AGENDA #10b

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Recommended 2002-2003 Community Development Program

 

DATE:             April 22, 2002

 

The attached Resolution A would:

           

(1)   Approve a plan for use of $461,000 of 2002-2003 Community Development funds; and

 

(2)   Authorize the Manager to incorporate the Community Development Plan into the Consolidated Plan developed with Orange County, Hillsborough and Carrboro for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on May 15, 2002.

 

The attached Resolution B would express the Council’s intent to consider budgeting $83,000 of 2003-2004 Community Development funds to Habitat for Humanity.

 

SUMMARY

 

On March 26, 2002, the Council held a public hearing on a preliminary proposal for the 2002-2003 Community Development program.   

 

We note two changes in tonight’s recommendation from the Preliminary Plan proposed to the Council on March 26, 2002:

 

1.      We have reduced the budget from $470,000 to $461,000 to reflect a proposed amendment to the 2001-2002 Community Development program to budget $9,000 for a job training program proposed by Youth Creating Change (See Agenda Item 4e which proposes a process to amend the 2001-2002 Community Development program, including a public hearing on May 8, 2002). 

2.      We recommend allocating the cost of staff time spent on the Sykes Street strategy and Neighborhood Revitalization to that activity. 

 

The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has informed us that the Town will receive $445,000 of Community Development funds in fiscal year 2002-2003.  The proposed budget also includes $12,000 of program income received in the 2001-2002 program year.  We anticipate that we will receive an additional $4,000 of program income during 2002-2003 from repayment of mortgages and a small business loan.  Therefore, we propose activities for a total of $461,000. 

 

The recommended plan is based on applications submitted by agencies requesting funds and comments received at public hearings held by the Council on January 29 and March 26.

 

Public Housing                                                              $170,000

Renovations (Airport Gardens)                                     $115,000

Refurbishing Program                                                                $  55,000

            Neighborhood Revitalization                                                     $168,500

            Community Services                                                                 $  30,500

(YMCA, Orange County Literacy Council, Police Dept.)         

Property Acquisition/Infrastructure (Habitat for Humanity)         $  17,000

Administration                                                              $  75,000

            Total                                                                            $461,000

 

Program Income

The proposed budget includes reallocation of additional program income beyond what was expected during the 2001-2002 program year, plus funds we anticipate will be received during the 2002-2003 program year.  In the 2001-2002 program year, we anticipated $35,000 of Community Development program income.  To date, we have received approximately $56,000 of program income from the sale of two Tandler homes, monthly repayment from two mortgages held by the Town, and the repayment of a small business loan to the Cookie Bear Company.  Of this amount, $35,000 was budgeted in the current year, resulting in $21,000 available.  

 

The Council is considering a request from Youth Creating Change for $9,000 of Community Development funds for its job training program.  If the Council chooses to fund this request, we would recommend allocating program income for this purpose.  Therefore, the remaining $12,000 of the program income would be available to be programmed for activities in the 2002-2003 program year.  The proposed budget also includes $4,000 of Community Development program income that we anticipate receiving in fiscal year 2002-2003.  Therefore, in addition to the grant of $445,000, the proposed plan includes $16,000 of program income for a total of $461,000. 

 

Our projection of anticipated program income to be available next year is lower than previous years due to our expectation that program income received from the resale of Tandler homes will be used to convert those homes to the Land Trust.

 

The benefit to programming projected program income is that the funds would be earmarked for a particular project and the Council would not have to amend the Community Development program mid-year.  We believe that the Council can better set priorities when it reviews all requests and all projected revenues at the same time. 

 

The public hearing on March 26 satisfied public participation requirements.  In addition, the Housing and Community Development Board reviewed and approved the proposed Community Development Plan at its meeting on March 26, 2002.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Town of Chapel Hill has received Community Development grants since 1975 under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.  This legislation provides funds to cities and counties to carry out activities that benefit households earning less than 80% of the area median income including: housing repair, public improvements, acquiring land for housing and economic development.  The primary objective of the Community Development program is to develop viable urban communities, by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income households. 

 

The Consolidated Plan

 

On May 15, 2000, the Town and Orange County submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development a five-year Consolidated Plan covering fiscal years 2000–2001 through 2004–2005.  The purpose of the Plan is to identify and prioritize the housing and community development needs for Chapel Hill and Orange County.  The Plan also suggests how the Town and the County will address the needs over a five-year period. 

 

This year, the Consortium is required to submit an Annual Update to the 2000 – 2005 Consolidated Plan.  The Update includes the 2002-2003 Community Development and HOME Program Plans and identifies new housing and community development initiatives in Orange County.  Please see Agenda Item 10a for a draft of the Annual Update.

 

Public Participation Process

 

On January 29 and March 26, 2002 the Council held public hearings to receive ideas from citizens about how funds could be spent in five areas: the Capital Improvements Program, the Town Budget, the Community Development Program, the HOME Program and the Capital Fund Grant Program.  

 

Please see Attachment 1 for a summary of Community Development related comments and applications for funding received at the public hearings.

 

Application Process

 

This year agencies requesting Community Development and/or HOME Program funding were asked to submit a standardized application.  The application requested detailed information about the agencies requesting funds and the proposed projects.  The application also included a list of eligible Community Development activities, as well as a list of the housing and community development priorities from the 2000–2005 Consolidated Plan adopted by the Council in April 2000.  We believe that this process allowed agencies to more clearly understand the criteria by which the projects would be evaluated. This revised application process, along with our new monitoring procedures (including site visits to each agency to evaluate progress), is designed to improve our overall Community Development performance. 

 

We also note that this year we will be placing additional emphasis on performance and timeliness because of changes in the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Beginning this year, the agency intends to sanction communities which have not met spending thresholds by withdrawing a percentage of new grant funding.  The Town has met the spending threshold this year.  However, our evaluation criterion for new grants includes an evaluation of whether funds could be spent readily.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Five-Year Plan

 

In April 2000 the Council adopted a five-year plan (Please see Attachment 2).  The plan includes a projection of Community Development funds through fiscal year 2004–2005, and proposes an amount of funds budgeted for each activity.  The proposed plan serves as a guide to the Council when considering the use of future Community Development funds. 

 

The plan proposes to continue funding public housing renovations, affordable housing projects, and community service activities over the next five years.  We note that we recommend a reduction in funds for community service activities so we may continue focusing our efforts on neighborhood revitalization and the development of affordable housing, especially in the Sykes Street and Northside, and Pine Knolls areas. 

 

Proposed 2002-2003 Community Development Plan

 

Rehabilitation of Public Housing:   $170,000     

 

We propose that the Council budget $115,000 of Community Development funds for the rehabilitation of twenty-six units at the Airport Gardens public housing community.   Community Development funds would be used for architectural work related to renovation.  We propose that the Council allocate $15,000 for a portion of the Assistant Housing Directors’ salary for oversight of the renovation project.  Housing Capital Grant funds would be used for renovation expenses for the community.  Proposed renovation work would include the abatement of lead-based paint and asbestos, replacement of windows and screens, replacement of interior and exterior doors, replacement of furnaces, replacement of floor tiles, replacement of bathtub liners and surrounds, bathroom fixtures, plumbing and electrical upgrades, interior and exterior painting, and drainage improvements to the site.    

 

We propose to appropriate $55,000 of Community Development funds to continue the public housing refurbishing program.  This program provides for repairs and limited modernization at public housing. 


 

Neighborhood Revitalization:       $168,500

 

We propose that the Council budget $153,500 of Community Development funds to continue neighborhood revitalization activities; and $15,000 for staff costs related to the implementation of this program, especially for activities in the Sykes Street area. We recommend that we concentrate use of funds in the in Northside, Pine Knolls, and public housing neighborhoods, with special emphasis on the Sykes Street area.  Funds could be used for second mortgage assistance, property acquisition or renovation, code enforcement, demolition of unsafe and un-repairable houses, public improvements, or community service activities.  Activities must serve households earning less than 70% of the HUD published area median income.  

 

We recommend an increase in these funds this year to support improvements in the Sykes Street area of Northside.  We propose to continue our efforts in this area by continuing interdepartmental effort with the Police Department, Planning, Inspections, and Public Works to improve the neighborhood environment.  We will continue to work with the residents of the Sykes Street neighborhood to determine the feasibility of and interest in building sidewalks in the area.  We will also continue to work with the residents to identify possible solutions for improving the Sykes/Nunn/Whitaker Street intersection.

 

The Council received two requests from agencies to use Community Development funds to develop housing for the elderly and for the developmentally disabled.  If the agencies are able to identify properties in either the Pine Knolls or Northside neighborhood, they could request funding for these projects.  However, it is likely that these would have a lower priority due to the recommended emphasis on providing increased funding for improving neighborhood conditions in the Sykes Street strategy area.

 

We recommend that the Council continue to authorize the Manager to approve specific projects for use of these funds.  We also recommend that the Council authorize the Manager to approve converting Neighborhood Revitalization funds into grants to Orange Community Housing and Land Trust as opportunities appear to achieve long term affordability for housing projects.

 

Habitat for Humanity:      $17,000

 

We propose that the Council allocate $17,000 to Habitat for Humanity to acquire property adjacent to land Habitat currently owns on Rusch Road, off Rogers Road or for infrastructure improvements at this site.  Habitat intends to develop sixteen houses on the land for households earning less than 50% of the area median income.  Acquisition of the additional property would allow Habitat to develop a larger subdivision. 

 

Because of the schedule of the development approval process, we do not expect that Habitat will be able to begin construction until April 2003 and therefore would not spend all of the $100,000 requested in the 2002-2003 program year.  The Department of Housing and Urban Development has adopted a new policy that could reduce the Town’s grant if funds are not spent in a timely manner.  Therefore, we recommend that the Council consider reserving $83,000, the balance of this request, in the 2003-2004 Community Development program budget for this activity.  The attached Resolution B would express the Council’s intent to consider budgeting the remaining balance of this request with 2003-2004 Community Development funds. 

 

In 2001-2002, the Council budgeted $50,000 from Community Development funds and $50,000 from the Housing Loan Trust Fund for this activity.  Habitat intends to use $30,000 to acquire portions of this property before June 30, 2002.  Remaining funds would be used to acquire additional properties.

 

Community Services:  $30,500

 

We propose that the Council budget $30,500 for three community service activities that meet the Community Development regulations:

 

  1. $13,500 to the Chapel Hill–Carrboro YMCA to continue operation of after school programs for children living in the Pine Knolls neighborhood and the South Estes Drive public housing community.   

 

  1. $11,500 to the Orange County Literacy Council to continue to operate computer-based literacy programs for public housing residents and other lower income Chapel Hill residents.

 

  1. We propose that the Council budget $5,500 to the Chapel Hill Police Department to sponsor a summer work program for youths living in the Pine Knolls, Northside and public housing communities.  The youths would work approximately twenty hours per week in various Town Departments including Police, Housing, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Fire, Town Clerk and the Library.   

 

Program Administration:   $75,000

 

We propose that the Council budget $75,000 for general administration of the Community Development program.  General administration expenses include: implementation, administration and monitoring of Community Development program activities, administration of the Housing Loan Trust Fund; coordination of efforts with non-profit organizations that receive Community Development funding from the Town; coordination of activities with the HOME Program Consortium; and coordination with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to achieve compliance with federal regulations. Funds would be used for a portion of the Community Development Coordinator’s salary, a portion of the Long Range Planning Coordinator’s salary, a portion of a part-time contract Community Development Program Monitor, and overhead costs.

 

As previously noted, we have included $15,000 of staff costs in the Neighborhood Revitalization budget to implement the program.  Federal Community Development regulations limit the amount of funds able to be charged to general administration of a Community Development program to 20% of the total grant plus program income (approximately $92,000 in 2002-2003).   By charging actual staff time spent on Neighborhood Revitalization activities to the program, we would not approach the limit of the Community Development general program administration cap.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Housing and Community Development Advisory Board’s Recommendation:  On March 26, 2002, the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board voted 6-0 to recommend the proposed 2002-2003 Community Development Plan to the Council. 

 

Manager’s Recommendation:  That the Council adopt Resolution A and Resolution B.

 

Resolution A would:

 

(1)   Adopt the following 2002-2003 Community Development Plan:

 

Public Housing                                                              $170,000

Renovations (Airport Gardens)                                     $115,000

Refurbishing Program                                                                $  55,000

            Neighborhood Revitalization                                                     $168,500

Community Services                                                                 $  30,500

(YMCA, Orange County Literacy Council, Police Dept.)         

Property Acquisition/Infrastructure (Habitat for Humanity)         $  17,000

Administration                                                              $  75,000

            Total                                                                            $461,000

 

(2)   Authorize the Manager to incorporate the 2002-2003 Community Development Plan into the Consolidated Plan developed with Orange County, Carrboro and Hillsborough for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on May 15, 2002. 

 

Resolution B would express the Council’s intent to consider budgeting $83,000 of 2003-2004 Community Development funds to Habitat for Humanity.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.     Summary of Comments and Community Development Requests (p. 10).

2.     Adopted Five-Year Community Development Plan (p. 16).


RESOLUTION A

 

A RESOLUTION APPROVING ACTIVITIES FOR THE 2002-2003 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (2002-4-22/R-16a)

 

WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill held two public hearings to receive ideas from citizens about how Community Development Block Grant funds could be spent in 2002-2003;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that based on the Town’s allocation of $445,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds and $16,000 of anticipated Community Development Program Income, the Town Council approves the following 2002-2003 Community Development Block Grant Program Plan:

 

Public Housing                                                              $170,000

Renovations (Airport Gardens)                                     $115,000

Refurbishing Program                                                                $  55,000

            Neighborhood Revitalization                                                     $168,500

Community Services                                                                 $  30,500

(YMCA, Orange County Literacy Council, Police Dept.)         

Property Acquisition /Infrastructure (Habitat for Humanity) $ 17,000

Administration                                                              $  75,000

            Total                                                                            $461,000

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the Manager to carry out the program, including specific projects for use of Neighborhood Revitalization funds and conversion of Neighborhood Revitalization funds into grants for Land Trust projects, in accordance with guidelines in this memorandum. 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council authorizes the Manager to incorporate the 2002-2003 Community Development Plan into the Consolidated Plan developed with Orange County, Hillsborough and Carrboro for submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

 

This the 22nd day of April, 2002.


RESOLUTION B

 

A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE COUNCIL’S INTENT TO CONSIDER BUDGETING $83,000 OF 2003-2004 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY (2002-04-22/R-16b)

 

WHEREAS, Habitat for Humanity, Orange County has requested $100,000 of Community Development funds for infrastructure improvements for its project located on Rusch Road;

 

WHEREAS, the Council has budgeted $17,000 of 2002-2003 Community Development funds to Habitat for Humanity for this project;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill expresses its intent to consider budgeting $83,000 of 2003-2004 Community Development funds to Habitat for Humanity for infrastructure improvements for its project located on Rusch Road. 

 

This the 22nd day of April, 2002

 

 

 


ATTACHMENT 1

 

 

Summary of Comments and Community Development Requests

 

The citizen comments and requests for funding received at the January 29, and March 26, 2002 public hearings are summarized below.  We note that all agencies that requested funding were required to submit an application. 

 

Affordable Housing Requests

 

Activities eligible for Community Development funding must meet one of three National Objectives:

 

·        Benefit low- and moderate-income persons; or

·        Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or

·        Treat urgent needs posing an immediate threat to public health and welfare.

 

Examples of eligible activities include acquisition and /or renovation of property, second mortgage assistance, and site development. 

 

The following agencies submitted applications for affordable housing activities.

 

  1. Chapel Hill Department of Housing

 

The Chapel Hill Department of Housing requested $198,000 of Community Development Program funds for the following purposes:  $115,000 to renovate twenty-two apartments in the Airport Gardens public housing community; and $83,000 to continue the Five Year Refurbishing Program to refurbish about fifty apartments.

 

Comment:  We propose that the Council budget $115,000 for renovation of Airport Gardens and $55,000 for refurbishing apartments.  We recommend funding the refurbishing program at the same level as last year, $55,000.  About $29,000 remains from the current year which we expect to encumber by June 30, 2002.  The Town’s public housing is an important source of affordable rental housing and the Town’s investment in this property should be maintained.  The renovation of public housing units is an eligible Community Development activity.  Based on past levels of spending activity, we believe $55,000 in new funds plus continued access to current funds will be sufficient for this activity in the 2002-2003 year.

 

2.      Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

 

Habitat for Humanity requested $100,000 of Community Development funds for development of up to twelve single-family homes and six rental units in three duplexes on land it owns on Rusch Road.  The homes would be available to very low-income households earning 50% or less of median income.

At the March 26 public hearing, a representative of Habitat requested the Town’s support for development of the Rusch Road subdivision. 

 

Comment: The acquisition of property is an eligible Community Development program activity, and this project would meet the objectives of the Consolidated Plan to provide homeownership opportunities for low-income households.  In 2001-2002 the Council budgeted $50,000 of Community Development funds and $50,000 from the Housing Loan Trust Fund for this project. 

 

We propose that the Council budget $17,000 of Community Development funds to acquire the additional property or for infrastructure improvements to the site.  Because of the schedule of the development approval process, we do not expect that Habitat will be able to begin construction until April 2003 and therefore would not spend all of the requested funding in the 2002-2003 program year.  We recommend that the Council consider reserving $83,000 of 2003-2004 Community Development funds for this activity for the balance of the requested funds.  Because of the new federal guidelines involving possible sanctions of our grant if funds are not spent, we do not recommend budgeting all the requested funds in one year.

 

3.      Residential Services

 

Residential Services requested $75,000 to purchase a home in an existing neighborhood in Chapel Hill would be available to four adults with autism, each earning below 30% of area median income.  Each resident would have his or her own room and would share the kitchen, dining, and living areas with other residents.  The agency has also requested $75,000 of HOME Program funds for this project.  

 

Comment:  If the home is located in one of the community development focus areas of Pine Knolls or Northside neighborhoods, the Council could consider either partially or fully funding the project with Community Development funds set aside for Neighborhood Revitalization.  However, we suggest that priority for use of these funds be for neighborhood improvements in the Sykes Street strategy area.   We note that the HOME Program Review Committee recommends budgeting $75,000 of 2002-2003 HOME Program funds for this activity. 

 

4.      First Baptist and Manley Estates

 

First Baptist and Manley Estates requested $36,960 for the following purposes: $33,000 to construct an additional 20 parking spaces to serve residents’ needs; and $3,960 for an adult computer/learning lab. 

 

Comment:  We have reviewed the Community Development regulations and conferred with our HUD representative and determined that purchasing computer equipment for a computer lab is not an eligible use of Community Development program funds.  We informed the Managing Agent of the facility that Community Development funds could be used purchase computer equipment if a specific program were developed to support these activities.  If the organization were to develop a program, the Council could consider funding this portion of the request in the future.  We also do not recommend funding for the twenty parking spaces because of the overall emphasis on affordable housing objectives contained in the Consolidated Plan.

 

We note that First Baptist also submitted an application for HOME Program funds for the parking lot expansion.  Orange County staff has determined that this activity would not be eligible for HOME Program funding. 

 

5.      Carrboro/Chapel Hill Cooperative Housing Association (with EmPOWERment, Inc.)

 

The Carrboro/Chapel Hill Cooperative Housing Association requested $100,000 to create an Affordable Senior Housing Cooperative.  The project would contain six units for senior citizens earning less than 60% of the area median income.  The organization has also requested $100,000 of HOME Program funds for this project.  

 

Comment:  If the agency is able to identify a house in one of the community development focus areas of Pine Knolls or Northside neighborhoods, the project may be eligible for Neighborhood Revitalization funds.  However, we recommend that priority for use of these funds over the next year be for neighborhood/housing improvements in the Sykes Street strategy area.

 

6.  Sewer Connection Assistance to Rogers Road Residents

 

A resident of the Rogers Road neighborhood requested assistance from the Town to help Rogers Road residents connect to the public sewer system.

 

Comment:  Community Development funds could be used to provide assistance to help lower income households connect to the public sewer system.   We understand that connection could be possible through the construction of the infrastructure for Habitat for Humanity’s proposed project on Rusch Road.  Because the infrastructure will not be completed during the 2002-2003 fiscal year, we recommend that the residents of the Rogers Road request sewer connection assistance from the Council during the 2003-2004 budget process. 

 

Community / Public Service Requests

 

The use of funds for public service activities is eligible under federal Community Development regulations. Examples of public service activities includes programs concerned with employment, crime prevention, child care, health, drug abuse, education, fair housing counseling, energy conservation, homebuyer down payment assistance or recreational needs.  The amount of Community Development funds used for public services cannot exceed 15% of the Town’s Community Development grant ($66,150 in 2002-2003).

 

In addition to meeting one of the National Objectives listed above, community or public service activities must provide:

 

(1)   a new service; or

(2)   a quantifiable increase in the level of an existing service than what was provided over the last fiscal year.

 

In the past, the Council has funded public service projects that support other Community Development objectives and activities, especially public housing and Neighborhood Revitalization.  Some emphasis has also been placed on job training for low-income residents.  We evaluated the following applications in terms of previous performance and their relationship to other Community Development objectives.  In general, we are recommending that some funding be set aside for community services, but that the Council emphasizes housing objectives as contained in the Consolidated Plan. 

 

The following agencies submitted applications for Community / Public Service activities:

 

1.  Chapel Hill – Carrboro YMCA

 

The Chapel Hill – Carrboro YMCA requested $13,860 of Community Development funds to continue operation of After School Programs for children living in the Pine Knolls neighborhood and South Estes Drive public housing community. 

 

Comment: We propose that the  Council budget $13,500 to the YMCA to continue its after school program for youths living in the Pine Knolls neighborhood and South Estes Drive public housing community.   

 

Since 1994, the Town has provided Community Development funds to the YMCA for its After School Program at the Pine Knolls Community Center.  In 1999, the YMCA established a similar program at the South Estes Drive Community Center. This year, approximately three children from Pine Knolls and fourteen children from South Estes were served by these programs.  In February, the YMCA moved the program from the South Estes Drive Community Center to the YMCA facility so the children could receive a more enriching after school experience.

 

2.      Orange County Literacy Council

 

The Orange County Literacy Council requested $11,500 to continue funding a Program Coordinator position for its Computer-based literacy program.  The Program provides computer-based literacy and GED classes to public housing residents and low-income Chapel Hill residents. 

 

At the March 26 public hearing Executive Director Lucy Lewis stated that she supported the staff recommendation for use of Community Development funds. 

 

Comment:  We believe that the Literacy Council operates a needed service for public housing and other lower-income Chapel Hill residents in an effective manner.  We recommend that the Council allocate $11,500 to the Literacy Council. 

 

The Town Council previously appropriated $15,000 of 1999–2000 Community Development funds to the Literacy Council to establish the computer literacy lab program, and $9,000 of 2001-2002 funds to expand the program.  The Literacy Council has provided computer literacy tutoring at South Estes, Trinity Court/Pritchard Park, and the Hargraves Community Center using equipment purchased with Community Development funds.  The agency has also provided one-on-one tutoring for lower income Chapel Hill residents at various sites.  During the 21 months of the initial grant, the Literacy Council served 65 lower income Chapel Hill residents.  The Literacy Council has continued to outreach to public housing residents and other low-income citizens to try to recruit program participants.

 

3.      Chapel Hill Police Department

 

The Chapel Hill Police Department requested $5,160 to help fund a Summer Youth Work Program.  The Police Department proposes to recruit approximately ten, 14-17 year old youths who reside in Pine Knolls, Northside, or public housing neighborhoods.  The youths would work twenty hours per week in various Town departments including Police, Housing, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, the Fire Department, the Town Clerk, and the Library.  The funds would pay the youths’ salaries at a pay rate of $6.00/hour.

 

Comment:  We recommend that the Council provide $5,500 of Community Development funds for this program.  We believe it would provide an enriching work experience for youth from the areas targeted for neighborhood revitalization.   The Police Department has successfully operated this program since 1995.

 

4.      EmPOWERment, Inc.

 

EmPOWERment has requested $7,000 to provide a Transitional Housing Financial Education program to public housing residents who wish to move out of public housing into the housing market.  Harvey Reid of H.R. Consulting, who would provide classes and one-on-one counseling to participants in the Town’s Transitional Housing Program, would implement the program.

 

At the March 26 public hearing, Harvey Reid stated that EmPOWERment was seeking funds to provide financial literacy counseling to public housing residents.

 

Comment:  Though provision of financial education for public housing residents would be an eligible Community Development activity, we do not recommend funding this program at this time.  A similar service is currently being provided by the Town’s ACHIEVE program operated by the Housing Department.  We have met with Mr. Reid and suggested that he discuss with the Housing Department the financial counseling program that is currently sponsored by the Town to determine if his program could be incorporated into the existing ACHIEVE program.  If during the year the Council determines that there is a strong need for additional financial management services for public housing residents, EmPOWERment could request Neighborhood Revitalization funding for this activity.   

 

5.  Youth Creating Change Serteen Club

 

In March 2001, the Youth Creating Change Serteen Club requested Community Development funds from the Town to open a youth arcade in the Northside neighborhood.  At that time, we recommended that if the group’s business plan were more fully developed and other resources and funding were committed, the Council could consider using up to $9,000 of Community Development program income or reallocate residual Community Development funds to match the funds raised.   The group has since modified its original proposal and has instead opened a retail shop on North Graham Street. 

 

We have met with Youth Creating Change representative Maxecine Mitchell and informed her that for this new proposal, Community Development funds could be provided if the group developed a job training program for youths.  

 

At the March 26, 2002 public hearing, Maxecine Mitchell requested funds for Youth Creating Change in the current fiscal year. 

 

Comment:  On tonight’s agenda is a recommendation to adopt a process for amending the 2001-2002 Community Development program to consider budgeting $9,000 of Community Development program income to fund a job training component of this request.  

 


ATTACHMENT 2

 

 

Proposed Five- Year Community Development Spending Plan

 

 

Activity

 

2000–2001

 

2001–2002

 

2002–2003

 

2003–2004

 

2004–2005

Public Housing Renovation

 

$120,000

 

$120,000

 

$120,000

 

$120,000

 

$120,000

Public Housing Refurbishing

 

$70,000

 

$60,000

 

$60,000

 

$50,000

 

$50,000

Neighborhood Revitalization

 

$72,600

 

$79,000

 

$79,000

 

$80,000

 

$80,000

Meadowmont Townhomes

 

$80,000

 

$80,000

 

$0

 

$0

 

$0

Affordable Housing Projects

 

$0

 

$0

 

$71,000

 

$80,000

 

$80,000

Community Services

 

$47,000

 

$47,000

 

$56,000

 

$56,000

 

$56,000

Administration

$76,400

$80,000

$80,000

$80,000

$80,000

TOTAL GRANT

 

$466,000

 

$466,000

 

$466,000

 

$466,000

 

$466,000