DATE: September 11, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Housing and Neighborhood Services Department
TITLE: 2023-24 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE & EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP FUNDS
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council approve the 2023-24 Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER) and direct staff to submit the CAPER to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
As a designated U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) entitlement community, the City of Oceanside receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds, collectively known as “HUD funds” to meet identified housing and community development needs of the City’s low/moderate-income residents. HUD requires entitlement communities receiving these funds to annually review and publicly report on the expenditure of its HUD funds in carrying out activities described in its Annual Action Plan (“AAP”) towards those goals outlined within the City’s Five-Year (2020-2024) Consolidated Plan (the “Con-Plan”). This report of expenditures and performance, the CAPER, has been prepared for the Program Year (PY) covering July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 and is attached as Exhibit A for review and approval. The CAPER is required to be submitted to HUD within 90 days of the close of the program year (September 28, 2024).
The 2023-24 CAPER reports on the expenditures of HUD funds and completed projects for the program year utilizing the HUD CAPER template and data from HUD’s online reporting system, known as IDIS. This CAPER covers the fourth year of the Con-Plan. For PY 2023-24, the City followed its allocation strategy by funding public services, public facilities, housing activities, homeless prevention activities, and fair housing services to address unmet community needs.
The CAPER demonstrates that the City adhered to required HUD regulations governing the grant funds. Specifically, the City expended the grant funds within the prescribed timeframe; funded projects meeting a HUD National Objective; and maintained the administration and public service expenditures within the mandated maximum spending limitations.
Progress was also made towards the goals and objectives identified in the Con-Plan. The funds expended during the reporting year had a positive impact on the community and accomplishments on the identified priority needs are described below.
Summary of Accomplishments
• Affordable Housing - Through the Residential Rehabilitation Loan Program and Mobilehome Grant program, 17 households were assisted; with two additional households set to finish construction in the Summer 2024. These programs serve lower-income residents who do not have the financial means to maintain or improve their homes. By providing financial assistance for essential health & safety repairs and renovations, it ensures that families can continue to live in safe and habitable conditions. Moreover, the program contributes to the preservation of the city's housing stock, preventing the decline of neighborhoods and helping to maintain neighborhood property values.
• Homelessness - In an effort to provide temporary assistance to residents and families at high risk of homelessness, the City of Oceanside allocated HOME funds to assist with short term rental assistance. The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program provides rental assistance for up to twelve months to families and is leveraged with case management services to assist these families in dealing with short term barriers to maintaining their housing. TBRA assisted 178 total TBRA participants (99 adults and 79 children). No families were evicted during their TBRA participation.
• Public Facilities - Last year, CDBG dollars funded various capital improvement projects. Several of these projects were carried forward from the prior fiscal year and are set to be finalized in Summer 2024. These projects include the Crown Heights ADA Pedestrian Ramps, Libby Lake ADA Pedestrian Ramps, and the Cesar Chavez Park Playground. Progress to date includes completion of the design for the John Landes skatepark amenities and the design and historical review for the Crown Heights Resource Center renovation project. Additional funds have been allocated to the John Landes Park Improvement Project for a total of $590,000 to address administrative costs, professional services and construction costs.
• Public service - Four youth programs provided programs and services for children and youth from low- and moderate-income families to develop positive personal assets, encourage academic achievement, and reduce the risk of juvenile delinquency. The youth programs are operated in our Crown Heights, Eastside, and Libby Lake neighborhoods. Combined, these youth programs assisted 211 youth. In addition to youth programs, Public Services funding was allocated for senior programming. The two senior programs included access meals at the Country Club Senior Center or home delivery of meals and health and wellness programming through the Club 55 Senior Fitness Program. The City’s Community Resource Centers located in the Crown Heights and Eastside neighborhoods assisted 419 residents with access to vital information, programming for children and youth, and supportive services by various nonprofit social service and health organizations, and direct assistance by Resource Center staff.
• Fair Housing - 92 households were assisted with fair housing/tenant landlord inquiries by CSA San Diego County. CSA provides direct walk-in services at the Chavez Resource Center and held various webinars and participated at community events to provide fair housing information and resources out in the community.
Community Participation and Public Outreach Efforts
Engaging residents and community members in defining and understanding the current housing and community development needs while prioritizing resources to address these needs is a key component of the development of the Con-Plan and CAPER. The City is required by HUD to allow the community the availability to comment on the CAPER. A Public Notice was published in the San Diego Union-Tribune announcing a 15-day public comment period beginning on August 25, 2024, inviting the public to comment on the CAPER. The draft CAPER was made available for public review at the offices of the Housing and Neighborhood Services Department and its website, the Oceanside Public Library, and Community Resource Centers in the Crown Heights, Eastside, Libby Lake, and John Landes neighborhoods. To date, no comments have been received through the public comment period, ending September 11, 2024.
This Public Hearing is another avenue for the community to engage in the evaluation of the uses of the grant funds. Prior to its submittal to HUD, the draft CAPER will be supplemented with any comments from members of the public and City Council that are expressed during this public meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
Does not apply.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Does not apply.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
The Housing Commission approved the CAPER at its regularly scheduled meeting on August 27, 2024.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The City Council is authorized to hold a public hearing in this matter. Consideration of the matter should be based on the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing. After conducting the public hearing, the Council shall approve, modify or disapprove the CAPER. The referenced documents have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Cecilia Barandiaran, Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Leilani Hines, Housing & Neighborhood Services Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff report
2. CAPER