Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Consolidated Plan

CDBG 2018-2019 (Year 4) Action Plan

The City of Grants Pass began the annual process for developing and adopting the Year 4 Annual Action Plan to fund activities and projects that address the priorities identified in the 5-Year Consolidated Plan. The process follows timelines specified in the City's citizen participation plan and federal law.

The Draft 2018-2019 1-Year Action Plan was available for public review and comment from June 15, 2018 to July 16, 2018.The City Council held a public hearing on August 1, 2018 to consider public input and review the draft 2018-2019 Action Plan. The Council adopted the 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan on August 1, 2018. The adopted 2018-2019 1-Year Action Plan was approved by HUD on November 26, 2018.

The NOTICE identified the details for the Public Comment Period and the City Council public hearing and where to review the draft documents.

The process for the 2018-2019 1-Year Action Plan began with a Workshop and a Public Hearing in April to ascertain needs and priorities for use of CDBG funds for the 2018 - 2019 program year.

2018-2019 Action Plan and Consolidated Plan Amendments

Summary of Annual Process

The annual process begins each spring with outreach to obtain public input on (a) the most important needs and priorities to be addressed with CDBG funds for the next program year and (b) how the prior year’s activities addressed the needs of the City’s lower income households.

That input is used to inform and develop the draft Annual Action Plan and any necessary amendments to the 5-year Consolidated Plan. Once the draft plan has been developed, there is a 30-day minimum public comment period, followed by a public hearing, typically in late July or early August. The Annual Action Plan is then adopted and must be submitted to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by mid-August, at least 45 days before the start of the program year. The program year begins on October 1. Once HUD staff has reviewed and approved the plan, the city can begin the process to initiate projects and activities specified in the Annual Action Plan. Currently, most activities are carried out by sub-grantees who enter into agreements with the City to conduct the types of projects and activities specified in the plan.

There is also an annual review process which begins in November to evaluate achievements outlined in the prior year’s Annual Action Plan. This results in an annual performance and evaluation report.

CDBG Program Overview

In 2015, the City of Grants Pass, as the principal city of a new metropolitan statistical area, was invited to participate in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as an entitlement community. This means the City receives a direct annual funding allocation. This program is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The over-arching goal of the CDBG program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, especially for low- and moderate income persons. At least 70% of the City’s CDBG expenditures must be for activities that primarily benefit members of our community that are considered to be low- to moderate income.

The CDBG program provides HUD funds directly to the City that can be utilized to implement projects that achieve one of the following objectives: benefit low and moderate income persons, prevent/eliminate blight, or meet other urgent community needs that pose serious and immediate threat to health, safety or welfare.

The program includes the following main funding program areas: Affordable Housing and Homeless Prevention, Public Facilities and Community Development, Public Services (limited to 15% of annual CDBG award) and Economic Development.

The City Council adopted the Consolidated Plan and the first 2015-2016 (Year 1) Action Plan on August 5, 2015. Annual Action Plans have been adopted for additional program years.

2018-2019 Annual Action Plan

On August 1, 2018 the City Council approved the 2018-2019 Year 4 Annual Action Plan (AAP). The  AAP is currently under review with HUD. Once HUD approves the Year 4 AAP, it will be added to the web page.  The Resolution adopting the Year 4 AAP is provided below.

2017-2018 Action Plan and Consolidated Plan Amendments

On August 2, 2017 the City Council approved the 2017-2018 Year 3 Annual Action Plan and amended the Consolidated Plan. HUD approved the 2017-2018 Annual Action Plan on October 2, 2017. The documents are provided below.

Plans and Reports

Review the following plans and reports.

Consolidated Plan (Five-Year)

The Consolidated Plan is designed to help local jurisdictions to assess their affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions. The consolidated planning process serves as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community development priorities which align and focus funding from the CDBG programs.

Annual Action Plans

Due in October of every year after the City's first year, the City must develop a one-year Action Plan that summarizes the City's intended actions during that particular year with CDBG funding. These plans are notification to citizens and HUD outlining the projects the City has funded with each year's CDBG allocation.

CAPER - Comprehensive Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

Due in December of every year, the City reports on the activities over the past program year. The report highlights the accomplishments achieved and funds expended.

Citizen Participation Plan

The Citizen Participation Plan requirements are designed to encourage citizens to participate in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the City's CDBG plans and programs. The plan focuses on public involvement in the process of developing the City's Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, and a review of the CAPER. Substantial amendments to the Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan require public review and comments before approval.

Technical Assistance

You may obtain technical assistance regarding eligible projects, project concepts, and other information relative to the CDBG program by contacting Scott Lindberg at 541-450-6015 or by email at: slindberg@grantspassoregon.gov.

Fair Housing

As a recipient of CDBG funds, the City is required to certify it Affirmatively Furthers Fair Housing. This includes an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI). The AI identifies impediments to fair housing choice and actions to overcome the impediments.