DRAFT 2013 CITY OF VANCOUVER ACTION PLAN CDBG / HOME … · 2013. 3. 29. · City of Vancouver...
Transcript of DRAFT 2013 CITY OF VANCOUVER ACTION PLAN CDBG / HOME … · 2013. 3. 29. · City of Vancouver...
DRAFT
2013 CITY OF VANCOUVER
ACTION PLAN
CDBG / HOME
PROGRAMS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
City of Vancouver
Timothy D. Leavitt, Mayor
Eric Holmes, City Manager
City Council
Jeanne Harris, Council Member
Jeanne E. Stewart, Council Member
Larry J. Smith, Council Member
Jack Burkman, Council Member
Bart Hansen, Council Member
Bill Turlay, Council Member
Community Development
Chad Eiken, Director
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) & HOME Program
Peggy Sheehan, Program Manager
Martin Greenlee, Program Coordinator
Craig Frantz, Housing Rehab Specialist
Bryan Monroe, Associate Planner
Jonna Papajohn, Program Support
City of Vancouver CDBG and HOME Programs
415 W 6th Street (98660)● P.O. Box 1995
Vancouver, WA ● 98668-1995
Tel 360.487.7952 ● Fax 360.487.7965
Vancouver’s 2013 Action Plan is the fifth year of the 2009-2013 Housing and Community
Development (H&CD) Consolidated Plan and marks the eleventh year as a CDBG
entitlement city. July 1, 2013 will also be the start of fifth year that Vancouver will receive
HOME entitlement funds. The Consolidated Plan coordinates public funding housing,
neighborhood development, economic development, and public services into a unified
approach. It establishes needs, resources, priorities, and proposed activities to be
undertaken with respect to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the
HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs, along with other Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. It is updated annually through the
“Action Plan”, which provides information regarding the projects and funding for the
upcoming year. The 2009-2013 Consolidated Plan can be found at Vancouver’s website at
www.cityofvancouver.us/cdbg and includes the following objectives:
Establish and Maintain a Suitable Living Environment and Economic
Opportunities
Ensure Decent Affordable Housing
Provide Services to End Homelessness
The City of Vancouver (Vancouver) is the fourth largest city in the state of Washington with
a population of 161,791 (2010 Census) and an approximate area of 48.5 square miles.
Additional census information and maps are available in Attachment C.
For narrative discussion, the document will refer to the all of the incomes on the chart as
“low-income”. The federal government publishes the median family income annually for
each area of the country. The Chart below indicates the income for a family of four living in
Vancouver. The complete chart is contained in Attachment B.
Median Family
Income FY 2013 Income Limit Category
Income Limit
for a 4 Person
Household
$68,300
Extremely Low (30% Area Median Income) $20,800
Very Low (50% Area Median Income) $34,700
60% Area Median Income $41,640
Low (80%) Income Limits $55,500
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, effective
December 11, 2012 for CDBG funds and March 15, 2013 for HOME funds.
Note: Vancouver is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA MSA
The 2013 Action Plan projects are funded with Vancouver’s CDBG and HOME entitlement
funds. Other funds that are available for Vancouver and Clark County providers include
Section 8, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act funds, Community Services Block
Executive Summary
Grant (CSBG), Emergency Shelter and Homeless Prevention (ESHP), and the Fannie Mae
area grants; local funds include deed recording fees (HB2160, HB 2163, etc) that are
managed by the Clark County Department of Community Services. A comprehensive list
of other resources expected to be available is provided in Appendix D.
City of Vancouver CDBG Funds
Entitlement (estimated April 2013) $1,014,826
Carry-Forward $148,500
Anticipated Program Income $50,000
Total Funds $1,213,326
City of Vancouver HOME Funds
Entitlement (estimated April 2013) $532,732
Carry-Forward $0
Total Funds $691,924
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has developed the following
outcome performance measures in the Federal Register Notice Dated March 7, 2006:
Availability/Accessibility - Applies to activities that make services infrastructure,
public services, public facilities, housing, or shelter available or accessible to low
and moderate-income people, including people with disabilities.
Affordability - Applies to activities that provide affordability in a variety of ways
in the lives of low- and moderate-income people, such as affordable housing,
basic infrastructure hook-ups, etc
Sustainability: Promoting Livable or Viable Communities - Applies to activities
aimed at improving communities or neighborhoods, helping to make them more
livable or viable by providing benefit to persons of low- and moderate-income.
The anticipated outcomes of program year 2013 projects are identified in each project
description and a summary is listed in the Outcome Measures section of the Action Plan.
Vancouver provides a detailed evaluation of its past performance each year in the
Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER). The 2011 CAPER (July 1
2011 – June 30 2012, marking the fourth year of the 2009-2013 Consolidated Plan, is
available for review at: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/ced/page/cdbg-plans-and-reports
Vancouver City Council held a first reading on April 22, 2013 and a public hearing on May
6, 2013, for the 2013 Action Plan. The public hearing notice and list of projects were
published in The Columbian newspaper and distributed to the Vancouver Community
Library. The general public, representatives of City and County agencies, and
representatives of non-profit organizations were included in the process. The public
hearing was accessible to persons with physical disabilities and special needs
accommodations were available upon request. Citizen comments on the Action Plan are
provided in Appendix E.
Transcripts of the public hearing comments as well as a CVTV digital broadcast of the
public hearing are available by following links on Vancouver’s website at http://www.cityofvancouver.us/citycouncil/page/watch-council-meetings-and-workshops-cvtv.
Vancouver follows a detailed citizen participation plan. All citizens are encouraged to
participate in the Action Plan development and review process; including low- and
moderate-income people, minority and non-English-speaking persons, people with
disabilities or HIV/AIDS, homeless persons/agencies, and residents of public and assisted
housing developments.
Vancouver has taken action to assist other agencies and organizations in applying for
available funds and leveraging other resources to implement the housing strategies and
programs. Vancouver works with representatives from the private lending community,
financial experts, and private and non-profit housing developers and consultants who can
provide technical expertise in packaging development proposals. Vancouver has submitted
letters of support and verification of consistency for project applications, which support the
goals and objectives that are found in the H&CD Plan.
The CDBG and HOME applications strongly encourage leveraging funds by awarding
additional rating points based on the amount of committed matching funds. Projects
funded with program year 2013 CDBG and HOME funds had a total of $3,041817
committed matching funds. The amount of leveraged funds is expected to go up as projects
move forward, especially for housing construction projects, such as the Affordable
Community Environments Van Mall Senior Housing project. Attachment D lists the
resources expected to be available throughout Clark County and Vancouver to address the
priority needs and specific objectives identified in the Action Plan.
Citizen Participation
Resources / Leveraging Other Funds
The City of Vancouver received a Section 108 loan that is used in conjunction with one-
million dollars received through Brownfields Economic Development initiative (BEDI).
This funding is being used for the Waterfront Access Project, for further detail regarding
this project see the Vancouver website http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cdbg. Vancouver
anticipates this project being completed in the fall of 2013.
Since 2003, Vancouver has been receiving a direct allocation of Community Development
Block Grant funds from the U. S Department of Housing & Urban Development. In 2009,
Vancouver began receiving an annual allocation of HOME Investment Partnership funding
directly from HUD. The Vancouver City Council is legally responsible for administration
of these programs in compliance with the HUD regulations and requirements and has
responsibility for the final allocation of funds for program activities. The Council has
designated responsibility for management of the programs to the Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) staff of Vancouver’s Community Planning Department. The CDBG
staff is responsible for policy analysis, conducting the annual planning process, assisting
community partners to develop project activities and for managing and implementing
approved program activities throughout the year.
Vancouver is currently updating the Consolidated Plan and is improving the linkages with
the City Comprehensive Plan and other documents. Key partners in the planning and
implementation of activities include private non-profit organizations, city departments,
housing developers and the Vancouver Housing Authority. The Vancouver Housing
Authority manages public housing and Section 8 housing throughout Clark County and
owns three shelters within the Vancouver. The VHA Board of Commissioners is appointed
by the Mayor of Vancouver. Vancouver also coordinates with local and regional and
transportation agencies, such as the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation
Council and C-Tran, to provide residents of affordable housing access to public
transportation.
The strengths of the institutional system for delivering Action Plan programs are the
cohesiveness of Vancouver’s Departments as well as the collaboration of the community
partners. The primary weakness of the delivery system is a lack of financial resources to
meet needs.
Managing the Process
Institutional Structure and Coordination
City of Vancouver staff report annually to HUD regarding all CDBG and HOME funded
projects. Vancouver uses several monitoring tools to ensure compliance requirements of all
projects, including policies, contract requirements, results from monitoring or auditor
reports from other agencies, and on-site monitoring. All projects requesting CDBG and
HOME funds are evaluated to determine program eligibility and priority based on program
policies, local, state and federal regulations, and Consolidated Plans. City staff visits new
agencies in the first year of contracting. Ongoing agencies will have an onsite monitoring
visit every two years. Timelines may be adjusted based on staffing and agency
performance.
The Vancouver CDBG program ensures that, to the best of their ability, all records are
complete and agencies comply with the following applicable rules and regulations:
Political Activity; Davis-Bacon and Related Acts; Civil Rights; Cash Management; Federal
Financial Reports; Allowable Costs and Cost Principles; Drug Free Workplace Act; and
other administrative requirements.
The housing and community development needs of Vancouver are spread throughout the
community. Many of the projects listed within this document are not geographic-specific,
but are intended to benefit citizens city-wide. Other projects may be site-specific. When
available, this information is included with the project description.
Vancouver has defined an area considered to have a minority concentration as “an area
where the total percentage of minority persons is at least 20 points higher than the total
percentage of minorities for the City as a whole”. This is based on the HUD definition of a
minority neighborhood1. Attachment C shows areas of race and minority concentration and
low and moderate-income concentration and includes a map showing census tracts and
block groups.
Vancouver has two Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (NRSAs). The Esther Short
NRSA was approved by HUD in 2006 and the Central Vancouver NRSA was approved in
2007. These NRSA areas were approved by HUD again as part of the 2009-2013
Consolidated Plan. The Esther Short NRSA includes the Esther Short and Hough
neighborhoods in the downtown area. Projects funded with program year 2013 funds
located in this area include the Public Infrastructure Accessibility Improvements;
1 http://www.huduser.org/portal/glossary/glossary.html
Monitoring
Geographic Distribution
The Central Vancouver NRSA includes the Rose Village, Central Park, Fourth Plain Village,
Bagley Downs, and Meadow Homes neighborhoods. Projects funded with program year
2013 funds located in this area include the Columbia River Mental Health Roof
Repair/Retrofit, Public Infrastructure Accessibility Improvements; and the Affordable
Community Environments – Van Mall Senior Housing project. In addition, Vancouver will
use funds for the Housing Rehabilitation program towards site specific projects located in
this area. For additional information on the NRSA areas, see the Neighborhood
Revitalization Strategy Plans on the city website at http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cdbg.
Vancouver goals and objectives under the Consolidated Plan are outlined below. Projects
funded with program year 2013 CDBG and HOME funds are listed within these goals and
objectives. Ongoing projects are reported annually in the CAPER. The Consolidated Plan
and the outlined projects are identified through the three program criteria of Community
Development, Affordable Housing, and Homelessness.
Vancouver organizes a volunteer committee comprised of City staff and community
members to prioritize all applications. This was the third year Vancouver utilized the
ZoomGrants™ online grant management system; which was more efficient, user-friendly,
and cost effective. Priorities are recommended to Vancouver Council based on a maximum
dollar amount. Staff negotiates contracts based on agency budget needs and available
funding. The following pages describe proposed programs, projects, and activities that will
be undertaken, given the resources available in the proposed budget. This Action Plan is
consistent with the statutory goals outlined in the strategies and the priority needs listed in
the 2009-2013 Consolidated Plan.
Annual Objectives and Description of Activities
Objective One: Establish and Maintain a Suitable Living Environment
and Economic Opportunities
Strategy 1: Support acquisition of, and improvements to, facilities that provide services
to low-income families, elderly, or people with special needs.
CD-1.1: Support acquisition of, and improvements to, community facilities to enhance
service delivery to low-income persons. Facilities should consider
sustainability goals and be consistent with neighborhood and/or community
plans.
Columbia River Mental Health – Phase II Roof Repair/Retro Fit
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $31,000
Description: Repair/ Retro fit of remaining 11,700 square feet of roof area
for mental health service facility. Repair will create a more energy efficient,
20 year roof that will reduce maintenance and utility costs.
Projected Beneficiaries: 7000 people
Project Location: 6926 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver
Outcome: Sustainability
Strategy 2: Create and maintain revitalization efforts in neighborhoods by improving
their physical and social character.
CD-2.1: Improve publicly owned facilities (streets, sidewalks, storm drainage, water,
parks, and sewer) in eligible neighborhoods. Facilities should consider
sustainability goals and be consistent with neighborhood and/or community
plans.
City of Vancouver: Public Infrastructure and Accessibility
Improvements
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $376,719
Description:
Projected Beneficiaries: To be determined
Projected Location:
Outcome:
CD-2.2: Acquire new properties for public use or facilities. Improve parks and
recreation facilities to enhance the livability of low- and moderate-income
neighborhoods. Facilities should consider sustainability goals consistent with
neighborhood and/or community plans.
CD-2.3: Support activities improving Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas and
establish new areas where appropriate.
Ongoing – reported annually in CAPERS
Strategy 3: Support community vitality through activities that promote a diverse
economic base and family wage jobs while providing opportunities for low-income
people to become financially independent.
CD-3.1: Support activities that retain or create jobs for low/moderate-income persons.
CD-3.2: Support business and community development through various loans and
grants including the Section 108 Loan Fund.
Strategy 4: Enhance quality of life for families and individuals by supporting public
services which predominantly serve people who are low/moderate-income.
CD-4.1: Maintain and support the capacity of local non-profit agencies that provide
community services.
Share - Hunger Response
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $40,000
Description: Supports program costs of a community meal programs
serving over 90,000 meals annually.
Projected Beneficiaries: 4,500 low-income people
Project Location: Citywide
Outcome: Availability/Accessibility
CD-4.2: Collaborate with the Clark County staff and local service providers to assess
the community needs, develop plans for service design and funding
allocations.
Ongoing – reported annually in CAPERS
Objective Two: Ensure Decent Affordable Housing
Strategy 1: Increase the supply of housing that is affordable to renter households,
earning 60 percent or less of AMI. Projects should serve households within a range of
incomes, provide a range of unit sizes and meet recognized sustainability standards.
AH-1.1: Support the construction of, or conversion to, new and affordable rental
housing projects.
AH-1.2: Support acquisition and/or rehabilitation of rental housing to increase
affordable housing stock.
AH1.3: Support creation or retention of housing for low-income elderly and special
needs populations.
Affordable Community Environments – Van Mall Senior Housing
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $122,000
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $0
Description: Funding for direct construction costs and some soft cost
allocations to construct 45-unit senior living apartment complex.
Projected Beneficiaries: 45 households
Project Location: 3112 NE 62nd Avenue, Vancouver
Outcome: Affordability
Strategy 2: Preserve existing affordable housing threatened with loss due to condition,
location, expiring federal contracts, redevelopment efforts, lead-based paint, or other
situations.
AH-2.1: Support preservation/rehabilitation of existing low-income single-family
housing.
City of Vancouver - Housing Rehabilitation Program
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $99,000
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $0
Description: Provides limited rehabilitation loans from $5,000 to $25,000
for homeowner-occupied housing throughout Vancouver.
Projected Beneficiaries: 4-20 low/moderate-income households
Project Location: City-wide (specific sites to be determined)
Outcome: Sustainability
AH-2.2: Support preservation/rehabilitation of existing low-income rental housing.
Vancouver National Historic Reserve – Infantry Barracks Rehabilitation
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $100,000
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $0
Description: Rehabilitate a 12 -unit housing National Historic Register
building built in 1887. CDBG funds will be used for direct construction,
costs.
Projected Beneficiaries: 12households
Project Location:
Outcome: Sustainability
Strategy 3: Promote homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income
households, including persons with disabilities and first-time homebuyers.
AH-3.1: Support homeowner assistance for first-time or low-income homebuyers and
encourage participation in pre- and post-purchase housing education.
Strategy 4: Plan for and support strategies and initiatives to promote fair housing and
increase access to housing and housing programs.
AH-4.1: Disseminate fair housing information to the public through support for
regional housing search services, through community agencies, and support of
fair housing conferences.
Ongoing – reported annually in CAPERS
AH-4.2: Provide fair housing technical assistance to housing providers and community.
Ongoing – City organizes fair housing trainings reported annually in CAPERS
Strategy 5: Maintain and support the capacity of local non-profit housing
organizations.
AH-5.1: Support continued operation of local non-profit agencies that develop and
provide low-income housing.
Affordable Community Environments – CHDO Operating Expenses
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $8,879
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $0
Outcome: Sustainability
Columbia Non-Profit Housing – CHDO Operating Expenses
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $8,879
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $0
Outcome: Sustainability
Second Step Housing – CHDO Operating Expenses
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $8,879
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $0
Outcome: Sustainability
AH-5.2: Coordinate with housing funders and advocacy organizations to streamline
funding applications, contracting and monitoring.
Ongoing
ZoomGrants™ Online Grant Management System
Vancouver will continue to utilize the online grant management system,
which is a more efficient, user-friendly, and cost-effective method of
funding applications.
Outcome: Sustainability
Objective Three: Provide Services to End Homelessness
Strategy 1: Prevention/diversion/discharge planning: Support programs aimed at
keeping at-risk people in housing and approaches to divert people from jail into
housing and treatment services.
HS-1.1: Increase housing stability for those at risk of homelessness by supporting and
expanding programs that help households maintain housing.
Salvation Army- Moving Forward Together
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $80,000
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $70,000
Description: Provides one-on-one case management, life skills training,
housing services, and rental subsidies. CDBG Funding will be used for
staffing that provides housing services; HOME funding will be used for
rental subsidies.
Projected Beneficiaries: 48 households
Project Location: Citywide
Outcome: Affordability/Accessibility
HS-1.2: Increase coordination among programs that provide services to low-income
people in order to assess and respond to housing needs to prevent
homelessness. Work to ensure that public institutions discharge people into
housing.
Strategy 2: Housing plus supportive services: Support services designed to expand the
affordable housing available and services to assist homeless people to reach self-
sufficiency.
HS-2.1: Preserve and expand the supply of permanent housing and permanent
supportive housing affordable to households with very low incomes.
Second Step Housing - Housing Services
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $0
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $40,000
Description: Provide individualized case management housing services
for very low-income individuals and their families in transitional and
permanent housing units. CDBG funds will be used for personnel costs.
Projected Beneficiaries: 175 low and very low-income households
Project location: City-wide
Outcome: Affordability
HS-2.2: Preserve and expand the supply of transitional supportive housing for
individuals and families.
Share - ASPIRE
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $50,000
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $250,000
Description: Provide transitional housing with rental subsidies and
services so that households pay no more than 30% of their income for
housing. CDBG Funding will be used for staffing that provides housing
services; HOME funding will be used for rental subsidies.
Projected Beneficiaries: 100 individuals
Project location: City-wide
Outcome: Affordability
HS-2.3: Increase access to educational and employment programs to increase earning
potential for individuals who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
Ongoing – reported annually in CAPERS
Strategy 3: Short-term emergency response: Support programs that identify people
who are homeless, assess their needs, and move them into appropriate housing and
supporting services.
HS-3.1: Maintain an effective outreach program that links homeless people to
mainstream resources.
Share - Outreach
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $0
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $40,000
Description: Support staff costs of outreach program that connects
homeless and low-income people with services.
Projected Beneficiaries: 500 very low-income people served
Project Location: City-wide
Outcome: Availability/Accessibility
HS-3.2: Ensure availability and access to clearinghouse, emergency shelter and services
in the existing shelter system.
Janus Youth –Staffing The Oaks
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $0
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $40,000
Description: Provide shelter, case management, and social skills training
for youth who are deemed runaways or at-risk of harm at two homeless
shelters. CDBG funds will be used for personnel costs.
Projected Beneficiaries: 400 youth
Project Location: City-wide
Outcome: Availability/Accessibility
Council for the Homeless – Emergency Shelter Clearinghouse
PY 2013 HOME Funding: $0
PY 2013 CDBG Funding: $40,000
Description: Support staff costs of a call center that conducts screening
and referral to area shelters and resources.
Projected Beneficiaries: 2,000 very low-income people
Project Location: City-wide
Outcome: Availability/Accessibility
Strategy 4: System-wide improvement: Support and improve the overall performance,
efficiency, and accountability of the homeless system.
HS-4.1: Plan and coordinate system-wide to efficiently manage limited resources for
ending homelessness.
Ongoing – reported annually in CAPERS
HS-4.2: Build on successful implementation and expansion of HMIS System in Clark
County.
Ongoing – reported annually in CAPERS
The table below identifies outcome measures for the activities in accordance with Federal
Register Notice dated March 7, 2006.
Objective Agency Project Outcome
Sustainable
Living
Environment
City of Vancouver Public Infrastructure
Improvements Availability/ Accessibility
Columbia River Mental Health Phase II Roof Repair/Retro Fit Sustainability
Council for the Homeless Housing Solutions Center Availability/ Accessibility
Janus Youth Programs The Oaks Staffing Availability/ Accessibility
Share Share Hunger Response/Outreach Availability/ Accessibility
Salvation Army Moving Forward Together Availability/ Accessibility
Decent
Housing
Affordable Community
Environments (ACE) CHDO Sustainability
Affordable Community
Environments (ACE) Van Mall Senior Housing Affordability
City of Vancouver Housing Rehabilitation Loan
Program Sustainability
Columbia Non-Profit Housing CHDO Sustainability
Second-Step Housing CHDO Sustainability
Second-Step Housing Housing Services Affordability
Share ASPIRE Rental Subsidies/
Housing Services Affordability
Vancouver National Historic
Reserve Infantry Barracks Sustainability
Economic
Opportunity
Outcome Measures
Housing
Annual Affordable Housing Goals Vancouver partners with the Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) and several non-profit
agencies to assist in projects designed to provide affordable rental and homeowner
housing, including assistance to people with disabilities and homeless individuals and
families.
The program year 2013 funding includes providing tenant-based rental assistance to
approximately 148 households, housing services for over 255 households, development of
rental housing, homeownership assistance, and reservation/rehab of existing low-income
single-family housing (4-20 households). See annual objectives and description of activities
section for specific projects and anticipated beneficiaries/outcomes.
Subsidized Housing (Administered by the Vancouver Housing Authority)
Vancouver partners with the Vancouver Housing Authority, the public housing authority
in the community, to meet the housing needs of low- to moderate-income individuals. The
Vancouver Housing Authority provides subsidized housing for over 7,500 Clark County
residents and over 60% of these residents are elderly or people with disabilities. There are
over 3,000 households currently on the waiting list for subsidized housing and the average
wait is 3-5 years. The VHA Moving to Work 2013 Annual Plan identifies public housing
needs and specific actions to be taken during the upcoming year. In addition, a list of on-
going public housing improvements is provided through the Five Year Capital Plan. These
documents are available at the Vancouver Housing Authority website at www.vhausa.com.
The VHA Resident Advisory Board is a voice for VHA residents, assisting with the
development of the VHA’s annual plan each year. In addition, several communities have
Resident Councils, a Resident Commissioner serves on the VHA Board, and two resident
service coordinators support resident initiatives and link residents with supportive services.
Vancouver has committed program year 2013 CDBG and HOME funds for the
rehabilitation of Barracks to become low-income housing. We have also committed funding
for the Van Mall Senior Housing project so that Affordable Community Environments
(ACE) for the construction costs - see annual objectives and description of activities section.
Housing Rehabilitation Program Vancouver operates a housing rehabilitation program within the city limits of Vancouver.
Projects will be limited to a maximum amount of $25,000 to complete basic home repairs
that will bring the home up to Vancouver’s rehabilitation standards. Repairs will be made
for homeowners who are 80% or less of the area median income (AMI).
Income eligible homeowners will receive bids from pre-qualified contractors. The
homeowner will select a contractor and Vancouver will oversee the project. The contract
will be between the homeowner and the contractor with payment made to the contractor by
Vancouver. The goal of the housing rehabilitation program is to preserve the housing
supply of Vancouver; this is achieved by bringing the home up to our minimum standards
and local code.
Vancouver participates with the Council for the Homeless and area service providers to
enhance the community’s comprehensive Continuum of Care system to end homelessness.
This dynamic partnership includes collaborative efforts of a variety of community groups,
government agencies and a coalition of more than 48 homeless service providers.
Vancouver enhances coordination of public, private, and non-profit housing providers,
human service agencies, and social service providers through the following actions:
Works with other jurisdictions, including Clark County and the Vancouver Housing
Authority, to prioritize housing needs, provide services, and maximize the use of
federal, state, and local funds for affordable housing, community development, and
related services.
Participates in coordinated efforts for shelter and services assisting homeless
individuals and families.
In 2005, Washington State passed the Homelessness Housing and Assistance Act (ESSHB
2163) directing local governments to develop ten-year homeless plans “which shall be
aimed at eliminating homelessness, with a minimum goal of fifty percent by July 1, 2015.”
This act also requires a community wide plan to assist in accomplishing this task.
Vancouver along with Clark County and the area non-profit organizations was one of the
first jurisdictions to develop a Plan to End Homelessness. The plan includes a requirement
that the community completes a one-day count of people who are homeless. On January
31, 2013, a total of xxxx homeless people were counted (xxx sheltered, xxx unsheltered, and
xxx temporarily living with a friend.
Homeless and Special Needs
The goals and objectives of the 10 Year Homeless Plan are listed in priority order:
1. Prevention: Increase housing stability for individuals and families at risk of
homelessness by supporting and expanding programs that provide short-term rental
housing assistance, eviction prevention services and other short-term supportive
services.
2. Diversion/Re-entry: Increase coordination and linkage among mainstream
programs that provide care and services to low-income people in order to
consistently assess and respond to their housing needs to prevent homelessness, and
ensure that public institutions (hospitals, prisons, jails, mental health facilities)
discharge people into housing.
3. Permanent Housing: Preserve and expand the supply of permanent housing and
permanent supportive affordable to persons with very low incomes.
4. Transitional/Supportive: Preserve and expand the supply of short-term supportive
housing for individuals and families.
5. Employment/Income Support: Increase access to educational and employment
programs to increase earning potential for individuals who are homeless, or at risk
of homelessness, and lead to self-sufficiency.
6. Outreach/Access/Linkage: Maintain effective outreach programs for persons who
are homeless and chronically homeless and are not engaged in the homeless service
system. Linkages should be created to easily connect those who are homeless to
mainstream resources, and create simple access points for comprehensive housing,
physical and mental health services, and chemical dependency treatment.
7. Access to Shelter: Ensure availability and access to staffed emergency shelter and
services in the existing shelter system.
8. Planning/Coordination: Plan and coordinate countywide and system wide to
efficiently manage limited resources for ending homelessness.
9. Data Analysis: Build on successful implementation and expansion of Homeless
Management Information Services (HMIS) in Clark County.
Vancouver has focused CDBG funds in program year 2013 on addressing the needs of
people who are homeless. Program year 2013 funded projects include, homeless outreach
services, emergency shelter services, case management, and training opportunities. See
Annual Objectives and Description of Activities section for specific projects and anticipated
beneficiaries/outcomes. Additional resources and actions directed towards homeless and
special needs populations are listed below.
Washington Families Fund The Washington Families Fund is a public-private partnership to expand service-enriched
affordable housing for homeless families in Washington State. Established by the
Washington Legislature in 2004, the fund fills a critical need by providing stable, long-term
funding for housing-based services.
Administered by Building Changes, Washington Families Fund will help sustain existing
supportive services and create new programs statewide. The fund provides financing for
both on- and off-site support services tied to affordable housing, allowing non-profit
organizations to increase comprehensive and individualized case management services for
homeless families throughout the state. Community Services Northwest received a
$375,000 grant in 2011, as well as grants in previous years. The Share ASPIRE program has
also received funding through this program in 2005.
Bridges to Housing Bridges to Housing is an innovative and holistic approach to the growing and alarming
problem of family homelessness in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. Bridges to
Housing will offer hope for a better future to the families and their children who are served
by the program and will inform local and national policy and practice. The program
involves planning and funding from four separate counties in two states. The project
combines government and private funding to develop and coordinate a regional model to
combat family homelessness. The Share ASPIRE program has received funds since 2006
and partners with the Vancouver Housing Authority to house Bridges to Housing families
throughout Clark County.
Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS The City of Portland receives and distributes funding for the HOPWA program for seven
counties in the metropolitan area including Clark County. For further information of
HOPWA activities, contact the City of Portland’s Bureau of Housing and Community
Development at (503) 823-2375 or http://www.portlandonline.com/phb.
Continuum of Care Vancouver participates with the Council for the Homeless and service providers to enhance
the community’s comprehensive Continuum of Care system to end homelessness in the
county. This dynamic partnership includes collaborative efforts of a variety of community
groups, government agencies and coalition of more than 40 homeless service providers. For
further information on the Council for the Homeless, contact Andy Silver at (360) 993-9561
or http://www.icfth.com/.
Vancouver City Council approved an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in
September 2012. The analysis concluded that the City has solid policies and practices in
place to mitigate fair housing barriers. The associated survey indicated that Vancouver
residents feel empowered to find solutions when faced with housing discrimination. There
are very few census tracts within the city with higher than citywide average proportion of
minorities. The City has a very low volume of housing complaints. Since January 2006 only
59 complaints have been file by HUD residents. Of those complaints 50% were found to be
unsubstantiated and 20% were resolved through settlement agreement. No fair housing
legal actions have been filed within Vancouver in the last five years.
Along with the positive findings the analysis also highlighted areas in which there are
opportunities to improve fair housing conditions.
Housing has become less affordable and deeply subsidized rentals are scarce.
Between 2000 and 2010, the buying and renting power of Vancouver residents declined.
Specifically, the median contract rent for apartments in the city has increased 22 percent
increase from the median rent in 2000. To afford the increase in the median contract rent,
renters would need to earn $5,960 more per year. Instead, renter income increased by just
$1,400. The median-priced home in 2000 cost $70,000 more in 2010. To afford this increase,
homeowners would need to earn about $25,000 more per year. Homeowner income rose by
less than half of what was needed to keep up with housing value increases.
Based on 2009 data provided mortgage lending disparities may exist for Hispanic applicants.
In 2009, there were approximately 6,500 mortgage loan applications made by residents in
Vancouver. Loan origination rates varied by race and ethnicity. The largest gap in denials
was between Hispanic and non-Hispanic borrowers. In three of the City’s census tracts
with high proportions of Hispanic residents 2009 mortgage loan denials exceeded City
averages. Non-Hispanic borrowers’ origination rate was 13 percentage points higher than
Hispanic borrowers’. These census tracts could be at risk for disinvestment and decline if
access to private capital is limited.
Access of fair housing information could be improved.
Fair housing information is readily accessible on many websites but is lacking or hard to
find on some important obvious sites.
The City fair housing law is appears outdated because it does not cover all protected classes
as currently required by Federal law.
The City of Vancouver currently defers fair housing practices regulation to superseding
state and federal regulations. The City of Vancouver Municipal Code Section 8.44.040 was
Barriers to Affordable Housing
initially adopted in 1968 following federal landmark civil rights legislation. The ordinance
has remained dormant since adoption and therefore does not offer the same protections as
current federal or state fair housing laws, which include protections for gender, familial
status, disability and (for state law) marital status, sexual orientation and veteran status.
The analysis recommended the City of Vancouver adopt the following Action Plan and
activities for reducing fair housing impediments:
ACTION ITEM 1. Support nonprofit and private sector efforts to increase the stock of
affordable housing, especially deeply subsidized rentals.
• Monitor Vancouver’s housing plans and policies (Consolidated Plan and
Comprehensive Plan) with emphasis on creating subsidized rental units.
• Locate publically funded units in high opportunity neighborhoods—those with few
poverty concentrations, good schools, access to public transportation and stable
pricing.
• Develop projects that include market rate housing in order to reduce affordable
housing concentrations and expand housing choice for low income individuals.
Considerations-Rising rental costs during the past decade (without corresponding increases
in renter income) and the very long waitlists for public housing authority units and
Housing Choice vouchers—combined with residents’ and stakeholders’ views of
inadequate affordable rental housing—make the lack of affordable rentals the top fair
housing barrier found in this AI. It is a difficult time for many cities to aggressively address
affordable housing shortages. As the economy improves and the city’s funds become less
constrained, Vancouver should closely follow its priorities identified in the Comprehensive
Plan and, in particular, add more deeply subsidized rental units to its housing stock.
Ideally, such units would be located in high opportunity neighborhoods—those with few
poverty concentrations, good schools and stable pricing—and developments with market
rate housing to reduce affordable housing concentrations and further housing choice for
low income individuals.
ACTION ITEM 2. Monitor potential areas of racial/ethnic concentrations and high
mortgage loan denials.
• Work with neighborhood associations in Fruit Valley, Fourth Plain Village, Harney
Heights and Meadow Homes to promote the investment of public dollars focused on
revitalization of these neighborhoods and provide housing improvements.
• Monitor Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data to further understand the
loan denials in the City.
Considerations-Racial and ethnic concentrations in the City are minimal, with just two
block groups showing high proportions of persons of Hispanic descent. Areas where
minorities live in the City are somewhat correlated with census tracts with higher-than-
average mortgage loan denials. In addition, the City’s recent community survey the areas
with racial and ethnic concentration are also the areas where residents report the lowest
levels of the “feeling of safety walking…after dark.”
A lack of private capital investment combined with potential reluctance of residents to
locate in these areas due to safety concerns could lead to neighborhood disinvestment and
decline.
To better understand if disinvestment or discrimination is occurring, the City should
continue to attend neighborhood meetings in these areas, distribute fair housing
information and have discussions with residents to identify any fair housing concerns. The
City should also continue investing public dollars in neighborhood revitalization and
housing improvements in these areas.
ACTION ITEM 3. Continue to improve access to and dissemination of fair housing
information.
• Regularly update the City website to include additional fair housing information
including links to websites for more information on filing complaints in both
Spanish and English.
• Add a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section.
• Work with local social service agencies to include a fair housing information section
with links on their web sites.
Considerations-The websites for the City, Vancouver Housing Authority, and Legal Aid
should be regularly updated with fair housing information.
Fair housing pages on websites should describe fair housing laws and residents’ rights and
provide links to websites for more information and filing complaints. All of this
information should be provided in Spanish and English. A Frequently Asked Questions
section is recommended with answers to questions such as “If I am not a U.S. citizen but I
feel that I have been discriminated against, what can I do?”
While the City has pursued a variety of strategies to impact the identified needs of the
community, the primary obstacle to meeting the underserved needs is the lack of sufficient
financial resources. See the annual objectives and description of activities and identified
need for specific projects and anticipated beneficiaries/outcomes.
Obstacles to Meeting Underserved Needs
Foster and Maintain Affordable Housing
The City fosters and maintains affordable housing by:
Providing funds each year for the rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing for
people of low- and moderate-income;
Tenant-based rental assistance and housing services
Promoting affordable and public housing projects; and
Preserving the housing stock in the City of Vancouver through support of other
publicly-funded housing.
See annual objectives and description of activities for specific projects and anticipated
beneficiaries/outcomes.
Vancouver funds a rental assistance program and manages a housing rehabilitation
program; both of which require a lead based paint inspection on all homes built prior 1978.
Anti-Poverty Strategy
There were 28,105 people (17.5%) in Vancouver living below the poverty level, according to
the 2010 American Community Survey. Vancouver’s overall goal is to reduce the number
and percentage of persons living in poverty. Vancouver will use its CDBG and HOME
funds to reduce the impacts of poverty on low- and moderate-income families and
individuals in the community while working toward moving persons out of poverty.
Working with the community’s businesses and the workforce development programs, job
training opportunities for low-income persons will be expanded and public services
programs aimed at increasing self-sufficiency will be supported. The following strategies,
consistent with Vancouver’s overall Consolidated Plan strategies, will play a major role in
combating poverty over the next five years:
Support community vitality through activities that promote a diverse economic base
and family wage jobs while providing opportunities for low- and moderate-income
people to become financially independent;
Support services designed to expand affordable housing available and services to
assist homeless people to reach self-sufficiency; and
Support programs that identify people who are homeless, assess their needs, and
move them into appropriate housing and supportive services.
Lead-Based Paint
The City of Vancouver received a Section 108 loan that is used in conjunction with one-
million dollars received through Brownfields Economic Development initiative (BEDI).
This funding is being used for the Waterfront Access Project, for further detail regarding
this project see the Vancouver website http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cdbg.
In 2009, the City of Vancouver received 2.8 million dollars through the Neighborhood
Initiative funds for the road and rail system improvement to reconnect Vancouver to the
Columbia River. This funding will be utilized for the waterfront access project street
component in the spring of 2013.
Vancouver has standardized procedures to ensure that the fiscal information regarding
entitlement funds that are submitted to HUD are correct and complete:
Once a letter of credit is approved and entitlement funds become available, separate
accounts are set up through Vancouver’s Budget Office;
When the contractor requests reimbursement, they are required to submit both a City of
Vancouver Request for Reimbursement and supplementary documentation of costs that
were incurred;
City staff review the documents to insure expenses are appropriate and eligible under
contracted provisions;
Progress reports are submitted quarterly;
If an inappropriate or ineligible cost is incurred, or if performance falls far below
projections, Vancouver will not reimburse the sub-grantee and will meet with them to
try to rectify the situation;
After review of the documents is completed, the voucher and supporting
documentation are reviewed through the financial management services.
Program Income Program income is any income generated from the use of Vancouver entitlement funds,
such as proceeds from loan repayments. Program income accrued must be used prior to
drawing additional program funds from the federal line of credit. Program income is
received by Vancouver and tracked through the finance department. Any program income
generated from the Housing Rehab program may be used to fund additional housing rehab
loans. HOME funds received from a project before the affordability period has expired are
recaptured funds and not HOME program income.
Section 108
Fiscal Controls
HOME Requirements
Vancouver has received HOME funding since July 1, 2009. Vancouver is working with
local Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) and the Vancouver
Housing Authority along with HUD to develop affordable housing.
Affordable Homebuyer Assistance Programs Vancouver has used both HOME and CDBG funds to support homebuyer assistance
programs. When using HOME funds the city attaches deed clauses that enforce the
recapture provisions outlined below. When using CDBG funds we also include a recapture
provision in the deed. Currently Evergreen Habitat for Humanity is operating a homebuyer
program, which will following the re-sale provisions.
General provisions:
As stipulated in 24 CFR 92.254, housing acquired through HOME-funded affordable
homebuyer assistance programs must meet be the principal residence of the eligible family
through the affordability period described below. The property is secured by a deed of
trust specifying the affordability period a written agreement between the sub-recipient and
homeowner:
Assistance under $15,000 requires a 5-year affordability period;
Assistance from $15,000 to $40,000 requires a 10-year affordability period; and
Assistance over $40,000 requires a 15 year period.
Recapture Provisions:
If the housing acquired through City-sponsored affordable homebuyer assistance programs
does not continue to be the principal residence of the family for the duration of the
affordability period, Vancouver expects to recapture the entire amount of assistance
provided to the homebuyer. Vancouver will recapture the entire amount of the assistance
given unless the net proceeds are insufficient to recapture the full investment and enable
the homeowner to recover the down payment and capital improvements made by the
owner since purchase. In this case, the net proceeds will be divided proportionally using
the following formula:
Recaptured funds = Net Proceeds X HOME funds
HOME funds + Homeowner funds
Amount to homeowner = Net Proceeds X Homeowner funds
HOME funds + Homeowner funds
In case of transfer of ownership due to foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure prior to the
satisfaction of the period of affordability requirement, and if there are no net proceeds from
the foreclosure, repayment is not required and HOME requirements are considered to be
satisfied.
Resale Restrictions
In the case of homes being used by a developer for housing that is resold to an eligible
homeowner, the City of Vancouver will document the resale restrictions in the deed.
If HOME-assisted units do not continue to be the principal residence of the family for the
duration of the affordability period, the property may be made available for subsequent
purchase to a buyer, providing the following conditions are met:
The property is sold to another low-income homebuyer who will use the property as
his or her principal residence.
The original homeowner receives a fair return on investment (homebuyer’s down
payment plus capital improvements made to the house) by determining the shared
net proceeds.
The property is sold at a price that is affordable to a reasonable range of low-income
buyers.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Vancouver provides funding for tenant based rental assistance (TBRA) which is a rental
subsidy designed to help individual households afford housing costs such as rent, utilities
and security deposits. The funding is awarded to different programs in Vancouver and
prospective tenants meet the 60 percent of area median income guidelines. As stated in the
certification in the appendix, any funds to be provided "are an essential element of
Vancouver's annually approved housing strategy for expanding the supply, affordability,
and availability of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing."
There is a strong need for tenant-based rental assistance in the Vancouver community.
There were 28,105 people (17.5%) in Vancouver living below the poverty level, according to
the 2010 American Community Survey. The January of 2013 Point in Time count identified
xxx homeless people. The Emergency Shelter Clearinghouse based in Vancouver received
3,772 calls in 2012 from people seeking shelter 1,123 of which were children. Additional
local market conditions are described in the 2009-2013 Consolidated Plan.
Affirmative Marketing Vancouver has an Affirmative Marketing Plan in the 2009-2013 Consolidated Plan. In
addition, a list of agencies and organizations was developed for the consultation and
coordination efforts under this plan. The list agencies and organizations will be maintained
for affirmative outreach, and includes organizations serving ethnic, minority, senior and
disabled persons.
Minority/Women’s Business Outreach (Any changes?) Vancouver will take the following affirmative outreach steps to encourage MWB
participation in HOME activities:
Procurement attends 1-2 outreach events every year, including events which directly
target women, disadvantaged and emerging small businesses.
Track registration of MBE (minority), WBE (women) and DBE (Disadvantaged)
certifications for companies that are registered in the State of Washington on all of our
rosters.
Advertise federally funded projects in at least one minority papers to help reach out to
the different groups and organizations. Papers are added upon request and we rotate
through our list as we advertise each project to ensure equal distribution. In addition to
advertising federally funded projects we also advertise our rosters in minority papers.
Attachment A:
CDBG and HOME Certifications
Certifications
In accordance with the applicable statutes and the regulations governing the Consolidated
Plan regulations, the City of Vancouver certifies that:
Affirmatively Further Fair Housing – The City of Vancouver will affirmatively further
fair housing, which means it will conduct an analysis of impediments to fair housing
choice within the City of Vancouver, take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of
any impediments identified through that analysis, and maintain records reflecting that
analysis and actions in this regard.
Anti-displacement and Relocation Plan – It will comply with the acquisition and
relocation requirements of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, and implementing regulations at 49 CFR
24; and it has in effect and is following a residential anti-displacement and relocation
assistance plan required under section 104(d) of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974, as amended, in connection with any activity assisted with
funding under the CDBG or HOME programs.
Drug Free Workplace – It will, or will continue to, provide a drug-free workplace by:
1. Publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture,
distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is
prohibited in the grantee’s workplace and specifying the actions that will be
taken against employees for violation of such prohibition;
2. Establishing an ongoing drug-free awareness program to inform employees
about:
a. The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
b. The grantee’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
c. Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance
programs; and
d. The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse
violations occurring in the workplace;
3. Making it a requirement that each employee to be engaged in the performance of
the grant be given a copy of the statement required by paragraph 1;
4. Notifying the employee in the statement required by paragraph 1 that, as a
condition of employment under the grant, the employee will –
a. Abide by the terms of the statement;
b. Notify the employer in writing of his or her conviction for a violation of a
criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five
calendar days after such conviction;
5. Notifying the agency in writing, within ten calendar days after receiving notice
under subparagraph 4(b) from an employee or otherwise must provide notice,
including position title, to every grant officer or other designee on whose grant
activity the convicted employee was working, unless the federal agency has
designated a central point for the receipt of such notices. Notice shall include the
identification number(s) of each affected grant;
6. Taking one of the following actions, within 30 calendar days of receiving notice
under subparagraph 4(b), with respect to any employee who is so convicted;
a. Taking appropriate personnel action against such an employee, up to and
including termination, consistent with the requirements of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; or
b. Requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse
assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a
federal, state, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate
agency;
7. Making a good Faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace
through implementation of paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Anti-Lobbying – To the best of the City of Vancouver’s knowledge and belief:
1. No federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of
it, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee
of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an
employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any
federal contract, the making of any federal grant, the making of any federal loan,
the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation,
renewal, amendment, or modification of any federal contract, grant, loan, or
cooperative agreement;
2. If any funds other than federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be
paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or
employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of
Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this
federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, it will complete and
submit Standard Form-LLL, “Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying”, in
accordance with its instructions; and
3. It will require that the language of paragraph 1 and 2 of this anti-lobbying
certification be included in the award documents for all sub-awards at all tiers
(including subcontracts, sub-grants, and contracts under grants, loans, and
cooperative agreements) and that all sub-recipients shall certify and disclose
accordingly.
Authority of Jurisdiction – The Consolidated Plan is authorized under state and local
law (as applicable) and the City of Vancouver possesses the legal authority to carry out
the programs for which it is seeking funding, in accordance with applicable HUD
regulations.
Consistency With Plan – The housing activities to be undertaken with CDBG and
HOME funds are consistent with the strategic plan.
Section 3 – It will comply with section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of
1968, and implementing regulations at 24 CFR Part 135.
SIGNATURE ON FILE
Eric Holmes, City Manager Date
Specific CDBG Certifications
The Entitlement Community certifies that:
Citizen Participation – It is in full compliance and following a detailed citizen
participation plan that satisfies the requirements of 24 CFR 91.105.
Community Development Plan – It’s consolidated housing and community
development plan identifies community development and housing needs and specifies
both short-term and long-term community development objectives that provide decent
housing, expand economic opportunities primarily for persons of low- and moderate-
income. (See CFR 24 570.2 and CFR 24 part 570)
Following a Plan – It is following a current Consolidated Plan (or Comprehensive
Housing Affordability Strategy) that has been approved by HUD.
Use of Funds – It has complied with the following criteria:
1. Maximum Feasible Priority. With respect to activities expected to be assisted
with CDBG funds, it certifies that it has developed its Action Plan so as to give
maximum feasible priority to activities which benefit low- and moderate-income
families or aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight. The Action
Plan may also include activities which the grantee certifies are designed to meet
other community development needs having a particular urgency because
existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare
of the community, and other financial resources are not available;
2. Overall Benefit. The aggregate use of CDBG funds including Section 108
guaranteed loans during program year 2012, shall principally benefit persons of
low- and moderate-income in a manner that ensures that at least 70 percent of
the amount is expended for activities that benefit such persons during the
designated period;
3. Special Assessments. It will not attempt to recover any capital costs of public
improvements assisted with CDBG funds including Section 108 loan guaranteed
funds by assessing any amount against properties owned and occupied by
persons of low- and moderate-income, including any fee charged or assessment
made as a condition of obtaining access to such public improvements.
However, if CDBG funds are used to pay the proportion of a fee or assessment
that related to the capital costs of public improvements (assisted in part with
CDBG funds) financed from other revenue sources, an assessment or charge may
be made against the property with respect to the public improvements financed
by a source other than CDBG funds.
The jurisdiction will not attempt to recover any capital costs of public
improvements assisted with CDBG funds, including Section 108, unless CDBG
funds are used to pay the proportion of fee or assessment attributable to the
capital costs of public improvements financed from other revenue sources. In
this case, an assessment or charge may be made against the property with respect
to the public improvements financed by a source other than CDBG funds. Also,
in the case of properties owned and occupied by moderate-income (not low-
income) families, as assessment or charge may be made against the property for
public improvements financed by a source other than CDBG funds if the
jurisdiction certifies that it lacks CDBG funds to cover the assessment.
Excessive Force – It has adopted and is enforcing:
1. A policy prohibiting the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies
within its jurisdiction against any individuals engaged in non-violent civil rights
demonstrations;
2. A policy of enforcing applicable state and local laws against physically barring
entrance to or exit from a facility or location which is the subject of such non-
violent civil rights demonstrations within its jurisdiction.
1. Compliance With Anti-discrimination Laws – The grant will be conducted and
administered in conformity with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 USC 2000d),
the Fair Housing Act (42 USC 3601-3619), and implementing regulations.
Lead-Based Paint – Its notification, inspection, testing and abatement procedures
concerning lead-based paint will comply with the requirements of 24 CFR §570.608.
Compliance with Laws – It will comply with applicable laws.
SIGNATURE ON FILE
Eric Holmes, City Manager Date
Specific HOME Certifications
The HOME participating jurisdiction certifies that:
Tenant Based Rental Assistance – If the participating jurisdiction intends to provide
tenant-based rental assistance:
The use of HOME funds for tenant-based rental assistance is an essential element of the
participating jurisdiction’s Consolidated Plan for expanding the supply, affordability,
and availability of decent, safe sanitary, and affordable housing.
Eligible Activities and Costs – It is using and will use HOME funds for eligible
activities and costs, as described in 24 CFR § 92.205 through 92.209 and that it is not
using and will not use HOME funds for prohibited activities, as described in § 92.214.
Appropriate Financial Assistance – Before committing any funds to a project, it will
evaluate the project in accordance with the guidelines that it adopts for this purpose and
will not invest any more HOME funds in combination with other federal assistance than
is necessary to provide affordable housing.
SIGNATURE ON FILE
Eric Holmes, City Manager Date
Appendix to Certifications
INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING LOBBYING AND DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Lobbying Certification
This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed
when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a
prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352,
title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each
such failure.
2. Drug-Free Workplace Certification
a. By signing and/or submitting this application or grant agreement, the grantee is
providing the certification.
b. The certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance is placed
when the agency awards the grant. If it is later determined that the grantee
knowingly rendered a false certification, or otherwise violates the requirements
of the Drug-Free Workplace Act, HUD, in addition to any other remedies
available to the Federal Government, may take action authorized under the
Drug-Free Workplace Act.
c. Workplaces under grants, for grantees other than individuals, need not be
identified on the certification. If known, they may be identified in the grant
application. If the grantee does not identify the workplaces at the time of
application, or upon award, if there is no application, the grantee must keep the
identity of the workplace(s) on file in its office and make the information
available for federal inspection. Failure to identify all known workplaces
constitutes a violation of the grantee’s drug-free workplace requirements.
d. Workplace identifications must include the actual address of buildings (or parts
of buildings) or other sites where work under the grant takes place. Categorical
descriptions may be used (e.g., all vehicles of a mass transit authority or state
highway department while in operation, state employees in each local
unemployment office, performers in concert hall or radio stations).
e. If the workplace identified to the agency changes during the performance of the
grant, the grantee shall inform the agency of the change(s), if it previously
identified the workplaces in question (see paragraph three).
f. The grantee may insert in the space provided below the site(s) for the
performance of work done in connection with the specific grant:
Place of Performance (Street address, city, county, state, zip code)
415 W 6th Street Vancouver WA 98660
Check if there are workplaces on file that are not identified here.
The certification with regard to the drug-free workplace is required by 24
CFR part 24, subpart F.
3. Definitions of terms in the Nonprocurement Suspension and Debarment common
rule and Drug-Free Workplace common rule apply to this certification. Grantees’
attention is called, in particular, to the following definitions from these rules:
“Controlled substance: means a controlled substance in Schedules I through V of
the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) and as further defined by
regulation (21 CFR 1308.1 1 though 1308.15);
“Conviction” means a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or
imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body charges with the
responsibility to determine violations of the federal or state criminal drug
statues;
“Criminal drug statute” means a federal or non-federal criminal statute
involving the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, use, or possession of any
controlled substance;
“Employee” means the employee of a grantee directly engaged in the
performance of work under a grant, including: (i) All “direct charge” employees;
(ii) all “indirect charge” employees unless their impact or involvement is
insignificant to the performance of the grant; and (iii) temporary personnel and
consultants who are directly engaged in the performance of work under the
grant and who are on the grantee’s payroll. This definition does not include
workers not on the payroll of the grantee (e.g., volunteers, even if used to meet a
matching requirement; consultants or independent contractors not on the
grantee’s payroll; or employees of subrecipients or subcontractors in covered
workplaces).
Attachment B:
HUD FY 2013 Income Limits Summary
FY 2013 Income Limits Summary for Vancouver, Washington
Median Family Income
Income Limit Category
Number in Household
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
$68,300
Four-person household
80% of Median $38,850 $44,400 $49,950 $55,500 $59,950 $64,400 $68,850 $73,300
60% of Median $29,160 $33,360 $37,500 $41,640 $45,000 $48,360 $51,660 $55,020
50% of Median $24,300 $27,800 $31,250 $34,700 $37,500 $40,300 $43,050 $45,850
30% of Median $14,600 $16,650 $18,750 $20,800 $22,500 $24,150 $25,800 $27,500
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, effective December 11, 2012 for CDBG funds. Vancouver is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA MSA. See 2012 Income Limits for HOME Program effective March 15, 2013.
2013 HUD Rent Limits for Vancouver, Washington
Rent (Monthly) Number of Bedrooms
Studio 1 2 3 4 5 6
Fair Market Rent (FMR) (11/13/12)
$659 $766 $912 $1,344 $1,615 $1,857 $2,099
High HOME Rent (2/9/12) $675 $783 $905 $1,200 $1,319 $1,437 $1,555
Low HOME Rent (2/9/12) $638 $684 $821 $949 $1,058 $1,168 $1,277
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, effective November 13, 2012 for FMR and February 9, 2012 for High and Low HOME rent. Vancouver is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA MSA. NOTE: Projects with one to four HOME-assisted units are required to have assisted unit rents not exceed the lesser of the Fair Market Rent or High HOME Rent. Projects with five or more HOME-assisted units are required to have 20% of assisted unit rents not exceed the Low HOME Rent and 80% not exceed the lesser of the Fair Market Rent or High HOME Rent. Rents include utilities and must be reduced for tenant paid utilities.
Attachment C:
City of Vancouver Census Information & Maps
Figure 1: Vancouver Population Distribution by Race (2000-2010)
Source: 2000, 2010 U.S. Census
Figure 2: Vancouver Census Tract Block Groups with Race / Ethnicity
Concentrations, 2010
Source: U.S. Census 2010
Note: Vancouver has defined an area considered to have a minority concentration as an
area where the total percentage of minority persons is at least 20 points higher than the
total percentage of minorities for the City as a whole. This is based on the HUD
definition of a minority neighborhood2.
2 http://www.huduser.org/portal/glossary/glossary.html
Population
2000 2010
Total % Total %
Total Population 143,560 100% 161,791 100%
Race
White Alone 121,752 84.8% 130,960 80.9%
Black/African American Alone 3,593 2.5% 4,763 2.9%
American Indian/Alaska Native Alone 1,399 1.0% 1,629 1.0%
Asian Alone 6,470 4.5% 8,146 5.0%
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander Alone 779 0.5% 1,589 1.0%
Other Race 9,567 6.7% 14,704 9.1%
Ethnicity
Hispanic 9,013 6.3% 16,756 10.4%
Non-Hispanic or Latino 134,525 93.7% 145,035 89.6%
Census
Tract
Block
Group
Hispanic
Percentage
Neighborhood
410.05 2 34.8% Fruit Valley
427 1 37.6% Harney Heights
Figure 3: Vancouver Census Tracts with Concentrations of
Low/Moderate-Income Persons
Census
Tract
Block
Group
Total
Population
Low/Moderate
-Income
%
Neighborhood
0410.05 1 1149 1342 85.6% Fruit Valley
0410.05 2 434 611 71.0% Fruit Valley
0411.08 *3 1411 2322 60.8% Van Mall, Ogden
0411.09 3 2583 2978 86.7% Bagley Downs
0412.01 2 833 1270 65.6% Ellsworth Springs
0412.03 1 1267 1754 72.2% Ogden
0412.05 1 850 1488 57.1% Ogden
0413.12 1 641 923 69.4% North Image and Clark County
0413.13 1 1298 2207 58.8% Kevanna Park
0413.14 1 1067 2006 53.2% Image and N. Image
0413.14 1 1067 2006 53.2% Image and N. Image
0413.18 1 1025 1811 56.6% Landover Sharmel
0413.20 3 1243 1992 62.4% Bennington
0413.22 1 1275 2361 54.0% Not a recognized neighborhood
0413.22 2 822 1524 53.9% Mountain View
0416.00 *1 643 813 79.1%
Northcrest, Harney Heights and
Meadow Homes
0416.00 *2 2374 3032 78.3%
Meadow Homes, Harney Heights
and Bagley Downs
0417.00 1 1917 2285 83.9% Fourth Plain Village
0417.00 2 1228 1776 69.1% Rosemere
0418.00 1 993 1457 68.2% Rosemere
0418.00 *2 806 1234 65.3% Rosemere and West Minehaha
0418.00 *3 830 1216 68.3% Rosemere and Central Park
0419.00 1 608 1147 53.0% Shumway and Lincoln
0421.00 *2 864 1676 51.6% Lincoln and Carter Park
0423.00 *1 374 579 64.6% Hough and Esther Short
0423.00 *2 604 917 65.9% Hough and Esther Short
0423.00 *3 886 1286 68.9% Hough and Esther Short
0424.00 1 78 107 72.9% Esther Short
0424.00 2 229 229 100.0% Esther Short
0424.00 3 95 120 79.2% Esther Short
0425.00 *2 115 154 74.7% Arnada and Esther Short
0426.00 1 1472 1970 74.7% Central Park
0426.00 2 491 769 63.8% Hudson's Bay
0426.00 3 291 466 62.4% Hudson's Bay
0426.00 *4 550 1016 54.1%
Hudson's Bay, Columbia Way,
Riverview
0427.00 1 1350 1627 83.0% Harney Heights
Source: U.S. Census 2000 (SF3), Table P7 and U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development Low and Moderate Income Census Data 2000,
Washington.
0427.00 2 2098 2527 83.0% Harney Heights
0428.00 *2 720 1337 53.9%
Edgewood Park and Harney
Heights
0429.00 *1 587 1000 58.7%
Vancouver Heights and
Northcrest
0430.00 *2 646 993 65.1%
Vancouver Heights and Father
Blanchet Park
0431.00 1 942 1426 66.1% Vancouver Heights
0431.00 4 484 906 53.4% Vancouver Heights
Map 1: Vancouver Census Tract Block Group with Concentration of Low- and Moderate-Income
Persons, 2000
Attachment D:
Other Resources
Resources
Project Name Description Eligible Activities
I. Federal Programs
a. Formula/Entitlements
Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG)
Estimated annual allocation:
City: $1,213,326
Grants awarded on a formula basis for
housing and community development
activities. Most recipients must have low- or
moderate-income levels (up to 80% AMI),
or reside in a low/moderate-income target
area.
- Property acquisition, disposition, clearance
- Rehabilitation
- Homebuyer assistance
- Economic development
- Homeless assistance
- Public services (15% cap)
- Neighborhood revitalization
- Public facilities
HOME Investment Partnership
Program (HOME)
Estimated annual allocation:
City: $532,732
Flexible grant program awarded on a
formula basis to implement local housing
strategies. Recipients must be low- to
moderate-income (up to 80% AMI) for
homeownership, with low-income (up to 50%
& 60%) targeting for rental housing.
Requires 25% non-federal matching funds.
- New construction
- Site improvements
- Acquisition
- Demolition
- Rehabilitation
- Relocation
- Homebuyer assistance
- CHDO operating expenses
Section 8 Rental Assistance
Program
Rental assistance payments to owners of
private market rate units, or directly to
tenants (vouchers). Section 8 tenants must
be low-income (up to 50% AMI).
Administered by VHA.
- Rental assistance
Project Name Description Eligible Activities
I. Federal Programs
a. Formula/Entitlements
Housing Opportunities for
Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
Grant administered through City of Portland
for housing assistance and supportive
services for low-income persons with HIV or
AIDS.
- Acquisition, rehabilitation, conversion, lease and repair of facilities
- New construction
- Rental assistance
- Short-term rent, mortgage and utility payments.
- Support services
- Planning
- Operating costs
I. Federal Programs
a. Formula/Entitlements
Economic Development Initiative
Grant (used in conjunction with
Section 108 loan funds)
Supportive Housing Program
Promotes development of supportive
housing and services for homeless.
Applicants may be government entities,
private non-profit agencies, or public non-
profit community mental health
associations.
Acquisition/rehabilitation, new construction,
and leasing for:
- Transitional housing
- Permanent housing for homeless with
disabilities
- Supportive services for homeless
Shelter Plus Care
Provides rental housing assistance in
connection with supportive services to be
provided with other sources of funds.
Assistance provided to homeless persons
with disabilities and their families. Selection
is on nationwide competitive basis.
- Tenant-based rental assistance
- Project-based rental assistance
- Sponsor-based rental assistance
- Section 8 Moderate Rehab Assistance for SRO dwellings
Section 202 – Supportive Housing for
the Elderly
FY2010 Appropriations – $449 million
Grants to non-profit agencies for supportive
housing for the elderly. Rental assistance is
available to elderly persons (up to 50% AMI)
- Acquisition/Rehabilitation
- New construction
- Rental assistance
- Support services
Section 811 – Supportive Housing for
Persons with Disabilities
FY2010 Appropriations – $300 million
Grants to non-profit agencies for supportive
housing for persons with disabilities.
Provides capital advances and/or project
rental assistance. Rental assistance
available to disabled people up to 50% AMI.
- Acquisition
- Rehabilitation
- New construction
- Rental assistance
I. Federal Programs
b. Competitive Programs
FHA Single-Family Mortgage
Insurance Program
Section 203(b) is the primary FHA effort to
assist low/moderate-income homebuyers,
helping to purchase 1-4 family dwellings as
well as refinance existing residences. FHA
insures mortgages and provides coverage
in case of default.
Section 203(k) is used to insure financing for
acquisition and rehabilitation of existing 1-4
unit properties. Certain loan limits and
downpayment requirements apply.
- Purchase and refinance of single family
homes
- Acquisition, rehabilitation, relocation of
unit, refinance
2. State Programs
Emergency Shelter and Homeless
Prevention Program (ESHP)
Grants are awarded to non-profit agencies
to provide year round emergency shelter,
homeless prevention and case management
to individuals and families who are homeless
or at risk of becoming homeless
- Operations and essential services
activities
- Rent or mortgage subsidies to prevent
eviction/foreclosure and case manager
services to directly assist individuals and
families.
Washington State Department of
Commerce
Housing Trust Fund
Grants and loans to non-profit agencies for
low-income (60% AMI) housing construction,
acquisition, rehabilitation, homeowner
acquisition, or farm worker housing.
Competitive funds distributed semi-
annually.
- New Construction/Rehabilitation
- Homebuyer assistance
Washington State Housing Finance
Commission - Low-Income Housing
Tax Credit – 9% Tax Credit
2012 allocation - $15,257,586
www.wshfc.org
4% Tax Credit/State tax exempt bonds
– subject to annual volume cap
Federal tax credits available to invest in low-
income rental housing. Tax credit proceeds
are used to create rental housing. Tax
credits are awarded through the state on a
competitive basis. 20% of project units must
be set-aside for households earning 50%
AMI, or 40% of units at 80% AMI. Projects
competing for 9% tax credits typically set
income targeting at 40% AMI or below to
remain competitive.
- New Construction – Rental
- Substantial Rehabilitation – Rental
- Acquisition - Rental
3. Private Resources/Financing Programs
Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae)
a. Community Home Mortgage
Improvement Program
Mortgages that fund purchase and
rehabilitation of a home.
- Home purchase
- Home rehabilitation
b. Community Second Mortgage
Loans
Second mortgage loans secured/subsidized
in conjunction with Fannie Mae Community
Lending fixed-rate first mortgage.
- Homebuyer assistance
- Rehabilitation
c. Fannie Neighbors
Second mortgage secured/subsidized by a
federal, state, or local government agency
at no or very low interest.
- Second mortgages
d. Fannie 97
Low down-payment mortgages for single-
family homes in underserved low-income
and minority communities.
3% down payment mortgages for low-
income homebuyers with non-profit
agencies or government agencies paying
closing costs.
- Homebuyer assistance
Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable
Housing Program (AHP)
Long-term housing financing (grants/loans)
for qualified homeownership and rental
housing development projects. Assistance
limited to households earning up to 80% AMI
(program is competitive and often requires
lower targeting). Funds distributed through
semi-annual grant process.
- New Construction
- Acquisition
- Purchase
- Rehabilitation
Private Lenders
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
requires certain regulated financial
institutions to achieve goals for lending in
low/moderate-income neighborhoods. As a
result, most of the larger private lenders
offer one or more affordable housing
programs, such as first-time homebuyer,
housing rehabilitation, or new construction.
- Varies, depending on individual program
offered by bank
4. Local Resources
Document Recording Surcharge
(HB 2060)
Estimated $185,000 annually
A $10 surcharge on documents recorded in
the county, 60% goes to the county, 40%
returned to Washington State Department of
Commerce. All households assisted must
be at or below 50% of AMI.
- Emergency shelter operations
- Acquisition, construction
- Rental operating costs and voucher
Homelessness Housing and
Assistance Act
(HB 2163 and HB 1359)
Approximately $1,500,000 annually
HB 2163 requires a $ 10 surcharge on
documents recorded in the county, 61%
goes to the county, 39% returned to State
Department of Commerce. HB 1359
requires a $10 document surcharge, 90%
retained by County and 10% to State
Department of Commerce. All households
assisted must be homeless or formally
homeless.
- Homeless housing development
- Operating subsidies
- Outreach services
- Rental vouchers
- Services to prevent homelessness
Attachment E:
Citizen Comments
First Reading - April 22, 2013, City Council Chambers
Vancouver did/ not receive questions/comments from concerned citizens. Comment s are listed
below. The City Council provided an explanation for the questions and issued an invitation to
attend the public hearing on May 6, 2013 to hear the staff report and have the opportunity for
further comment.
Public Hearing – May 6, 2013, City Council Chambers
Public Comment:
1.
2.
3.
Attachment F:
Action Plan Projects