Title
Overview of the Community Development Division’s role as the administrator of annual grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Presenter:
Steve Posey, Community Development Division Manager
Catherine Duarte, Senior Analyst
Peter Wysocki, Planning Director
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Summary:
The presentation provides an overview of the Community Development Division’s role as the administrator of annual grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Background:
National Community Development Week (April 5-9) is an opportunity to showcase the many outstanding projects our public and private partners accomplish each year with grant funding from HUD. This year, staff prepared or facilitated a number of information pieces, including social media posts, a Gazette guest editorial, an episode of the Behind the Springs podcast, ongoing features on the Community Development Division webpage, and a Rocky Mountain PBS special focused on Greccio Housing’s founder, Claudia Deats-Rogers. A recurring theme in all of the Community Development Division’s work is collaboration and strong partnerships.
As the city continues to grow, affordable housing remains a concern throughout the region. In 2018, Mayor Suthers set a goal to build or preserve 1000 units of affordable housing each year. In 2019, the Community Development Division released HomeCOS, the City’s affordable and attainable housing plan. Concurrently with National Community Development Week, the Division released an update on our progress toward meeting the Mayor’s housing goals. As a result of ongoing collaboration with non-profit and for-profit developers, local housing providers, regional government partners, and the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), a total of 1117 units are either under construction or well along the way to securing entitlements and tax credit financing.
Later this Spring, the Community Development Division will release a Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) that is required to be submitted to HUD each year. The CAPER will provide details on the many ways that HUD dollars benefit low- to moderate-income members of our community, as well as a report on progress made toward furthering fair housing, increasing the number of accessible and affordable housing choices for the disabled, reducing homelessness, generating economic development, and improving neighborhoods. The CAPER will be available for public comment over a 15 day period.
The Community Development Division’s use of HUD funds supports the City’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan Goal #3, Building Community & Collaborative Relationships. The Division supports Goal #3 by enabling community partnerships that improve citizen quality of life by reducing crime, reducing the number of persons experiencing chronic homelessness, increasing affordable housing opportunities, and facilitating community investment.
Previous Council Action:
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Financial Implications:
The Community Development Division manages approximately $5 million in annual HUD grant funds. Additionally, the Division manages approximately $300K in annual program income, as well as the City’s Private Activity Bond (PAB) allocation, typically used to finance affordable multi-family rental projects. In 2020, the Division also received approximately $30M in additional funding through various pandemic relief bills.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
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Stakeholder Process:
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Alternatives:
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Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
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Summary of Ordinance Language
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