COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE

 

                                                                     EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

 

AGENDA TITLE:  PUBLIC HEARING – Community Development Block Grant       SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Information on and solicitation of input for the development of a Community Improvement Grant Proposal       STAFF CONTACT(S): Tucker, Roxanne White, Ron White

AGENDA DATE:                         ITEM NUMBER: February 4, 2004   ACTION:    X                               INFORMATION:   CONSENT AGENDA:               ACTION:                                INFORMATION:     ATTACHMENTS:       REVIEWED BY:

 

BACKGROUND: 

Local citizen participation is encouraged throughout the process of developing Community Improvement Grant (CIG) proposals funded through the Virginia Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.  To facilitate participation two public hearings are required. The first hearing is to provide information to the public on funding availability, the County’s housing and community development needs, and performance on past CDBG-funded activities, and to solicit input on potential community improvement needs.  The second hearing will be held in March and will receive public input on the recommended proposal, which will be developed over the next month.

 

STRATEGIC PLAN:

3.2.  Provide a variety of safe, sanitary and affordable housing types.

 

DISCUSSION: 

The County of Albemarle is eligible to apply for up to $2.1 million in CDBG funding for projects that benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevent slums and blight, or address urgent community needs.  Eligible activities include economic development, housing rehabilitation, housing production, community facilities, and community service facilities.  Potential needs identified include community improvement activities and housing rehabilitation in the Black Cat Road and Hacktown Road area. In addition, production of affordable housing for homeownership is one of the priority strategies for the County.  CDBG funds could be used for site/infrastructure development to support the creation of affordable housing.  CDBG funds could also be used for construction costs when the housing is developed by a nonprofit organization.  Housing rehabilitation projects may receive up to $1 million and housing production projects may receive up to $700,000.

 

Albemarle County has been successful in receiving a number of CIGs over the years; the most recent being a multi-year funded grant for housing and neighborhood improvements for the Porters Road and Yancey School neighborhood. Approximately $3 million was invested in this project ($771,000 in CDBG funding) to rehabilitate 29 homes, construct five new homes, demolish 13 dilapidated structures, construct a community park, and refurbish a community center.  All activities, with the exception of completion of the five new homes, are completed with the five new homes under construction.  This project received an award for the Best Housing Project in Virginia in 2003 at the 2003 Governor’s Housing Conference.

 

RECOMMENDATION: 

Staff recommends holding the public hearing to provide information on CDBG funding that may be available and to obtain input on potential projects from low- and moderate-income persons or persons representing low- and moderate-income communities. In addition, staff requests setting a second public hearing for Wednesday, March 3, 2004 for discussion of any proposed application for CDBG funding.

 

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