INTRODUCTION
CONSOLIDATED STRATEGY AND PLAN
AKRON, OHIO 2000-2004
What is a Consolidated Strategy and Plan?
The Consolidated Plan and Strategy for 2000-2004 is a
document which combines three federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
Programs: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME),
and Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG). The National Affordable Housing Act requires that, for
certain federal Housing and Urban Development programs, the City of Akron must have an
approved Consolidated Strategy and Plan. A copy of the five year strategy is available in
the office of the Department of Planning and Urban Development, City of Akron.
Each year the City drafts an Action Plan which budgets
funding for the fiscal year. The 2003 Action Plan is the third year of the five year
strategy.
What is the Goal of the Strategy and Plan?
The goal of the Consolidated Strategy and Plan is to
provide a five year strategy and annual numerical goals to serve as a working guide for
the use of federal resources to address local housing, quality of living , and economic
needs. A strategic plan sets forth goals, objectives, and performance benchmarks for
measuring progress and establishes a framework for measuring progress.
Statutory Program Purpose
The Consolidated Strategy and Plan must satisfy the minimum
Congressional statutory requirements for Akron's three federal community planning and
development formula programs: Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment
Partnership and Emergency Shelter Grant. Each of these programs must primarily benefit low
and very low income persons. In addition, there are three goals for the CDBG program. The
first is the elimination of slum and blight. The programs are to provide decent housing,
including programs aimed at assisting persons to obtain affordable housing; retain decent,
safe and sanitary affordable housing; and increase the availability of this housing. The
second goal of the program is to provide a suitable living environment. The third major
statutory goal is to expand economic opportunity.
Consolidated Strategy for 2000-2004
Housing and Community Development Objectives and Projects:
The following describes the Mission Statement, priorities and actions which the City of
Akron intends to initiate over the five years from 2000-2004. The rationales for the
priority need, obstacles to meeting need, the goal (number) of households assisted, the
target population to be assisted through the program and the target date for completion
were indicated in the five year strategy.
The Mission Statement for Housing Strategy of
Akron, Ohio: Maintain and conserve Akron's affordable housing stock and
neighborhoods, expand home ownership opportunities, and address housing needs of lower
income persons including the homeless and special needs populations.
The City of Akron set forth the priority activities to be
followed in the five year strategy as follows:
Priority based on household need:
- Low Income Owner Household
- Low Income Renter Household
- Homeless Families and Individuals
- Non-Homeless Special Needs Persons
Priority based on activity:
- Neighborhood Rehabilitation, Owner-occupied Housing
- Rental Housing Assistance and Rental Housing Rehabilitation
- New Housing Construction
- Acquisition of vacant lots and blighted properties.
- Homebuyer Assistance
- Support Facilities and Public Services
- Homeless Persons, Individuals, and Families Assistance
The Consolidated Strategy includes a narrative describing
the housing needs of low income families, homeless families and others with special needs
who require supportive services. The Consolidated Annual Plan includes a one year budget
for applying available resources to the needs identified.
Coordinating and Managing the Process
The City of Akron, Department of Planning and Urban
Development, is the lead agency in the coordination and management of the process and
preparation of the Plan. The City will lead and coordinate the consolidated planning,
submission and implementation process. The City will continue to be involved in activities
over the coming year which enhance coordination between public and non-profit housing
providers and private and public health and service agencies.
Consolidated Plan/Citizen Participation
In 2002, the City of Akron convened a meeting of interested
citizens, community organizers, low-income neighborhood residents and others including
affordable housing advocates, providers, social service agencies, homeless housing
advocates, lending institutions and the Public Housing Authority. The 2003 Annual Plan
represents the second year of the five year strategy. The following schedule is to be
followed for the 2003 Plan:
| Public hearing on Housing and Community
Development needs |
August 21, 2002 |
| Proposals due for CDBG and HOME |
October 1, 2002 |
| Publish Akron's Consolidated Annual Plan in
newspaper(s); Begin 30 day public comment period |
October 11, 2002 |
| Publish notice on Planning Commission Meeting
|
October 8, 2002 |
| Planning Commission Public Hearing on
Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments |
October 18, 2002 |
| Akron City Council review |
November 4, 2002 |
| End 30 day public comment period |
November 7, 2002 |
| Submission of Annual Plan to Federal
Department of Housing and Urban Development |
November 13, 2002 |
| Program year begins |
January 1, 2003 |
The citizen participation process over the years has lead
to several worthwhile programs such as the Neighborhood Petition Program, Neighborhood
Partnership Program and the Neighborhood Grocery Initiative. These programs came as a
result of citizen input at various meetings over the years.
Action Plan: Analysis of Impediments to Fair
Housing Choice
As part of the Consolidated Plan process, the Fair Housing
Task Force was established in June of 2000 to conduct an Analysis of Impediments to Fair
Housing. Through a process of meetings, presentations and research, an action plan was
developed. The Task Force will remain active on a quarterly basis to review concerns of
Fair Housing Choice in Akron, Ohio. The Action Plan was submitted in March of 2001 to the
Department of Housing and Urban Development and accepted. An update to the Plan was
performed in April of 2002.
Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area
In 2001, area identified as the City of Akron's Enterprise
Community will be designated as a Neighborhood Revitalization Area. This will allow HUD
sponsored housing and economic development initiatives in the areas previously restricted.
Activities could include support of housing development activities and business district
revitalization.
2003 ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR
HOUSING
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The City of Akron, Ohio has prepared an Annual Plan for
2003 which includes the budget for the 2003 federal Community Development Block Grant, the
HOME Partnership Program and the Emergency Shelter Block Grant Program.
The City of Akron anticipates committing $12,300,000 in
total program funding including $9,340,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds;
$2,660,000 in HOME funds and $300,000 in Emergency Shelter Block Grant funds. Of these
funds, approximately $550,000 is program income.
The proposed plan includes the following initiatives: The
Neighborhood Improvement Program in Glover (southeast Akron); Crouse (west Akron);
Seiberling (northeast Akron); Bisson project plans (west Akron); Kenmore II (southwest
Akron); Neighborhood Housing Petition Program (eligible petition areas); Emergency Home
Repair (city-wide); Non-Profit Community Housing Projects (CHDO and non-profit service
areas); UNDC New Construction (Community Development Activity Area; Neighborhood
Partnership Program; Paint programs (Non-profit service area); Waiver Demolition Program
(Community Development Activity Area); Emergency and Transitional Shelter Housing
(city-wide); Small Business Assistance Program; Neighborhood Business Districts Program
(Kenmore, Copley, Spicertown, South Main Street and West Market/Highland Square); New
Housing Incentives; Supportive Housing; New Housing Incentives, New Home Construction;
Human Resources including: Supportive Services, Youth Services, Senior Services, Fair
Housing, Home Support for Hope VI Application; and General Administration.
At least 70% of the Community Development funds are
estimated to be used for activities that principally benefit low income persons. One
hundred percent of HOME funds are estimated to be used for activities that benefit low
income persons. One hundred percent of the ESG funds will be used for activities that
benefit low income persons.
2003 CONSOLIDATED PLAN
Community Development/HOME/Emergency Shelter Grant
| Project |
CDBG
Funding |
HOME
Funding |
Total
Budget |
| CLEARANCE,
LAND ASSEMBLY & HOUSING DEVELOPMENT |
|
|
|
| Acquisition/Relocation/Clearance |
$ 1,250,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 1,250,000 |
Includes acquisition/relocation/clearance of dilapidated
structures or vacant lots in neighborhood development and redevelopment areas, land
assembly to assist non-profits, and neighborhood blight removal.
|
| Waiver Demolition |
$ 525,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 525,000 |
Demolition of vacant, abandoned, and/or deteriorated
houses, garages, and commercial buildings. Costs include demolition, asbestos removal and
hauling fees.
|
| CHDO/CDC Housing |
$ 0 |
$ 500,000 |
$ 500,000 |
Matching funds for non-profit community housing development
organizations. Proposed programs of new housing construction and
acquisition/rehabilitation and resale. Includes substantial rehab of Channelwood by Alpha
Phi Alpha - $150,000. EANDC - $175,000 for Arlington 5.
|
Urban Neighborhood
Development Corporation (UNDC) |
$ 375,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 375,000 |
Support for new housing construction in older neighborhoods
by the UNDC. Subsidy for 17 new homes. Includes funding for purchase of vacant lots for
new housing construction.
|
| New Housing Incentives |
$ 50,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 50,000 |
Predevelopment assistance for new housing downtown and
selected areas including market analysis, concept plans and environmental assessment.
|
| New Home Construction |
$ 0 |
$ 350,000 |
$ 350,000 |
Provide support for development of housing for low and
moderate income households.
|
| Subtotal for Clearance, Land Assembly &
Housing Development |
$2,200,000 |
$ 850,000 |
$3,050,000 |
| |
|
|
|
| Project |
CDBG
Funding |
HOME
Funding |
Total
Budget |
| REHABILITATION
LOANS AND GRANTS |
$ 530,000 |
$ 1,235,000 |
$ 1,765,000 |
Grants and loans for housing rehabilitation and lead paint
abatement to owners of property.
|
| PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS |
$ 1,400,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 1,400,000 |
Street, curb, sidewalk and sewer repairs as needed in
Neighborhood Development Areas, Neighborhood Housing Petition Areas and special project
areas.
|
| ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
|
|
|
| Business Development Loan Program |
$ 700,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 700,000 |
Funds utilized to assist business development and expansion
and provide technical assistance.
|
| Neighborhood Business District |
$ 175,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 175,000 |
Assistance available for matching façade grants, loans and
assistance for businesses. Proposed activities in Kenmore Boulevard, Highland Square/West
Market, Spicertown, and South Main Street.
|
| Enterprise Community Program |
$ 50,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 50,000 |
Continued funding for Sebert Polymer Job Link program and
Enterprise Community Fund/CDFI.
|
| Rolling Acres Consultant |
$ 50,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 50,000 |
Funding to hire Consultant to review and present
recommendations for the redevelopment of the Rolling Acres Area.
|
| Small Business Assistance |
$ 25,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 25,000 |
W.O.M.E.N. Business and technical assistance to new or
expanding small business.
|
| Subtotal for Economic Development |
$1,000,000 |
$ 0 |
$1,000,000 |
| |
|
|
|
| Project |
CDBG
Funding |
HOME
Funding |
Total
Budget |
| OTHER
HOUSING |
|
|
|
| Emergency Shelter |
$ 70,000 |
$ 300,000
(ESG Funds) |
$ 370,000 |
Emergency Shelter Grant Program provides funding for
sheltering the homeless. Funding awarded on a request for proposal basis to eligible
non-profit providers for emergency shelter housing and for intermediate term housing,
homeless prevention services for homeless individuals and families.
|
| HOPE VI |
$ 100,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 100,000 |
Funding to support the AMHA HOPE VI Rehabilitation
development project, (land acquisition, possible public improvements.
|
| Minor Home Repair |
$ 495,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 495,000 |
Emergency home repair. a. Very low income elderly or
disabled (City), b. Low income families (Housing Network), c. Low income elderly
(Rebuilding Together through Christmas in April), d. Low and moderate income exterior home
improvement.
|
| CDC Support |
$ 175,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 175,000 |
Operating support for activities of Community Development
Corporations.
|
| CHDO/CDC Housing Repair |
$ 75,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 75,000 |
Emergency home repairs to households with less than 50%
Average Median Income. Operated by non-profit corporation.
|
| Paint Program |
$ 35,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 35,000 |
Reimbursement for neighborhood non-profit organizations to
operate a paint program for low income homeowners. Continue contract with Greater West
Side Block Club
|
| Subtotal Other Housing |
$ 875,000 |
$ 300,000
(ESG) |
$ 1,175,000 |
| |
|
|
|
| Project |
CDBG
Funding |
HOME
Funding |
Total
Budget |
| PUBLIC
SERVICES |
|
|
|
| Human Resources |
$ 525,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 525,000 |
Public services to primarily serve CD area residents,
including youth, seniors and families. Programs include education, neighborhood security,
recreation, etc.
|
| Neighborhood Partnership |
$ 50,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 50,000 |
Matching grants of up to $7,500 to neighborhood
organizations for small, competitive projects which build neighbor collaboration.
|
| Subtotal for Public Services |
$ 575,000 |
$ 0 |
$ 575,000 |
| Project Staff |
$ 2,470,000 |
$ 340,000 |
$ 2,810,000 |
| Administration |
$ 440,000 |
$ 235,000 |
$ 675,000 |
| Total for Staff |
$ 2,910,000 |
$ 575,000 |
$ 3,485,000 |
| 2003 Consolidated Plan |
$12,300,000 |
$2,660,000 |
$12,300,000 |
|
