Title
SOLICITATION OF PUBLIC INPUT ON CHULA VISTA'S HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND ITS HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAMS
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council conduct the public hearing, accept the verbal report and hear public testimony on the City's housing and community development needs.
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SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista receives, on an annual basis, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to contribute towards a number of diverse programs and services to enhance the quality of life for Chula Vista's low to moderate income residents. The City prepares a Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) for these HUD funds describing the housing and community development needs of the City's low and moderate income residents and outlining strategies to address those needs over a five year period. Engaging residents and community members in defining and understanding the current housing and community development needs and prioritizing resources to address these needs is a key component of the development of the Con Plan. The public hearing is to solicit input additional from the community prior to preparation of the Con Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378(b)(5) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the proposal consists of a reporting action, is not for a site specific project(s) and will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environmental. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Under NEPA, the activity qualifies for a Certification of Exemption pursuant to Title 24, Part 58.34(a)(2)&(3) of the Code of Federal Regulations and pursuant to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Environmental Guidelines. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary at this time. Although environmental review is not necessary at this time, once a project(s) has been defined, environmental review will be required and a CEQA/NEPA determination completed prior to implementation.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
The City of Chula Vista receives, on an annual basis, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to contribute towards a number of diverse programs and services to enhance the quality of life for Chula Vista's low to moderate income residents. The City prepares a Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) for these HUD funds describing the housing and community development needs of the City's low and moderate income residents and outlining strategies to address those needs over a five year period. The Con Plan provides the necessary policy guidance for implementation of programs and services to be funded by the HUD grants in addressing the needs and is detailed in its Annual Action Plan prepared each year and submitted to HUD as its application for funding. The City is currently in the last year of its 2010-2015 Con Plan. Housing staff has initiated the development of the Con Plan for the July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020 period.
Citizen Participation
Engaging residents and community members in defining and understanding the current housing and community development needs and prioritizing resources to address these needs is a key component of the development of the Con Plan. The City is required by HUD to gather input from its residents, including minorities, non-English-speaking persons, Low and Moderate Income (LMI) residents, persons with disabilities, advocates for senior, disabled, illiterate, homeless, and other low-income populations, whom the CDBG program is designed to serve. Public input is then used to establish strategies and funding priorities to ensure that the City is allocating grant funding for the most appropriate uses. Activities which will improve the community by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and growing economic opportunities, especially for low and moderate income residents.
Residents and stakeholders were encouraged to be involved in the development of the Con Plan. In addition to tonight's Public Hearing, staff held two public outreach meetings and conducted an on-line needs survey in English and in Spanish. The meetings were held on October 6 and 8 at the South Chula Vista Library and in City Hall. The survey was released on September 26, 2014. To date, 358 surveys and 53 comments have been submitted. The Con Plan will contain a strategic plan which details the highest needs identified through the outreach process.
City Funding Priority Needs
These priorities are broken into two categories: Housing and Community Development.
· Housing
o Production of Affordable Housing: New construction of rental housing.
o Affordable Housing Opportunities: Programs that provide affordable housing options (First-time Homebuyers Program, Tenant-based rental Assistance Program).
· Community Development
o Public Services: Services that support the needs of low/moderate income persons including; special needs, disabled, youth, elderly and homeless.
o Infrastructure Improvements: ADA improvements, new street/sidewalk improvements, debt service payments for Section 108 loan.
o Public Facility Improvements: Facilities serving youth, park and recreational facilities, neighborhood facilities and fire stations.
Next Steps
· The City Funding Priority Needs results will be available for public review until November 21, 2014 to allow for additional input. Once the public review period concludes the priority needs list will be incorporated into the draft Consolidated Plan.
· In January of 2015, a Notice of Funding Availability will be released for the 2015/2016 CDBG, HOME and ESG program year.
· Staff will return in March of 2015 to City Council with the draft Five-Year Consolidated Plan and 2015/16 Annual Action Plan.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Not Applicable. Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1), is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
Strategy 5.1: Encourage Residents to Engage in Civic Activities
Initiative 5.1.2 Fosters an Environment of Community Involvement
The City has developed a detailed Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) that requires the participation of the community. The CPP requires the City to provide citizens with reasonable and timely access to meetings, information, and records related to the grantee's proposed and actual use of funds. A minimum of two public hearings are held annually to obtain citizen participation at all stages of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan.
Strategy 5.2: Provide Opportunities that Enrich the Community's Quality of Life
Initiative 5.2.1 Provide Services and Programs Responsive to Residents Priorities
Consistent with the funding priorities established in the Consolidated Plan, the CDBG, HOME and ESG activities selected are aimed at providing decent affordable housing opportunities and a suitable living environment with adequate public facilities, infrastructure and services. Services that support the elderly, disabled, homeless, and youth all contribute to community's quality of life.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
o Housing and Community Needs Survey Results
Staff Contact: Angélica Davis, Development Services Project Coordinator