Alachua County Community Development Block Grant Application for Funding 2nd Public Hearing August 9, 2011

Purpose Two public hearings are required for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. This second public hearing will: allow citizens’ and commissioners’ comment on the final application; approve the grant application, as amended; and provide direction to staff to finalize and submit the $750,000 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation grant application.

Background The CDBG Program is: A federal grant program that, through the State of Florida, Alachua County is eligible to apply for; A primary source of funding for housing and community development; Used for a variety of community development activities such as residential and nonresidential property rehabilitation, homeownership assistance, and economic development.

CDBG Objectives National objectives: Undertake activities that principally benefit low and moderate income persons; Prevent or eliminate slum or blight; Address urgent needs of recent origin for which there is no other funding.

Small Cities CDBG Program Florida’s Small Cities CDBG Program: Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Administered by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA); Available to cities with less than 50,000 residents and unincorporated counties with less than 200,000 residents.

Grant Categories There are four primary categories under which Alachua County may apply for funding: Housing Rehabilitation; Neighborhood Revitalization; Commercial Revitalization; Economic Development.

Housing Rehabilitation Objective is to improve housing conditions and expand housing opportunities for very low, low, and moderate income persons by: Rehabilitation of substandard houses; Demolition of dilapidated housing; Relocation to replacement housing; Installation of wells/septic tanks (where potable water or sewer service is not available); Mitigation of future natural disaster hazards.

Previous CDBG Funded Projects Alachua County has successfully applied for funding and implemented projects under the Housing Rehabilitation category.

Grant Ceiling The LMI population determines the amount of money that can be received. Alachua County is eligible to apply for $750,000 in funding.

Grant Application The state does not target Small Cities CDBG funding to particular areas. The application process favors local governments that have undertaken fair housing and equal opportunity activities. Grants are awarded based on competitively-scored applications. Additional points awarded for matching funds. SHIP match of $100,000 provides additional 20 points.

Application Process Select a grant category that meets community needs after hearing citizens’ and commissioners comments during 1 st public hearing; Create grant application; Finalize and submit application after public review and comment during 2 nd public hearing.

Recommendation Hold public hearing for citizen and Board comment on Final CDBG Housing Rehabilitation grant application; Approve CDBG grant application, as amended; Authorize the Chair to sign the grant application and related enabling documents; Direct staff to finalize and submit the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation grant application to DCA.

Next Steps Staff will finalize grant application as directed; County will submit grant application to DCA before the August 15, 2011 deadline.