HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS-2009-003-R-0912/17/2008, 12/26/08
• 3-R-09
A RESOLUTION
Approving the City's FY 2009/2010 One Year Action Plan, and
Adopting the FY 2009/2010 Community Development Block
Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships, and
Emergency Shelter Grants Program Budgets
WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States did pass Public Law
93-383, Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (which
established the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program); Public
Law 101-625, the Cranston -Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act (which
established the HOME Investment Partnerships Program); and Public Law
100-77, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (which established
• the Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) Program); and
WHEREAS, the City of Evanston is an "Entitlement City" by
definition in said Acts and, as such, is eligible to make application to the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for said grant
programs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Evanston estimates that FY 2009/2010
HUD entitlement allocations will be:
Community Development Block Grant $ 1,872,000
HOME Investment Partnerships $ 510,000
Emergency Shelter Grants $ 86,000
Total FY 2009/2010 funding: $ 2,468,000
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And
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WHEREAS, the City Council's Housing and Community
Development Act Committee is charged with oversight of the City's CDBG •
program; the Evanston Housing Commission is charged with oversight of the
City's HOME program; and the City Council's Human Services Committee is
charged with oversight of the City's ESG program; and
WHEREAS, the Housing & Community Development Act
Committee met on several occasions in the fall of 2008 and developed
recommendations for use of FY 2009/2010 CDBG funds; and
WHEREAS, recommendations for the use of FY 2009/2010 ESG
funds have not yet been determined. However, recommendations to the City
Council for the use of FY 2009/2010 ESG funds will be made by the Human
Services Committee prior to the March 1, 2009, program year start date; and
WHEREAS, recommendations for the use of HOME funds are •
made by the Evanston Housing Commission to the Planning & Development
Committee and City Council, and the use of said funds is determined by the
City Council; and
WHEREAS, HUD requires that the City submit a One Year Action
Plan that details the activities the City proposes to undertake using the sum of
the estimated FY 2009/2010 CDBG, HOME and ESG funds, including
entitlement allocations, reallocations of funds from completed prior years' CDBG
projects, estimated CDBG and HOME program income, and required matches for
HOME and ESG funding, totaling two million, eight hundred ninety-seven
thousand, five hundred forty-six dollars ($2,897,546), are described; and •
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WHEREAS, the proposed activities in the One Year Action Plan
• address the City's housing and homeless needs and economic development
initiatives. Specific projects which are proposed to be funded with HUD's
FY 2009/2010 funding were derived from the City's priority needs, as identified in
the City's 2005-2009 HUD Consolidated Plan. Specific CDBG activities and
recommended funding levels were approved by the Housing and Community
Development Act Committee on November 11, 2008; and
WHEREAS, the proposed One Year Action Plan for FY 2009/2010,
which includes proposed FY 2009/2010 CDBG funding recommendations, was
the subject of a Public Hearing as conducted by the Housing and Community
Development Act Committee on December 16, 2008; and
WHEREAS, said Committee conducted said public hearing,
• received citizen input on the proposed FY 2009/2010 One Year Action Plan, and
recommends approval by the Evanston City Council of the proposed One Year
Action Plan for FY 2009/2010; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS:
SECTION 1: That the foregoing recitals are hereby found as fact
and made a part hereof.
SECTION 2: That the City's One Year Action Plan for
FY 2009/2010, attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part hereof, is approved.
SECTION 3: That the City of Evanston's FY 2009/2010
• Community Development Block Grant Program totaling two million, fifty-three
3
WAIV
thousand, forty-six dollars ($2,053,046), itemized as follows,
Estimated entitlement funds in FY 2009/2010 $ 1,872,000 •
Estimated program income $ 124,998
Reallocated funds from completed prior years' $ 56,048
CDBG projects
Total $ 2,053,046
is hereby approved.
SECTION 3: That HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
funding totaling six hundred seventy-two thousand, five hundred dollars
($672,500), itemized as follows,
Estimated entitlement funds in FY 2009/2010 $ 510,000
Estimated program income $ 35,000
Required City match $ 127,500
Total $ 672,500
is hereby approved.
SECTION 3: That Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) funding is
totaling one hundred seventy-two thousand dollars ($172,000), itemized
as follows,
Estimated entitlement funds in FY 2009/2010 $ 86,000
Required City match $ 86,000
Total $ 172,000
is hereby approved.
SECTION 4: That the City Manager of the City of Evanston is
hereby authorized to transmit said One Year Action Plan for FY 2009/2010 for
the proposed CDBG, HOME and ESG program budgets to the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development, and to provide any additional information as
may be required by HUD. is
CI
3-R-08
• SECTION 5: That this Resolution 3-R-09 shall be in full force and
effect from and after the date of its passage and approval in the manner
provided by law.
Attest
'Rodney Greene, City Clerk
Adopted: f Z , 2009
(f t
C:
0
ine H. Morton, Mayor
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EXHIBIT A
City of Evanston's One Year Action Plan for FY 2009/2010 •
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•
City of
Evanston
• Illinois
One Year Action Plan
for FY 2009/10
(Use of Federal CDBG, HOME and ESG Funds)
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January 12, 2009
Q$` ICJ
Fifth Program
Year
Action Plan - CDBG Y35
Narrative Responses
Executive Summary
Resources
The City of Evanston expects to receive approximately $2.5 million in new Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Emergency Shelter
Grant (ESG) formula grant'funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
for its 2009/10 program year. The 2009/10 One Year Action Plan, which covers the period from
March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010, outlines how those funds, along with program income and
unspent CDBG funds from prior years shown in the chart below, will be used to improve the quality of
life for low and moderate income Evanston residents. ESG funds will be matched with $86,000 in
local government and private funds. HOME funds will be matched with $127,500 from the Affordable
Housing Fund, the Federal Home Loan Bank and developers' contributions. These funds, added to
the Federal funds, total $2,897,546.
2009/10 Grant Program Prior Year HUD Funds Matching Total Funds
(est.)' Income (est.) Funds (est.) SubtotalZ Funds Committed
CDBG $ 1,872,000 $124,998 $ 56,048 $ 2,053,046 $ - $ 2,053,046
HOME $ 510,000 $ 35,000 $ - $ 545,000 $ 127,500 $ 672,500
ESG $ 86,000 $ - $ - $ 86,000 $ 86,000 $ 172,000
Total $ 2,468,000 $159,998 $ 56,049 $ 2,684,046 $ 213,500 $ 2,897,546
The above -noted funding, combined with an estimated $844,000 in City of Evanston funds allocated
by the Mental Health Board, will be used to carry out activities that address priority needs in
Evanston. In addition, these funds will leverage other federal, state and local government funds, as
well as private funds, to support the wide range of housing, public facilities and improvements, public
services and economic development activities outlined in this plan.
Plans and Initiatives
Evanston has been significantly impacted by mortgage foreclosures. Census tracts 8092, 8096 and
8102, all within our CDBG Target Area, are most heavily affected. A number of initiatives have been
undertaken in response to these needs:
• The City of Evanston is in the process of applying for funding through the Neighborhood
Stabilization Program (NSP), part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Evanston
is not a direct recipient of NSP funds, but has the highest need among North Shore suburbs
based on the number and percent of foreclosures, pre -foreclosures and high-cost/subprime
loans. Applications for funding are being made through both the State of Illinois and Cook County
to acquire foreclosed or abandoned properties in order to develop more units of affordable rental
and owner -occupied housing. -
• The City's Property Standards division has expanded its work to monitor and maintain vacant
CDBG entitlement estimate is 3% less than the 2008/09 grant; HOME and ESG are also estimated
at slightly under their 2008/09 grant levels.
2 Total Entitlement and Program Income reflected in Project Tables.
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City of Evanston
properties to reduce.the negative impact on neighborhoods. The City has a vacant building
• registry to identify owners and places liens on properties to recover the costs of boarding and
maintaining the exteriors of those buildings.
The City continues its work to revitalize west Evanston neighborhoods that comprise over half of the
CDBG Target Area:
• The City amended the West Evanston TIF District #6 to extend its boundaries to meet the
expectations of the approved West Evanston Master Plan. This TIF is an important tool in the
revitalization of the west portion of the CDBG Target Area.
• Zoning to implement the West Evanston Master Plan is underway
• Streetlights will be upgraded in two of the three neighborhoods targeted by the Safer
Neighborhood Area Project (SNAP) using City funds based on analyses completed by City staff
trained in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) in 2008.
Summary of Specific Annual Objectives
The City of Evanston's 2009/10 One Year Action Plan is the implementation plan for the fifth year of
the City's 2005-2009 Consolidated Plan using CDBG, HOME and ESG funds. The activities carried
out with these federal funds also contribute to the implementation of the City of Evanston's Strategic
Plan, whose vision is to create the most livable city in America for its diverse population. The goals
and strategies of that plan, developed in a collaborative process involving City Council, staff and
citizens, are consistent with, and complementary to, the Consolidated Plan.
Evanston's 2009/10 One Year Action Plan addresses three federal statutory goals:
• Provide decent housing
• Provide a suitable living environment
• Expand economic opportunities.
• For the 2009/10 program year, CDBG, HOME and ESG funds will be allocated among the objectives
and outcome categories established by HUD as shown in the table below. Additional detail may be
found in Table 3A and the project tables that follow the narrative.
Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability I Total
Amount
( Percent
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
I Amount
Decent Housing
$
575,698
26%
$ 482,500
22%
$ 414,229
19%
$1,472,427
Suitable Living Environment
$
319,250
14%
$ 49,000
2%
$ 277,569
12%
$ 645,819
Economic Opportunity
$
90,000
4%
$ 25,000
1 %
$ -
0%'
$ 115,000
Activity Totals:
$
984,948
44%
$ 556,500
25% (
$ 691,798
31 %
$2,233,246
Admin & Planning
Total CDBG, HOME & ESG
NA NA NA NA I NA . NA 1 $ 450,800
1
Percent
Ii 55%
24%
4%
17%
$2,684,046 1 100%
Because CDBG allocations have been made based on an estimated entitlement grant, the Housing &
Community Development Act Committee will make any adjustments required to allocations for
specific programs and projects upon receipt of the City's CDBG entitlement grant amount. If the grant
is smaller than estimated, reductions will be made on a case -by -case basis rather than reducing all
allocations on a percentage basis in order to minimize impact of reductions, especially on small
grants. If the grant is larger than estimated, programs and projects that address highest priorities will
be considered for additional funding or funds may be reserved to address needs that arise throughout
the year based on the economic climate and housing market.
Evaluation of Past Performance
• The City's 2005-2009 Consolidated Plan set ambitious goals to address community needs and
improve the quality of life in Evanston, especially for low and moderate income residents. The City
has used HUD funding effectively to address a broad range of community development objectives. It
plans to continue support for a wide range of programs and activities that address housing needs,
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provide services and economic development opportunities for low and moderate income persons.
Evanston is on target to meet or exceed most of the specific measures of the 2005-2009 •
Consolidated Plan. However, the City is working to address new and expanding needs resulting from
the deteriorating economic environment.
General Questions
Geographic Targeting
The CDBG Target Area and, in particular, the west side and the neighborhoods along Howard Street
on the City's southern border, are areas of high priority for public and private investment and for use
of CDBG and HOME funds. Some of the greatest needs in these areas are affordable housing,
infrastructure improvements, economic development opportunities and human services.
A substantial portion of Evanston's African American population lives in the CDBG Target Area. This
includes west Evanston between Green Bay Road and the Metropolitan Sanitary District Canal and
Church Street, as well as south of Church Street to Main Street. The southeast section of Evanston,
bordered on the north and south by Oakton and Howard Street respectively and Ridge and Chicago
Avenues on the west and east, also has a significant African American population, as well as the
highest concentration of low and moderate income residents in the City. The City's Hispanic
population also lives predominantly in west and southeast Evanston, areas in which housing is more
affordable. See demographic tables following the CDBG map for population distribution by census
tract of racial/ethnic groups and income. The majority of Housing Choice voucher holders live in these
neighborhoods.
The City of Evanston supports the needs of its low and moderate income residents throughout our
community and on a targeted geographic basis, depending on the program. Programs for which all •
participants are income -qualified that are operated on a citywide basis include the Single- and Multi -
Family Home Rehabilitation program, Alley Special Assessment Assistance and HOME programs.
Projects that serve low and moderate income residents on an area basis are restricted to the CDBG
Target Area (see map that follows the narrative section). The CDBG Target Area was developed
based on 2000 census data and comprises an area of the city in which at least 50.3% of the residents
are low/moderate income based on Evanston's status as an exception community. The City uses the
CDBG Target Area map to determine eligibility for its block curb/sidewalk, alley paving and
neighborhood park renovation projects. Projects that improve accessibility, such as installing ADA
compliant curb ramps, are prioritized for CDBG funding when within the CDBG Target Area. Most
CDBG-funded Public Facilities Improvement projects are located in the CDBG Target Area.
Exceptions include child care centers that serve a high percentage of children from low and moderate
income families and whose beneficiaries are qualified based on income and the McGaw YMCA
Residence facility, Evanston's only SRO for low-income men.
Actions to Address Underserved Needs
The mortgage foreclosure crisis has greatly impacted certain areas of Evanston. While HUD's
predicted foreclosure rate for Evanston overall is 3 percent, it is 8.2 percent in census tract 8092 on
the City's west side. Other impacted areas are tracts 8096, 8097, 8103.and 8102. These areas
include long-time homeowners who refinanced and obtained predatory loans or loans they cannot
afford, as well as recent first-time homebuyers who have been affected by interest rate adjustments
or income shifts.
The City will continue to work with agencies that provide foreclosure prevention counseling or legal •
assistance with foreclosure issues, and reach out to homeowners in affected areas.
Education and intervention with mortgage lenders are top priorities in the City's strategy to stem
foreclosures and abandonment.
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In addition, the City plans to apply to both the State of Illinois and Cook County_ for Neighborhood
• Stabilization Program funds for acquisition, demolition or rehabilitation of foreclosed properties in
order to turn around the number of vacant buildings in high impact areas and stem disinvestment in
neighborhoods.
The establishment of the Affordable Housing Fund and creation of programs including the
Downpayment Assistance Program bring more resources to bear on the challenge of providing
affordable housing. The fund can be used to supplement HOME funding and also fund services that
are not eligible for HOME funds.
Several neighborhoods have been identified by Evanston Police as having chronic crime problems.
Characteristics of these areas include a high percentage of rental properties and absentee landlords,
predominantly low income households, poor infrastructure and frequent fly dumping. In 2008/09,
CDBG funds were used for cross -departmental training in Crime Prevention Through Environmental
Design (CPTED). Members of the Police, Community Development, Public Works, Streets &
Sanitation departments learned to analyze problems and develop community -based solutions to
create sustainable change using CPTED principles.
The Safer Neighborhood Area Project (SNAP) is an initiative to implement CPTED principles on a
neighborhood level in concert with the stakeholders and residents. SNAP will help engage both
residents and stakeholders in the planning and implementation of strategies to address persistent and
seemingly intransigent problems and be one of the tools used to develop Neighborhood Revitalization
Areas in the City's 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan.
The City is working to leverage CDBG funds for neighborhood initiatives and has applied to the
Woman's Club of Evanston for funding for a multi -session Block Club University to engage and
support resident involvement and provide additional funding for the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund.
• A study of youth needs completed in November 2006 among Evanston youth and young adults and
with input from over 20 youth -serving organizations identified the need for positive activities for middle
and high schoolers who have aged out of most programs or find existing offerings too expensive. A
key finding was that youth often are not aware of existing programs and services or lack
transportation to get to them. Working with a neighborhood group in the Second Ward, the City began
offering new programs for middle school youth at Mason Park. In addition, the Evanston Public
Library developed the Loft, a teen -only space and offers after -school, evening and weekend
programs on a variety of topics. A bus is provided for transportation home from Friday evening
special activities. The City's Summer Youth Employment Program continues to expand the number of
local businesses participating in its April job fair in order to employ more youth ages 14-17 during the
summer months. Job opportunities for youth with disabilities are being developed in partnership with
the Special Education department at Evanston Township High School and the Center for Independent
Futures. This program expansion was funded by the Evanston Community Foundation.
Other Federal, State and Local Resources
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs: The Evanston Alliance on Homelessness prepares
Evanston's Continuum of Care plan and oversees its implementation. The Continuum's application
submitted in October of 2008 requested $1,063,031 for eleven projects. Ten of those projects are
renewals and the eleventh is a new project request of $99,856 to expand Permanent Supportive
Housing. The projects are detailed below in Specific Homeless Prevention Elements section.
Housing Choice (Section 8 Rental Housing) Vouchers: Evanston does not administer the Housing
Choice Voucher program in Evanston; it is managed by the Housing Authority of Cook County
(HACC).
Lead Hazard Control Programs: Evanston received a renewal grant in the amount of $400,000 for
two years from Cook County"s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in 2008. The grant has already
funded lead abatement in nine units occupied by households with children under the age of six. Lead
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grant funds are used in conjunction with CDBG funds on housing rehab projects where the occupants
meet the criteria of both funding sources, enabling more substantial rehab projects to be undertaken. •
Local Resources: The Affordable Housing Fund described above currently has a fund balance of
approximately $600,000 of which about $480,000 is uncommitted, and is another potential source to
help turn around vacant buildings. It is also an excellent source of funds for crucial housing related
services such as foreclosure prevention or home purchase counseling, and supporting a coordinated
data base among homeless assistance providers. An estimated $844,000 in City of Evanston funds
allocated by the Mental Health Board will support needed services. In addition, the City of Evanston
plans to spend approximately $23 million in 2009/10 capital improvement funds for infrastructure and
capital needs that will directly benefit Evanston residents and businesses.
Tax Increment Financing from the recently expanded West Evanston TIF offers a source of financial
assistance to private developments that contribute economic activity and jobs in part of the CDBG
Target Area. The TIF has generated attention and several developments have been proposed within
its boundaries. Much of the area consists of underutilized or vacant industrial properties and the
former Mayfair railroad right-of-way, now an abandoned embankment. TIF monies are also
earmarked for local public improvements — including streetscapes and neighborhood beautification
projects.
Evanston Township manages Evanston's General Assistance funds, which provide an important
source of funding to help low-income Evanston residents. General Assistance funds support a broad
range of needs of approximately 80 low income residents each year.
The City anticipates using $550,000 in funds from the City's hotel tax and other sources to stimulate
economic development and investment in target areas. Though the pace of development has slowed
tremendously, Evanston continues to attract interest and investment from commercial and housing
developers. •
Managing the Process
Lead Agency and Program Administration
The City's Planning Division is responsible for the preparation of the City's Consolidated Plan, One
Year Action Plan and Consolidated Action Plan Annual Performance Report. It also coordinates
interdepartmental discussion about priorities and programs which arise from or affect the City's
consolidated planning process, and ensures that federally funded programs are addressing the City's
priority needs as set out in its Consolidated Plan. Any significant amendments to the Consolidated
Plan would be presented to the Housing & Community Development Act Committee for review. If
approved by the Committee, the amendment would be submitted to the City Council for approval
before submission to the HUD Chicago office.
The Planning Division has primary responsibility for administering all CDBG and HOME funded
projects and programs. In addition, Planning Division staff members carry out a number of program
activities including the Neighborhood Fagade Program, Adopt A Fancy Can, Alley Special
Assessment Assistance Program and the Neighborhood Security Program. A number of other City
departments and divisions deliver programs funded by CDBG. The Community Development
Department administers the Housing Rehabilitation Program and manages the Revolving Loans that
fund the rehab projects. Community Development also carries out the City's CDBG Target Area Code
Compliance, Graffiti Removal and Demolition Programs.
The Health and Human Services Department administers ESG-funded programs and services. It also •
delivers the CDBG-funded Adaptive Equipment program. The Public Works Department carries out
the Alley Paving, Block Curb and Sidewalk and ADA Curb Ramp Programs. The Parks, Forestry and
Recreation Department carries out the Fleetwood Jourdain rehab and improvement projects. The
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Police Department carries out the Senior Crime Prevention Program and is the lead department for
• the Safer Neighborhood Area Project initiative. The M/W/EBE Program is carried out by the City's
Budget Office. The Human Relations Division carries out the Housing Advocacy and Summer Youth
Employment Program.
The City of Evanston will have 20 CDBG subrecipients in 2009/10. Fifteen of those subrecipients will
provide a wide range of public services; thirteen have received CDBG funding in prior years and two
are receiving funding for the first time. In addition, one subrecipient will receive 2009/10 CDBG funds
for Housing Rehab projects, two for Public Improvements and two for Economic Development
activities.
ESG activities are carried out by subrecipients; proposals for 2009/10 will be solicited and
subrecipients will be determined by March 1, 2009.
The City works with five Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs); the majority of
HOME funds have been used for projects developed by them. The City has also worked with, a for -
profit developer to develop affordable housing and a nonprofit that serves individuals with disabilities
to provide down payment assistance to disabled adults purchasing a home.
Development of the Action Plan
The City's Planning Division is responsible for developing the One Year Action Plan. The Housing &
Community Development Act (CD) Committee conducted a needs hearing in May to receive input
about community development needs as a prelude to the application and funding process. The RFP
for the 2009/10 CDBG program year was released in July; applications were due on September 12,
2008. The Committee held three public meetings in October at which all applications for CDBG funds
were reviewed and a fourth on November 11 to determine the funding recommendations for 2009/10.
All meetings were publicized on the City website, by email or US mail to current and former
• applicants, as well as to a list of interested parties. The application review meetings and the funding
decision meeting were televised and rebroadcast on the Evanston public access cable channel to
provide Evanston residents additional opportunities to observe and provide input to the CDBG
funding process.
Evanston residents and other interested persons have numerous opportunities to comment and offer
suggestions on the City's CDBG program throughout the year. A public hearing was held in May to
solicit citizen comment on the City's annual Consolidated Plan Performance and Evaluation Report
(CAPER) prior to its submission to HUD. �n addition, all regular meetings of the CD Committee offer
opportunity for input during the Citizen Comment section of the agenda. All citizen comments
submitted in writing were distributed to members of the CD Committee, as well. Copies of sign -in
sheets from public meetings are retained and citizen input is documented in meeting minutes, which
are posted on the City website following approval.
Coordination Between Public and Private Housing and Other Service Providers
The interrelationship of federal CDBG, HOME and ESG funding and the City's General Fund is
coordinated by several City committees, commissions and City departments. The City Council, the
governing body for the City of Evanston and the ultimate coordinating entity, makes all policy
decisions and approves all uses of City -controlled funds. The Planning and Development Committee
oversees housing policy for the City and makes funding recommendations for specific housing
programs and projects, including use of Evanston's HOME funds, to the City Council. The Human
Services Committee coordinates planning and makes funding recommendations to the City Council
for programs addressing human services needs in Evanston, including ESG and Mental Health Board
funds.
• The CD Committee makes recommendations to the City Council on all activities funded through the
CDBG program. The CD Committee also oversees the administration of the City's CDBG program
and reviews the progress and accomplishments of CDBG-funded programs and projects provided by
subrecipients and the City.
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City staff members from Planning and Health and Human Services are also active members of the
Evanston Alliance on Homelessness, which manages the City's Continuum of Care. •
Citizen Participation
Summary of Citizen Participation Process
Opportunities for citizen input on housing, economic development and public services needs and
policy are provided through several City organizations, commissions and committees. Regular
monthly meetings of the CD Committee, Evanston Housing Commission, Commission on Aging,
Mental Health Board, Human Services Committee and the Evanston Alliance on Homelessness are
open to the public and provide opportunities for citizens to comment on the use of public dollars in
housing and public services activities. Meetings of the Economic Development Committee, which
works to stimulate development and redevelopment opportunities in Evanston to improve the living
environment and economic opportunities for Evanston residents, are also open to the public.
Citizen input on the One Year Action Plan and CDBG Budget for 2009/10 is sought in the public
comment period from December 8, 2008 through January 6, 2009. Notice of the 30-day public
comment period and the public hearing on December 16, 2008 was published in the Evanston
Review on December 4 and 11, 2008. Notices were sent by email or US mail to the lists described
above. Notice of the meeting and its purpose was also posted on the City's website and on the
agenda for the November 16, 2008 meeting of the Housing & Community Development Act
Committee.
All major HOME funded projects are reviewed by a HOME Loan Committee composed of
professionals in the lending or community development field. The Evanston Housing Commission
then reviews the proposals and submits their recommendations to the City Council's Planning and
Development Committee for review prior to recommending approval by the City Council. All meetings •
are open to the public. Likewise, the City Council's Human Services Committee makes
recommendations for the use of Evanston's ESG funds at public meetings.
Summary of Citizen Comments
At the public meeting to review applications for 2009/10 CDBG funding on October 14, 2008, Mary
Friedl raised concerns about accessibility for persons with mobility impairments to three programs,
Girl Scouts Fit To Be Me, Connections for the Homeless' Entry Point and the YWCA's Transitional
Housing program (comments submitted,in written form are appended). The City continues to evaluate
ADA compliance and review the accommodation plans for addressing the needs of persons with
disabilities for all organizations receiving CDBG, ESG and Mental Health Board funding. Site visits
are being scheduled as part of the evaluation process. City staff has met with both Connections for
the Homeless and YWCA staff to discuss Ms. Friedl's concerns and has requested additional detail
about their accommodation and/or transition plans. The information will be reviewed for
appropriateness and completeness prior to the release of 2009/10 CDBG funds. The City's Disabled
Services Specialist and CDBG Administrator will continue to communicate with Ms. Friedl regarding
both organizations.
The Girl Scouts' Fit To Be Me program is accessible to persons with mobility impairments. In addition
to having multiple program sites that can accommodate a girl in a wheelchair, the Girl Scouts
program is included in Family Focus' agreement with the Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center, an
ADA compliant City facility located next door, to use program space at Fleetwood Jourdain if needed
to accommodate participants with mobility impairments. Documentation is in the CDBG program files
and also maintained by the City's Disabled Services Specialist/ADA Coordinator.
Two people provided input on the One Year Action Plan at the public hearing on December 16, 2008: is
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Paul Selden, Executive Director, Connections for the Homeless, raised concern that the focus for
• affordable housing in the Action Plan is on households with incomes near 80% of area median and
that lower income households were not receiving enough attention or help. He noted that Families In
Transition is the only program that addresses needs of households at or below 40% AMI and that
programs focused on home ownership do not address the needs of very low income households. Mr.
Selden also referenced the Chicago 2020 housing study that identified issues that impact the
availability of affordable housing, including housing density, and noted that Evanston's policies should
be considered.
Mr. Selden noted that rent subsidy programs can be one of the most effective ways of addressing
housing needs of very low income HHs. He would like to see Connections get other sources of
funding for homeless services so that more HUD funds could be used for rent subsidies. He also
noted that the number of Housing Choice vouchers used in Evanston has declined steadily in recent
years due to conversions of rental properties to condos, HUD not offering vouchers to new HHs to
replace those lost through attrition and the perception that housing is more affordable in other
communities, including Skokie. Mr. Selden also talked about the importance of Connections'
Prevention Program that provides funds to families at risk of losing their housing because of inability
to pay mortgage/rent or utilities.
Ald. Hansen and Ald Jean -Baptiste both noted that the City Council and staff are concerned that
affordable units the City has helped fund are not selling and acknowledged that additional strategies
need to be developed. Affordable housing is one of the topics on the Council agenda at its January
2009 meeting and they invited Mr. Selden to address the City Council. The recently formed Affordable
Housing Task Force, created to address housing issues, resulted from the need to develop additional
strategies to address market and economic changes.
Elizabeth Gordon, Director of Evanston Skokie Valley Senior Services, part of the North Shore Senior
• Center, voiced agreement with Mr. Selden's comments. She noted that many Evanston seniors that
they serve are very low income and live on fixed incomes. ESVSS works to keep seniors age in place
and also with transition planning, such as getting on wait lists for facilities with supportive services, as
their needs change. Rising rents and utilities are becoming a bigger challenge for them and their
program can offer financial help for those items on a one-time basis only. She noted that some clients
may be eligible for help through Connections Prevention Program and would work with that agency.
The Citizen's Lighthouse Community Land Trust (CLCLT) provided comments on the Action Plan as
summarized below (letter dated 1/6/09 appended):
1. CLCLT Requested clarification of availability of HOME funds from prior years because the
chart of resources in Executive Summary does not show unspent HOME funds from prior years
that are referenced later in the narrative. The chart shows only estimated 2009/10 entitlement,
estimated program income from 2008/09 and unspent CDBG entitlement funds from prior years
that are being reallocated in 2009/10 as required by the Consolidated Plan Final Rule. Addressing
unspent HOME funds is not required. Audits are available for review upon request.
2. CLCLT questioned why HOME funds were being used only for rehab of foreclosed properties and
suggested alternative housing sites might offer superior opportunity. HOME funds may not be
used to refinance unless in conjunction with rehabilitation; Neighborhood Stabilization Program
funds may be used only for foreclosed or abandoned properties. The Action Plan does not
preclude use of prior year funds for properties not in foreclosure.
3. CLCLT suggested more efforts to prevent foreclosure by purchasing homes in danger of
foreclosure and putting them in the land trust so that the owner has a smaller mortgage and can
remain in the home. However, HOME funds can only be used for refinancing with rehab, as
already noted. If CLCT were to propose such a project, it could be considered.
4. CLCLT disagreed with the proposal in the draft Action Plan dated 12/8/08 not to reserve 15% of
• the 2009/10 HOME allocation for CHDOs and said it is required. Required CHDO reserve funding
levels are being met; see page 15, HOME/American Dream Downpayment Initiative, for details.
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Betty Ester provided comments on the Action Plan (letter dated 1/7/09 appended) summarized and
address below: •
Ms. Ester notes that there is an increase in funds allocated for housing and suitable living
environment objectives but the narrative does not identify partners. CDBG subrecipients are
identified in the Housing section, p. 14 and the Community Development section, pp. 22-26.
HOME funds are allocated throughout the year as projects are approved, so partners cannot be
identified at this time. ESG subrecipients will be determined through an RFP process, see p. 22.
• Ms. Ester states little economic development has resulted from CDBG funds granted. Outcomes
are detailed in the City's Consolidated Annual Performance Reports that are available on the
website and in the Planning Division office, 2100 Ridge Ave. Specific questions may be directed
to the CDBG Administrator.
• Ms. Ester notes that deed restrictions only preserve affordable homeownership for a short time.
All affordability periods for HOME funded projects meet statutory requirements based on the
amount of subsidy.
• Ms. Ester discusses a range of challenges to developing and maintaining affordable housing,
including diminishing funds, and questions the plan for accomplishing goals. The Affordable
Housing Task Force was recently formed to assess changing needs and develop strategies in
addition to those discussed in this Action Plan.
• Ms. Ester states that property inspections have caused property to move out of the rental market,
especially in west Evanston. Property inspections are conducted to enforce City housing code
standards and are essential to maintaining decent housing. Inspectors are accompanied by police
only in very rare instances when a threat to safety exists.
• Ms. Ester references market conditions, marketing conditions and City policies and procedures as
barriers to affordable housing and states that the City does not work closely with community
housing development organizations. The City maintains that market conditions, i.e. high property
costs, have been the biggest challenge to affordable housing in the past. Currently the high
foreclosure rate and declining property values, combined with the extremely tight credit market,
are major factors. The City recently approved funds to help CHDOs market existing affordable isunits, see p.15.
• Ms. Ester notes the Action Plan needs to include its plans for creating home ownership for
families at 50% of AMI. There is no requirement by tenure type. Plans to address affordable
housing for this target may be found in the HOME section beginning on p. 16.
• Ms. Ester references west Evanston as the focus of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding
and states that the City's plans do not include partnerships with CHDOs. Any NSP funds secured
by the City will be used for eligible projects per the requirements of the program. The City
specifically listed all five CHDOs as potential partners in NSP-funded projects on its input to Cook
County; the City's partnership with CHDOs was provided on the State of Illinois' input form, as
well. The City is awaiting the RFPs from the State of Illinois and Cook County and will consider
partnerships with both non-profit and for -profit development organizations to best accomplish
projects that may be funded through NSP.
0 Ms. Ester notes that the West Evanston Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District and zoning for the
West Evanston Master Plan do not include plans for the creation of affordable housing and
economic development for the community. The West Evanston Master Plan was developed over
two years with significant input from residents of that area; affordable housing was a major
consideration. One of the goals of the TIF is to encourage residential development that includes
affordable housing on vacant commercial properties. Documentation of both the West Evanston
Master Plan and West Evanston TIF planning processes are available on the City's website and
in the Planning Division office at the Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
• Ms. Ester notes the City will need to partner with the Citizens' Lighthouse Community Land Trust
to create affordable housing. The City has funded one CLCLT project to date, see p. 16, and will
consider any proposals made by CLCLT, as well as other CHDOs, non-profit and for -profit
developers, in order to achieve its affordable housing goals. •
The public comment period ran from December 8, 2008 through January 6, 2009, a total of 30
days. Ms. Ester's comments were received by email at 11 pm on January 7, 2009.
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Summary of Efforts to Broaden Public Participation
The City has increased public participation, especially among residents in Evanston's Fifth and
Second Wards, which comprise a significant portion of the CDBG Target Area, in a multi -year
planning process for west Evanston. Its purpose was to understand problems/issues from the
standpoint of all stakeholders, to improve the quality of life within the neighborhood by envisioning
and creating a more vibrant area for families, individuals and local businesses, and to foster an
environment where a diversity of people, interests and activities can coexist and feel a mutual sense
of pride. Community members participated in a series of focus groups, community -wide meetings,
and design workshops for the purpose of updating west Evanston's land use plans and zoning.
The West Evanston Master Plan, which resulted from that planning process, was adopted by the City
Council In 2007. Work to revise and update zoning to implement that plan began in August 2007 and
continues. Since approval of the Master Plan, the Plan Commission conducted nine public meetings
to present and discuss the proposed zoning map and text amendments. Of these, six were devoted
entirely to receiving the public's comments and questions. In October, the Plan Commission voted to
recommend approval of the zoning amendments and they are now before the Planning and
Development Committee. Additional opportunities for public input exist with that committee and
before the City Council.
Community input is received through other City projects involving public processes, such as the City's
Youth Initiative, and has been incorporated in the Action Plan. Other City departments, including
Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Public Works, provide input on capital improvement needs in the
CDBG Target Area.
The City continues to expand the use of electronic communication to reach more people cost
effectively. "Community Development Block Grants" is a topic for which anyone can sign up to receive
information electronically using the City's "sign up for e-mail news" feature on the homepage of the
website. In addition, articles about CDBG-funded programs are included in the City's newsletter that
goes to all Evanston households to expand awareness of the impact CDBG funds have on improving
our community, particularly for low and moderate income residents. Outreach to non-English
speaking residents is made through Organizaci6n Latina de Evanston (OLE) to reach Evanston's
growing Hispanic community. Staff is also working with Aid Jean -Baptiste to communicate with
Evanston's Haitian population and other ethnic groups.
The Evanston Civic Center, where most public hearings are held, is ADA compliant. All
communication regarding meetings contains a statement of the City of Evanston's commitment to
making all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities and provides contact information for
anyone needing mobility or communications access assistance.
Explanation of Comments Not Accepted
No comments were received that were not accepted.
Institutional Structure
Actions to Develop Institutional Structure
Evanston has five Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) that have implemented
many of its HOME -funded projects. The City has supported the CHDOs with HOME funded operating
grants, and last year spent down the bulk of reserved CHDO Operating funds, awarding some
$16,000 to all five organizations. Since there won't be significant operating funds available in
2009/10, the City will support CHDOs with technical assistance and training opportunities.
• In addition, City staff in the Community Strategies division of the Evanston Police Department and
Planning continues to work on identifying nonprofits and neighborhood groups including block clubs
to involve in the planning and implementation of Neighborhood Revitalization Areas.
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The City of Evanston also continues to work with other institutions on housing related issues outside
its jurisdiction. City staff works with the Housing Authority of the County of Cook to encourage •
property owners throughout Evanston to offer rental housing opportunities to holders of Housing
Choice vouchers. Evanston will continue to support viable projects proposed by Community Housing
Development Organizations to create/preserve affordable housing in Evanston through acquisition of
properties with HOME funds.
Staff works with the Cook County Assessor's Office on assessments of affordable ownership units so
that high property taxes on those units do not negatively impact their affordability for low income
owners. In addition, the City will continue to educate residents about energy -saving practices and the
availability of assistance with energy bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP); CEDA Neighbors at Work administers LIHEAP applications in Evanston, as well as the
Weatherization program, an important tool for maintaining affordable housing by reducing utility costs.
Monitoring
Monitoring and Compliance
City staff monitors all activities funded through its CDBG, HOME and ESG programs to ensure that
goals are met and federal funds are spent for contracted activities and eligible expenditures. In
addition, Planning Division staff monitors the amount of funding allocated, committed and expended
to assure compliance with HUD requirements using the.City of Evanston's financial management
software (IRIS) and HUD's IDIS system.
CDBG Program
Program Reports: CDBG-funded programs submit reports showing the number and demographics
(income, gender, racial/ethnic category, female head of household, etc.) of persons or households
assisted, progress toward achieving program goals and program expenditures on a regular schedule
as detailed in their grant agreement. Reports and source documents for CDBG-funded expenditures
are reviewed by the Grants Administrator to ensure eligibility and to monitor the progress toward
achieving goals.
Monitoring Visits: The CDBG Grants Administrator makes monitoring visits to subrecipients to review
financial and record keeping procedures, methods for determining eligibility for programs and
services and outcome measures. Subrecipients are prioritized for monitoring based on a risk
assessment model that uses factors including type of project, previous experience with federal grants
and compliance with reporting requirements.
Davis -Bacon Compliance: The Project Manager for each CDBG-funded City or subrecipient project is
responsible for ensuring compliance with Davis -Bacon wage decisions. The Project Manager also
maintains all required documentation regarding wage payments and is responsible for identifying any
underpayments. The CDBG Grants Administrator provides technical support to Project Managers
regarding these procedures.
HOME
HOME funded projects are monitored by the City's Housing Planner to ensure that funds are being
used for approved expenditures and that other contractual agreements are being followed. Rehab or
construction projects with 12 or more HOME -assisted units are monitored for Davis -Bacon
compliance as noted above. The Housing Planner also conducts an annual review of completed
multi -family rental project to ensure that the minimum number of HOME eligible units is being
maintained for low/moderate income families, per HOME program regulations.
For rental projects, tenant income and rent statements are requested annually in the summer from •
the owners and analyzed to ensure compliance with the income and rent limits of HOME assisted
units. The owner must obtain a written certified statement of the household income and size for
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HOME -assisted units, noting that source documents will be provided upon request. Property owners
• must examine tenants' source documents for annual income every six years.
Onsite inspections of the three completed rental projects with 5 to 25 HOME assisted units are done
every two years to verify compliance with the City's property standards. The two other renta° projects
are inspected every three years. All except one project are located in the City's CDBG target area
where the City regularly inspects rental properties every two years. The Housing Planner may
accompany the property standards inspector on routine inspections of HOME funded properties, or
obtain a copy of the report. Additionally, the Housing Planner may conduct a separate inspection.
Emergency Shelter Grant
ESG-funded programs are administered and monitored by the City's Health and Human Services
Department. ESG subrecipients submit monthly reports that are reviewed by City staff and the
Human Services Committee. Monitoring and reporting on ESG activities is done by the Health and
Human Services department.
Lead -based Paint
Actions to Reduce Lead -Based Paint Hazards
Ninety-five percent of Evanston's housing stock was built before 1970 when lead based paint was still
in use. Approximately 21,456 of Evanston's housing units, or 79% of the total, are estimated to
contain lead -based paint, correlating with the age of Evanston's housing stock. Evanston's housing
rehabilitation program, along with the Evanston Health Department, ensures that lead based paint
hazard reduction regulations are followed and that housing rehab projects undertaken with federal
funds are brought into compliance with federal lead based paint standards. Housing rehab projects
with a construction cost over $5,000 require an analysis for the presence of lead based paint by the
• Housing Rehab Specialist, who is trained in lead assessment. Lead -based paint hazards are
identified and addressed in all HOME -funded rehab or acquisition projects. CEDA/Neighbors at Work
monitors its projects for the presence of lead -based paint and takes corrective action as needed.
Projects with lead hazards require licensed lead contractors or supervisors.
•
The City of Evanston's grant funds from Cook County's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program to abate
lead -based paint hazards in dwellings occupied by families with young children have been renewed
with a $400,000 two-year grant. This additional funding will be used for stand-alone projects that
mitigate lead hazards as well as in combination with Housing Rehab projects in order to expand the
scope of individual projects with significant lead abatement costs.
The City is a delegate agency for the state of Illinois and enforces its lead act and codes. The City
receives lead test information for children residing in Evanston, investigates all cases when elevated
lead levels are found and takes appropriate action. Children with PbB levels between 10 and 14
receive nursing and case management services to educate the families about potential sources and
lead safe practices. For children with PbB levels above 15, assessments to determine the source of
the contamination are performed and appropriate follow-up actions taken based on findings..
In addition, Health & Human Services staff responds to complaints from residents about demolition
and rehab projects to determine if lead is present and ensure safe practices. Staff also files affidavits
when windows are being replaced in buildings constructed before 1978 to ensure proper lead
procedures and disposal of contaminated materials.
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•
Specific Housing Objectives
Ensuring that decent shelter is available to households with a wide range of income levels is key to
the City's Housing strategy. Maintaining the existing housing stock so that residents can live in safe
and sanitary housing is a high priority. In addition to the programs outlined below that are
administered or delivered by City staff, the City has created partnerships with housing development
organizations and private developers to increase the supply of affordable housing for low and
moderate income persons. In 2009/10, the City will continue to pursue opportunities to increase
affordable housing choices using HOME and CDBG funds and the Affordable Housing Fund. The
Families in Transition Program, funded through the Affordable Housing Fund, addresses the needs of
households at or below 40% AMI by providing rental subsidies through sponsoring organizations. It is
expected that at least two social service agencies will seek Families in Transition funding.
Annual Affordable Housing Goals
The City plans to use CDBG and HOME funds to help provide affordable housing to 50 non -homeless
and special needs households in 2009/10. The units will be provided through new construction or
rehab of existing units. The City expects to assist 30 households in affordable rental housing and 20
households in affordable ownership housing. HOME funds will also be used to provide downpayment
and closing cost assistance or purchase price reduction to 12 low income homebuyers, in an amount
up to $30,000 per unit. The funds will be available in conjunction with local Affordable Housing Funds
through the City's Downpayment Assistance Program.
Descriptions of Housing programs that will be implemented in 2009110 using CDBG and HOME funds
are provided below. Table 3B, which details the City's affordable housing goals, follows the narrative.
HOME funds may be used to develop both ownership and rental housing, either through new •
construction or rehabilitation. Ownership housing will primarily be targeted to households between 60
and 80% of Area Median Income. Through intensified marketing efforts and incentives, developers
hope to complete the sale of remaining units in HOME -assisted rehabbed condominiums which were
stalled due to events in 2008 affecting mortgage lending and home sales. Any new ownership
developments will be done in conjunction with the redevelopment or rehab of foreclosed properties
most likely acquired with Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds. Such development would also
need a strong home purchase education and buyer identification component. Rental housing will be
targeted to a mix of households between 30% and 80% AMI.
Housing types may include single family homes, town homes or duplexes, and condominium units.
Larger rental housing projects were not funded in recent years because property appreciation and
interest in condominium conversions made it extremely difficult to generate a positive cash flow from
rental operations without a very large subsidy per unit. However, with property prices declining in the
economic recession and the possibility of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds for acquisition,
we expect that there will be new opportunities to fund larger rental housing developments. Rental
development will most likely involve rehabilitation of small properties (two to three units) that were
foreclosed upon. As housing values are corrected downward in the changing market, multi -family
rental rehab may be more feasible to develop and manage, due to lower acquisition financing debt
services. The City will encourage rental proposals from both for -profit and not -for -profit developers.
HOME funded projects are approved throughout the year as applications are submitted, so specific
funding amounts and project types are unknown at this time. Development applications are reviewed
by staff and a HOME Loan Committee composed of professionals in the lending and community
development fields prior to approval. The Evanston Housing Commission then reviews the proposals •
and submits their recommendations to the City Council's Planning and Development Committee for
review prior to recommending approval by the City Council. All meetings are open to the public.
Likewise, the City Council's Human Services Committee makes recommendations for the use of
Evanston's ESG funds at public meetings.
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In 2009/10, the City's CDBG Target Area Housing Code Compliance program will inspect multi -family
• residential units in the CDBG Target Area and re -inspect units to ensure corrections of housing code
violations. In addition, property standards inspectors will inspect boarding houses and nursing homes.
CEDA/Neighbors at Work will continue its minor repairs/ and interior and exterior painting programs
for income -eligible single-family property owners and senior citizens.
The City's Housing Rehab Administration will continue to assist income -eligible property owners with
low interest and title transfer loans to rehab single-family and multi -family units, ensuring that
residents live in decent, safe and sanitary housing. Single -Family and Multi -Family Loans for these
rehabilitation projects will be provided from the City's Revolving Fund. Program income paid to the
fund will be used for rehabilitation projects in the future. In addition, self-help paint vouchers will be
issued to income -eligible residents.
Dangerous garages will be demolished and new concrete pads laid; liens for demolitions are placed
on the property title. Dangerous trees will be removed for income -eligible property owners, with liens
placed on the properties for the expenses incurred.
CDBG funds will continue to support Homesharing, Interfaith Housing Center of the North Suburb's
innovative program that matches home seekers with home providers who have a room to rent in their
home or apartment. The home seeker pays rent to the home provider or, in some cases, provides
services like shopping and meal preparation in lieu of rent.
The City's Handyman program will continue to help income -eligible senior citizens, primarily low-
income women, make repairs to their homes, including energy and water efficiency improvements.
The City's Adaptive Devices for Accessibility program will continue to fund installations of grab bars,
• ramps, hand-held shower heads and other devices that enable elderly and disabled people to
continue to live in their homes or apartments using CDBG funds allocated in prior years.
Needs of Public Housing
Public Housing is administered by the Housing Authority of the County of Cook (HACC) which also
administers the Housing Choice Voucher program. The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC)
manages 45 scattered site apartments and two senior/disabled buildings with 100 units each in
Evanston. In the past, the City staff has worked intensively with HACC management, Cook County
Commissioner staff and residents on issues at the Walchirk and Perlman apartment buildings which
provide subsidized housing units for seniors and disabled persons. No capital improvements are
planned for the buildings in 2009.
As of August 2007, there were 647 Housing Choice Vouchers used in Evanston, continuing a five
year decline. The decline appears to be consistent across the county as funding for the program has
been cut. HACC has not received funding to provide additional Housing Choice vouchers, and is not
currently serving people on the waiting list as old vouchers are given up.
The geographic distribution of voucher holders in Evanston remains the same as in past years.
Voucher holders continue to be concentrated in tracts 8092 in west Evanston and 8102 in south
Evanston, and there is no increase in their use in census tracts outside the CDBG Target Area. The
City plans to work more closely with the Housing Authority and private landlords on property code and
landlord management issues. There are no plans to work with public housing residents on
• homeownership efforts as the City's home ownership efforts are targeted to households at or above
60% AMI that are more likely to have the financial resources needed for successful home ownership.
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The City's Human Relations Commission provides oversight for fair housing activities, answers
questions to Evanston's landlord/tenant ordinance and mediates housing and other disputes. •
Interfaith Housing of the Northern Suburbs performs housing audits on an as -needed basis when
there is evidence of discriminatory practices that are contrary to fair housing.
Barriers to Affordable Housing
The City is not aware of any regulatory barriers to affordable housing. Efforts are currently underway
to revise sections of the zoning ordinance, and a proposed Downtown Plan is currently under
discussion. These will be reviewed to ensure they conform with inclusionary housing requirements
and to identify any potential barriers to affordable housing.
Market conditions, not City policies or regulatory provisions, present the greatest barrier to affordable
housing. Evanston's built-up character, with only scattered sites available for development, along with
consistent demand for land, continues to drive up acquisition prices. New development of market -rate
housing has not been targeted for low and moderate income households.
High property taxes are often cited as a deterrent to affordable housing, though City taxes comprise
only a small percentage of the tax bill. Over the last two years, owner -occupied housing developed
with City assistance has been subject to resale restrictions which keep the price affordable to future
low income buyers. This resale restriction, enforced through a recorded declaration of covenants,
allows the owners to take advantage of the Cook County Assessor's Affordable Housing Incentive so
that their properties are assessed at the restricted value rather than market value. As a result, their
property taxes are reduced.
Foreclosure activity increased rapidly in 2008, largely due to subprime loans and adjustable rate
mortgages with higher adjusted monthly payments. This affected a wide range of incomes and •
housing types throughout Evanston, but was concentrated in CDBG Target Areas with lower per
capita incomes. Many homes that were affordable to low and moderate income homeowners at
purchase became unaffordable when interest rates increased or jobs were lost. The City continues to
educate homeowners about how to deal with mortgage problems and to support housing counseling
organizations.
Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
The City of Evanston has not identified any, institutional impediments, such as zoning, to fair housing.
Fair housing needs will continue to be taken into consideration as zoning changes are developed to
implement master plans for both west Evanston and downtown Evanston.
City Human Relations staff works to ensure that the City's Landlord -Tenant Ordinance is enforced
and mediates disputes; individual cases may also be referred to Interfaith Housing Center of the
North Suburbs. Staff reports that discrimination is rarely evidenced by direct racially charged
language or actions in the denial of housing opportunity. However, more subtle actions may be used
to deny equal housing opportunities to some people either in securing housing or in the terms and
conditions they are offered. Examples of this include female heads of households with minor children
and individuals who are perceived to be gay or self identify as gay reporting being offered rental
conditions that are significantly less favorable than those offered to others. An action to address this
is to educate people about the types of de -facto discrimination they could experience by distributing
flyers developed by Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs and to encourage them to
report any such incidents for investigation. •
Some complaints suggest that "credit worthiness" may have been used by some landlords, sellers or
lending institutions to discriminate on the basis of race or national origin. Some individuals of Hispanic
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origin whose primary language is Spanish have felt that a higher standard of credit worthiness than
required of non -Hispanics has been used to deny them housing opportunities. One of the challenges
is to identify instances of discrimination in a market where credit worthiness requirements have been
raised significantly in response to market conditions. The potential that language differences are
being used to discriminate reinforces the importance of providing housing -related information in
Spanish and other languages. Interfaith Housing's materials are translated in up to seven different
languages, including Spanish, to address this need and the City has mortgage foreclosure
information in Spanish and English on its website. The City's Outreach Coordinator and other staff
members are fluent in Spanish, so able to communicate effectively with Spanish speaking residents.
An update to the City's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing is being undertaken as part of the
development of the 2010-2014 Consolidated Plan.
HOME/ American Dream Down payment Initiative (ADDI)
The City of Evanston anticipates that $510,000 in HOME funds will be allocated in 2009/10 for
affordable housing projects. Up to 10%, or $51,000, will be used for administration of the HOME
program. An additional 5%, or approximately $25,500, will be reserved for operating funds for
Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). The remaining $434,500 will fund
affordable rental or ownership development by CHDOs, other non-profit organizations providing
housing and for -profit developers. HOME funds will be used to provide interest -bearing and non -
interest -bearing loans, deferred payment loans, or grants, consistent with the type of assistance
detailed in Section 92.205(b).
The City will reserve an estimated $76,500 for affordable housing projects developed by CHDOs,
which is the minimum 15% requirement. Approximately 70% of all HOME funds disbursed since 1995
• have been CHDO Reserve funds. Last year the City approved committing $775,000 for use by four
CHDOs to meet the 2006 HOME commitment deadline, so there is ample development funding
available for use by CHDOs. Because the cumulative CHDO reservation is well above the 15%
requirement, the City considered requesting HUD's approval of a reduction to the 2009/10 CHDO set -
aside, as described in HOME FACTS, Vol. 1 No. 2. However, given the five year deadline to disburse
2009/10 CHDO reserve funds, and the minimal requirement levels, sufficient funds remain available
for other uses, so 15% of 2009/10 entitlement will be reserved for CHDOs.
The City anticipates using HOME funds for rehab of foreclosed properties purchased with
Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds, and will seek requests for proposals from a variety of
sources.
The City developed new marketing plans with developers of affordable ownership projects that have
remained uncompleted last year. About 15 units in four HOME assisted, rehab developments remain
unsold due to changes in the economy in 2008 and the City has committed to providing additional
project funding to reduce the interest rate on conventional funding and assist with intensive marketing
efforts.
• Reba Place Development Corporation, an established CHDO, used HOME funds to rehab a 12-
unit condominium conversion at 602 Mulford. They plan to sell the remaining 8 units, 7 of which
are HOME -assisted, in 2009.
• The Citizen's Lighthouse Community Land Trust (CLCLT), a new CHDO, completed rehab of a
single family home at 2212 Washington and will sell or enter a lease -to -purchase contract on the
property.
• Evanston Community Development Association, a non-profit housing developer which received
• CHDO designation in 2008, completed the rehab of its 6 unit condo conversion at 736-7 38
Dobson funded with $486,865 in HOME assistance, and sold half of the units. They plan to sell
the remaining three in the first half of 2009.
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• Econ Development Corporation, a for -profit developer, was awarded HOME funds in 2008 for
rehab of a five -unit condominium conversion at 241 Callan that includes three affordable units.
Rehab was completed but no units have been sold. The developer plans to rent the apartments
until market conditions improve.
• Housing Opportunity Development Corporation was awarded HOME funds in 2007 for a two- unit
condo conversion at 1929 Jackson. The project did not start as expected in calendar year 2008.
Due to market conditions, the City and the developer are reconsidering the best use of the
property and may include specific rent -up or pre -sale lease -to -purchase conditions before rehab
funds are released.
• Over the Rainbow Association, a non-profit organization which provides rental housing for
physically disabled adults, applied for CDBG funds for selected rehab of its 33-unit property at
2040 Brown. Staff determined that this project is eligible for HOME funds, which not only
accomplishes the rehab needs but frees CDBG funds for other projects. If HOME funding is
approved work will begin in 2009 and tenants will remain in place during the rehab.
• Center for Independent Futures (CIF) assisted six very low income special needs households
purchase units in the Siena condominium development. In addition to offering accessible living
arrangements, their "Independence Siena" program features a Community Builder who lives in
the same building and a support network for each resident. CIF will continue to work with families
of adults with disabilities to establish special needs trusts and complete their seven -unit program.
Applications for HOME funding are considered throughout the year, with recommendations from the
Housing Commission and the Planning and Development Committee prior to final approval by the
City Council. The City anticipates issuing a Request for Proposals for rehab or new construction of
foreclosed properties obtained with acquisition funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program
(NSP). The City will apply to the State of Illinois and Cook County for NSP funds to use in areas of
Evanston that have been severely impacted by the foreclosure crisis, and bring new investment to
those neighborhoods. Depending on the condition of the acquired properties, the one and two unit
houses will either be rehabilitated or demolished and replaced with new construction. Redevelopment •
will offer a combination of rental and ownership opportunities for income -eligible households.
Ownership units are targeted primarily to households with incomes between 60 and 80% of area
median. A few units in the condominiums developed by ECDA and RPDC were priced so as to be
affordable to households under 60% AMI.
The City will seek proposals for rental projects that serve households under 60% AMI. The Housing
Commission has established a Task Force to develop a comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan that
will offer strategies for effective use of affordable housing funds and it may be possible to implement
recommended strategies for development of rental units in the latter part of the 2009/10 fiscal year.
HOME funds will continue to be used in conjunction with funding through the Affordable Housing
Fund as part of the City's Downpayment Assistance Program. Currently loans of up to $30,000 are
available as needed. The program will be reviewed in the second quarter to determine whether or not
to consider any program modifications and allocate additional funding.
The City's HOME funds estimated matching requirement of $112,000 will be met through carry-over
of matching funds and by new funds from a variety of sources. These include the Affordable Housing
Fund, private bond volume cap (Industrial Revenue Bonds), building permit fee waivers, the Federal
Home Loan Bank of Chicago's Affordable Housing Program and other eligible funding sources. The
actual amount of required matching funds will depend on the amount of HOME funds disbursed in
HUD Fiscal Year 2009 for housing development, exclusive of administrative and CHDO operating
funds.
HOME funds are not expected to be used to refinance existing debt secured on multi -family rehab
projects. However, if it becomes necessary to do so, the City might consider a HOME -funded loan to
refinance some existing debt in specific situations. The following guidelines would apply: •
a. HOME funds can only be used to refinance the rehabilitation portion of the loan and up to 20% of
acquisition financing, to demonstrate that rehabilitation is the primary eligible activity.
b. The property must be inspected to ensure disinvestment has not occurred.
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c. The Project pro forma will be reviewed to ensure that the long-term needs of the project can be
• met and that serving the targeted population is feasible.
d. It must be stated whether the new investment is being made to maintain current affordable units,
create additional affordable units, or both.
e. Whether the length of the affordability will extend beyond the minimum 15 years will be
determined and specified before HOME funds are invested.
f. The investment of HOME funds would be allowed in any project within the City.
g. HOME funds cannot be used to refinance multifamily loans made or insured by any federal
program, including CDBG.
The City of Evanston will not receive American Dream Down payment Initiative (ADDI) funds.
Evanston does not currently provide tenant/based rental assistance with HOME funds.
Affirmative Marketing
Any HOME funded projects with five or more HOME assisted units must submit an affirmative
marketing plan describing the target audience, types of advertising or informational distribution and a
list of contacts who will receive the information. The developer or sponsor must submit a statement
that it will not discriminate in the selection of residents on the basis of protected classes. Sixty to
seventy percent of HOME -assisted homeowners are expected to be minority households.
Resale/Recapture Provisions for Homebuyer Projects
In order to ensure long term affordability of owner -occupied housing assisted with HOME funds, the
City uses both recapture provisions and resale restrictions, depending on the amount and use of the
subsidy. A large subsidy is usually needed for developers to offer rehabbed or newly constructed
homes at prices affordable to low income households, and the City wants to ensure that housing
developments it which it invests will remain affordable. Subsidies provided directly to buyers solely to
reduce their purchase price or mortgage and financing costs are subject to recapture.
Recapture Provisions
Projects with any type of subsidy of $15,000 per unit or less are subject to the recapture provisions
for five years. Subsidies between $15,001 and $30,000 used only for downpayment or closing cost
assistance or purchase price reduction are also subject to recapture during the affordability period.
The subsidy is forgiven on a pro-rata basis as long as the owner lives in the property.
The amount subject to recapture is the amount of assistance that enabled the buyer to purchase the
unit., such as down payment assistance, purchase price reduction below fair market value or principal
buy down, but does not include the development subsidy, if any. The total amount subject to
recapture is subject to the availability of net proceeds. The amount to be recaptured is reduced on a
pro rata basis according to the time the homeowner has owned and occupied the housing. The
balance is due if the property is sold or is no longer owner -occupied before the end of the affordability
period. It is totally forgiven at the end of the affordability period.
Amount of HOME Subsidv Minimum Subsidy
Per Unit Affordabilitv Period Use
$15,000 or less 5 years, at the rate of 1/601h per month Any
$15,001 to $30,000 10 Years, at the rate of 1/120th a month Downpayment, closing
costs, purchase price
reduction
• The City records a Junior Mortgage and Affordable Housing Restriction to ensure that the HOME
funds are subject to recapture if the unit does not continue to be the principal residence of the
purchaser for the length of the affordability period. Buyers also sign an Agreement with the City
describing the HOME subsidy.
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If the homeowner refinances the first mortgage, the City will consider a request to subordinate its •
junior mortgage as long as the borrower does not receive any cash back as a result of the refinancing
and the new loan amount is for the same amount as the original purchase mortgage with allowances
for generally accepted financing costs. The City will not subordinate to a negative amortization loan or
any loan it deems to be predatory.
Resale Restrictions
Projects receiving more than $15,000 in subsidy for development must provide a resale restriction in
order to encourage long term affordability in the event of property transfer. In extraordinary situations,
the City may waive this requirement to stimulate demand where units remain unsold for an extended
period. Projects that contain a development subsidy only are required by HOME regulations to use
the resale provision as well, although because most affordable developments in'Evanston have
appraised values higher than the -purchase price, these are unlikely.
If the original homebuyer retains ownership for the full affordability period, no resale restrictions will
apply. However, if there is a property transfer during the affordability period, or the owner no longer
occupies the property, the unit must be sold at an.affordable price to an income -eligible purchaser
who will occupy the property as their primary residence.
Buver Requirements - An eligible buyer must agree to occupy the property as their primary residence,
and must be a household with an annual household income less than or equal to eighty percent
(80%) of the Chicago -area Median Income, based on household size, as such annual income and
Chicago -area median income are determined from time to time by the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development.
Affordabilitv Period - The affordability period is based on the minimum HOME requirements for the
total subsidy, but may be increased with the approval of the Housing Commission and the City
Council.
Amount of HOME Subsidv Minimum Affordabilitv Period:
>$15,000, < $40,000 10 years
>$40,000 15 years
Low Income Affordabilitv - The City considers an affordable price to be one that results in monthly
housing costs for Principal, Interest, Tax and Insurance of less than 33% of gross monthly income for
a household between 60 and 80% of area median income.'Such a target price will vary, however,
depending on the income level of the actual purchaser and the mortgage financing structure. For
instance, the area median percentile into which a household falls depends on the number of persons
in the household. The amount of money a buyer provides for the down payment will affect the amount
financed, which, along with mortgage interest rates and terms, will affect the monthly principal and
interest payments, and thus affect affordability.
Therefore, in order to provide guidance and predictability for a homeowner refinancing or reselling the
property, the City designed a resale formula to keep the housing affordable to the target population
throughout the affordability period, yet provide a fair return to the seller.
Resale Formula - The basic resale formula allows the owner to sell the property at a price that
encompasses annual appreciation of 3% plus an average annual allowance for capital improvements.
Each project may adjust the basic resale formula to their situation with approval of the staff and
Housing Commission.
•
Enforcement Mechanism - The resale restriction is enforced through a Declaration of Covenants
Regarding Transfer of Property recorded by the developer, as well as a Promissory Note and
recorded Junior Mortgage, both signed by the homebuyer. In the event the homeowner refinances •
their first mortgage, the City would have to subordinate its mortgage, and can thus ensure that the
amount financed doesn't exceed the calculated resale price. Buyers also sign an Agreement with the
City describing the HOME subsidy.
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Needs of Public Mousing
• The Housing Authority of Cook County administers public housing in Evanston. The number of public
housing properties has remained stable over the last few years. The number of residents who use
Housing Choice Vouchers to subsidize rents from private landlords in the City has been steadily
declining over the last six years. The City will maintain regular contact with the Housing Authority of
Cook County regarding its Housing Choice Voucher program, scattered site family housing, and
elderly/disabled housing.
Specific Homeless Prevention Elements
Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities
The City of Evanston uses ESG, CDBG and Mental Health funds to provide emergency and
transitional shelter for homeless individuals and families, or those threatened with homelessness, as
well as case management services, job counseling and placement/follow-up assistance for homeless
adults. Mental health and substance abuse services are also provided to stabilize homeless
individuals' lives while they seek employment and housing.
There has been a significant rise in demand for basic needs at social services agencies including
Connections for the Homeless, the Salvation Army and area soup kitchens. City staff has worked with
the Evanston Community Foundation to connect a family foundation interested in providing financial
assistance to Evanston residents who are facing the loss of their homes. This resulted in a grant of
$50,000 to Connections for the Homeless for its homeless prevention program. This generous gift will
supplement scarce state prevention funding and enable Connections to help families in need that do
not qualify for state prevention funds. General Assistance funds administered by the Township of
Evanston and state of Illinois prevention funds managed by Connections for the Homeless are also
used to address the needs of individuals and families who are at imminent risk of homelessness
because of financial or other crises. The State of Illinois is using TANF funds to supplement general
revenue funds because of budget issues. Because TANF funds may be used only to support families
with children and incomes of 200% or less of poverty level, this means less funding is available to
help families in need that do not meet those specific criteria.
The City's Health & Human Services staff is working with Connections for the Homeless and an
Evanston church to provide emergency shelter to homeless people on nights when the temperature is
projected to be zero degrees Fahrenheit or below. Connections for the Homeless will handle intake
for the program, which will be housed in a church near downtown Evanston. Volunteers will help staff
the program; recruitment is currently underway. The program will begin in January 2009.
Evanston is preparing for its count of unsheltered homeless persons in January of 2009, which will
help to quantify the change in need among this group. Providers are also seeing increases in the
sheltered homeless, individuals and families without permanent housing that are doubling up, staying
with family and friends. This group is historically difficult to quantify, especially as families w shing to
keep their children in Evanston schools are reluctant to identify themselves as homeless.
Two Evanston agencies underwent significant changes in 2008. Carepoint Adult, Child & Family
Association, a CDBG-funded agency that serves primarily homeless individuals, lost its founder and
• executive director Vince Gillon, who passed away suddenly. The H E Lane Center for Positive
Change relocated from 944 Elmwood in south Evanston to a temporary location at 2016 Emerson
Street in west Evanston. The Evanston Salvation Army recently purchased property in southwest
Evanston where it plans to build a new facility that will house its childcare and after -school programs,
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food pantry and clothing closet, as well as other services. Plans for the new facility have been
submitted to zoning.
The City's local Affordable Housing Fund awards grants to non profit sponsors that apply for the
City's Families In Transition program. It provides a rental subsidy of up to 50% of contract rent to the
sponsor for up to two years while the sponsoring organization works with the very low income family
on a plan for self sufficiency. Two families will be assisted through this program.
The Evanston Alliance on Homelessness, composed of service providers for homeless persons,
mentally ill, victims of domestic violence, veteran's organizations, the business community and City
staff, meets monthly to discuss homeless issues in Evanston and to develop policies and strategies
for garnering funding for the homeless assistance programs in Evanston. The Alliance prepares
Evanston's Continuum of Care plan and oversees its implementation. The Alliance is a member of the
Regional Roundtable on Homelessness, whose members include the City of Chicago, Cook, Lake,
DuPage, Kane, McHenry and Will Counties.
The Evanston Continuum of Care applied for a total of $1,063,031 through the 2008 HUD Super
Notice of Funding Availability (SuperNOFA). In addition to ten renewal projects totaling $963,173, a
new Permanent Supportive Housing project was proposed for Samaritan Housing funding in the
amount of $99,856. Individual projects are listed in the chart below in descending order as ranked by
the Continuum of Care in its application.
Amount
Applicant
$99,856
Connections for the Homeless
$184,393
Connections for the Homeless
$70,652
YWCA Evanston/North Shore
$105,198
Connections for the Homeless
$118,278
Housing Options
$112,232
Connections for the Homeless
$110,430
Housing Options
$17,750
Housing Opportunity Devel. Corp
$83,560
Housing Options
$117,000
Connections for the Homeless
$43,682
Connections for the Homeless
Project Name
Permanent Supportive Housing Expansion - new
Family Transitional Housing - renewal
Transitional Housing - renewal
Permanent Supportive Housing - renewal
Pathways Plus Permanent Supportive Housing - renewal
Entry Point Outreach & Supportive Services - renewal
Pathways Permanent Supportive Housing - renewal
Claridge Aptmts Permanent Supportive Housing - renewal
Claire/Ganey Permanent Supportive Housing - renewal
Hilda's Place Transitional Housing - renewal
Homeless Management Information System - renewal
The YWCA—Evanston/North Shore provides emergency shelter, counseling, case management and
legal advocacy services to an estimated 610 women and children annually. In addition to Evanston
CDBG funds, the YWCA receives funding from other state grant programs, individual donors, special
events and other local organizations. The YWCA also manages four apartments that provide
transitional housing for families moving from the emergency shelter to permanent housing. Families
can remain in transitional housing for up to two years.
Connections for the Homeless receives funding for its street outreach counselors in its Entry Point
program, which serves the chronically homeless by connecting them with services and shelter. It also
receives funding for its transitional and permanent supportive housing programs and for Evanston's
HMIS system.
Housing Options for the Mentally III in Evanston provides permanent and transitional housing with
supportive services for persons living with mental illness. Housing Options provides supportive
housing for 72 individuals in its six scattered site buildings owned by Housing Options and 21
additional leased units.
Support services for the homeless and to prevent homelessness among low income and unemployed
people at high risk will be funded by CDBG in 2009/10:
• Connections for the Homeless will receive funding to procure IDs and provide transportation
to job interviews to homeless adults served through Entry Point and Hilda's Place.
•
•
•
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• Interfaith Action of Evanston will receive funding for its job counseling program for the
• homeless. Interfaith collaborates with Connections for the Homeless to provide services to
residents of Hilda's Place and clients of Entry Point.
Discharge Policy
The Evanston Alliance on Homelessness works with publicly -funded institutions and systems of care
to assist individuals being discharged from foster care, health care, mental health programs and
correctional institutions. A formal release protocol has been implemented working with the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for youth in foster care. Working with the
Suburban Cook County Continuum, the Evanston Continuum of Care has entered discussions with
Stroger Hospital and the North Chicago VA Medical Center to develop and implement a discharge
protocol for patients who will be returning to Evanston upon release from those facilities. A formal
discharge protocol has been implemented for mental health patients working with the Illinois
Department of Mental Health. Evanston service providers work with the Community Counseling
Center of Chicago, the designated agency for coordinating discharge from State -Funded Inpatient
Psychiatric Services. The Evanston Continuum has finalized a formal discharge protocol working with
the Illinois Department of Corrections. That protocol will be implemented in the upcoming year to link
Evanston -connected prisoners who are soon to be released with housing and support services.
Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG)
Emergency Shelter Grants Program
The City of Evanston expects to receive approximately $86,000 in FY 2009/10 Emergency Shelter
Grants (ESG) funds for essential services, operating expenses of homeless shelters and prevention
programs serving individuals and families. Evanston's ESG funds are usually allocated among three
• to four nonprofit organizations that provide services to the homeless in Evanston. The City is in the
process of evaluating proposals for its 2009/10 ESG funds. The City Council's Human Services
Committee will recommend funding allocations for approval by the City Council.
Evanston's 2009/10 ESG funds will be matched on a one-to-one basis using Mental Health Board
funds from the City's general fund budget and state and other funds, including in -kind, depending on
the agencies funded, to meet the match requirement for ESG.
Community Development
The City's priorities for non -housing con-imunity development needs are summarized in Table 2B of
the City's Consolidated Plan that follows the narrative. Neighborhood planning is an essential tool to
involve residents in the identification of needs and opportunities as well as how to access resources
and partners to improve low and moderate income neighborhoods. The evaluation of infrastructure,
city services, private investment, security, housing and economic development is the focus of the
neighborhood planning process.
Projects and programs receiving 2009/10 CDBG funds are described in brief below. Objectives and
outcomes, as well as CDBG eligible activity categories and the amount of assistance for each project
or program is shown in Table 3A and the project tables that follow the narrative section of this Plan.
• Public Facilities and Public Improvements
Parks and recreation facilities were identified as a high priority in the City's Consolidated Plan. In
2009/10, City will combine $50,000 in CDBG funds with $190,000 in City capital funds to replace the
gym roof at its Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center. This facility houses important programs
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including after -school programs for elementary children, Fellowship of Afro-American Men (FARM)
youth basketball program and a wide variety of services used by low and moderate income residents •
of Evanston's Fifth and Second Wards. In addition, Phase 1A of the landscaping of the Fleetwood
Jourdain property and the adjoining Foster Field will be undertaken in 2009 with $25,000 in CDBG
funds.
The Washington Elementary School PTA will receive $4,340 in CDBG funds to install shade trees at
a playground on the school grounds that is adjacent to the City's Robert Crown Community Center.
The Washington School student body is primarily LMI and its playground is also used by a number of
programs provided at Robert Crown, including the Free Summer Lunch program and after -school
programs that serve LMI children and families.
The McGaw YMCA will receive $14,000 in 2009/10 CDBG funds to install air conditioning in 26 rooms
of its 172-room SRO facility for low-income men.
Two child care providers, Reba Early Learning Center and Toddler Town Daycare, have contacted
the City requesting financial assistance with emergency roof repairs. Both organizations qualify for
CDBG funding, as they serve primarily children from LMI families. Staff has determined that grants of
up to $7,000 and $12,000 for their respective projects could be made without impacting the CDBG
funding allocations for 2009/10 by using program income received in addition to the estimate used in
the allocations made on November 11, 2008 or by reallocating funds remaining from 2008/09 projects
closed out subsequent to that meeting. Both requests were discussed in the public meeting on
December 16, 2008 and the Housing & Community Development Act Committee plans to consider
these requests at its meeting on January 20, 2009. Approval will not require an amendment to the
2009 Action Plan.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure improvements were identified as a high priority in the consolidated Plan. The City has •
committed Capital Improvement funds in addition to CDBG funds for projects in the CDBG Target Area
and throughout the City. In 2009/10, CDBG funds will be used for four ongoing projects:
• Alley paving in the CDBG Target Area — An alley is census tract 8096 is slated for paving using
CDBG funds and
• Block Curb and Sidewalk replacement in the CDBG Target Area
• ADA curb ramps — locations are determined using input from residents and may be outside the
CDBG Target Area
• CDBG will fund the Alley Special Assessment Assistance program to pay the special
assessments relating to alley paving for income -qualified households to relieve the financial
burden of this important infrastructure improvement. Many qualifying households are low-income
seniors living on fixed incomes. There has been an increase in applications for this program from
income eligible households in 2008 which, if maintained, may require additional funds to those
already allocated. Any such reallocation does not constitute a significant change to the Action
Plan and will not require amendment of that plan.
Public Services
Employment training. The Youth Job Center of Evanston will receive CDBG and Mental Health funds
to provide job readiness training, job placement and follow up services for youth between the ages for
14-25.
Senior services. Three programs will receive CDBG funding:
• Evanston Skokie Valley Senior Services, part of the North Shore Senior Center, will provide
case management services for low income Evanston seniors, many of whom are frail elderly,
using CDBG and Mental Health Board funds. •
• The Music Institute of Chicago will perform concerts at skilled care facilities, senior
residences and day treatment programs in Evanston that serve low income seniors with
limited mobility.
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• Meals at Home will provide home -delivered meals to low-income Evanston homebound
• seniors and disabled residents.
Youth services that address the needs of low and moderate income youth will receive CDBG funds:
• The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana will provide its Fit To Be Me
program to low-income girls living in Evanston's west and south neighborhoods to help
middle school age girls establish healthier eating and exercise habits, and develop self
esteem, relationship -building and other life skills.
• The Open Studio Project's Art & Action program will use art therapy, journaling and other
creative methods to enable youth to channel strong emotions of anger and frustration to
positive, creative outlets.
• Second Baptist Church's Youth Action Ministry program will provide scholarships for teens
from low-income families to participate in YAM's annual college retreat and visit colleges to
discover the range of educational opportunities available to them after high school.
• The City's Summer Youth Employment program will employ 100+ high school -aged youth for
nine weeks during the summer months.
• The Evanston Youth Initiative will work with youth and their parents to create healthier,
stronger family relationships.
Services for battered and abused spouses and their children will be provided by the YWCA
Evanston/North Shore, supported with CDBG and Mental Health Board funding.
Legal services will be supported with CDBG and Mental Health Board funds for:
• The Evanston Community Defender to provide free legal services in criminal and juvenile law
matters to Evanston residents age 21 and younger.
• The Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago to provide free legal assistance to
low income residents for civil law matters.
• Other public services receiving CDBG funds in 2009/10 are:
• The Brummel Park Neighbors, a citizen group working to expand involvement of residents of
Custer Avenue in the beautification and maintenance of their neighborhood.
• Adopt a Fancy Can where residents in the CDBG Target Area request a garbage can for the
- parkway in front of their house to reduce litter in the neighborhood.
• City's Graffiti Removal program that removes graffiti from public property (traffic signs,
streetlights, etc.) in the CDBG Target Area.
• The Neighborhood Initiatives Fund, to which block clubs and other volunteer organizations
can apply for funds for projects that strengthen and beautify their neighborhoods.
Economic Development
The Evanston Community Development Corporation, a not -for -profit neighborhood development
organization focused on the Church/Dodge area, will receive CDBG funding to provide technical
assistance to micro enterprises and small businesses in west Evanston in order to create jobs and
bring needed goods and services to LMI residents.
The Technology Innovation Center will receive CDBG funds for its Evanston Business Ownership
Initiative which will help small businesses and entrepreneurs to establish credit and secure loans for
expansion or business startups.
The Neighborhood Facade Improvement Program will receive CDBG funds for facade improvement
projects in neighborhood commercial districts located in the CDBG Target Area. Three projects are
currently under consideration and are expected to move forward in 2008/09 or 2009/10.
• Other
Two City administrative and planning activities will receive CDBG funding:
CDBG Administration for management and administration of the City's CDBG program.
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• Minority/Women/Evanston Business Program (MN1//EBE) to support its work to increase
minority, women -owned and Evanston business participation in City and private construction
projects, as well as in other purchases made by the City.
The following chart shows the funding recommendations made by the Housing & Community
Development Act Committee on November 11, 2008. Additional detail may be found in Table 3A and
the project tables following the narrative section of this plan.
Organization
I Program/Project
i
CDBG Funding
Public Facilities & Infrastructure
City-Parks/Forestry and Recreation
Foster Field Renovation -Phase 1A
$
25,000
City-Parks/Forestry and Recreation
Fleetwood-Jourdain Gym Roof Replacement
$
50,000
City -Public Works Department
Alley Paving Program
$
89,229
City -Public Works Department
Alley Special Assessment Assistance
$
40,000
City-H&HS/Public Works
ADA Curb Ramp Replacement Program
$
50,000
City -Public Works Department
2008 Block Curb and Sidewalk Prog.
$
50,000
McGaw YMCA
Residence.lmprovement - airconditioning
$
14,000
Washington Elementary School PTA
Trees for R Crown -Dist 65 Shared Playground
$
4,340
Subtotal
$
322,569
Public Services
Meals at Home
Food for Seniors and People w/Disabilities
$
9,000
Music Institute of Chicago
Taking Music to Seniors
$
2,000
North Shore Senior Center
Case Management Services
$
25,000
Brummel Park Neighbors
Community Building Programs
$
2,000
N Evanston Community Defender
j Legal/Social Work
$
45,000
Evanston Youth Initiative
j Evanston Youth Initiative
$
2,000
Legal Assistance Foundation
Evanston Legal Services (
$
10,000
Girls Scouts - Chicago/NW Indiana
Fit To Be Me!
$
5,000
Open Studio Project
Art & Action Program for At -Risk Youth
$
3,000
Y.A.M-Second Baptist Church
Annual College Retreat
$
10,000
City -Human Relations Division
Summer Youth, Employment Program
$
45,000
YWCA Evanston/North Shore
YWCA Domestic Violence Services
$
30,550
Interfaith Action of Evanston
Job Counselor for the Homeless
$
2,000
The Youth Job Center of Evanston
Youth Employment Initiative (Core Services)
$
48,000
Connections for the Homeless
Single Adult Services Programs
$
4,000
Interfaith Housing of the North Suburbs
j Homesharing Program
$
14,000
City -Community Development
Adopt A Fancy Can
$
4,000
City -Community Development
Graffiti Removal Program
$
35,000
City -Community Development
Neighborhood Initiatives Fund
$
4,000
_
Rehabilitation
Public Services Subtotal. .....,_ ._m._....�-_.-�..........n-._.......
$
299,550
•- Housing &Commercial
CEDA/Neighbors At Work, Inc.
Minor Repairs & Painting Program
$
100,000
City -Commission on Aging
Handyman Program
$
11,700
City -Community Development
Neighborhood FaQade Improvement Program
$
25,000
City -Community Development
j Revolving Loan Fund (Program Income)
$
124,998
City -Community Development
I Housing Rehab Administration
$
325,000
Subtotal
$
586,698
Code Enforcement
City -Property Standards
CDBG Target Area Code Compliance
$
414,229
Organization
City -Community Development
I ProgramlProiect CDBG Funding
CDBG Target Area -Board up & Clean up $ 20,000
Subtotal $ 434,229
r�
U
•
•
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Economic Development
Evanston Community Development Corp
Bus Develop & Economic Opportunity
• Technology Innovation Center/SBDC
Evanston Business Ownership Initiative
Subtotal
Other•Administration
City -Community Development/Planning
CDBG Administration
City -Budget Office
M/W/EBE Program
Subtotal
Grand Total
Antipoverty Strategy
$
25,000 }
$
15,000
$
40,000
330,000
40,000
370,000
2,053,046
Evanston is a culturally and economically diverse community with approximately 10% of its residents
and 5% of all families having incomes below the federal poverty level according to the 2000 census.
The extent of poverty in Evanston is more accurately evidenced by the low income population served
by the public schools (40% and 35.8% low-income students in District 65 for grades K-8 and District
202 for grades 9-12, respectively in the 2008 Illinois District Report Cards), in the General Assistance
program of Evanston Township, the numerous clients assisted by Evanston's nonprofit organizations,
and in 647 Housing Choice voucher holders living in Evanston.
Poverty is concentrated in west Evanston and in southeast Evanston near Howard Street. The 2000
census indicated a slight increase in both the percentage of low-income persons and higher income
persons. Evanston's residents have a long history of contributing to the community and supporting
efforts to assist people in an ongoing effort to eliminate poverty and its associated problems.
Residents, businesses and organizations support numerous social services, foundations and
programs that help empower people in poverty and in lower income groups to improve their
• situations.
C]
Hilda's Place, Connections for the Homeless' adult transitional shelter has operated for more than
twenty years, serving approximately 200 clients annually. Connections' Entry Point program works
with the chronically homeless in Evanston, linking this traditionally hard to serve population with
housing and other services. Entry Point has experienced dramatic increase in demand for its services
in the last 18 months and now serves an average of 50 people each day versus 25-30 in past years.
Some of this is growth is attributable to individuals from Chicago or other communities coming to
Evanston in search of help, but demand has also increased among Evanston residents who have
experienced the loss of their jobs and/or homes.
An extensive network of soup kitchens and food pantries in Evanston is coordinated by Interfaith
Action Council or offered independently. Through their participation in the Evanston Alliance on
Homelessness, agencies work together to eliminate homelessness in the community.
The City of Evanston is committed to alleviating poverty to the extent possible in partnership with the
private sector, institutions, citizen organizations, school districts, other governmental agencies and
self-help activities of Evanston residents. Part of Evanston's anti -poverty strategy includes
maintenance issues, such as continuing to housing and soup kitchens with Emergency Shelter Grant
funds. Funding will also be continued to enable low-income residents to avail themselves of legal
counseling, job readiness and training programs, and ultimately find employment. City Mental Health
Board funds will continue to support day care centers which serve low and moderate income families
in Evanston and special programs like Pregnant & Parenting Teens.
Fifth Program Year Action Plan 26 Version 2.0
1/12/09
City of Evanston
oil
to
Non -homeless Special Needs 91.220 c and e •
p i () i))
Evanston continues to work to expand its supply of permanent supportive housing (PSH) for special
needs individuals. Connections for the Homeless submitted a proposal through the SuperNOFA to
expand its PSH program by four units/beds in 2009/10. Connections for the Homeless, Housing
Options and Housing Options Development Corporation are evaluating what opportunities may be
available to them to expand capacity through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The City will
continue to work closely with them to evaluate properties that are abandoned or in foreclosure.
New concerns relating to the financial stability of important non-profit organizations serving individuals
with special needs are emerging. The State of Illinois is delaying payments on contracts, resulting
organizations borrowing in order to make payroll in order to continue providing services. SHORE
Community Services, which provides housing and services for adults and children with developmental
disabilities, is one of the local agencies affected.
The Center for Independent Futures (CIF) is a non-profit group that works with disabled adults and
their families to establish independent living situations. Many of the persons they serve live with
parents who are concerned about the living situations of their children in the future. CIF worked with
the developer of new market -rate condos to help clients purchase accessible units in a development,
and obtained down payment assistance through the City of Evanston's HOME program for individuals
with disabilities. In addition, CIF purchased one unit for a "community builder" to provide support and
assistance to the new purchasers, many of whom are living independently for the first time.
Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS
Not applicable, as the City of Evanston does not receive HOPWA funding.
t ,. •. a { � -::`- .r� '-'," - a. - a:. -gk# , i`": ems'= 'x � r =' .
Consolidated Plan Compliance
A CAPER report (Consolidated Plan Annual Performance and Evaluation Report) on the City's
progress toward meeting its Consolidated Plan goals will be submitted to HUD no later than ninety
(90) days after the conclusion of the 2009/10 City's program year, or May 31, 2010. The CAPER will
report on the accomplishments of the City in addressing its priority needs and specific
accomplishments made with CDBG, HOME and ESG funds.
Any significant amendment to the Consolidated Plan would be presented to the Housing &
Community Development Act Committee for its review. If the proposed amendment were to be
approved by the Committee, it would be submitted to the City Council for approval. The approved
amendment to the Consolidated Plan would then be submitted to the HUD Chicago office.
40
NEPA Compliance
Proposed activities for 2009/10 are being reviewed for compliance with the National Environmental
Protection Act (NEPA). None of the proposed identified activities requires a full environmental review.
Site -specific activities have been determined to be either exempt or categorically excluded from
NEPA. Alley paving and curb/sidewalk replacement projects will be reviewed for environmental
compliance when specific locations for are determined. Housing and rehab activities will also be •
subject to an environmental review as specific project sites are identified.
Fifth Program Year Action Plan 27 Version 2.0
1/12/09
CITY OF EVANSTON
TABLE 3A - 2009/10 ACTIVITIES
Availability/Accessibility of Decent Housing (DH-1)
Source of
Expected
Percent
Specific Annual Objective
Funds
Year
Performance Indicators
I
Number
Actual Number
Completed
CEDA-Neighbors At Work --
CDBG
2005
Number of single-
30
29
97%.
Repair/rehab and exterior & interior
CDBG
2006
family housing units
30
24
80%1
painting program
CDBG
2007
improved
30
39
130%
CDBG
2008
30
0%
CDBG
2009
30
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
150
92
61 %
DHA
Handyman Program -- Home
CDBG
2005
Number of housing
140
145
104%
repairs that do not require a
CDBG
2006
units improved
140
1531
109%
licensed tradesperson serving
CDBG
2007
140
172I
123%
low/moderate senior homeowners
2008
120
+
0%
and renters
CDBG
2009
120
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
660
470
71 %1
DHA
Housing Rehab Administration of
CDBG
2005
Self -Help Paint program
4
6
150%
housing rehab programs for
CDBG
2006
accomplishments shown
4
7f
175%
low/moderate income households, self-
CDBG
2007
here; Rehabs in Single &
4
11 f
275%
help paint program, emergency rehab,
Multi FamilyRehab; ra
garage demo &dangerous tree
CDBG
2008
demos & tree removals listed
4
0%
removal
CDBG
2009
in that activity
4
I
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
20
241
120%
DHA
Single -Family Rehab -- Rehab of
Rev Loan
2005
Number of housing
101
91
90%
low/moderate income owner occupied
Rev Loan
2006
units/properties
10
141
140%
properties. Funded with low- or no-
Rev Loan
2007
improved
10
81
80%
interest loans from the City's Revolving
Loan Fund
Rev Loan
2008
10
0%
Prog Inc
2009
10
1
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
50
311
62%
Multi -Family Rehab -- Rehab of
Rev Loan
12005
Number of housing
5
9I
180%
multi -family rental properties leased
Rev Loan
2006
units/properties
5
0
0%
to low/moderate income
Rev Loan
2007
improved
5
01
0%
households. Funded with low-
Rev Loan
2008
5
1
0%
interest loans from the City's
Rev Loan
2009
5
1
0%
Revolving Loan Fund.
Multi -Year Goal:
25
9�
36%
DHA
McGaw YMCA Residence
2005
Housing units/rooms
Airconditioning -- aircondition 26
2006
improved
rooms in this Men's SRO
2007
2008
CDBG
2009
26
Multi -Year Goal:
261
01
0%
Affordability of Decent Housing (DH-2)
DH-2
Homesharing Program -- Matches
CDBG
2005
Number of people
46
44
96%
homeowners with an extra room
CDBG
2006
maintaining or
44
44
100%,
with individuals seeking affordable
CDBG
2007
acquiring affordable
46
46
100%
housing
CDBG
2008
housing
42
0%
CDBG
2009
42
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
220
134
61
DH-2
HOME Ownership -- Funds for
HOME
2005
Housing units acquired,'
15
18
120%
acquisition, construction or rehab of
owner -occupied affordable homes
HOME
HOME
2006
2007
constructed or
rehabbed
5
3
2
2
40%
67%
HOME
2008
8
0%
HOME
2009
10
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
41
22
54%
CITY OF EVANSTON
TABLE 3A - 2009/10 ACTIVITIES
DH-2
HOME Rentals -- Funds for
HOME
2005 Multi -family units
2
21
100%
acquisition, construction or rehab of HOME
2006 acquired, constructed
2
01
0%
affordable rental housing
HOME
2007 or rehabbed
2
0i
0%
HOME
2008
2
1
0%0
HOME
2009
25
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
33
2
6%
DH-2
HOME CHDO Reserve Fund --
HOME
2005 Housing units acquired,
1
1
100%,
15% of HOME entitlement for
HOME
2006 constructed or
1
1
100%
projects undertaken by certified
HOME
2007 rehabbed
1
01
0%
CHDOs
HOME
2008
1
1
0%
HOME
2009
1
I
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
5
21
40%
Sustainability of Decent Housing (DH-3)
DH-3
Target Area Housing Code
CDBG
2005 Housing units
3,000
3,397
113%�
Compliance -- Inspection of rental
CDBG
2006 inspected, violations
3,000
3,684
123%
units, nursing homes, rooming
CDBG
2007 cited, reinspections
3,000
3,440
115%
houses, etc., in the CDBG Target
CDBG
2008
3,000
0%
Area for code violations
CDBG
2009
3,000
0%,
Multi -Year Goal:
15,000
10,521
70%
Availability/Accessibility of Suitable Living Environment (SL-1)
SL-1
Accessible Ramp Program -- ADA
CDBG
2005 Facilities improved
65
78
120%
compliant curb cuts in CDBG
CDBG
2006
65
88�
135%
Target Area for disabled access
CDBG
2007
30
221
73%
CDBG
2008
25
1
0%
CDBG
2009
25
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
210
188
90%
SL-1
Brummel Park Neighbors --
2005 Individuals served
0
neighborhood improvement
2006
initiatives by south Evanston block
2007
1
club and neighborhood watch
2008
CDBG
2009
4,300
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
4,300
0
SL-1
Connections for the Homeless --
2005 Individuals served
transportation to job interviews and
2006
identification for clients of Entry
2007
Point outreach program for
CDBG
2008
200
'
0%
homeless men and women
CDBG
2009
450
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
650
01
0%
SL-1
Evanston Community Defender --
CDBG
2005 Individuals served
70 '
75
107%
Legal Assistance in criminal
CDBG
2006
90
921
102%
matters and social services for
CDBG
2007
100
97
97%
low/moderate income youth
CDBG
2008
100
0%
2009
100
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
460
2641
57%
SL-1
Evanston Youth Initiative --
2005 Individuals served
_
_
Programs to support low/moderate
2006
income youth and their families
2007
2008
CDBG
2009
50
0%0
Multi -Year Goal:
50
0
0%
CITY OF EVANSTON
TABLE 3A - 2009/10 ACTIVITIES
SL-1
Girl Scouts -Fit To Be Me -- Life
CDBG
2005 Individuals'served
70
711
101 %
skills and self-esteem building
CDBG
2006
70
89
127%
programs for low/moderate income
CDBG
2007
75
109
145%
girls
CDBG
2008
50
0%
2009
60
0%0
Multi -Year Goal:
325
269
83%
SL-1
Legal Assistance Foundation of
CDBG
2005 Individuals served
450
549
122%
Chicago -- Free legal assistance for CDBG
2006
450
510
113%
low/moderate income individuals
CDBG
2007
450
493
110%
and seniors in civil cases
CDBG
2008
450
0%
CDBG
2009
450
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
2,250
1,552
69%
SL-1
Music Institute of Chicago -- Taking
CDBG
2005 Individuals served
Music To Seniors program performs
CDBG
2006
350
3771
108%
concerts at low-income senior housing
CDBG
2007
100
751
75%
facilities and provides scholarships for
musicians in the New Horizons Band
CDBG
2008
75
0%
CDBG
2009
75
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
600
452
75%
SL-1
Neighborhood Initiatives Fund --
ICDBG
12005 Individuals served
Funds neighborhood improvement
CDBG
2006
projects undertaken by block clubs
CDBG
2007
and other volunteer organizations
CDBG
2008
to improve CDBG Target Area
CDBG
2009
2,500
0%
neighborhoods
Multi -Year Goal:
2,500
0
0%
SL-1
North Shore Senior Center --
CDBG
2005 Individuals served
100
134
134%
Evanston/Skokie Valley Senior
CDBG
2006
100
100
100%
Services provides case
CDBG
2007
100
154
154%
management for low-income
CDBG
2008
100
0%
seniors, helps them assess needs
CDBG
2009
100
0%
and access benefits
Multi -Year Goal:
500
3881
78%
SL-1
Open Studio Project -Art & Action --
CDBG
2005 Individuals served
150
178
119%
after -school program using art and
CDBG
2006
190
115
61 %
writing for self expression and
CDBG
2007
80
87
109%
anger management
CDBG
2008
50
CDBG
2009
60
Multi -Year Goal:
530
3801
72%
SL-1
Summer Youth Employment
CDBG
2005 Individuals served
95
100
105%
Program -- summer jobs and
CDBG
2006
150
192
128%
employment training for
CDBG
2007
130
133
1020%
low/moderate income 14-18 year
CDBG
2008
120
0%
olds
CDBG
2009
120
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
6151
425�
69%
SL-1
Youth Action Ministry College
2005 Individuals served
Retreat -- College tours for YAM
CDBG
2006
30
32
107%
members to expand understanding
CDBG
2007
40
45
113%
of opportunities and motivate
CDBG
2008
40
0%
achievement
CDBG
2009
60
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
1701
771
45%
CITY OF EVANSTON
TABLE 3A - 2009/10 ACTIVITIES
SL-1
SL-1
SL-2
SL-2
SL-3
SL-3
SL-3
SL3
YWCA Domestic Violence Services CDBG 2005 Individuals served
-- Housing, counseling, case
CDBG
2006
management and legal advocacy
CDBG
2007
for victims of domestic violence
CDBG
2008
CDBG
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
Emergency Shelter Grant Program
- ESG
2005 Individuals served
- Programs and services for the
ESG
2006
homeless in Evanston provided by
ESG
2007
Connections for the Homeless,
ESG
2008
YWCA, Carepoint, HE Lane and
ESG
2009
Interfaith Action Council
Multi -Year Goal:
Affordability
of Suitable Living Environment (SL-2)
Alley Special Assessment
CDBG
2005 Households assisted
Assistance -- Program pays the
CDBG
2006
special assessment for alley
CDBG
2007
improvements for low/moderate
CDBG
2008
income households
CDBG
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
Meals At Home -- Meals delivered
CDBG
2005 Individuals served
to home -bound seniors and the
CDBG
2006
disabled in Evanston
CDBG
2007
CDBG
2008
CDBG
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
Sustainability of Suitable Living Environment (SL-3)
Adopt A Fancy Can --
CDBG
2005 Area benefit -
Neighborhood improvement
CDBG
2006 Individuals served in
program with citizens requesting
CDBG
2007 CDBG Target Area
and maintaining attractive trash
CDBG
2008
cans to reduce litter
CDBG
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
Alley Paving -- Improvements to
CDBG
2005 Facilities improved
alleys in the CDBG Target Area
CDBG
2006 used in 2005; area
CDBG
2007 benefit - individuals
CDBG
2008 served in 2006 and
CDBG
2009 subsequent years
Multi -Year Goal:
Block Curb & Sidewalk Program --
CDBG
2005
Sections of curb &
Replacement of broken sidewalks
CDBG
2006
sidewalk improved
and curbs in the CDBG Target Area CDBG
2007
used in 2005;
CDBG
2008
Individuals served in
CDBG
2009
subsequent yrs
Multi -Year Goal:
Fleetwood/Jourdain Community
2005
Facilities improved
Center rehab -- gym roof
2006
replacement
2007
2008
CDBG
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
400
4361
109%
400
5571
139%
400
5811
145%
400
0%
400
0%
2,000
1,574
79%
350
474
135%
350
3551
101 %
350
1,0441
298%
500
0%
500
0%
2,050
1,873
91%
30
35
117%
45
72
160%
20
22
110%
12
0%
10
0%
117
129
110%
70
75
107%
75
771
103%
100
1321
132%
100
0%
100
0%
445
284
64%
24,000
24,000
24,000
24,000
24,000
120,000
4
1,200
4,000
4,000
4,000
13,204
20
5,200
5,200
5,200
5,200
20,820
1
1
24,260
24,260
24,260
72,780
5
1,200
4,053
101 %'•
101%
101 %
0%
0%
61%
125%1
100%
101 %
101 %
5,258
40%
20
100%
5,231
101 % _
5,655
109%
-
0%
0%
10,906
52%
0) 0%
•
CITY OF EVANSTON
TABLE 3A - 2009/10 ACTIVITIES
SL-3
Fleetwood/Jourdain-Foster Field
2005 Facilities improved
Renovation -- multi -year
2006
landscaping and outdoor recreation
2007
facilities improvement project.
CDBG
2008
1
CDBG
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
1
0
0%,
SL-3
Graffiti Removal Program --
CDBG
2005 Area benefit - CDBG
24,000
24,260
101 %
Elimination of graffiti from public
CDBG
2006 Target Area residents
24,000
24,260
101 %
property including signs and
CDBG
2007
24,000
24,260
101 %
streetlights in the CDBG Target
CDBG
2008
24,000
0%
Area
CDBG
2009
24,000
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
120,000
72,780
61 %
SL-3
Garage Demo & Dangerous Tree
Rev Loan
12005 Properties improved by
2
2
100%
Removal -- Demolition of unsafe
Rev Loan
2006 removal of hazards
2
1
50%
garages and removal of dangerous
Rev Loan
2007
2
41
200%
trees for low/moderate income
Rev Loan
2008
2
1
0%
property owners with loans from the
Rev Loan
2009
2
0%
Revolving Loan Fund
Multi -Year Goal:
10
7
70%
SL-3
Washington School PTA -- Shade
2005 People benefitting from
trees for District 65/Robert Crown
2006 improved playground
shared playground
2007
2008
CDBG
2009
5,000
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
5,000
01
0%
Availability/Accessibility of Economic Opportunity (EO-1)
EO-1
Evanston Community Development
2005 Businesses assisted
Corporation -- Technical assistance
2006 and jobs
and counseling to businesses and
CDBG
2007 created/retained
10
0%
micro enterprises
CDBG
2008
10
0%
CDBG
2009
6
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
26
0
0%
Eo-1
Technology Innovation Center --
2005 Businesses assisted
loan counseling for micro
2006
enterprises and entrepreneurs
2007
seeking to start up businesses
CDBG
2008
10
0%
2009
10
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
20
0
0%
Eo-1
Interfaith Action Council --job
CDBG
2005 Individuals served
120
143
119%
counseling program for residents of
CDBG
2006
68
43
63%
Hilda's Place, transitional housing.
2007
CDBG
2008
70
0%
CDBG
2009
70
0%
Multi -Year Goal:
328
1861
57%
Eo-1
Youth Job Center -- employment
CDBG
2005 Individuals served
1,100
1,298
1180%
training and services for low-
CDBG
2006
1,100
1,027
93%
income individuals between 18 and
CDBG
2007
900
828
92%'
25 years of age
CDBG
2008
800
0%
CDBG
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
800
4,700
3,153
0%
670%
CITY OF EVANSTON
TABLE 3A - 2009/10 ACTIVITIES
Affordability of Economic Opportunity (EO-2)
EO-2
Neighborhood Fagade'
CDBG
2005 ' Retail or commercial
2 21 100%
Improvement Program --
CDBG
2006 properties in CDBG
2 0 0%
renovation of business storefronts
CDBG
2007 Target Area improved
2 1 50%
in the CDBG Target Area
CDBG
2008
2 0%
CDBG
2009
2 I 0%
Multi -Year Goal:
10 3 30%
Other (0-1)
o
CDBG Administration --
'CDBG
2005 Other
management of the CDBG
CDBG
2006
program, including planning,
CDBG
2007
monitoring, reporting and support to CDBG
2008
subrecipients, and neighborhood
CDBG
2009
planning functions
Multi -Year Goal:
o
ESG Administration -- management ESG
2005 Other
and administration of all ESG
ESG
2006
i
programs
ESG
2007
ESG
2008
ESG
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
o
HOME Administration --
HOME
2005 Other
management of all HOME projects
HOME
2006
HOME
2007
HOME
2008
HOME
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
o
HOME CHDO Operating -- 5% of
HOME
2005 Other
•
HOME entitlement funds to support HOME
2006
operating expenses of housing
HOME
2007
development activities of certified
HOME
2008
CHDOs
HOME
2009
Multi -Year Goal:
EO-3
M/W/EBE Program -- Increase City
CDBG
2005 Businesses and
contracts with minority, women and
CDBG
2006 individuals served
Evanston -based busineses; secure
CDBG
2007
jobs for low-income residents in City-
CDBG
2008
sponsored construction projects.
CDBG
2009
I
Multi -Year Goal:
0
--- TABLE 3B ANNUAL HOUSING COMPLETION GOALS
ANNUAL AFFORDABLE RENTAL
Annual
Expected
Resources
used during the period
HOUSING GOALS (SEC..215)
Number
Completed
CDBG
HOME
ESG
HOPWA
Acquisition of existing units
4
0
0
❑
Production of new units
❑
❑
❑
Rehabilitation of existing units
46
0
2
............:.:::.:::::.
❑
❑
Rental Assistance
2
❑
❑
❑
Total Sec. 215 Rental Goals
52 .
Q
.........................
❑
❑
ANNUAL AFFORDABLE OWNER
HOUSING GOALS (SEC. 215)
n unit
Acquisition of existing s
4
J
❑
Production of new
e units
2
J
Rehabilitation of existing
12 '.
J'
❑ . ,
J
Homebu er Assistance
Y
- 10
❑
❑
❑
Total Sec. 215 Owner
28._
❑ M1
❑
- ❑
❑
Goals
• ANNUAL AFFORDABLE
HOUSING
GOALS (SEC., 215) I
f
Homeless I
92
❑
❑
❑
❑
Non -Homeless �.
80
0
Q
El
❑
Special Needs
34
❑ .
❑
ElI..
Total Sec. 215 Affordable
204
I
❑ .
❑
El
El
ANNUAL HOUSING 'GOALS
Annual Rental Housing Goal I
52
❑
❑+.
❑
❑
Annual Owner Housing Goal I
28
❑
❑
❑
❑
Total Annual Housing Goal
80
❑
❑
❑
❑
For the purpose of identification of annual goals, an assisted
household is one that will
receive benefits through the investment of Federal funds,
either alone or in conjunction
with the investment of other public or private
funds.
40
Written copy of input from Mary Friedl provided at 10/14/08 CD Meeting
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides as follows:
"No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States ... shall,
solely by reason of disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity
receiving Federal financial assistance or under any program or activities conducted
by the Executive agency.".. .
This paragraph from the Rehabilitation Act is why the City of Evanston was asked
by The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to sign a Voluntary Compliance
Agreement earlier this year. It is in the spirit of that Voluntary Compliance
Agreement that I offer my comments about three of your perspective subrecipients
tonight.
#1 Connections for the Homeless
I quote from page 2 of Connectionsof the Homeless CDBG application,
"Connections is the only agency in Evanston devoted entirely to the prevention and
amelioration of homelessness."
•
Connections for the Homeless offers services to single adult homeless individuals. It
consists of three parts. •
1. Entry Point is an outreach and drop in program. "It allows us to do case
management." (page 2.) "In addition to hooking them up with services, securing
IDs and applying for benefits, we help them find shelter or housing, and provide
fare cards to employment opportunities." "Four mornings a week we also offer a
drop -in center where clients can come in to use showers, wash their clothes, pick up
new clothing and food, talk with counselors, or meet with our nurse." (page 3.)
2. Hilda's Place is an overnight shelter. At 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. Hilda's Place is open
and provides a place to sleep for 36 people for an average of 6 months. "(C)lients
receive a hot meal, and... breakfast. Bag lunches... to take with them." They are
able to use the showers and laundry. Goals that are set at Entry Point and the drop
in center have more success (than just Entry Point) in this intensive environment.
3. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is for people with permanent disabilities
and the history of homeless. "(0)ver time it is expected that individuals will become
increasingly self-sufficient.
According to the Connections application the only service available to people with
mobility impairments (and some others with disabilities) of the above array is the
outreach part of Entry Point which would be moved from Entry Point to Burger is
(Connections for the Homeless's choice of alternate location.) . I would think
that a job search would be difficult without a shower or a place to do laundry
Written copy of input from Mary Friedl provided at 10/14/08 CD Meeting
though. Another service that could be made available to people with mobility
• impairments is the one possible opening a year (This figure is mentioned in
Connections application.) in the Permanent Supportive Housing Program by
Connections "simply arrang(ing) for a unit that was accessible for such
individuals."
On pages 5 of the Connections CDBG application is the question "Organizations
receiving CDBG funds through the City of Evanston must have a written plan to
address accessibility issues. Summarize the components of your plan below."
Connections response is to list all the reasons why their services are not available to
people who use mobility devices and people with other disabilities. Connections for
the Homeless mentions that they have scheduled for some time in the future for
discussions about accessibility issues. No where in their application is there a
written plan, or transition plan. They appeared to be at this stage where they are
just beginning to understand that these laws apply to them and they are planning to
get together to talk about it.
On page 1 of their CDBG application Connections for the Homeless lists the office of
Connections for
the Homeless at 2010 Dewey. This is the Family Focus building. People with
mobility impairments are refused the right to apply for employment in this building.
Qualified people with mobility impairments will not be hired to work in their office
• because of their disability. This is a violation of Federal Equal Employment
Opportunity Act!
HUD uses Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to determine whether a
prospective subrecipient can be considered for a CDBG grant. From 1973 until
2008 is 35 years ! Even the Americans with Disabilities Act celebrated its 18th year
this last July. I think this is plenty of time for Connections for the Homeless to have
figured out how they can make their services offered to other Evanston homeless
people COMPLETELY accessible to all Evanstonians. Anything less is
discriminatory and unlawful.
I do not think that you should offer a CDBG grant to Connections for the Homeless.
The representative of HUD that Sarah Flax has been talking to for the past two
years has already pointed out to me that Connections for the Homeless is in
violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. He has also expressed his
concerns about people with disabilities act being excluded from services
Connections for the Homeless.
#4 Girl Scouts
• One venue for the Fit To Be Me! program is Family Focus. The Family Focus
building is not accessible. The Girl Scouts need to answer the question concerning
their compliance with ADA as "No" and answer questions about their ADA
2
Written copy of input from Mary Friedl provided at 10/14/08 CD Meeting
complaint process. Any little girl who otherwise qualifies, has a mobility
impairment and wants to receive this service has that right. If she does not attend •
one of the schools listed in the Girl Scouts CDBG application but resides close to
Family Focus it is an issue. If she does attend one of these schools and this program
is offered as an afterschool activity accessibility may still be an issue. One of the
most pressing issues for Evanstonians with mobility impairments is the lack of local
transportation. How will this young girl get from her home to another venue and
back home especially if her low income family is unable to purchase a lift equipped
van? She may take a special lift equipped bus to and from school. If she stays after
school for the Fit to Be Me! program, how will she get home? The Girl Scouts need
to make a plan that encompasses transportation problems for the mobility impaired
student.
#11 YWCA Evanston/North Shore
"Our Domestic Violence Services Program ....is the only comprehensive residential
domestic violence program serving the northeast metropolitan Chicago area." (page
2 of 2008 CDBG application)
Did the YWCA make their transitional housing wheelchair accessible within the last
year? If the answer is yes, let us all rejoice! You don't have to read any further. If
not they should change their answer to the question whether your program is
accessible on the CDBG application to NO! And they can answer the rest of the
questions concerning compliance with ADA. •
A few years ago at a CDBG meeting I asked a presenter from the YWCA about
accessibility for their transitional'housing, a program for which the YWCA rents
apartments. She told me that they would rent a wheelchair accessible apartment in
the future when their contract obligations allowed.
Last year when I asked Alderman Hansen to request a list of "accessible housing
options" that the YWCA said they provide "people with mobility impairments" I
received the attached e-mail. I did not get a list of "accessible housing options" as I
requested. If the transitional housing is not yet ADA compliant what is the date that
their "contract obligation" will allow compliance? Where is the YWCA's
transitional plan for ADA compliance?
I do not think that "referring them (the mobility impaired) to organizations that
had accessible housing" is an acceptable accommodation. Perhaps during a period
of time right after ADA passed as part of a written "transitional plan" an entity
could refer a person with a mobility impairment to another organization. But the
goal of a "transitional plan" is that Title II entity's own services become accessible.
In feel the time for transitional planning is over. It is time for compliance! is
Ke
Written copy of input from Mary Friedl provided at 10/14/08 CD Meeting
Please remember Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has been in effect 35
• years and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 has been in effect for 18 years.
I believe the time is now for the tenets of Section 504 to be upheld. The YWCA
needs to change the application to read that they are not ADA compliance. They
need to answer the rest of the ADA compliance questions. I feel the most important
question is when will this part of their program be ADA compliance.
I would hope that this committee will not accept this sort of response. I don't think
we need to ask the YWCA where their facility is located. Of course they feel they
need to keep the location under wraps. I would appreciate if you would request the
YWCA to supply you with a list of "accessible housing options" to which they would
refer a client with a mobility impairment.. I would like to get in touch with these
"accessible housing options" to see if they are able to accommodate someone in a
wheelchair.
I do think that the YWCA should be willing to describe in detail what their
transitional housing is used for and how they would handle the case of a woman in
a wheelchair who needed those same services. Let's assume their transitional
program has space available.
Written transition plans should be accepted by your committee only if the transition
plan period is one or two years and the subrecipient is new. Enough time has
elapsed now to expect compliance, not the promise of compliance. I do not think
• this committee should offer the YWCA's Domestic Violence Services Program a
CDBG Grant this year.
C:
Li
P.O. Box 1046
Evanston, IL 60204
www.ci6zenstighthouse.org
Executive Director
Wilfred Gadsden
office [(�i citizenslighthouse.org
847-772-6702 v
Board of Directors
Betty Sue Ester, President
Jill W. Graham, Vice -President
Secretary
Carol C. Balkcom, Treasurer
Alan Jacobson
John Leonard
Richard Mosley, Jr.
Frances Seidman
Jeffrey Paul Smith
Louis J. Weathers
Kenneth Wicks
Emory Williams
Advisory Committee
Lynda Ancell, Trust Operations Officer,
First Bank & Trust of Evanston
Susan Ani, Realtor with Baird &
Warner
Sue Brady, Evanston's Affordable
Housing Future
Jay Lytle, Managing Director
First Bank & Trust of Evanston
Steve Perkins, V.P., Center for
Neighborhood Technology
Chicago
Gail Schechter, Executive Director,
Interfaith Housing Center of the
Northern Suburbs, Winnetka
Development Partner
George Gauthier
Evanston Housing Coalition
Founding Members
Sandra Banks
Shirley Doby
Betty Sue Ester
Dorothy Fraizer-Brown
Tina Galbreath
Loretha Henry
Joseph Kent
January 6, 2009 •
Sarah Flax, CDBG Administrator
City of Evanston
2100 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
In response to the City of Evanston's "Fifth Program Year Action Plan --
CDBG Y35 Narrative Responses" (draft dated 12/8/08), the following
comments were adopted unanimously by the Board of Directors of the Citizens'
Lighthouse Community Land Trust at its January 6, 2009 meeting.
1) Executive Summary: Resources (p. 1). The chart in this section indicates
that 100% of prior years' HOME funds have been allocated to qualifying
projects, and none are available to be carried forward into 2009/10. The
statement in the second full paragraph of page 13, however, ("Therefore, there
are HOME funds available for CHDO use in 2009110 ....") suggests otherwise.
Why the inconsistency? We suggest review of audited accounting records to
clarify commitment of previous years' HOME fund grants.
2) Specific Housing Objectives: Annual Affordable Housing Goals (pp. 10-
11) includes the following statement: "Any new ownership developments will •
be done in conjunction with the redevelopment or rehab of foreclosed
properties most likely acquired with Neighborhood Stabilization Program
funds. "
As laudable as it is to address the foreclosure problem after the fact, two
questions arise: First, why limit the use of HOME -funded new homeownership
development to a single source of housing stock? The location, size, or
condition of alternative housing sites might offer superior opportunities to meet
specific community needs for affordable housing.
Secondly, why not try to avoid foreclosures in the first place, rather
than only react to them afterwards? Foreclosure prevention is the area of
concern most frequently cited by members of our City Council over the last six
to nine months. Financial counseling and assistance in renegotiating mortgages
(services available to Evanstonians from CEDA-Neighbors at Work and the
Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs) may be sufficient to help
some homeowners threatened with foreclosure; but another alternative is
available for those who need additional relief, especially when so many lenders
are unable or unwilling to renegotiate mortgage terms.
That alternative is to use both NSP and HOME funds to purchase the land
under a home in danger of foreclosure, and add the land to the community land
trust so that the property becomes a permanently affordable home. In many cases,
the existing homeowner would be able to afford a smaller mortgage (for the value •
of the house alone, without the land), avoid losing their home, and in return would
agree to a deed restriction insuring that all future owners would meet HUD low-
income criteria. Such a use of public housing funds is doubly efficient: (a) It is less expensive
is on a per home basis because only the land needs to be financed rather than the full property value
(as contemplated in the language quoted above from page 11); and (b) The payback period is
perpetual because, once the initial investment is made, the entire property is permanently
available to the community as affordable housing, in contrast to a time -limited "affordability
period" of only 10-15 years.
3) HOME/American Dream Down -payment Initiative (p. 13): Paragraph two reads as
follows:
The City does not plan to reserve the minimum 15% requirement for affordable
housing projects developed by CHDOs for three reasons. Approximately 70% of
all HOME funds disbursed since 1995 have been CHDO Reserve funds, so that
the aggregate total exceeds the 15% per year requirement. In 2008109, the City
approved committing $775, 000 far four CHDOs in order to meet the 2006 HOME
allocation commitment deadline. The City faced a possible shortfall in funding
commitments due in large part to HUD's revised commitment calculation which
no longer counted returned or recaptured funds toward the commitment
requirement. Therefore, there are HOME funds available for CHDO use in
2009110 if any of the organizations apply for project funding. Finally, the City
anticipates using HOME funds for rehab of foreclosed properties purchased with
Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds, and will seek requests for proposals
from a variety of sources.
The relevant HUD regulation sets 15% as the minimum level of every year's HOME grant that
must be reserved for CHDO projects. The fact that more than 15% was allocated to CHDO
projects in a previous year in no way excuses a principal jurisdiction (PJ) from allocating at least
15% of subsequent years' HOME grants to CHDO projects. Here's the regulatory language:
TITLE 24: HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
PART 92: HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
Subpart G: Community Housing Development Organizations
Section 92.300: Set -aside for community housing development organizations (a)(1): Within 24
months after HUD notifies the participating jurisdiction of HUD's execution of the HOME
Investment Partnerships Agreement, the participating jurisdiction must reserve not less than 15
percent of the HOME allocation for investment only in housing to be developed, sponsored, or
owned by community housing development organizations.
[Code of Federal Regulations, Title 24, Part 92, Revised as of April 1, 20081
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 24CFR92]
The City's professed intention not to allocate at least 15% of its 2009/10 HOME grant to
Evanston's CHDOs, in addition to violating HUD regulations, adds insult to injury. Elsewhere in
their Action Plan, the City acknowledges the hardships that CHDOs are suffering under the
• weight of project carrying costs. The collapse of the housing market generally; a credit crisis
that makes mortgage loans especially difficult to find by homebuyers of modest means; and
economic insecurity that makes potential homebuyers risk -averse, all have combined to stall
sales of affordable housing in Evanston, even though the need for it remains great. As a result,
CHDOs with affordable homes on the market are incurring extended periods of bridge loan
interest, property taxes, insurance, maintenance and utility expenses that were neither foreseeable
nor budgeted. The City's recent decision to offer marketing assistance to try to sell the unsold
affordable properties, while welcome, rests on the dubious assumption that insufficient
marketing effort or incentives explain slow sales in the past year. If larger environmental factors
continue to suppress demand and/or the ability of eligible homebuyers to purchase, however,
then property -owning CHDOs will need additional financial support in order to prevent their
projects from going into foreclosure and/or the CHDOs themselves from going bankrupt.
2009/10 is not the time for the City of Evanston to withhold the required minimum 15% from
CHDO projects.
Sincerely yours,
Jill W. Graham, Vice -President
Citizens' Lighthouse Community Land Trust
0
Input from Betty Ester received by email at 1 Ipm on 1/7/09
• Comments on
Fifth Program Year
Action Plan — CDBG Y35
Narrative Responses
The Fifth Program Year Action Plan — CDBG Y35 lays out plans and initiatives for th_
spending of federal funds (CDBG, HOME and ESG) and City funds as to how the plans
and initiative will ensure
■ decent housing availability/accessibility, affordability and sustainability
■ suitable living environment availability/accessibility, affordability and
sustainability
■ economic opportunity availability/accessibility, affordability and sustainability
These are the same goals as described in the CDBG Y35 plan. In Table 3A of the 2007
— 2008 CAPER approved by the City Council on May 27, 2008, CAPER, the percentage
of fund spent is given.
The Fifth Program Year Action Plan- CDBG Y35 Table 3A shows the allocation of funds
to do decent housing, suitable living environment sustainability. While there is an
increase in funds allocated for decent, affordability and sustainability housing and
• suitable living environment availability and accessibility; there is nothing in the narrative
speaking to how or whom will be City partnering to achieve these goals.
Little in the way of economic opportunity has been occurred within the two years that
CDBG funds were granted for this purpose. Not even a simple directory of small
business in CDBG target area.
Between 2005 and 2009, 22 affordable rental units have been lost and the deed restriction
only persevere affordable homeownership for short time. So what is the plan for
sustainability of affordable homeownership in the face of diminishing funds?
One would have to ask if the Consolidate Plan goals of developing and maintaining
affordable housing, creating and enhancing a suitable living environment and expanding
economic opportunity can be met when the City are still facing the same hurdles to
achieving its goals that were present during the 2005-2009 which are still present and
continued to make multi -family rehab projects challenging; making rehab loans for multi-
family housing improvements.
Although, the City of Evanston has not identified regulatory barriers to affordable
housing, barriers exist in the City not aggressively enforcing it Fair Housing Policy that
can create barriers to fair housing. Also, the City of Evanston plans and implements
policies on inspection of property (e.g. property standard inspector going in with police to
• do home inspection) which has caused property to move out of the rental market
especially in the West Evanston's neighborhood
Input from Betty Ester received by email at 1 Ipm on 1/7/09
The City of Evanston does not see its policies and procedures as barriers to affordable •
housing as it relates to homeownership. The City feels that market conditions present the
greatest barrier to affordable housing. Marketing conditions are one of the barriers. The
other barriers are the City's policies and procedure. Where most municipalities
streamline their procedure and change their policies to combine their resources to meet
their goals and working closely with the community housing development organization to
gain the best benefits for the community and the families they are working to assist, now
the City of Evanston does not leverage its funds in a way that the goals of the
Comprehensive Plan are met.
It is good to see that the City of Evanston has planned to leverage it funds to developing
and maintaining affordable housing, creating and enhancing a suitable living environment
and expanding economic opportunity in the City. From reading this plan, the leverage
will only happen depending on what they receive from their application for NSP funds.
While, The City, as a subrecipient, is not required to post its plan on how the NSP funds
will be use and it will not cause the City of Evanston to loose the use of NSP funds.
However, the inclusion of a clear picture of how the City will use its proposed NSP funds
certainly would strengthen the narrative and demonstrate community involvement and
transparency.
The plan does not address the requirement of creating homeownership for family at 50%
of the AMI. The City says it will target family at 60% to 80% for homeownership. The
City will need to amend the plan to address how and how many home will be created for •
families at 50%.
The City's focus is on the foreclosure in certain census tracts in the City. The City plans
to use the NSP for the creation of affordable housing seems to focus in the CDBG target
area on the west side of City. Evanston's low- and moderate -income population is
concentrated in west and south Evanston in the Fifth, Second and Eighth Wards, which
comprise most of the CDBG Target Area because of available land to be use for housing.
One reading the Fifth Program Year Action Plan — CDBG Y35 would identify the West
Evanston as the site where most of this plan will take place. The City is directing
partnering toward the for -profit and walking away from the CHDO who have created and
maintain the affordable housing (ownership and rental.
The Fifth Program Year Action Plan-CDBG Y35 speaks to the creation of affordable
housing but the TIF and the new zoning for land use on the west side do not include the
creation of affordable housing and very little in the way of economic development for the
community.
If the City is sincere about creating affordable housing for families and to meet the
requirement of creating families at 50% of AMI, it will need the assistance of the CHDO.
It must the City must use TIF funds, funds received from the Inclusionary Zoning
Ordinance and community land trust. The community land trust insure that the is
Input from Betty Ester received by email at 1 1pm on 1/7/09
• sustainability goal. The funds invested in affordable housings and placed in the
community land trust are permanently by the community for future generation of the
City. Because of the diminishing of federal funds and the need to add more staff for the
monitoring the investment and make sure it is recapture of federal funds.
The given the City downpayment assistance to the community land trust will ensure that
not all of the City funds will be lost after the deed restriction is over and the community
land trust can assist with the monitoring process.
This way the City would have few properties to monitor unless the community sees the
community land trust as a good way of investing the City funds (their taxes dollars).
The Fifth Program Year Action Plan — CDBG Y35 speaks to the needs of the community.
To ensure these needs are met. The City will need to partner with the non -for -profit
(CHDO) in creating affordability housing. For the sustainability of decent affordable _he
City will need to partner with the Citizens' Lighthouse Community Land Trust, NFP.
The Action Plan — CDBG Y35 shows a time frame of 29 days for public comment period
not 30 days. See page 7---Citizen Input on the One Year Action Plan and CDBG Budget
for 2009110 is sought in the public comment period from December 8, 2008 through
January 6, 2009. Notice of the 30-day public comment period and the public hearing on
December 16, 2008 was published in the Evanston Review on December 4 and 11, 2008.
Notices were sent by email or US mail to the lists described above. Notice of the meeting
• and its purpose was also posted on the City's website and on the agenda for the
November 16, 2008 meeting of the Housing & Community Development Act Committee.
The Action Plan and CAPE Report always states that the Citizens' comments will be
made public on the web site. I hope this year the Citizens' comments will be published
on the web site.
The above are my comments on the Fifth Program Year Action Plan-CDBG Y35.
Betty Ester
2114 Darrow Ave.
January 7, 2009
U
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Table 2A — City of Evanston 2005-2009 Consolidated Plan
Priority Housing Needs/Investment Plan Table
•
PRIORITY HOUSING NEEDS
Priority
Unmet Need
(households)
0-30%
M
590
Small Related
I 31-50%
H
484
51-80%
H
354
0-30%
M
84
Large Related
I 31-50%
H
7.9
51-80%
H
155
Renter
0-30%
M
424
Elderly
I 31-50%
M
185
51-80%
M
( 195
Ij 0-30%
M
11345
All Other
I 31-50%
L
1785
51-80%
L
I674
0-30%
L
1110
Small Related
I 31-50%
L
110
51-80%
H
I315
l+ 0-30%
L
1119
Large Related
31-50%
L
1110
Owner
51-80%
H
I315
0-30%
L
1100
Elderly
31-50%
51-80%
M
M
1157
1155
0-30%
L
1100
All Other
I 31-50%
L
1110
51-80%
M
1152
Elderly
0-80%
L
1160
Frail Elderly
I 0-80%
L
1160
Severe Mental Illness
I 0-80%
L
16
Non -Homeless
I Physical Disability
I 0-80%
M
1172
Special Needs
( Developmental Disability
I 0-80%
M
1236
Alcohol/Drug Abuse
I 0-80%
M
180
HIV/AIDS
I 0-80%
L
165
Victims of Domestic Violence
0-80%
L
175
0
Table 2A — City of Evanston 2005-2009 Consolidated Plan
Priority Housing
Needs/Investment Plan
Goals
Priority Need
5-Yr.
Yr. 1
Yr. 2
Yr. 3
Yr. 4
Yr. 5
Goal
Goal
Goal
Goal
Goal
Goal
Plan/Act
Plan/Act
Plan/Act
Plan/Act
Plan/Act
Plan/Act
Renters
0 - 30 of MFI
96
18
19
19
20
19
31 - 50% of MFI
69
13
14
14
13
13
51 - 80% of MFI
64
12
13
13
13
13
Owners
0 - 30 of MFI
50
10
10
10
10
10
31- 50 of MFI
50
10
'10
10
10
10
51 - 80% of MFI
94
15
15
20
20
24
Homeless*
Individuals
450
90
90
90
90
90
Families
1"00
20
20
20
20
20
Non -Homeless Special Needs
Elderly
150
30
30
30
30
30
Frail Elderly
75
15
15
15
15
15
Severe Mental Illness
5
1
1
1
1
1
Physical Disability
75
15
15
15
15
15
Developmental Disability
100
20
20
20
20
20
Alcohol/Drug Abuse
75
15
15
15
15
15
HIV/AIDS
25
5
5
5
5
5
Victims of Domestic Violence
75
15
15
15
15
15
Total
1448
Total Section 215
434
86
87
87
87
87
212 Renter
174
34
35
35
35
35
215 Owner
260
52
52
52
52
52
* Homeless individuals and families assisted with transitional and permanent housing
•
•
9
Table 2A
— City of Evanston 2005-2009 Consolidated Plan
Priority Housing Activities
•
Priority Need
5-Yr.
Yr. 1 Yr. 2 Yr. 3
Yr. 4 Yr. 5
Goal
Goal Goal Goal
Goal Goal
Plan/Act
Plan/Act Plan/Act Plan/Act
Plan/Act Plan/Act
CDBG
Acquisition of existing rental units
0
Production of new rental units
0
Rehabilitation of existing rental units
25
5 5 5
5 5
Rental assistance
0
Acquisition of existing owner units
0
Production of new owner units
0
Rehabilitation of existing owner units
50
10 10 10
10 10
Homeownership assistance
0
HOME
Acquisition of existing rental units
0
Production of new rental units
0
Rehabilitation of existing rental units
25
0 0 0
12 12
Rental assistance
0
Acquisition of existing owner units
0
Production of new owner units
5
1 1 1
1 1
Rehabilitation of existing owner units
40
8 8 8
8 8
Homeownership assistance
30
15 15
HOPWA
Rental assistance
0
Short term rent/mortgage utility payments
0
•
Facility based housing development
0
Facility based housing operations
0
Supportive services
0
Other
I
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�
n
LJ
Table 2B — City of Evanston 2005-2009 Consolidated Plan
Priority Community Development Needs
Priority Unmet Dollars to 5 Yr Annual
Priority Need Need Level Priority Address Goal Goal
Need Need Plan/Act Plan/Act
Acquisition of Real Property
Disposition
Clearance and Demolition
Clearance of Contaminated Sites
Code Enforcement
Public Facility (General)
Senior Centers
Handicapped Centers
Homeless Facilities
Youth Centers
Neighborhood Facilities
Child Care Centers
Health Facilities
Mental Health Facilities
Parks and/or Recreation Facilities
Parking Facilities
Tree Planting
Fire Stations/Equipment
Abused/Neglected Children Facilities
Asbestos Removal
Non -Residential Historic Preservation
Other Public Facility Needs
Neighborhood Housing Services Center
Infrastructure (General)
Water/Sewer Improvements
Street Improvements
Sidewalks
Solid Waste Disposal Improvements
Flood Drainage Improvements
Other Infrastructure —Viaducts
- Station Improvements
Public Services (General)
Senior Services
Handicapped Services
Legal Services
Youth Services
Child Care Services
Transportation Services
Substance Abuse Services
Employment/Training Services
Health Services
Lead Hazard Screening
Crime Awareness
Fair Housing Activities
Tenant Landlord Counseling
Other Services
Economic Development (General)
CA Land Acquisition/Disposition
C/I Infrastructure Development
C/I Building Acq/Const/Rehab
Other CA
ED Assistance to For -Profit
ED Technical Assistance I
L 20
$80K
8
H 18,000
$600K
18,000
L 1,000
$500K
2
M 300
$1M
1
M 500
$1.2M
2
M 600
$500K
2
H 150
$650K
3
L 1,500
M 100
$59K
1
H 31,000
$6M
8
M 63,000
$2M
1
L 63,000
$40K
60,000
M 1,000
$450K
1
H 10,000
$20M
20
H 73,000
$2.5M
25
H 35,000
$900K
50
H 73,000
$1.5M
1
L
H 35,000
$20M
5
H 10,000
$5M
3
M 180
$400K
180
M
200
$250K
20
M
500
$300K
350
M 950
$1.5M
100
M 150
$1.1M (
100
M 150
$1M
70
M 575
$674K
200
H 7,500
$1.5M
1500
M 1,200
$5.5M
1000
M 50
$600K
50
M 15,000
$1.65M
15000
M 500
$75K
400
M 108
$30K
60
M
M
M
M
15,000
5,000
60
100
$1M
$850K
$150
$250
1,5000
5,000
50
50
Percent •
Goal
Completed
•
•