Title
Public Hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).
Report
Issue:
Whether to hold a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2025 CAPER.
Staff Contact:
Anastasia Everett, Senior Program Specialist, Community Development, 360.753.8277
Presenter(s):
Anastasia Everett, Senior Program Specialist, Community Development
Beth Henriquez, Executive Director, Enterprise for Equity
Background and Analysis:
Each year the City reports on the performance of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program through the CAPER.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations require the City to hold a 15-day public comment period as well as a public hearing as an opportunity for the public to review the CAPER. The public hearing is an opportunity for the public to provide testimony on the City’s expenditures and accomplishments in the draft CAPER. Testimony or comments received during the public comment period will be included in the final report submitted to HUD. Information on the public comment period and ways to submit comment are on the City’s website (see link in attachments).
In Program Year (PY) 25, the City supported nonprofit service providers as subrecipients. The below activities were funded with the PY25 award.
• Critical home repair provided by South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together Thurston County,
• Fully subsidized ductless heat pumps through Energize Thurston,
• Public services from Together!, Mercy Housing Northwest, Senior Services for South Sound and Interfaith Works,
• Microenterprise assistance from Enterprise for Equity, and
• Security fence installation at Sandy’s Flats permanent supportive housing
Details on expenditures, available resources, and accomplishments can be found in the attached draft CAPER report as well as the Community Summary Report. More information on the City’s CDBG program can be found on the ‘CDBG Program Information’ attachment.
Climate Analysis:
CDBG is a flexible grant that can be used to support the City’s climate goals. Typical energy efficiency activities funded by CDBG include assistance to nonprofit organizations undertaking energy conservation projects such as Energize Thurston or solarization.
Equity Analysis:
CDBG funds must primarily benefit 80% or under Area Median Income (AMI) persons. Most of the Program Year 2025 funding was allocated to activities to help achieve housing preservation goals outlined in our Consolidated Plan, Housing Action Plan, and One Community Plan. Activities funded provide ways to keep low-income households stably housed in safe and healthy housing. Improvements funded by CDBG are free or very low cost to homeowners. There are statistically major disparities in income that are tied to marginalized groups in our community. More information about disparities can be found in the City’s Assessment of Fair Housing located on the CDBG website.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
CDBG funding is used to support Olympia residents with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Supporting low- and moderate-income Olympia residents is a high priority for the community, and CDBG funded projects help meet many of the City’s goals outlined in the One Community Plan.
Financial Impact:
There is no impact associated with holding a public hearing on the CDBG PY25 CAPER. The CAPER includes a review of expenditures during PY25 totaling $297,270.
Options:
1. Hold a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).
2. Reschedule the public hearing for another Council meeting and risk noncompliance with HUD regulations
3. Do not hold a public hearing and risk noncompliance with HUD regulations
Attachments:
Draft CAPER
Community Summary Report
CDBG Program Information