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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAPER FY2122 Palm Desert PY 2021-2022 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes Progress the jurisdiction has made in carrying out its strategic plan and its action plan. 91.520(a) This could be an overview that includes major initiatives and highlights that were proposed and executed throughout the program year. The 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) has been prepared to assist residents of the City of Palm Desert and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in assessing the City’s use of federal grant funds to meet priority housing and community needs identified in the City’s 2018–2022 Consolidated Plan. The CAPER for Program Year 2021-2022 (PY 2021-22) primarily provides an overview of the City's accomplishments from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The Consolidated Plan established the following goals: • Provide decent housing: Help homeless persons obtain appropriate housing and assisting those at risk of homelessness; preserving the City’s affordable housing stock; increasing the availability of affordable permanent housing for low- and moderate-income persons without discrimination; increasing the supply of supportive housing. • Provide a suitable living environment: Improve the safety and livability of neighborhoods; increasing access to quality facilities and services; and reducing the isolation of income groups within an area through integration of low-income housing opportunities. • Expand economic opportunities: Create jobs accessible to low- and moderate-income persons; make down payment and closing cost assistance available for low- and moderate-income persons; promote long-term economic and social viability; empower low-income persons to achieve self-sufficiency. The PY 2021-22 reporting period is the fourth year of the City’s 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan cycle. The 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan outlined an expenditure plan for the City’s $424,832 CDBG grant allocation. The Action Plan identified activities to be carried out during the reporting period utilizing CDBG funds, including public facility improvements, public service grants, and program administration. Additionally, during the PY 2021-22 reporting period, the City implemented activities to prevent, prepare for, or respond to local impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to the CARES Act of 2020, HUD allocated the City $851,374 in CDBG-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds in two rounds of funding. HUD requires that 80 percent of CDBG-CV funds be spent in three years and 100 percent spent in six years. Facilitated by CDBG program regulation waivers, the City enhanced funding for local service providers that assisted lower-income residents at risk of losing housing CAPER 1 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) or utility services due to a COVID-19 related financial impact. Detailed expenditure and accomplishment for CDBG and CDBG-CV funded activities are provided in Attachment 1. Comparison of the proposed versus actual outcomes for each outcome measure submitted with the consolidated plan and explain, if applicable, why progress was not made toward meeting goals and objectives. 91.520(g) Categories, priority levels, funding sources and amounts, outcomes/objectives, goal outcome indicators, units of measure, targets, actual outcomes/outputs, and percentage completed for each of the grantee’s program year goals. Goal Category Source / Amount Indicator Unit of Measure Expected – Strategic Plan Actual – Strategic Plan Percent Complete Expected – Program Year Actual – Program Year Percent Complete Enhance public facilities Non-Housing Community Development CDBG: $ Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Persons Assisted 50000 21317 42.63% 3 0 0.00% Increase availability of affordable housing Affordable Housing CDBG: $ Direct Financial Assistance to Homebuyers Households Assisted 5 2 40.00% Increase fair housing activities CDBG: $ Public service activities for Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Households Assisted 75 736 981.33% 475 0.00% CAPER 2 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Increase fair housing activities CDBG: $ Other Other 0 0 Provide support for public service programs Non-Homeless Special Needs CDBG: $ Public service activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Persons Assisted 2250 2744 121.96% 136 0.00% Support efforts to combat homelessness Homeless CDBG: $ Homeless Person Overnight Shelter Persons Assisted 500 221 44.20% 0 Support efforts to combat homelessness Homeless CDBG: $ Homelessness Prevention Persons Assisted 5000 5428 108.56% 20 0 0.00% Table 1 - Accomplishments – Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date Assess how the jurisdiction’s use of funds, particularly CDBG, addresses the priorities and specific objectives identified in the plan, giving special attention to the highest priority activities identified. As displayed in Table 1, the City focused CDBG and CDBG-CV resources to address priority community needs identified in the Consolidated Plan. HUD-approved program waivers allowed the City to enhance funding to local service providers to assist residents impacted by the COVID- 19 pandemic. Priority needs addressed during the reporting period include the following: • Public Facility and Infrastructure projects such as roof replacement and security improvements; ADA restroom improvements; outdoor shelter for people with disabilities • Public services such as menotirng and educational assistance for disadvantaged high school youth; transportation services to the CAPER 3 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) disabled; and case management services for homeless youth • Fair housing services to address and resolve tenants/landlord issues, address allegations of fair housing law violations, and navigate issues related to the COVID-19 eviction/foreclosure moratorium Additionally, CDBG funding was allocated to undertake park and sidewalk improvements in the Palma Village neighborhood; however, due to the pandemic, these projects were temporarily placed on hold and will take place in PY 2022-2023. CDBG-CV funding was used to support the activities listed above and to provide the following activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: • Small-business counseling and support services critical to surviving amid mandatory closures for non-essential businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic CAPER 4 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of families assisted). 91.520(a) CDBG White 2,683 Black or African American 277 Asian 46 American Indian or American Native 29 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 5 Total 3,040 Hispanic 1,016 Not Hispanic 2,024 Table 2 – Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds Narrative According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates), most Palm Desert residents are racially White – 82.5 percent. This same data source reports that 23.5 percent of the City’s population is Hispanic/Latino. Based on the data from Table 2, approximately 83.3 percent of CDBG-funded program participants are White, and a significant number of assisted individuals are Hispanic/Latino (32.9 percent). Additionally, 46.8 percent of program beneficiaries report a household income equal to or less than 30 percent of the County median income (defined by HUD as extremely low-income). This data indicates that many program beneficiary households may be economically unstable and seek services to help stabilize their financial situation. Note: By default, Table 2 excludes multi-racial program beneficiaries in IDIS. IDIS also excludes CDBG-CV program beneficiaries. CAPER 5 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a) Identify the resources made available Source of Funds Source Resources Made Available Amount Expended During Program Year CDBG public - federal 424,832 0 Table 3 - Resources Made Available Narrative As shown in Table 3, the City had $424,832 in CDBG funds available for programming during PY 2021- 22. The City utilized $448,857 during the reporting period. Detail regarding CDBG expenditures is found in the CDBG & CDBG-CV Financial Summary Report, Attachments 2. Additionally, $851,374 in CDBG-CV funds were available during the PY 2021-22 reporting period. As reported in Table 3, $382,213 was spent during the year. CDBG-CV expenditures are also detailed in Attachment 2. Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Target Area Planned Percentage of Allocation Actual Percentage of Allocation Narrative Description Citywide 100 100 Citywide Table 4 – Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Narrative As anticipated, the City used 2021-22 CDBG funding on a citywide basis. CDBG-CV funds were also available on a citywide basis. The City did not receive program income. Attachment 2 (PR26 - CDBG & CDBG-CV Financial Summary Report) provides a detailed summary of CDBG and CDBG-CV expenditures. CAPER 6 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Leveraging Explain how federal funds leveraged additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements were satisfied, as well as how any publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that were used to address the needs identified in the plan. The City of Palm Desert does not have owned land; however, the Palm Desert Hous ing Authority owns 15 communities throughout the City that provides 1,100 multi-family and senior housing units of various size and character. To the extent that the former Redevelopment Agency has funds available, housing resources will be used to addres s the housing needs of very low and low-income residents. Additionally, nonprofit partners leveraged CDBG resources with other grant awards and private donations. CAPER 7 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-20 - Affordable Housing 91.520(b) Evaluation of the jurisdiction's progress in providing affordable housing, including the number and types of families served, the number of extremely low -income, low-income, moderate-income, and middle-income persons served. One-Year Goal Actual Number of Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Number of Non-Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Number of Special-Needs households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Total 0 0 Table 5 – Number of Households One-Year Goal Actual Number of households supported through Rental Assistance 0 0 Number of households supported through The Production of New Units 0 0 Number of households supported through Rehab of Existing Units 0 0 Number of households supported through Acquisition of Existing Units 0 0 Total 0 0 Table 6 – Number of Households Supported Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting these goals. The City did not utilize CDBG funds to assist with the development or rehabilitation of housing during the reporting period. The City continued to support the Housing Authority of Riverside County (HARC) administration of the Housing Choice Voucher program in Palm Desert. During the 2021-22 reporting period, the HARC assisted 123 very low-income Palm Desert households with rental assistance, of which 65 are disabled, and 72 are senior households (figures include duplicate households). A very low- income household has income equal to less than 50 percent of the County median income. CAPER 8 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans. As discussed above, the City did not use CDBG funds for housing activities. Private development and incentives to create affordable housing units within a new development will likely support future housing activity. Include the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons served by each activity where information on income by family size is required to determine the eligibility of the activity. Number of Households Served CDBG Actual HOME Actual Extremely Low-income 0 0 Low-income 0 0 Moderate-income 0 0 Total 0 0 Table 7 – Number of Households Served Narrative Information The City did not utilize CDBG funds to undertake housing activities during PY 2021-22. HARC reports it provided rental assistance to 123 very low-income Palm Desert households. The City is not a recipient of HOME funds. CAPER 9 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320(d, e); 91.520(c) Evaluate the jurisdiction’s progress in meeting its specific objectives for reducing and ending homelessness through: Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs The County of Riverside Continuum of Care (CoC) conducts regional outreach for homeless persons (particularly chronic homeless) in partnership with the County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). The CoC is also responsible for preparing the Collaborative Applicant to HUD for Homeless Assistance Grants. The CoC governance structure engages more than 100 member agencies representing a diverse sector of governments, businesses, law enforcement, educators, housing providers, and homeless service providers. The City supports the homeless outreach and engagement strategy of the CoC. Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional hou sing needs of homeless persons The City of Palm Desert used CDBG program resources to provide emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and Martha’s Village and Kitchen provided shelter and support to 95 individuals during the reporting period. The City also supported the regional CoC and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funded sub-recipients that provide bridge housing for persons experiencing homelessness. Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: likely to become homeless after being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); and, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs The City allocated a significant percentage of CDBG-CV resources to assist Palm Desert households at risk of homelessness due to COVID-19 financial impact. As reported, 116 individuals were assisted during the reporting period. The City also utilized CDBG and CDBG-CV resources to provide food, COVID testing, and other support services for seniors, the disabled, and children. These social safety net services assisted many individuals and households avoid homelessness. The Riverside County CoC is responsible for implementing the regional discharge plan – the City supports these efforts. The discharge plan aims to prevent local institutions from releasing individuals into homelessness. Elements of the discharge plan include the following: • Encourage the use of mainstream resources that are available to homeless individuals. CAPER 10 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) • Provide a comprehensive listing of Riverside County agencies, divisions, and departments that serve homeless persons or that contract with agencies that serve homeless persons, emphasizing assisting chronically homeless persons. • Educate the community regarding the challenges faced by the homeless, including living with a disability or living with extremely low-income benefits (such as SSI). • Link individuals with disabilities to community housing that provides wrap-around services. Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, inc luding shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again To help individuals experiencing homelessness transition into permanent housing, the Riverside CoC has increased resources for rapid re-housing assistance. Rapid rehousing aims to place a household into housing as quickly as possible and provides wrap-around supportive services. The Riverside CoC partners with the County’s Economic Development Agency (EDA) to implement a regional rapid rehousing program. This partnership has increased the number of homeless households that are rapidly re-housing. The County CoC is also responsible for implementing the regional Homeless Coordinated Entry System. This housing/service triage system prioritizes scarce resources to individuals experiencing prolonged episodes of homelessness and that rank high in a vulnerability index. The City of Palm Desert is a member of the Riverside CoC and supports these efforts. CAPER 11 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j) Actions taken to address the needs of public housing The City does not operate a Public Housing Authority. Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership The City does not operate a Public Housing Authority. Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs The City does not operate a Public Housing Authority. CAPER 12 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j) Actions taken to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment. 91.220 (j); 91.320 (i) The City’s Consolidated Plan identifies a strategy to eliminate barriers to the provision of affordable housing. The strategy addresses housing costs via incentives to develop, maintain, or improve affordable housing in the jurisdiction. Public policies such as taxes, land use controls, zoning, building codes, fees, and growth limits also impact the cost of housing. The City continued to discuss with private developers the need to construct residential projects and include a certain percentage of affordable housing units. With the economy struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic, developers have been hesitant to construct projects that may limit their return on investment. Consequently, no plans were submitted for projects with an affordable housing component; however, the City will continue to encourage private developers to build affordable housing. Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City continued to provide CDBG and City funding resources to assist households facing housing insecurity, living in poverty, and persons experiencing homelessness. The City partnered with numerous local nonprofit organizations to address a myriad of issues faced by underserved populations. During the reporting period, the following services were provided to assist underserved residents: • Senior services, including mental health counseling to assist seniors in coping with isolation and depression resulting from stay-at-home directives • Services for persons with disabilities • Educational and emotional support services for youths • COVID-19 testing and referral service, particularly for individuals with autoimmune issues • Foodbank services to assist lower-income households experiencing the financial hardships • Emergency rental assistance for households experiencing the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic • Emergency shelter and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness • Fair housing services to address and resolve tenants/landlord issues, address allegations of fair housing law violations, and navigate issues related to the COVID-19 eviction/foreclosure moratorium Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City did not use CDBG program resources to undertake housing activities that triggered HUD’s lead- CAPER 13 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) based paint hazards compliance. However, as indicated in the Consolidated Plan, the City referred residents with Lead-Based Paint Hazards concerns to Riverside County Health Services Lead Hazard Reduction Section Department. Additionally, the City distributed brochures regarding Lead-Based Paint Hazards through the former Redevelopment Agency/Successor Agency and the City’s Building and Safety Department to contractors, homeowners, and renters. Nonprofit partners, such as the Fair Housing Council, also distribute the Lead-based Paint Hazards brochures to educate the public regarding lead- based paint hazards. Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) According to the U. S. Census Bureau, approximately 13.1 percent of Palm Desert residents live in poverty. This figure includes 18.8 percent of children age 18 and younger and 8.6 percent of residents age 65 and older. As previously reported, over 48 percent of all CDBG/CDBG-CV program beneficiaries have extremely low income – over 71 percent of beneficiaries had very low-income (50 percent of the county median income). During the reporting period, the City allocated significant CDBG and CDBG-CV resources to assist lower-income Palm Desert residents, especially those with extremely low and very low-income. Services provided include a food bank, counseling, medical services and referrals, and rental assistance to prevent the loss of shelter. Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City continues to partner with local government entities, service providers, and other agencies/organizations tasked with similar goals and objectives to improve the quality and quantity of services provided to the homeless and lower-income persons. Working with various County of Riverside departments and the many local nonprofits has created a cohesive working relationship to address Palm Desert's needs and the needs of the greater Coachella Valley. These collaborative actions have address gaps in the regional institutional structure. As previously outlined, the City has established several partnerships with nonprofits, the regional CoC, and county departments to address the needs of the City’s lower-income residents. For example, the City continued to work with the Riverside County Department of Mental Health and the Department of Social Services to address homelessness and mental health issues. Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City continued efforts to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social services agencies during the reporting period. These efforts include the following: • The City is a member of the CVAG Homeless Committee, which has a membership of all Coachella Valley cities, County of Riverside Supervisor’s office, County of Riverside departments, Desert Health Care District, and various nonprofit organizations. CAPER 14 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) • The City is a member of the Riverside County CoC, including various local jurisdictions, the County, nonprofits, and other interested individuals and organizations. • The City typically conducts an annual Community Meeting, publishes meeting information in the Desert Sun newspaper, and posts information on the City website. These efforts were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • The City typically conducts seminars on crime-free multi-family housing for landlords. These efforts were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • The City provides flyers and materials directing residents to the regional social services 211 system and other local service providers. • The City provides meeting facilities for fair housing informational meetings for landlords who have units available for lower-income households. • The City contracts with the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, which provides workshops to educate and inform residents and property owners/managers about fair housing laws. In- person workshops were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, workshops were available online. Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. 91.520(a) Consolidated Plan regulations require CDBG recipients to (1) examine and attempt to alleviate housing discrimination within their jurisdiction; (2) promote fair housing choice for all persons; (3) provide opportunities for all persons to reside in any given housing development, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin; (4) promote housing that is accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities; and (5) comply with the non-discrimination requirements of the Fair Housing Act. The City hired Castaneda and Associates to complete its Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and Fair Housing Action Plan (AI). The following action steps were identified in the AI: • Publish information on the City’s website describing reasonable accommodation procedures.The City’s “Americans with Disabilities Act and the City” web page links several related documents, including the City’s procedures for requesting accommodations. • Continue to support the efforts of the private and nonprofit sectors to address the needs of the residents. The City contracted with the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County to provide fair housing outreach, education, and enforcement services. • Utilize the Housing Element site inventory in making future location decisions regarding the sites suitable for affordable housing.The current and draft 2022-2029 Housing Element contain an inventory of vacant land suitable for affordable housing development. • Fair Housing of Riverside County – should continue to provide fair housing-related workshops and distributed related information.As indicated above, the City continues to contract with the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County to provide fair housing outreach, education, and enforcement services, including producing and distributing fair housing educational information. CAPER 15 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-40 - Monitoring 91.220 and 91.230 Describe the standards and procedures used to monitor activities carried out in furtherance of the plan and used to ensure long-term compliance with requirements of the programs involved, including minority business outreach and the comprehensive planning requirements The monitoring plan that the City has in place and will continue to implement is outlined in the Consolidated Plan. The monitoring plan indicates that the City will monitor all HUD-funded activities and subrecipients per applicable U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations and requirements. The guiding principles and objectives of the monitoring plan help ensure that the primary benefits of activities are intended, directed, and received by targeted groups, including but not limited to low and moderate-income households, homeless, elderly, at-risk youth, persons with disabilities, and women and minority-owned businesses. Citizen Participation Plan 91.105(d); 91.115(d) Describe the efforts to provide citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment on performance reports. To encourage resident participation in the City’s CDBG and CDBG-CV program, the City published a notice on September 11, 2022, announcing a 15-day public comment period for the 2021-22 CAPER. The CAPER was made available for public review on the City’s website September 12, 2022 through September 26, 2022 (www.cityofpalmdesert.org). A copy of this notice and a summary of written comments is provided as Attachment 3. CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c) Specify the nature of, and reasons for, any changes in the jurisdiction’s program objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its experiences. As required by HUD, the City undertook two substantial amendments to the Consolidated Plan/Action Plan to receive and allocate CDBG-CV funds. No additional amendments or changes to Consolidated Plan or Action Plan were undertaken during this reporting period. Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) CAPER 16 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) grants? No [BEDI grantees] Describe accomplishments and program outcomes during the last year. CAPER 17 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-58 – Section 3 Identify the number of individuals assisted and the types of assistance provided Total Labor Hours CDBG HOME ESG HOPWA HTF Table 8 – Total Labor Hours Qualitative Efforts - Number of Activities by Program CDBG HOME ESG HOPWA HTF Table 9 – Qualitative Efforts - Number of Activities by Program Narrative CAPER 18 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Attachment Attachment 1 - PR03 CDBG and CDBG-CV Activity Summary Report CAPER 19 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Attachment 2 - PR26 CDBG & CDBG-CV Financial Summary Report CAPER 20 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Attachment 3 - Public Notice & Comments CAPER 21 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS