Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2025-13 Resolution Adopting the FY 2025-30 CDBG Consolidated Plan & FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan — reading text

the households with children that become homeless are single-parent households, 21% households’ housing needs are related to domestic violence. Families with children often become homeless because of poor rental history, housing cost Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 37 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  burdened, loss of employment or other financial crisis. Homeless prevention services are offered to households with minor children that need rental assistance due to rental arrears in order to avoid evictions and households entering the homeless assistance system. If households with children are not diverted or prevented from homelessness the CoC has several supportive housing programs to quickly rehouse homeless households dependent on affordable housing availability. Describe the Nature and Extent of Homelessness by Racial and Ethnic Group. Most people experiencing homeless in Okaloosa and Walton Counties were white, followed by African Americans, mixed race, and Hispanic individuals. The number of white individuals experiencing homelessness was 276, nearly four times more than any other group. However, 14 when compared to the overall population, the proportion of white people experiencing homelessness was lower than the percentage of white people in the larger community. Conversely, the percentage of African Americans experiencing homelessness (18%) was disproportionately larger than the percentage of African Americans in the community (11% for Okaloosa County and 5% for Walton County), suggesting that this population may be particularly at risk. This is true for every category of homelessness: individuals, families, veterans, and subpopulations. Describe the Nature and Extent of Unsheltered and Sheltered Homelessness. 36% of those counted in the Point in Time Count were sheltered and 64% were unsheltered. Discussion: Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County as a whole does have some concerns with homeless populations. Due to the transient nature of this population, most of the data the city is tracking is based on the county as a whole. While numerous programs exist to assist homeless, and more specifically homeless family units with minor children, we do still have problems with this population. HHA and the CoC has multiple programs for families in need of housing assistance and families of veterans. We estimate that 50 families with minor children in the household will become homeless and 35 will exit homelessness with housing stabilization programs and supportive housing interventions. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 38 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  NA-45 Non-Homeless Special Needs Assessment - 91.205 (b,d) Introduction: The Concern for Non-Homeless Special Needs families is not extremely prevalent in Fort Walton Beach. The Bridgeway Center provides assistance at little or not expense to low- and moderate-income families in the area to help address these issues. Describe the characteristics of special needs populations in your community: There are a variety of special needs populations in Fort Walton Beach. Areas of concern include persons experiencing behavioral health disorders who are single or in low income families, persons who are under insured or have no health insurance and families with special needs children. What are the housing and supportive service needs of these populations and how are these needs determined? In Fort Walton Beach, special needs populations may require specialized housing and supportive services, such as those for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, or those experiencing homelessness. These needs are assessed through a combination of needs assessments, coordination with the Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority, and community partner meetings. Discuss the size and characteristics of the population with HIV/ AIDS and their families within the Eligible Metropolitan Statistical Area: Per the Florida Health chart database for the city of Okaloosa County in 2023, the amount of positive HIV is 36.6 rate per 100,000 rates of population. Bridgeway is responsible for all of Okaloosa County’s mental health services for indigent and Medicaid clients. Bridgeway Center offers HIV confidentiality testing at no cost to a client. Bridgeway Center also offers HIV group education classes for our Substance Abuse population. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 39 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  If the PJ will establish a preference for a HOME TBRA activity for persons with a specific category of disabilities (e.g., persons with HIV/ AIDS or chronic mental illness), describe their unmet need for housing and services needed to narrow the gap in benefits and services received by such persons. (See 24 CFR 92.209(c)(2) (ii)) The PJ must explain how the proposed preference will address the gap in benefits and services received by the target population, compared to other eligible individuals. This means showing how the preference will help: Increase access to affordable housing for the target population. Improve access to essential services that support housing stability and independence. Reduce homelessness or prevent homelessness among individuals with disabilities. Discussion: Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County at large do not have significant issues with non-homeless special needs or populations with HIV/ AIDS. Non-Homeless Special Needs concerns are addressed through multiple programs. However, the needs for the Low- and Moderate-Income families can be addressed through utilization of the Bridgeway Center and HOPWA. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 40 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  NA-50 Non-Housing Community Development Needs – 91.215 (f) Describe the jurisdiction’s need for Public Facilities: Fort Walton Beach's non-housing community development needs focus on infrastructure, public services, and economic development. How were these needs determined? Public facilities are determined through a needs assessment process that considers growth, demographic trends, and economic projections. Describe the jurisdiction’s need for Public Improvements: Fort Walton Beach, as an " entitlement community" receiving Community Development Block Grant CDBG) funding from HUD, prioritizes public facility improvements within designated CDBG Target Areas. These improvements aim to address physical, social, or economic decline in low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. How were these needs determined? Fort Walton Beach utilizes a multi-faceted approach to determine its public improvement needs, incorporating data analysis, strategic planning, and citizen engagement. Describe the jurisdiction’s need for Public Services: Ensuring equitable access to public facilities and services for all residents, with a focus on low/moderate- income families. How were these needs determined? Public service needs are determined through city planning processes, including citizen participation and review of applications for funding, as well as through ongoing assessment of community needs and priorities. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 41 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  Housing Market Analysis MA-05 Overview Housing Market Analysis Overview: The purpose this section is to provide a clear picture of the environment in which the Fort Walton Beach must administer its programs over the course of the Consolidated Plan. In conjunction with the Needs Assessment, this will provide the basis for the Strategic Plan, and the programs and projects to be administered. Most of the data tables in this section are populated with default data based on the most recent data available. Additional data has been obtained from various sources: Market Analysis Broad Topics General Characteristics of the Housing Market: The general characteristics of the housing market, including supply, demand, and condition and cost of housing Lead-based Paint Hazards: The Condition of Housing (MA-10) section provides an estimate of the number of housing units within the city that are occupied by low- income families or moderate-income families and that may contain lead-based paint hazards. Public and Assisted Housing: A description and identification of the public housing developments and public housing units in the city. Assisted Housing: The information collected in the Number of Housing Units (MA-10) section describes the number and targeting (income level and type of family served) of units currently assisted by local, state, or federally funded. Facilities, Housing, and Services for Homeless Persons: A brief inventory of facilities, housing, and services that meet the needs of homeless persons in Fort Walton Beach is provided in the Homeless Facilities and Services (MA-30) section. Emphasis is given to chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth. Special Need Facilities and Services: The Special Needs Facilities and Services (MA-35) section describes the housing stock available to serve persons with disabilities and other low-income persons with special needs. Barriers to Affordable Housing: This section (MA-40) provides an assessment of the regulatory barriers to affordable housing that exist within Fort Walton Beach. Broadband Needs: This section ( MA-60) describes the need for broadband wiring and connections, as well as increased competition between broadband providers, to better serve low- and moderate-income households. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 42 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  Hazard Mitigation: This section (MA-65) describes the natural hazard risks associated with climate change and vulnerability to these risks of housing occupied by low- and moderate-income households. Consolidated Plan FORT WALTON BEACH 43 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)  MA-10 Number of Housing Units – 91.210(a)&(b)(2) Introduction The total number of housing units in Fort Walton Beach is just over 10,000. This number has grown slowly. This is due in part to the built-out nature of the city. All residential properties by number of units Property Type Number % 1-unit detached structure 6,780 65% 1-unit, attached structure 565 5% 2-4 units 700 7% 5-19 units 1,220 12% 20 or more units 1,070 10% Mobile Home, boat, RV, van, etc 40 0% Total 10,375 100% Table 28 – Residential Properties by Unit Number Data Source: 2016-2020 ACS Unit Size by Tenure