community development block grant (cbdg) program year 2018 … · 2019. 9. 5. · 2018 caper 1...

2018 CAPER 1

Community Development Block Grant (CBDG)

Program Year 2018

Consolidated Annual Preformance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)

July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019

2018 CAPER 2

Table of Contents

CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes ........................................................................................ 3

CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic Composition of Families Assisted ...................................... 10

CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a) ........................................................... 11

CR-20 - Affordable Housing 91.520(b) ......................................................................... 13

CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320(d, e); 91.520(c) .... 16

CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j) ................................................................ 20

CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j) ......................................................... 21

CR-40 - Monitoring 91.220 and 91.230 ........................................................................ 26

CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c) .............................................................................................. 28

Appendices ................................................................................................................... 29

Section 109/504 and Title VI - Direct Beneficiaries’ Demographic Information

PR 08: CDBG Grantee Summary Activity Report

Public Notice, City Council Resolution and Public Comments

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CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes Progress the jurisdiction has made in carrying out its strategic plan and its action plan. 91.520(a) This could be an overview that includes major initiatives and highlights that were proposed and executed throughout the program year.

The 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan identifies needs in the community and categorizes the needs into one of four categories, public services, public facilities, housing and infrastructure. During the 2018 program year, the City had projects that began or were completed in each category of need. Specifically, the following accomplishments were achieved:

During the 2018 program year, 94% of the 2017 CDBG funds for Help for Home program were expended. To meet the needs of Thornton residents and to maintain compliance with timeliness requirements, this program received an increase in 2016 funds and 74% of 2016 funds were spent.

The Help for Homes program provided free minor home repairs to twenty-three low and moderate income residents. Seventy-four percent of these residents had a disability, 83% were elderly and 74% were female head of households

One Thornton household received a loan to repair and replace a roof on their home through the CDBG-funded home repair loan program. This program was operational in 2015. The trend is that one to two homeowners a year receive assistance through the program.

GRID Alternatives installed solar panels on the homes of twenty-one homeowners. The program helps offset electricity costs and increase energy efficiency to ensure homes remain affordable for low and moderate income families.

Intervention Inc., a non-profit organization that provides emergency rent assistance to victims of domestic violence, assisted twelve victims during the 2018 program year. The agency collaborates with the Police Department’s Victim Advocates for referrals.

Almost Home, a non-profit agency, assisted 16 Thornton households with emergency rent, mortgage and utility payments. These income-eligible families were at risk of losing their homes due to issues such as unemployment, medical issues, or divorce.

The Seniors' Resource Center provides chore services for low to moderate income and/or frail elderly residents allowing them to age in place. During the 2018 program year, this activity assited ten elderly Thornton residents.

Over 50% of program year 2018 funds were allocated to the acquisition of land and the design for a future park in a low to moderate income area in Southwest Thornton to meet the Public Facilities and Infrastructure goal. This park will begin construction during the 2019 program year and accomplishment data will be reported in the 2019 or 2020 CAPER, depending on the final construction schedule.

The City partnered with two HUD-certified housing counseling agencies, Unison Housing Partners and Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation, to host 10

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homebuyer workshops, which were attended by 491 people. The City provided the location and advertised the workshops via flyers and the City’s website.

Comparison of the proposed versus actual outcomes for each outcome measure submitted with the consolidated plan and explain, if applicable, why progress was not made toward meeting goals and objectives. 91.520(g) Categories, priority levels, funding sources and amounts, outcomes/objectives, goal outcome indicators, units of measure, targets, actual outcomes/outputs, and percentage completed for each of the grantee’s program year goals.

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Goal Category Source / Amount

Indicator Unit of Measure

Expected – Strategic Plan

Actual – Strategic Plan

Percent Complete

Expected – Program Year

Actual – Program Year

Percent Complete

Economic Development Goal

Non-Housing Community Development

Jobs created/retained Jobs 5 0 0.00% 0 0 0

Economic Development Goal


Businesses assisted Businesses Assisted 1 0 0.00% 0 0 0

Housing Goal

Affordable Housing Public Housing Homeless Non-Homeless Special Needs

CDBG: $36776

Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities for Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit

Households Assisted 0 0 0 0 0 0

Housing Goal


CDBG: $36776

Rental units constructed Household Housing Unit

4 0 0.00%

0 0 0

Housing Goal


CDBG: $36776 Rental units rehabilitated

Household Housing Unit 50 0

0.00% 0 0 0

Housing Goal

Affordable Housing Public

CDBG: $36776 Homeowner Housing Added


0.00% 0 0 0

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Housing Homeless Non-Homeless Special Needs

Housing Goal


CDBG: $36776 Homeowner Housing Rehabilitated


40.00% 4 21

525.00%

Housing Goal


CDBG: $36776

Direct Financial Assistance to Homebuyers

Households Assisted 10 0

0.00% 0 0 0

Housing Goal


CDBG: $36776 Buildings Demolished Buildings 1 0

0.00% 0 0 0

Public Facilities and Infrastructure Goal


CDBG: $525000

Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit

Persons Assisted 10000 293

2.93% 20000 0

0.00%



CDBG: $525000

Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities for Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit

Households Assisted 4 0

0.00% 0 0 0

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CDBG: $525000

Overnight/Emergency Shelter/Transitional Housing Beds added

Beds 3 0 0.00% 0 0 0

Public Services Goal

Homeless Non-Homeless Special Needs Non-Housing Community Development

CDBG: $23500

Public service activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit


10.00% 63 10

15.87%

Public Services Goal

Homeless Non-Homeless Special Needs Non-Housing Community Development

CDBG: $23500 Homelessness Prevention


353.33% 40 16

40.00%

Table 1 - Accomplishments – Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date

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Assess how the jurisdiction’s use of funds, particularly CDBG, addresses the

priorities and specific objectives identified in the plan, giving special attention to the highest priority activities identified.

The City continues to make progress towards addressing the priority needs identified in the Consolidated Plan. At the end of the 2018 program year, both CDBG and City-funded projects have accomplished 78% of the high priority needs and more than 72% of the low priority needs. Currently, the City’s funding of the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan priorities is fairly balanced; public service projects require a relatively small amount of funds.

The City has developed several strategies to direct funds towards high priority projects and ensure projects are both successfully completed and reach the intended audience:

When the City becomes aware of unmet needs in the community, the City often reaches out to non-profits in the community to identify partnership opportunities and ways in which CDBG, HOME, or City funds could be used to address those needs. Staff recognize that agencies and internal departments are often unclear about what types of projects are eligible and are confused by the record keeping and reporting requirements. Staff have found the most efficient way to address this is by having individual meetings with departments and agencies interested in applying for funds. During the meetings, the City and agency/department discuss project ideas and determine whether the applicant

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has the capacity to capture the information necessary to report outcomes. Ensuring eligible projects receive funding is only the first step towards meeting the

priority needs and goals in the Consolidated Plan. The project must also commence, remain compliant, expend funds in a timely manner and be able to report outcomes. Therefore, staff conducts an on-site visit with sub-recipients to discuss the contract requirements including, timing, procurement processes, reporting and reimbursement processes before the project commences. Staff maintains contact and provides technical assistance throughout the project to answer questions and address issues as they arise. This type of ongoing technical assistance helps maintain compliance with regulations by clarifying questions early on, confirming if reporting systems used have the capability of capturing the required information, and ensuring that the appropriate documentation is collected and that outcomes are accurately tracked.

In 2018, staff continued to use a risk assessment to determine which agencies or projects posed the greatest risk and warranted the most oversight.

Each year, the City re-evaluates the strategies used to meet priority needs to determine if adjustments are warranted or if the strategies are no longer effective.

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CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of families assisted). 91.520(a)

CDBG White 60 Black or African American 7 Asian 1 American Indian or American Native 2 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0 Total 70 Hispanic 36 Not Hispanic 48

Table 2 – Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds

Narrative

The table above reflects projects that had accomplishments in the 2018 program year. In addition to the information reported above regarding race, 14 self-identified as Other Multi-Racial, a category not included in the chart above.

More than 28% of the residents served identified themselves as a minority race and nearly 43% identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino. The ethnicity data of the people served is comparable to Thornton's overall demographic makeup, but the race data is nearly doubled. The 2011-2015 American Community Survey finds that 12% of Thornton's population identify themselves as a minority race and 32% identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino.

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CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a) Identify the resources made available

Source of Funds Source Resources Made Available

Amount Expended During Program

Year CDBG public - federal $731,595 $494,387

Table 3 - Resources Made Available Narrative

As indicated in the table above, more than 67% of the overall 2018 allocation was expended. Over 50% of the 2018 funds were expended to purchase land for the development of a future park in a majority low to moderate income area. Construction of this park is planned to begin in program year 2019. The City is striving to make progress on expending prior year's funding that is not captured in the table above in order to meet timeliness requirements.

Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments

Target Area Planned Percentage of Allocation

Actual Percentage of Allocation

Narrative Description

No defined target areas have been identified for Thornton.

Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable

Table 4 – Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments

Narrative

Although Thornton does not have any defined areas in which CDBG dollars are targeted, the areas south of 104th Avenue are the oldest in the City and continue to need the most revitalization. Furthermore, these areas have a higher concentration of low-income and Hispanic individuals than in other areas of the city. During the 2018 program year, all of the public facility and infrastructure projects undertaken or completed were located in south Thornton.

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Leveraging

Explain how federal funds leveraged additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements were satisfied, as well as how any publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that were used to address the needs identified in the plan.

The CDBG program does not require match from other sources, however the City encourages sub-recipients to leverage other dollars so that CDBG funds have the most impact. More than 50% of the CDBG funded projects that were underway in 2018 leveraged additional resources. The total amount agencies leveraged for projects during 2018 was $216,495.

• GRID Alternatives - Solar Panel Installation program: This agency leveraged$77,500 to install solar panels on the homes of income eligible homeowners.

• Intervention, Inc. - Emergency Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence: This agency leveraged $6,588 to support their program, which provides victims of domestic violence with emergency assistance.

• Almost Home – Emergency Rent, Mortgage/Utility Assistance: This agency leveraged $20,755 to assist low to moderate-income families.

• Seniors' Resource Center - Senior Chore Service Program: This agency leveraged $111,655 to assist elderly residents with strenuous household tasks.

The City did not use any publically owned property or land in 2018 to address the needs in the Consolidated Plan.

The City of Thornton continues to take advantage of other resources to support non-CDBG funded projects that benefit the low-income community and meet the goals identified in the Consolidated Plan. The City receives an allocation of Private Activity Bonds (PAB) on an annual basis. In 2018, the City assigned the entire $7,079,363 PAB allocation to the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to provide low-interest mortgage loans for income-eligible households who purchase homes in the City.

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CR-20 - Affordable Housing 91.520(b) Evaluation of the jurisdiction's progress in providing affordable housing, including the number and types of families served, the number of extremely low-income, low-income, moderate-income, and middle-income persons served.

One-Year Goal Actual Number of Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Number of Non-Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Number of Special-Needs households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Total 0 0

Table 5 – Number of Households

One-Year Goal Actual Number of households supported through Rental Assistance 40 28 Number of households supported through The Production of New Units 0 0 Number of households supported through Rehab of Existing Units 4 45 Number of households supported through Acquisition of Existing Units 0 0 Total 44 73

Table 6 – Number of Households Supported

Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting these goals.

Project cancellations have plagued the City’s progress with CDBG projects the last few years. In

December 2015, Centura Health notified the City that the agency would not be able to use the awarded CDBG funds to convert independent living units to assisted living units at the senior living center because the ownership and management was changing. Also, Habitat for Humanity decided to rescind their funds because they were unsuccessful in finding land that could be purchased in this market to build an affordable single-family duplex. In June 2016, Unison Housing Partners (UHP) notified the City that because they had not been awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for the Crossing Pointe’s affordable housing project they would be

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unable to expend the CDBG funds in the timeframe allowed and needed to rescind their request for the funds. City staff proactively searched for new projects that met the Consolidated Plan goals and could use the funds. The City created substantial amendments in order to reprogram the rescinded 2015 and 2016 funds. Similarly, the affordable housing tap fee amount allocated in the 2017 Annual Action Plan is greater than what is needed. As result, the City started a notice of funding availability at the end of the 2017 CDBG program year and will be creating a substantial amendment to the 2017 Annual Action Plan to add new projects that can use the CDBG funds.

The Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) expired in February of 2018, which dramatically slowed the process to complete environmental reviews for each property needing a repair. The PA was updated to include regular repairs and solar panel installations. As of the end of the 2017 program year, the updated PA was still being reviewed by the City’s legal staff. Once it is executed, it will allow for properties to be approved

in a timely manner.

The Home Repair Loan Program (HRLP) is not expending as much funds as anticipated. The City continually receives questions and send out applications for program. However, we have found that the applicants are either ineligible or the repairs are beyond the scope of services of the program. The City will be meeting with the sub-recipient to discuss policy changes to the HRLP.

The timing in which the City receives its annual allocation has an impact on starting the current year's projects. The City’s policy is that staff cannot start any tasks on projects before the

funding is in IDIS. Since it takes several months to finalize all of the HUD required processes, such as environmental reviews and contracts, it is difficult to get public service projects started before January 1, and construction projects started until the spring or summer due to weather. For this reason, most projects start late in the program year and there are not many outcomes that can be reported for 2018 CDBG-funded projects.

Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans.

The City has worked diligently and successfully to identify and reallocate funds from the cancelled projects to new projects. This has resulted in the staff spending time towards processing a substantial amendment each year and reducing time that could be used preparing for the next year. This can become a cycle that can stall preparatory work on current year projects, especially when new contract administrators and finance staff join the team. To increase efficiencies in the process, the contract and finance staff working with CDBG projects took CDBG trainings in the fall of 2018.

With the execution of the updated Programmatic Agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Home Repair Programs and the Solar Installation Program will be able to

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process applications and complete environmental reviews in a timely matter. (This agreement has been executed as of August 17, 2018.)

During the 2016 program year, the City changed its program year from a March 1 start date to a July 1 start date. The 2017 program year was the first year in which the City had a start date of July 1. The City hopes this change will enable future projects to commence during the program year in which they were funded resulting in an increase in the expenditure of funds and ability to report outcomes of projects funded during the program year. Also, the City staff are working with new City Attorney staff to develop template contracts and scopes of work that can be used to draft CDBG contracts expeditiously and are starting environmental review process for large projects earlier in the program year.

The City staff are working to educate departments that have not been receptive to using CDBG funds on large projects in the past. The City has a new City Manager and new Department Directors, so the CDBG staff are taking this opportunity to help these other departments understand the CDBG goals and benefits. As a result, there is Parks project that is included in the 2018 Annual Action Plan. This is the first time in eight years that the Parks staff have been willing to work with CDBG on a project.

Also, the City is looking at how it allocates funds for projects. For example, for the first time in a decade the City choose not to fund home repair programs in the 2018 Annual Actin Plan because the City is concerned about using funds in a timely fashion. Currently, the City has a backlog of funding for these programs.

Include the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons served by each activity where information on income by family size is required to determine the eligibility of the activity.

Number of Households Served CDBG Actual HOME Actual Extremely Low-income 29 0 Low-income 31 0 Moderate-income 9 0 Total 69 0

Table 7 – Number of Households Served

Narrative Information

In addition to the individuals and households served above, the City also used program year 2018 funds for the purchase vacant land and design of a future park that will benefit a low-moderate income area. Once the park is complete, the project will serve approximately 13,915 people, of which 62% are low-moderate income.

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CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320(d, e); 91.520(c) Evaluate the jurisdiction’s progress in meeting its specific objectives for reducing

and ending homelessness through:

Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs

During the 2018 program year, the City coordinated with Adams County and the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) to host a magnet event in order to survey homeless individuals for the 2019 Point in Time (PIT) survey. Six magnet events were organized and executed throughout Adams County with the intent of attracting homeless individuals to these events, which provided a wealth of services, food, and tangible items. The event hosted by the City offered homeless individuals free haircuts, a warm meal, information for services within the city, and a variety of items such as winter gear, hygiene products, and non-perishable goods. A group of volunteers initiated conversations with those in attendance while surveying them. Through the surveys, each year MDHI, the local Continuum of Care, captures information on the frequency, length and causes of homelessness throughout the Denver-metro area. Along with the magnet events, additional steps were taken to increase the PIT efforts for Adams County, including an electronic survey and review of individual paper surveys.

The PIT survey indicated that Adams County has experienced a significant rise in the total number of homeless individuals on the street. Of the people surveyed during the 2019 PIT, 483 individuals reported having last stayed in Adams County. The survey found that more than 78% of individuals surveyed were single individuals and more than 34% of those single individuals had stayed in an unsheltered location the previous night. This is approximately a 16% increase from 2018. However, the percentage of families experiencing homelessness has decreased over the years. In 2019, 22% of the homeless population were families, whereas in 2018, 32% were families. Furthermore, the survey found that a total of 128 individuals or 27% of the homeless population surveyed are experiencing chronic homelessness, compare to 48% in 2018. Despite the changes, it appears that chronic homelessness, substance use or abuse and mental health concerns continue to be prevalent among the homeless population.

In the past, one of the shortcomings of the PIT survey has been that many of the survey locations have been at shelters, food banks, or human service agencies. Although important information is captured, it did not provide a clear picture on individuals who were un-housed or not accessing services. During the 2019 PIT survey, the City has helped address this issue by hosting a magnet event as well as assisting with street outreach by designating two police officers to accompany volunteers to survey homeless individuals that did not attend the event.

Unfortunately there is still only limited information available on those who are homeless and currently live in Thornton. The City hears that many of the homeless in the community live doubled up with friends or family. These individuals who rely on family or friends rather than service providers are not being captured through traditional assessments and outreach.

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Therefore, during the 2017 program year, the City developed an internal task force on homeless to better track the homeless individuals who are staying long term in Thornton and those just passing through. The task force includes staff from the Police department, Community Outreach division, Community Connections division, Code Compliance, and Parks.

The City will continue to explore ways to identify and address the needs of the homeless through the task force and collaborating with Adams County, schools, local service providers and the Continuum of Care.

Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons

One emergency shelter program operates in Thornton, but there are no permanent physical shelters that operate year around within the city limits. The emergency shelter program, Cold Weather Care, provides night shelter at host churches for homeless individuals from October to April each year. These months tend to be the coldest months of the year and are often when homeless shelters are at capacity. Three of the four churches involved in the program are located in Thornton. In order to support this initiative, the City performs free fire and building safety inspections of the churches and participants are invited to use shower facilities at the Thornton Community Center, when a church does not have shower facilities on site.

There are no transitional housing units within the city limits; however, Renaissance 88, a permanent supportive housing complex, is located in Thornton. The complex houses 180 formerly homeless individuals and families, many whom have a disability.

The school district identifies and provides services to students who are at-risk or currently homeless. The data compiled by the school districts indicates that many of the individuals and families without housing in Adams County, and presumably Thornton, are currently living with family or friends. The City developed and funded a tenant-based rental assistance program previously that served families with children in Thornton schools. The program was costly to administer and was discontinued. The school district’s homeless liaisons and the City will

continue to look for options to keep families with children in homes, allowing students to remain in the same school over several years.

Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: likely to become homeless after being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); and, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that

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address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs

According to the Point in Time (PIT) survey, nearly 7% of the respondents reported that they were currently fleeing a domestic violence situation. Of those fleeing a domestic violence situation 38% were considered unsheltered (i.e.; on the streets, in a car, park, abandoned building, etc.) and 53% were in an emergency shelter. To address this issue, the City is used CDBG funding to support a program that provides emergency rent, mortgage and utility assistance to victims of domestic violence. The program is a collaboration between Intervention, Inc. a local non-profit that provides victims services and Thornton Police Department Victim Advocates. During the 2018 program year, the program provided emergency assistance to 12 victims to prevent them from becoming homeless.

Other Thornton residents are finding themselves facing eviction or living without a home for other reasons. Therefore, the need for emergency mortgage, rent or utility assistance is high. The City also provided CDBG funds to Almost Home, a non-profit agency that provides mortgage, rent or utility assistance to low and moderate income individuals and families. During the 2018 program year, Almost Home provided emergency assistance to 16 Thornton households.

The City supported publically funded institutions and systems of care through Thornton Assistance Funds (TAF). In program year 2018, the City awarded $150,000 in TAF to 36 non-profits that provide food, housing, social services and publically funded institutions such as, mental health agencies, healthcare facilities and victim service agencies.

Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again

The City awarded funding to Intervention, Inc. to expand an existing emergency assistance program for victims of domestic violence. The agency provides victim services to Thornton residents, but lacked funding to provide emergency assistance for rent, mortgage or utilities in Thornton. The agency has found that an obstacle to leaving an abusive situation is often the financial dependence on the abuser. By providing the victim with a way to remain in stable housing, they have the opportunity to focus on accessing resources and support.

The City also provides resource information and referrals as needed to homeless individuals. Recently, the City created a brochure that include contact information on services that help those experiencing homelessness.

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In addition to federal funding, the City sets aside general operating funds to help non-profit agencies that serve the basic needs of Thornton residents. Basic needs are described as food, shelter, health and human services.

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CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j) Actions taken to address the needs of public housing

The City of Thornton does not have any public housing units within the city boundaries and therefore did not take any actions during the 2018 program year to address the needs of public housing specifically.

Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership

Since the City does not have any public housing units, it has not taken any actions to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management. The City encourages all residents to participate in homeownership education programs to learn about the opportunity for owning a home and what is involved with homeownership; the outreach is not specific to public housing residents. During the 2018 program year, the City partnered with two HUD-certified housing counseling agencies, Unison Housng Partners and Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation, to host 10 homebuyer workshops, which were attended by 491 people. The City provided the location and advertised the workshops via flyers and the City’s

website.

Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs

Unison Housing Partners, the local housing authority serving the City of Thornton is not troubled; therefore, this section does not apply.

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CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j) Actions taken to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment. 91.220 (j); 91.320 (i)

Raw land and development costs continue to rise; it becomes increasingly more difficult to develop new affordable housing within the city. In order to combat this, the City continued to take action to address the limitation of new affordable developments, especially around areas near the future commuter rail. In May of 2018, the City Council approved an incentive agreement to support the first phase of development of Unison Housing Partners’ (UHP) Crossing Pointe affordable rental complex at 104th and Colorado, across from a commuter rail stop. This phase of development will include a 64-unit apartment building intended for seniors who are below 60% area median income. The City allocated nearly $104,000 in program year 2017 CDBG funds for infrastructure expenses and provided $1.9 million in incentives for this project. In addition, City Council assigned $6.6 million in Private Activity Bonds to fund the development of a 338-unit apartment building, which will serve households that are earning 60% of the area median income or less close to a proposed commuter rail stop in the northern most part of the city.

In addition to the efforts taken through the CDBG program, the City has two boards that review, implement and adjust policies that may be barriers to development. The Building Code Advisory Board is responsible for reviewing and recommending the adoption of the various building and fire codes used in the city. They also handle appeals of written rulings or administrative decisions of the Chief Building Official or Fire Chief. The Development Permits and Appeals Board is responsible for holding public hearings on applications for development permits and variances. Development permits approve specific site layouts properties based on the approved conceptual site plan. A variance is a request to grant an exception to or variation from the zoning regulations when there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in carrying out the provisions of the code.

Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)

The 2018 Annual Action Plan (AAP) identified a variety of obstacles to meeting underserved needs in the city. These included a growing need for services as the community expands, lack of education of available resources within the community, competition for federal and state funds, availability of accessible and affordable housing, the increased cost of housing, gaps in affordability of owner-occupied and rental housing for populations at specific income levels, concentrated areas of affordable housing, and increased compliance and technical skills

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required for administering the funds.

The City took the following actions in order to address the obstacles to meeting the needs of the underserved population:

The City assigned over $7 million in Private Activity Bonds, which will provide low-interest mortgage loans to income qualified first-time homebuyers within the City.

The City participated in regional meetings to learn about changes to existing services and new programs available to residents, and initiatives to address homelessness.

Information on available services and programs was provided to residents through several different methods: Website - Information was posted on the City website, which is accessible to people 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The website provided contact information for social service providers and community organizations, such as food banks, health providers, and agencies that assist with substance abuse, transportation, water assistance, or housing. Resources to Minority Populations -The City of Thornton continued to offer resources for residents whose primary language is Spanish. Educational Workshops and Special Events - The City hosted free educational workshops throughout the year focusing on home maintenance and first time homebuyer education. Neighborhood Services also attended City festivals to provide resources to low-income and special needs populations.

The City developed an internal homeless task force to identify the characteristics of those experiencing homelessness, inventory of the current services, and researching model programs, and making recommendations to help serve the homeless community.

Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)

The City collaborated with Brother Redevelopment (BRI) to conduct the City’s minor home

repair program, Help for Homes, of which one component is the evaluation and mitigation of lead-based paint. The City is responsible for the application review of the Help for Homes program and BRI handles the repair work and the Paint-A-Thon. Because of the limited scope of work for the programs, lead-based paint is tested for and mitigation measures are taken, but full abatement is not conducted. During the 2018 program year, one home in the program built before 1978 required lead-based paint testing. The lead-based test results were negative. All of the other homes were exempt from lead-based paint mitigation requirements because either no lead-based paint was present or the home was occupied by an elderly or disabled individual with no children under the age of six in the home. However, if lead-based paint was identified, lead-safe work practices were conducted.

The first time homebuyer classes supported by the City also include information on home inspections and the laws regarding lead-based paint. By supporting these programs, the City is helping to educate citizens, reduce lead-based paint hazards for current homeowners and increase the inventory of safe and affordable housing.

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Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)

The City continued to support agencies and initiatives aimed at reducing the number of poverty-level families by ensuring there are opportunities for people to increase their financial knowledge before taking on home loans and aiding supportive services for those in poverty.

The City supported first-time homebuyer education programs. These programs require participants to attend homebuyer workshops, which is key to the long-term success of the resident maintaining homeownership. Also, the City continued to offer the Home Repair Loan program, which provides 0% interest loans for major home repairs. Participants must complete housing counseling with a HUD-certified counselor. The counseling not only determines if the individual may qualify, but also discusses budgeting, the ability to pay a monthly loan and whether the loan is the best option for the person. The City funded emergency rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs through local non-profit organizations. These programs include a one-on-one financial counseling discussion before people can receive the financial assistance.

The City also awards grants through the Thornton Assistance Funds program to aid non-profit organizations in their efforts to help people move from relying on private or public assistance to providing for one's own needs. Often if basic needs can be met and other supportive services can be provided, some of the financial strain on families can be alleviated and individuals and families can move towards self-sufficiency.

Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)

The City aims to prevent gaps in the institutional structure by participating in regional task forces to continue dialog with other agencies and stay aware of updates affecting affordable housing and special needs populations. The City also continues to make a deliberate effort to coordinate with other Adams County Consortium members to identify collaborative opportunities, needs in the community, current services, and ways in which the agencies can be strategic in assigning funds.

Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)

The City worked with public and private housing and social service agencies to enhance coordination in the following ways:

Coordinated meetings between the City and County to discuss projects located in or benefitting residents of Thornton, in which the County was also contributing funds to a

2018 CAPER 24

project. Some of the projects in which discussions occurred were the Crossing Pointe affordable housing development, and a new acquisition and rehabilitation pilot program.Offered technical assistance to 16 agencies or departments to discuss the available sources of funding, associated timelines for applying for funds and most impactful uses of funds.Participated in regional efforts and meetings with public and private housing and social service agencies and other entitlement communities including, the CDBG User's Group meeting, the Adams County Coalition for the Homeless, Adams County Balanced Housing stakeholders meeting and Cold Weather Care Advisory Committee.Surveyed manufactured home parks and multifamily apartment complexes to determine the number of units, vacancy and rental rates.Offered free pre-application meetings for potential developers and/or property owners that were considering new development or rehabilitation.

Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. 91.520(a)

The 2019 City of Thornton Housing Needs Assessment and Analysis of Impediments identified fair housing impediments and assigned priority levels to each. Among the highest priority impediments identified were:

Access to low-poverty areas; Insufficient affordable housing in a range of unit sizes; Insufficient accessible affordable housing; Insufficient fair housing education;

To address these impediments, the City continued to provide residents with access to information about fair housing laws, resources, and supported projects aimed at increasing accessibility, availability, and education:

HUD fair housing brochures and flyers are available at City Hall. These include Are you a victim of housing discrimination (English and Spanish), HUD - Fair Housing Equal Opportunity for All, Colorado Civil Rights Division – Housing Discrimination (English and Spanish).

Community Connections and the Police Department continued coordinating meetings for the apartment and manufactured home park managers. Attendees represent 57 multi-family rental properties and manufactured home parks located in the city. Discussions include fair housing, property owner and tenant rights and issues as well as other pertinent topics.

The City hosted a multi-family partnership meeting, which provided a Fair Housing 101 training that was presented by the Denver Metro Fair Housing Center.The City distributed flyers in English and Spanish with the utility bill mailing to every home in Thornton in order to promote free homeownership and energy efficiency workshops

2018 CAPER 25

offered by HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. Workshops presenters discuss housing discrimination.

To address the concern about low-income housing being concentrated in areas of the city in which there are more protected classes, the City supported agencies that educate and support first-time homebuyers and develop and rehabilitate affordable housing throughout the city:

The City assigned over $7 million in Private Activity Bonds to provide low-interest mortgages to income eligible first-time homebuyers with the City.

The City partnered with HUD-certified housing counseling agencies to host 10 homebuyer workshops, which were attended by 491 people.

One person received a loan through the Home Repair Loan Program to address major health and safety issues in their home.

2018 CAPER 26

CR-40 - Monitoring 91.220 and 91.230 Describe the standards and procedures used to monitor activities carried out in furtherance of the plan and used to ensure long-term compliance with requirements of the programs involved, including minority business outreach and the comprehensive planning requirements

Community Connections staff conduct four types of monitoring of sub-recipients on an ongoing basis. All of the open projects regardless of the year funded received at least three types of monitoring.

Individual - This monitoring includes ongoing contact with the sub-recipient to provide guidance in order to prevent potential issues and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Individual meetings are set up with sub-recipients to discuss the CDBG program, processes, reporting requirements, identify any concerns, and provide technical assistance as needed once contracts were executed.

Desktop - This monitoring is completed when sub-recipients submit quarterly or annual reports, financial audits or when Davis Bacon applies to a project. This type of monitoring enables the City to analyze information such as accomplishments and expenditures and compliance with Davis Bacon, which help determine the need for additional technical assistance or future on-site visits. This monitoring also helps confirm that previously funded projects continue to be used for the same purpose and continue to benefit eligible populations. The review of reports is completed on a quarterly basis for current projects, and annually for previously funded projects that are required to continue to benefit low and moderate-income populations. If Davis Bacon is applicable to the project, the payrolls are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

On-site – Two of the 2016 projects and one of the 20167 projects received on-site monitoring visits in October 2018 to review compliance with the CDBG regulations. All of the other open activities from program year 2016 received on-site monitoring during the prior year. The on-site monitoring for the remaining 2017 projects and 2018 projects will be scheduled in October of 2019. The monitoring consists of interviews with key staff as well as a review of pertinent records once the project is under contract and running for a period of time to allow for records to be reviewed. The City also conducted on-site Davis Bacon interviews for the Thornton Valley East Drainage Improvement project.

Drawdown Requests - Neighborhood Services staff reviewed the monthly draw down requests and supporting documents for compliance with all reporting requirements and to verify the sub-recipient is requesting reimbursement for approved purchases as outlined in the contract.

In addition to the above mentioned monitoring techniques, if a project is subject to Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act (Section 3) or required to report on Minority or Women Owned Businesses (MBE/WBE) utilized, the City provides additional information and support. Not only does the City discuss the requirements applicable to the regulations with both the sub-recipient and subcontractor, but helps to reach out to and obtain information from

2018 CAPER 27

subcontractors during the bidding process. Some of the ways in which the City accomplishes this are outlined below:

The City posts bidding opportunities on the Thornton's Section 3 website; If necessary, the City will assist sub-recipients in outreaching to contractors and will

provide information on resources such as the National Section 3 website and the Colorado Small Business Development Center's Minority Business database; and

Subcontractors are provided with technical assistance and the applicable forms to determine if they qualify as a MBE/WBE or Section 3 contractor.

Citizen Participation Plan 91.105(d); 91.115(d)

Describe the efforts to provide citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment on performance reports.

The public notice regarding the completion and request for comments for the 2018 CAPER was advertised in the Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel on September 5, 2019. The notice provided information on the comment period and public hearing. It also included contact information for Spanish speaking individuals to obtain more information on the CAPER and the related public comment period.

A 15-day comment period was conducted between September 5, 2019 and September 20, 2019. A draft version of the report was placed on the City's website (www.cityofthornton.net) at the beginning of the public comment period. In addition, residents had the opportunity to speak at a public hearing, which was held on September 24, 2019 in the City of Thornton Civic Center, 9500 Civic Center Drive, Thornton, Colorado. The public hearing was televised live on municipal Channel 8 and available for viewing on the City of Thornton's website. The public hearing was held in City Hall, an ADA accessible facility.

The City was prepared to take comments from non-English speaking and hearing impaired residents. Interpretation was available through a translation service if a person were to call or come into the City who did not speak English. Hearing impaired individuals have access to teletypewriter (TTY) relay service through the phone companies. Should a non-English speaking person or hearing impaired person want to attend the public hearing, staff will arrange translation, if given enough advanced notice.

2018 CAPER 28

CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c)

Specify the nature of, and reasons for, any changes in the jurisdiction’s program objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its experiences.

The City did not change any of its program objectives.

Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grants?

No

[BEDI grantees] Describe accomplishments and program outcomes during the last year.

This section is not applicable, as the City does not have and BEDU grants.

2018 CAPER 29

ATTACHMENT: Section 109/504 and Title VI - Direct Beneficiaries’ Demographic Information Direct Beneficiaries’ Demographic Information under Section 109/504 & Title VI

Program Year: 2018

Program/Activity Race Ethnicity FHOH Disability

GRID Alternatives - Solar Panel Installation

White: 8 - 38%

Asian: 1 – 5%

American Indian or American Native: 1 – 5%

Other/Multi Racial: 11 – 52%

Hispanic: 6 – 28.5%

Non-Hispanic: 15 – 71.5%

11 – 52% 4 – 19%

Help for Homes – Minor Home Repair

White: 20 - 87%

Black or African American: 2 – 9%

American Indian or American Native: 1 – 4%

Hispanic: 10 – 43%

Non-Hispanic: 12 – 57% 17 – 74% 17 – 74%

Home Loan Repair Program – Major Home

Repair White: 1 – 100%

Hispanic: 0 – 0%

Non-Hispanic: 1– 100% 1 – 100% 1 – 100%

Almost Home Emergency Rental

Assistance

White: 12 - 75%



Hispanic: 8 – 50%

Non-Hispanic: 8– 50% 7 – 43% 1 – 6%

2018 CAPER 30

Intervention Inc. – Emergency Rental

Assistance

White: 12 - 100%

Hispanic: 11 – 92%

Non-Hispanic: 1– 8% 12 – 100% 3 – 12%

Senior Resource Center – Senior Chore

Service Program

White: 6 - 60%



Hispanic: 2 – 20%

Non-Hispanic: 8 – 80% 7 – 70% 4 – 40%

The table above reflects projects that had accomplishments in the 2018 program year. More than 28% of the residents served

identified themselves as a minority race and nearly 43% identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino. The ethnicity data of the people

served is comparable to Thornton's overall demographic makeup, but the race data is nearly doubled. The 2011-2015 American

Community Survey finds that 12% of Thornton's population identify themselves as a minority race and 32% identify themselves as

Hispanic or Latino.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBANDEVELOPMENT

OFFICE OF COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTPR08 - Grantee Summary Activity Report

DATE: 8/30/2019TIME: 12:32:45 PM

PAGE: 1/1

IDIS

1/1

Grantee ActivityNumber

IDISActivityID

Pgm Yr-Project

Activity Name Act Stat MatrixCode MetricsInitial

FundingDate

FundedAmount

DrawnAmount

Date ofLast Draw

801619/Construction

801619/Delivery801619/Engineering801619/Senior Srvs801621-10/Remodel801628/Senior Srvs801661/PF Improve801705/PF Improve801707/Senior Srvcs

801712/Infra801751/PF Improve801759/PF Improve

801871/Infra801875/PS801898/Infrast

801900/PF Improve

801909/Infrast801928/PF Improve

801935/MF Housing801949/Land Acq801949/PF Park801952/PS

801968/InfrastTotal

819610211615222928

313837

464553

54

6369

87858681

88

2010-72011-32010-72010-72011-22010-72010-62011-32012-32012-2

2012-32013-22013-2

2014-22014-42015-2

2015-2

2016-32015-2

2017-22018-12018-12018-2

2017-4

Streetscape Improvements - ConstructionStreetscape Improvements - ConstructionStreetscape Improvements - Project DeliveryStreetscape Improvements - EngineeringThe Senior Hub - Senior SolutionsCommunity Reach Center - Mtnland RemodelThe Senior Hub - Senior SolutionsClinica - Thornton Clinic Expansion EngineeringShiloh House - Sanctuary Building ImprovementsSenior Hub - Respite and In Home SupportiveServices ProgramStreetscape Improvements - ConstructionClinica Family Services - Solar Panel InstallationArapahoe House - Lipan Facility SecurityImprovementsCOT - Thornton Valley East DrainageCOT - Senior Services Vehicle PurchaseCOT - Yucca/Eppinger Drainage and ADAImproveShiloh House - Sanctuary Door and FrameReplacementCOT - Thornton Valley East DrainageAdams 12 and KFHC - School-based HealthCenterUHP-Installation of Infrastructure for DevelopmentCOT- Land AcquisitionCOT- Public Facilities/Park DesignSeniors' Resource Center - Chore ServiceProgramCOT - Emergency Outlet for Detention Basin

CompletedCompletedCompletedCompletedCompletedCompletedCompletedCompletedCompletedCompleted

CompletedCompletedCompleted

CompletedCompletedCompleted

Completed

CompletedCompleted

OpenCompletedOpenOpen

Open

03K03K03K03Z05A03P05A03P03Q05A

03K03P03Z

03J05A03K

03Q

03J03P

03J01

03F05A

03I

12/27/10 $148,985.76 $148,985.76 04/15/201109/06/11 $213,656.93 $213,656.93 08/01/201201/14/11 $2,664.58 $2,664.58 08/01/201212/27/10 $13,220.94 $13,220.94 11/20/201211/15/11 $11,250.00 $11,250.00 02/02/201301/14/11 $47,000.00 $47,000.00 02/09/201212/27/10 $8,000.00 $8,000.00 06/23/201101/30/12 $100,000.00 $100,000.00 10/13/201211/19/12 $4,276.73 $4,276.73 02/13/2014

10/26/12 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 02/14/2014

02/27/13 $222,167.96 $222,167.96 04/22/201411/22/13 $79,747.53 $79,747.53 06/06/2015

10/22/13 $50,000.00 $50,000.00 12/19/2014

10/02/14 $93,357.11 $93,357.11 10/27/201604/16/15 $80,573.00 $80,573.00 11/05/2015

11/14/16 $74,314.06 $74,314.06 09/23/2017

05/23/16 $43,000.08 $43,000.08 07/22/2017

04/28/17 $290,027.27 $290,027.27 10/20/2018

03/14/17 $271,685.86 $271,685.86 02/21/2018

01/09/19 $103,863.00 $72,704.10 08/14/201912/31/18 $425,129.79 $425,129.79 08/14/201912/31/18 $99,927.21 $0.00

12/21/18 $3,500.00 $0.00

02/06/19 $100,000.00 $3,380.60 05/31/2019 $2,496,347.81 $2,265,142.30

2018 CAPER 31

Public Notice, Resolution and Citizen Comments The City of Thornton posted a Legal Notice in the Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel for the 15-day public comment period for the 2018 CAPER on September 5, 2019. The CAPER was also posted on the City’s website the same day. The public hearing was held on September 24, 2019.

2018 CAPER 32

CITY OF THORNTON

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)

2018 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS

September 24 at 7 P.M.

Date: September 5, 2019

Name: City of Thornton

Address: 9500 Civic Center Drive, Thornton, Colorado 80229-4326

Phone: 720-977-5800

The City Council of the City of Thornton (City) will hold a public comment period and public hearing related to the 2018 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) prior to submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The CAPER provides an assessment of the City of Thornton’s progress in carrying out

the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan and the 2018 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-funded programs and services that target low- and moderate-income residents. The document includes information on the 2018 accomplishments; how obstacles were addressed; how other resources were leveraged; what monitoring activities took place; the citizen participation process; and what actions were taken to affirmatively further fair housing. The CAPER also describes what actions were taken in 2018 to meet housing, homeless, community development and non-homeless special needs. The 2018 program year ran from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

Public Comment Period

2018 CAPER 33

The purpose of this notice is to mark the beginning of the 15-day public comment period, which will run from September 5th through September 20th at 5 p.m. A draft copy of the CAPER can be viewed online at www.ThorntonCO.gov. Also, residents can review a copy at the Thornton Community Center, 2211 Eppinger Boulevard. Thornton residents may provide their thoughts on the CAPER during the public comment period by emailing [email protected], or mailing letters to City of Thornton c/o CDBG, 2211 Eppinger Blvd., Thornton, CO 80229.

Public Hearing

Staff will present the resident comments gathered from the public comment period at the City Council meeting on September 24 at 7 p.m. in the Thornton City Hall, 9500 Civic Center Drive. Residents are welcome to attend and provide their comments on the CAPER verbally to Council. City Hall is accessible to people with disabilities. If you are planning to attend this meeting and require special assistance, please notify the City’s

Human Resources Division at 303-538-7245 at least one day in advance of the meeting. TDD access available through Colorado Relay at 711.

Para más información, la llamada 720-977-5800.

CITY COUNCIL OF THE

CITY OF THORNTON, COLORADO

Heidi K. Williams, Mayor

Attest: Kristen N. Rosenbaum, City Clerk

Approved as to Form: Luis A. Corchado, City Attorney

Published: September 5, 2019

http://www.thorntonco.gov/mailto:[email protected]

PR08.pdfCAPER - Council.pdf

community development block grant (cbdg) program year 2018 … · 2019. 9. 5. · 2018 caper 1...

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