Title
A resolution approving the City of Colorado Springs Substantial Amendment to the Program year 2014 Action Plan for the use of Community Development Block Grant funds provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Presenter:
Aimee Cox, Community Development Manager, Planning and Community Development
Body
Summary:
The Community Development Division is requesting City Council approval to allocate $1,780,000 of available 2014 CDBG funds for the purpose of constructing key facilities on the Springs Rescue Mission campus to support people experiencing homelessness. This requires a Substantial Amendment to the 2014 Annual Action Plan. Springs Rescue Mission staff will present the project to City Council.
Previous Council Action:
City Council approved the 2014 Action Plan by Resolution No. 60-14 on June 24, 2014.
Background:
The City of Colorado Springs (City) Community Development Division administers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds received on an annual basis from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds are made available to carry out a variety of housing, community, and economic development activities based on an Annual Action Plan approved by the City Council. Prior to 2015, HUD accounting was “first in, first out,” meaning that projects were funded from the oldest funds available in the U.S. Treasury and not necessarily current year funds. Many past year projects did not require all of the funding available, and in addition, the City has often received more program income than anticipated, typically in the form of loan repayments. Over time, unspent funds have accumulated in the U.S. Treasury, resulting in approximately $1,915,000 of 2014 CDBG funds currently available for reprogramming.
This Substantial Amendment to the 2014 Action Plan allocates an additional $1,780,000 of available 2014 CDBG funds to $720,000 previously allocated to the Springs Rescue Mission project in the 2014 Action Plan (for a total of $2,500,000) for the purpose of constructing key facilities on the Springs Rescue Mission campus located at 25 W. Las Vegas Street. The total estimated cost for the SRM project is $13,800,000.
The Springs Rescue Mission campus will provide vital facilities and services to people experiencing homelessness in Colorado Springs - facilities and services that largely do not exist in the community currently or are not adequate to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The campus expansion addresses a priority need identified in the City’s 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan to target resources to programs and facilities that can significantly reduce street homelessness and promote housing stability. These priorities were also outlined in the Initiative to End Homelessness in Colorado Springs (2014), a plan to address critical gaps in homeless services that was subsequently adopted as the strategic plan for the Colorado Springs/El Paso County Continuum of Care. Urgent facility needs identified in the plan include emergency shelter and a day center offering comprehensive services and amenities.
This item also supports the City’s strategic goal relating to building community and collaborative relationships by improving access to housing through partnership with a local nonprofit.
Financial Implications:
Approval will require increasing the appropriation in the City’s Grant Fund by $1,780,000. The source of funds is the Community Development Block Grant Program. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Board/Commission Recommendation:
The project has been recommended by the Colorado Springs/El Paso County Continuum of Care.
Stakeholder Process:
In accordance with the City of Colorado Springs Citizen Participation Plan, a public notice was published in the Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper on February 22, 2016 announcing the availability of the Substantial Amendment document and the opportunity to submit written comments to the Community Development Division from February 22, 2016 through March 22, 2016. The public notice included notice of a public hearing before City Council on April 12, 2016 on or about 1:00pm at Colorado Springs City Hall, City Council Chambers. In addition, the Community Development Division hosted a public meeting on March 15, 2016 at 6:00pm at City Hall City Council Chambers to discuss the substantial amendment and take public comment. About 23 people attended. Comments are summarized in the attached Substantial Amendment document.
The Substantial Amendment document was made available on-line at https://coloradosprings.gov/resident-services/planning-development/housing/community-development and in hard copy at the following locations:
Community Development Division, 30 S. Nevada Ave., Suite 604
Office of the City Clerk, 30 S. Nevada Ave., Suite 101
City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave #300
Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave.
21st Century Library, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr.
Pikes Peak United Way, 518 N. Nevada Ave.
Hillside Community Center, 925 S. Institute St.
Westside Community Center, 1628 W. Bijou St.
Meadows Park Community Center, 1943 S. El Paso Ave
Alternatives:
City Council could choose to approve the substantial amendment at a lesser amount or not approve the substantial amendment.
Recommended Motion
Proposed Motion:
Move to approve the resolution approving the City of Colorado Springs Substantial Amendment to the Program year 2014 Action Plan for the use of Community Development Block Grant funds provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A