Sponsor: Community & Economic Development
Title
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Amendment to the 2020 Community Development Block Grant - HOME Investments Partnerships Act Annual Action Plan.
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the amended 2020 Community Development Block Grant - HOME Investments Partnerships Act Action Plan/Proposed Use of Funds.
2. Authorize the County Manager to submit a Substantial Plan Amendment to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County has received Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding as an urban county since 1986. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides these annual grants to “develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low-to-moderate-income individuals.” Categories of eligible activities include, but are not limited to, public services, public infrastructure, and the rehabilitation of low-to-moderate-income housing. The funds are limited for use in suburban Ramsey County. As the grant recipient, Ramsey County may obligate funds internally to eligible activities or may subgrant funds to eligible activities using an approved solicitation process.
On May 12, 2020 the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) authorized the County Manager to submit an Annual Action Plan (AAP) for the use of 2020 CDBG and HOME funds. Per HUD rules and regulations, an amendment to an AAP is needed when grant funding is obligated to projects and activities in an amount over $100,000.
Projects recommended for CDBG funding within an amended 2020 AAP:
CDBG Distribution of Funds:
Ramsey County Emergency Family Hotel Program - suburban countywide $168,000
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Persons of color in Ramsey County experience housing instability and homelessness at disparate rates when compared to white residents. Additional resources towards hotel and meal costs will primarily benefit families of color and American Indian families who are awaiting placement into the family shelter system or permanent housing.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Ramsey County Community & Economic Development staff routinely engage with partner cities, community organizations and other internal staff to set priorities for CDBG and HOME funding for the AAP process. Rising levels of family homelessness due to the end of the eviction moratorium and other factors have led to a need for greater investment of CDBG funding in public services that serve families experiencing homelessness. Broader goals and objectives for the use of CDBG funds are set during the consolidated planning process which includes citizen participation and additional outreach.
As required by HUD, a substantial amendment, involving more than $100,000 of funding, requires a 30-day public comment period and a public notice. A community meeting was held on Monday, January 10th, 2022 as part of the 30-day public comment period to allow residents to comment on the proposed use of CDBG funds. No comments were received.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The proposed use of funds in the amended 2020 AAP would come from unallocated 2018, 2019 and 2020 funds and unallocated 2020 program income. The funds would pay for eligible expenses including hotel and meal costs that occurred in the 2021 Homeless Project Fund managed by the Housing Stability department within the Economic Growth and Community Investment Service Team. The Housing Stability Department procured services for hotel and meal related services in a manner consistent with approved county procurement processes.
Up to 15% of the grant amount and 15% of program income in each AAP can be obligated to eligible activities within the public services category. The amended AAP remains within the allowable 15% cap for public services.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments.
Last Previous Action
On May 12, 2020, the Ramsey County Housing Redevelopment Authority approved the proposed 2020 Community Development Block Grant - HOME Act Annual Action Plan/Proposed Use of Funds (Resolution H2020-009).
Attachments
1. Affidavit of Public Notice