DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Verónica R. Soto, FAICP, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Public Hearing for the FY 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan and FY 2022 Action Plan and Budget
SUMMARY:
A public hearing for the FY 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan and FY 2022 Action Plan funded through the City’s four U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement grant programs including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Hearth Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio receives four federal entitlement grants awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These four grants include CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA. The City anticipates receiving approximately $110 million in total grant funding to be available for programs through the four formula grants over the next five years.
As a recipient of federal entitlement funds, HUD requires the City to develop a Consolidated Plan every five years which involves collecting and analyzing local economic data and engaging in an extensive community input process to identify priority needs and related goals to address the needs. In developing the FY 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan, the City gathered information via several methods including a review of available housing market data and census data, local stakeholders engagement sessions, stakeholder survey, two community engagement meetings, and a community needs survey which received over 600 responses. The draft Consolidated Plan was also informed by other city plans and initiatives including the ForEveryoneHome “Anti-Displacement Agenda for San Antonio” and the Housing Policy Framework. This process identified priority needs for the Consolidated Plan.
The City coordinates an annual Action Plan process to identify and implement community development and affordable housing activities to address the goals of the Consolidated Plan. The City is completing both processes concurrently. Both the Consolidated Plan and annual Action Plan are due to HUD by August 16, 2022.
ISSUE:
FY 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan and FY 2022 Action Plan
Based on the preliminary results of the Consolidated Plan process, decent, safe affordable housing remains the number one priority need for low-income families in San Antonio followed by programs and services for special needs populations. The draft priorities will remain substantially the same as those outlined in the FY 2016 - 2021 Consolidated Plan to allow for flexibility and reprioritization of activities, as needed. Following are the draft priorities for the strategic plan.
Priority 1: Provide Decent Safe Affordable Housing
Priority 2: Provide for Special Needs Populations
Priority 3: Provide Housing and Supportive Services for Homeless Population
Priority 4: Provide Neighborhood Revitalization Efforts
Priority 5: Provide Economic Development
FY 2022 Action Plan
The City has a total of $ 22.4 million in available funds for the FY 2022 Action Plan. The following table provides a summary of the proposed FY 2022 budget across the four grant programs and year over year comparison of entitlements funds.
|
Program |
FY 2021 |
FY 2022 |
Variance |
|
Community Development Block Grant |
13,099,219 |
13,556,693 |
457,474 |
|
HOME Investment Partnerships |
5,472,229 |
5,529,909 |
57,680 |
|
Hearth Emergency Solutions Grant |
1,131,767 |
1,117,308 |
(14,459) |
|
Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS |
2,043,971 |
2,295,029 |
251,058 |
|
Total |
21,747,186 |
22,498,939 |
751,753 |
The City may recommend allocating funding to eligible activities for each of the four formula grants based on the priority needs identified in the Consolidated Plan. An equity approach will be used in the implementation of programs and projects funded through the FY 2022 Action Plan. Proposed FY 2022 activities and funding will be available for public review on the City’s website at www.sanantonio.gov/gma <http://www.sanantonio.gov/gma> by June 18, 2021.
CDBG Program
The City may recommend home repair programs (owner occupied rehabilitation and minor repair); activities in support of affordable rental or homeownership housing development; fair housing program; public service programs (Emergency Housing Assistance Program); public facility improvements; public infrastructure improvements; lead assessment and abatement; and code enforcement
HOME Program
The City may recommend owner occupied rehabilitation and reconstruction; affordable rental or homeownership housing development; homebuyer program (down payment assistance); and Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) CHDO Operating expense program
ESG Program
The City may recommend rapid re-housing, homeless prevention, emergency shelter or street outreach services. Staff will coordinate with Department of Human Services.
HOPWA Program
The City may recommend permanent housing placement services, rental/utility assistance, transitional shelter, medical hospice with 24-hour care, and essential services such as meals, transportation for persons with HIV/AIDS. Staff will coordinate with Department of Human Services.
Citizen Participation
On June 2, 2021, the City issued a public notice in the San Antonio Express-News initiating a public comment period and announcing the first of two public hearings. The first public hearing will take place at the Public Comment session beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 in the City Hall Complex in either Municipal Plaza Building or City Hall. Comments may be submitted at www.sanantonio.gov/gmainaction. Public comment may also be provided in writing to the Neighborhood & Housing Services Department, Division of Grants Monitoring and Administration, 1400 S. Flores, Unit 3, San Antonio, Texas 78204, Monday - Friday, 7:45 am - 4:30 pm, or by e-mail at communitydevelopment@sanantonio.gov <mailto:communitydevelopment@sanantonio.gov>. All comments will be accepted until August 4, 2021.
In addition, a summary of this proposed action is available for review and comment on the City’s website at www.sanantonio.gov/gma <http://www.sanantonio.gov/gma>. The second public hearing is scheduled to take place at the Public Comment session on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. City Council will consider the adoption of the FY 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan and FY 2022 (PY 2021) Action Plan and Budget on Thursday, August 5, 2021.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City is statutorily required to undergo this process for federally funded programs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item will not have an impact on the City’s General Fund Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
No action required.