Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-22-2007 special agenda — reading text

primary resources to preserve and increase safe and quality housing, provide services to families and individuals in need and strengthen economic and workforce development. Understanding the importance of community involvement in planning for development in Fort Walton Beach neighborhoods, the public was invited to help shape this 2007 Action Plan by attending CDBG meetings. The Housing and Community Development Annual Action Plan described activities and funding for housing and community development progjrams to be administered through 1 the Community Development Department of the City of Fort Walton Beach. Activities described in this Plan apply to the City' s Fiscal Year 2007 { beginning October i{ 2007. This Annual Action Plan is intended to: Promote citizen participation and develop local priority needs and objectives by providing comprehensive information on the needs of the community; Promote the development of an action plan that provides a basis for assessing performance; and Encourage consultant with public and private agencies to identify shared needs and solutions to community issues and problems. This document serves to present the City of Fort Walton Beach' s proposed 2007 Annual Action Plan. This document describes recommended funding level to address housing, public services{ clearance and demolition{ planning and administrative needs. The application process starts with Citizen Participation. Citizens and local service provider are asked to discuss their views on how the various grant program funds are to address the common goals that are set by statutes governing the program. These goals are met through a collaborative process. Four public meetings are held to obtain citizens views{ and interviews with various services providers are conducted to obtain information and gUidance on the utilization of existing and possible future programs. Citizen comments and suggestions are incorporated into a proposed funding allocation. These proposed projects are forwarded to the Citizen Advisory Committee ( CAC) for consideration. The Community Development Block Grant Citizen Advisory Committee ( CAC) is comprised of five citizens who volunteer their time. The Committee reviews all proposals and provides funding recommendations to the City Council for allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds. Recommendations are developed by the CAC and CDBG staff working together. 2  PROGRAM YEAR 2007 - 2008 ACTION PLAN (Section 91. 200) a) Attached is the completed Standard Form 424 which identifies the proposed projects for Program Year 2007. b) Resources b. 1) Federal Resources Attached is the completed Funding Sources form prescribed by HOD. The CDBG Entitlement is the sole federal funding sources available to address the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the consolidate plan. b. 2) Other Resources The City participates in the WorId Changes Program which is held during the first week of July. For the past five years, the Okaloosa County Community Development Corporation ( OCDC) has provided funds to help with the cost of the materials. The labor is provided by the World Changers. World Changers painted and/ or replaced roofs on 33 homes in the City of Fort Walton Beach from-June 25 - 29, 2007. The City' s Community Redevelopment Agency ( CRA) capital improvements budget includes funds for residential rehabs, payment of building permit fees and sewer and water c01mectioll fees for bonafide affordable housing construction, and for the purchase oflots for Habitat for Humanity and similar programs. The funding for these programs in 2006 - 2007 was $ 217, 726. 00 and for 2007 - 2008 will be $ 250, 000. 00. c) Activities to be undertaken ( 91. 220c) PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION AdministrationIPlanning Target Area AdministrationIPlannin~ Not Applicable 29.605.00 City of Fort Walton Beach Units of Services Program Community Development Department Not Applicable CDBG 105 Miracle Strip Parkway Beneficiaries Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549 Not Applicable 850- 833- 9651 Funds for administration and planning established for the Community Development Block Grant Program. This program helps to assess community needs, plan the use of resources, provide for citizens input and public information on programs, monitor and report on the use of funds and of performance programs, and assure with compliance grant requirements. This project is eligible under 24 CPR 570.205 and 570. 206. 3 Homeowner Rehabilitation Target Area Residential Rehabilitation City Wide 62. 622. 00 City of Fort Walton Beach Units of Service Program Community Development Department 2 Households CDBG 105 Miracle Strip Parkway Beneficiaries Fort Walton Beacb, Florida 32548 Low and Moderate Income Homeowners 850- 833- 9651 The program provides financial assistance to low-income homeowners to rehabilitate their homes and obtain emergency repairs. Housing and Homeowner Services Target Area Fair Housin2 Services Citywide 500. 00 City of Fort Walton Beach Units of Service Program Community Development Department Not Annlicable CDBG 105 Miracle Strip Parkway Beneficiaries Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548 All Residents 850- 833- 9651 This program provides fair housing services consisting of compliant investigations, housing testing, and educational activities. Youth Recreation Services Youth Enrichment Proa:ram General Tara:et Atea$ 20. 000. 00 City of Fort Walton Beach Units of Service Fund Source Community Development Department 60 Youth CDBG 105 Miracle Strip Parkway Beneficiaries Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548 Low and Moderate Youth 850- 833- 9651 This program provides after school and summer programs that engage, enrich, and instruct youth in low-income neighborhoods. 4 Cleara;nce and Demolition Target Area Clearance and Demolition Program City Wide 300. 00 Units of Service Fund Source City of Fort Walton Beach Community Development Department Not Applicable CDBG 105 Miracle Strip Parkway Beneficiaries Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548 Low and Moderate Income Area 850- 833- 9651 Funds will be used for the demolition of structures that cannot be rehabilitated and are contributing to neighbor4ood blight. Homeowner Rehabilitation World Changers Target Area 35.000. 00 Units of Service Fund Source City of Fort \Valton Beach Community Development Department 20 CDBG 105 Miracle Strip Parkway Beneficiaries Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548 Low and Moderate Income Homeowners 850- 833- 9651 Wodd Changers help low and moderate income homeowners by replacing roofs and painting the exterior of the home. 5 Program Year 2007- 2008 Section 91.220) d) Geographic Targeting The City has established a CDBG Target Area within the City which represents the Block Services and Group with greatest concentration of low income households. All of the proposed Public Public activities are located within this area. Residential Rehabilitation projects may be Facility located anywhere within the City limits provided the household meets the income qualification of extremely low, low and moderate income. At the onset of the CDBG program in the mid- 1970' s, federal regulations required that certain this requirement has since been removed, the City has be activities geographically targeted. Although continued its targeting strategy. The primary consideration for target area selection is neighborhood economic need ( low and moderate income levels), followed by the degree of housing deterioration. e) Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities Under this category, the City will not undertake these activities but, will support several and to assist those who operating agencies that are providing valuable services to prevent homelessness are already homeless. Many ofthese agencies provide shelter and comprehensive transitional services to homeless families, of\vhich have female heads of households. permanent housing many Others are coordinating housing assistance for homeless and at- risk families by emphasizing prevention, shelter referrals, and relocation services. The City of Fort Walton Beach Entitlement allocation is insufficient to meet this type of housing needs. However through - the Community Redevelopment Agency, funding is potentially available to local agencies to assist them in addressing the needs ofthe homeless. 1) Other Actions ( 91.220F) a. Meeting Underserved Needs The primary target of activities funded by Community Development programs is improvement of living conditions for low to moderate income persons. The activities are focused on assisting suitable housing and adequate living standards in persons in the community to obtain and maintain stable.or improving neighborhoods. The activities include in the Consolidated Plan are designed to overcome obstacles and meet the underserved needs oflow and moderate income persons. Housing program activities for improvement of occupied housing, expansion of decent and attractive affordable housing stocks, and