To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources
Prepared By:
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Jeremy Fink, Community Development Administrator, Community Resources
Linda Haley, Housing and Community Development Services Senior Resources Division Manager, Community Resources
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presenter
Presenter: Linda Haley, Housing and Community Development Services Senior Resources Division Manager, Community Resources
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Subject:
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PUBLIC HEARING: 2021 Annual Action Plan, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
At a study session on March 1, 2021 the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) received and reviewed Housing and Community Development Services (HCDS) staff recommendations for 2021 funding amounts for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) projects for Arapahoe County and City of Centennial. At the conclusion of the study session, the BoCC considered the funding recommendations and directed HCDS staff to set the recommendations for a Public Hearing.
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Background and Discussion: The Arapahoe County CDBG program started in 1992 and now operates as an Urban County Consortium, which consists of Deer Trail, Englewood, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Littleton and Sheridan. As an entitlement community, Arapahoe County receives CDBG funds annually from HUD on a formula basis related to our population and demographics, particularly low-to-moderate income residents. In addition to administering the County CDBG Program, Arapahoe County HCDS staff also administers the City of Centennial’s CDBG funds. Centennial is designated as a separate entitlement community.
The 2021 CDBG applications were released on September 1, 2020 and due by November 20, 2020. A total of 20 applications were received requesting $1,881,680 in assistance. The number of applications does not include City of Centennial applications for use of their entitlement funds, or in-house projects proposed by HCDS staff.
With respect to the 2021 applications, HCDS Staff reviewed, scored and ranked all the applications based on an evaluation matrix that includes components such as reasonable quantifiable goals, measurable community impact, addressing an unmet need, serving low-to-moderate income residents, cost reasonableness and effectiveness, leveraged funds, organizational resources and efficacy, SMART goals, staff experience, past performance, community support and consistency with County goals and priorities, specifically the Consolidated Plan.
Unfortunately, at the time of the study session on March 1, 2021, the actual 2021 HUD allocations for CDBG and HOME programs were not available. At that time, HCDS staff recommendations were presented assuming level funding from 2020 to 2021.
After the study session, but prior to the public hearing, HUD announced the 2021 CDBG and HOME allocations. The total 2021 CDBG Allocation is $1,475,692 (Arapahoe County will receive $1,123,872 and the City of Centennial will receive $351,820). The total HOME allocation is $742,487 (Centennial doesn’t receive HOME funds).
Overall, the actual HUD allocations for 2021 CDBG and HOME programs do not change the funding recommendations and awards presented by HCDS staff and recommended for approval by the BOCC at the March 1, 2021 study session. Contingency plans were incorporated into the recommendations to account for this scenario, which identified specific projects that would be subject to any increase or decrease in funding, if applicable. Given the contingency plans and the slight reduction in total CDBG funds, only the designated balance of funds project (HCDS administered rental assistance project) will incur a $2,766 reduction in funding from the estimated $26,712 to actual $23,946. All other projects total funding award will not change because of the difference between estimated and actual funding amount for 2021.
Please see Attachment 1 (Study Session BSR) for more details on the original funding recommendations and project details, as well as CDBG and HOME program details.
Alternatives: The BOCC may recommend an alternative distribution of funds.
Fiscal Impact: The CDBG and HOME programs are entitlement programs awarded and distributed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Therefore, the allocation and use of these funds will not impact Arapahoe County general funds.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☒Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Concurrence: N/A.
Resolution: Attach a copy of the draft resolution.