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MEMORANDUM DATE: January 8, 2010 TO: Administration and Finance Committee FROM: Mike Barton and Nancy Harte, Office of Planning & Grants RE: CDBG and HOME recommendations OPG staff has reviewed twenty-one applications for CDBG and HOME assistance and determined that all proposals represent eligible activities within their respective categories. However, requested amounts exceed the City’s anticipated allocations from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (Although HUD Federal Fiscal Year 2010 allocations have not been announced, the Department has instructed CDBG and HOME grantees to plan on funding levels at or near those for FFY 2009.) Staff has based its recommendations on allocations of $700,000 for CDBG and $603,000 for HOME. An additional $168,000 of CDBG and $25,000 of HOME in unspent prior-year funds was also included. Award recommendations are based on full funding for requests within prescribed categories based on their ranking and the amounts of funds available. In one instance, CDBG Public Service, staff is recommending partial (and equal) funding to two applicants that were closely ranked and competing for the remaining funds in that category. Council is required to conduct a public hearing on the awards and their inclusion in the City’s Annual Action Plan for housing and community development activities. The City Clerk’s Office suggests that February 8 would be an appropriate date for that hearing. Copies of all CDBG and HOME applications are available in the Council Office. Brief descriptions of the applications along with resolutions authorizing the awards are attached for your consideration. 2010 HOME and CDBG Projects recommended for funding Housing District XI Human Resource Council – HOME grant, $200,000, to support first-time homebuyer assistance. homeWORD – HOME grant, $160,000 and CDBG grant, $100,000, for construction of Solstice Apartments on the former Liberty Lanes site. Missoula Housing Authority – HOME grant, $207,000, to rehabilitate the Palace Apartments tax credit project. ---PAGE BREAK--- Memorandum to Administration and Finance Committee January 8, 2010 Page 2 of 3 District XI Human Resource Council – CDBG grant, $279,500 for rehabilitation of low- and moderate-income owner-occupied residences in the City. Regional Access Mobility Program of Montana (RAMP) – CDBG grant, $20,000 to purchase and install modular aluminum wheelchair ramps for low- to moderate-income seniors or people with disabilities who have limited mobility and are in need of improved accessibility in their homes. Public Facilities/Infrastructure City of Missoula Parks and Recreation – CDBG grant, $105,582 for repairs and improvements to the California Street bridge, including deck repair, installation of a security system, light repair and relocation, and landscaping at the north end of the bridge. Garden City Harvest – CDBG grant, $12,000 to lease the property at 1657 and 1711 River Road for continued operation of 53 garden plots at the River Road Neighborhood Farm and Community Garden. Home ReSources – CDBG loan, $79,760 to remodel the interior of the Home ReSources building at 1515 Wyoming Street to create a community woodshop, a metal-working shop, a showroom, and office space. Repayment of the 15-year loan as well as forgiveness for any portion will be based on continued use of the facility to benefit low- and moderate-income City residents. Missoula Housing Authority – CDBG grant, $25,200 to replace the failing 4” Palace Apartment sewer line and install a backflow preventer at 147-149 West Broadway. Replacement of the line and installation of the backflow preventer will bring the building into compliance with requirements of the water utility and city code. Public Service Missoula Food Bank – CDBG grant, $20,000 for an .5 FTE Warehouse/Driver Assistant to ensure better food product storage and flow, and an .33 FTE Program Services Assistant to supervise SNAP outreach, and coordinate community outreach efforts. Recommendation is for 100% of amount requested. YWCA of Missoula – CDBG grant, $20,000 for emergency shelter for homeless families through the Gateway Center Family Shelter, which provides short-term motel vouchers to provide housing for homeless families. Recommendation is for 100% of amount requested. WORD – CDBG grant, $20,000 to provide counseling and other services for families in transition, including those receiving Basic Needs Assistance from Missoula County. Recommendation is for 100% of amount requested. Garden City Harvest – CDBG grant, $20,000, to support gardening and food production for low-income residents of Orchard Gardens and community food-distribution programs. Recommendation is for 100% of amount requested. ---PAGE BREAK--- Memorandum to Administration and Finance Committee January 8, 2010 Page 3 of 3 homeWORD, Inc. – CDBG grant, $5,000 to support Financial Fitness and Foreclosure Prevention programs. Recommendation is for 100% of amount requested. Missoula Aging Services – CDBG grant, $10,000, to provide respite from care giving duties for low- to moderate-income Missoulians who care for an elderly family member or friend. Recommendation is for 50% of amount requested. Poverello Center – CDBG grant, $10,000 for intake and assessment, case management, and comprehensive support services for homeless individuals through the Breaking Barriers program. Recommendation is for 50% of amount requested. Unfunded Requests: Poverello Center, Inc. – $100,000 CDBG Request. Staff determined that the Poverello application would be more appropriately considered in the FFY 11 competitive cycle. The application foresees no activity that would take place prior to the City's FFY 11 CDBG program year that will begin April 1, 2011. The City should not be considering an award that has the potential to render its CDBG program less timely with respect to drawdown of federal funds. In addition, receipt of a City CDBG award may potentially disqualify the Poverello’s proposed project for CDBG funding through the Montana Department of Commerce. Because an award from the state would most likely be greater than an award from the City, it is in the Poverello’s interest that the City not consider it for an FFY 10 award. Missoula Urban Demonstration Project- $20,000 CDBG request for site redevelopment. Parenting Place- $20,000 CDBG request for respite childcare services. Adult Basic Education- $19,950 CDBG request for tutor salaries. YMCA- $20,000 CDBG request to provide financial assistance for low-income participants in childcare program.