Title
2021-22 Housing and Urban Development Consolidated Plan Annual Action Plan Amendment to Include Additional Community Development Block Grant Funding (Ordinance S-47714)
Description
Request City Council approval of an amendment to Ordinance S-47526 to amend the 2020-24 Consolidated Plan and 2021-22 Annual Action Plan broad activity areas to include an increase of $244,067 in Community Development Block Grant funds and the submission of the plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Report
Summary
The 2021-22 Annual Action Plan defines strategies to address housing and community development needs in the City of Phoenix for the coming year. The plan contains the application requirements of four federal formula grants HUD utilizes to provide critical funds to entitlement cities like Phoenix. The four programs are: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). Funds for these four programs are allocated annually by HUD to the City based on population and other socio-economic indicators. On May 5, 2021, the City Council approved the draft plan, including the initial CDBG award of $16,562,413. On May 13, 2021, HUD released a formal notification providing an additional $244,067 in CDBG funds to the City of Phoenix, for a total of $16,806,480, and amended the Annual Action Plan Submission deadline to June 16, 2021.
Staff recommends maintaining the original percentage distribution allocation in the broad categories of 65 percent for Critical Core Department Programs ($158,644 increase), 15 percent for Public Services ($36,610 increase), and 20 percent for Program Management, Coordination, and Support ($48,813 increase). This would increase the totals for each of these categories to the following:
- Critical Core Department Programs: $10,924,212
- CDBG Program Management, Coordination, and Support: $3,361,296
- Public Services: $2,520,972
Total CDBG Funding: $16,806,480 (a total increase of $244,067)
Public Outreach
The Annual Action Plan Process was approved by the City Council on Nov.18, 2020. A survey was distributed by multiple City departments and posted on the Neighborhood Services Department's webpage on Feb. 18, 2021, to obtain community and stakeholder input relative to the priorities identified through the 2020-24 Consolidated Plan process. The survey was offered in English and Spanish and over 200 responses were received. On March 4, 2021, a HUD required, virtual, public hearing was held to share the survey results and obtain additional public input to assess community needs throughout Phoenix. Residents and neighborhood leaders provided input regarding housing, social services, neighborhood revitalization, and community development. Additionally, residents who were unable to attend the public hearing had the opportunity to submit comments via e-mail or voicemail. This information, along with a needs assessment, formed the basis for the 2021-22 Annual Action Plan.
A draft of the 2021-22 Annual Action Plan was made available on April 5, 2021, for an advertised 30-day public comment period and a second HUD-required, virtual, public hearing was conducted on April 22, 2021, to obtain community stakeholder input relative to the draft. The goal of the Annual Action Plan process, per HUD requirements, is to ensure comprehensive community planning, and coordinated service delivery to meet critical housing and community development needs.
HUD did not require an additional public comment period or public hearing for the release and allocation of the additional $244,067 in CDBG funds.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
Ordinance S-47526, with the original CDBG allocation, was adopted by the City Council on May 5, 2021, and recommended for City Council approval by the Land Use and Livability Subcommittee on April 21, 2021 by a 3-0 vote.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Neighborhood Services, Human Services and Housing departments.