDT
• FCHA: Village on
Redwood: A Vibrant,
Sustainable
Community
13
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPOSALS
Continued
• Loveland
Housing
Development
Corp: LHIP
• Neighbor to
Neighbor:
Coachlight
Plaza
14
THANK YOU!
Staff recommends
adoption of the recommendations
presented by the CDBG Commission.
- 1 -
RESOLUTION 2014-041
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROVING THE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT WILL RECEIVE FUNDS
FROM THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
AND THE CITY’S AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND
WHEREAS, the Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program is an ongoing grant
administration program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD);
and
WHEREAS, the City has received HOME Program funds since 1994; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Affordable Housing Fund provides General Fund money for use
in assisting affordable housing programs and projects; and
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2000, the City Council approved Resolution 2000-13,
formally adopting a competitive process for the allocation of City financial resources to
affordable housing programs and projects, and community development activities; and
WHEREAS, on October 16, 2014, the CDBG Commission met for the purpose of
preparing a recommendation to the City Council as to which programs and projects should be
funded with FY2014 HOME grant funds and funds from the City’s Affordable Housing Fund;
and
WHEREAS, as required by HUD regulations, a 30-day public comment period on the
proposed allocation of CDBG and HOME funds as recommended by the CDBG Commission
began on October 21, 2014, and ended on November 18, 2014; and
WHEREAS, to date no public comments have been received; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the recommendations of the CDBG
Commission, and has determined that the City’s 2014 allocation should be made as set out in this
Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That City staff is hereby authorized to submit an application to HUD as
follows:
- 2 -
Housing Category
Applicant Project/Program Funding
Request
Commission’s
Recommended
Funding
Unfunded
Balance
Percent
of
Request
Funded
CARE Housing: Uniform Federal
Accessibility Standards (UFAS)
Accessibility
$127,356 $0 $127,356 0%
Fort Collins Housing Authority:
Administrative Fee for the
Community Dual Disorders
Treatment (CDDT) Program
$26,449 $0 $26,449 0%
Fort Collins Housing Authority:
Tenant Based Rental Assistance for
CDDT
$225,730 $0 $225,730 0%
Fort Collins Housing Authority:
Village on Redwood: A Vibrant,
Sustainable Community
$1,500,000 $592,745 $907,255 40%
Loveland Housing Development
Corp: Larimer Home Improvement
Program (LHIP)
$85,000 $85,000 $0 100%
Neighbor to Neighbor: Coachlight
Plaza Windows Phase 2
$43,257 $43,257 $0 100%
Housing Total $2,007,792 $721,002 $1,286,790
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
18th day of November, A.D. 2014.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
- 1 -
ORDINANCE NO. 167, 2014
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED REVENUE IN THE HOME
INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FUND
WHEREAS, the Home Investment Partnership Program (the “HOME Program”) was
authorized by the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 to provide funds in the form of
Participating Jurisdiction Grants for a variety of housing-related activities which would increase
the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 1994, the City Council adopted Resolution 1994-092
authorizing the Mayor to submit to the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(“HUD”) a notification of intent to participate in the HOME Program; and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 1994, HUD designated the City as a Participating Jurisdiction in
the HOME Program, allowing the City to receive an allocation of HOME Program funds as long
as Congress re-authorizes and continues to fund the program; and
WHEREAS, the City has received unanticipated HOME Program income in the amount
of $158,096; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the City Charter permits the City Council to make
supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year, provided that the
total amount of such supplemental appropriations, in combination with all previous
appropriations for that fiscal year, do not exceed the then current estimate of actual and
anticipated revenues to be received during the fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, City staff has determined that the appropriation of the HOME Program
funds as described herein will not cause the total amount appropriated in the HOME Program
Fund to exceed the current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received in that fund
during the 2014 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 11, of the City Charter provides that federal grant
appropriations shall not lapse if unexpended at the end of the fiscal year until the expiration of
the federal grant.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from unanticipated program
income revenue, upon receipt thereof, in the HOME Program Fund the sum of ONE HUNDRED
FIFTY-EIGHT THOUSAND NINETY-SIX DOLLARS ($158,096), for approved HOME
Program projects.
- 2 -
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 18th day of
November, A.D. 2014, and to be presented for final passage on the 2nd day of December, A.D.
2014.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 2nd day of December, A.D. 2014.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
$85,000
(grant)
$0 100%