PUBLIC HEARING
HUD PROGRAM YEAR 2014 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

Mr. Adkins introduced the 2014 Annual Action Plan. He discussed the current HUD funding sources and the non HUD funding sources and explained that by leveraging all of these HUD and non-HUD funds in our neighborhoods provides the greatest impact for positive change and healthy neighborhoods free of blighted, crime ridden and obsolete housing. He discussed the reporting requirements of NSP, HOME and NSP3. Mr. Adkins discussed the HUD citizen participation requirements of the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan including:

– 30 Day Comment Period (Currently running from January 20 through February 18, 2014).

– All written comments (or oral at the public hearing) must be addressed in the final submitted plan.

– Copies of the plan were placed at the library, senior center, Community Revitalization Department,

    and on the City’s website.

• Public Hearings

– Two required per year and must be at different times.

This is the 1st hearing. The 2nd is completed with the CAPER (around June)

Mr. Adkins discussed the Consolidated Plan Strategies of:

• Affordable Housing

To retain safe and affordable housing for low and moderate income households by providing:

 - Emergency Repair Housing Assistance

 - Home Ownership Assistance (down payment assistance / HOME)

 - Residential & Commercial Code Enforcement

• Homeless Needs

To provide technical assistance and coordinate regional efforts that improve the delivery of services to

homeless and those “at risk” of homelessness.

– Homeless Services - To provide assistance for at risk homeless and to assist chronic homeless with

shelter and appropriate services.

• Community Development

Establish healthy neighborhoods by providing services and facilities that meet community needs by

providing:

– Clearance and Demolition Activities

– Public Services

– Infrastructure (streets and sidewalks)

– Public Safety Improvements

– Fair Housing Activities

– Continue focusing on our target neighborhoods. Activities for the year include:

– Emergency Repair Services (PWC)

– Public Services

– Street Paving

– Code Enforcement

Mr. Adkins presented the 2014 Annual Action Plan CDBG Budget

Emergency Repair Assistance - $50,000

Rehab Program Delivery - $15,000

Fair Housing (H.O.M.E.) - $5,000

Legal Aid of Southwest Ohio, LLC - $10,000

Street Paving - $250,000

Code Enforcement - $207,654

Administration - $128,163

(Estimated) TOTAL = $665,817

Mr. Adkins discussed fair housing including:

– Housing Opportunities Made Equal (H.O.M.E.) investigates violations of fair housing, educates realtors and landlords on the law, and distributes fair housing information to organizations in the area.

– Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, LLC. provides legal representation for tenant/landlord disputes, represents clients with any violations of fair housing laws, and assists clients with foreclosure prevention.

– Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI) is a document created to detail all fair housing issues in

the City and possible solutions to those issues. It was created jointly with Butler County in 2010. The

City established an action plan to alleviate these impediments. One of the tools used relies on the nonprofits

H.O.M.E. and Legal Aid to educate, investigate, and provide legal representation where applicable when fair housing violations occur to ensure they don’t happen again.

Mr. Adkins explained the estimated PY 2014 Funding and reported that all budgeted activities in the Action Plan are based on estimated funding consistent with the amount received in PY2013 of $665,817.The grant amount awarded may change depending on the dollar amount appropriated by Congress as well as the formula amount based on the 2010 Census data. Budget adjustments to the activities will occur if the award amount is less than estimated. Any adjustment of more than 50% to an activity requires a substantial amendment to the Action Plan, 30 day comment period, and Council approval.

Mayor Mulligan opened the public hearing at 5:38 and called for those who would like to speak in opposition to the plan; hearing none he called for proponents of the plan to speak; hearing none he declared the public hearing closed at 5:39 p.m.