David Mohlenbrok, Director of Community Development

Laura Webster, Director of Long Ranch Planning and Housing

Leslie Woodman, PT Housing Specialist

This is the first of two required public hearings in the preparation of the City’s 2021-2022 Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) One-Year Action Plan. 

To be eligible to receive HUD CDBG funds on an annual basis, the City of Rocklin must complete a Consolidated Plan at least every five years, and an annual Action Plan. The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive planning document that serves as the guiding document for the use of funds from the HUD CDBG entitlement program in the areas of housing and community development. On April 14, 2020, the City Council approved the five-year Consolidated Plan. 

The Action Plan, a component of the Consolidated Plan, identifies the specific activities the City will undertake during the Program Year and subsequent Action Plans will be adopted for each respective year of the Consolidated Plan. On February 25, 2021, HUD published the CDBG allocations and the City will receive $280,198 for the 2021-2022 Program Year. This is a slight increase in the amount of funding the City received compared to the 2020-2021 Program Year ($279,064). 

A Notice of Funding Availability and solicitation for proposals from service providers was published in the Placer Herald and on the City’s website on December 18, 2020.  Proposals were received from Seniors First, The Gathering Inn, Stand Up Placer, and the Salvation Army. Their proposals are attached to this staff report and discussed in more detail in the following sections.

On February 19, 2021, a draft of the Annual Action Plan (Plan) was made available at City Hall and on the City’s website for a 30-day public review of the document. In addition, the notice was emailed to various service providers through dissemination by the Placer Collaborative Network (PCN) and Placer Consortium on Homelessness (PCOH). Since the actual allocations were announced after the start of the 30-day public review period, the draft Plan included an estimated amount of funds the City would receive, $279,000.  However, based on the actual allocation amount, there are slight adjustments that need to be made to each program allocation, which are outlined in the following sections. Comments on the draft Plan were to be received by Tuesday, March 23, 2021, no comments were received.

The Final 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan, including all changes directed by the City Council, will be considered for adoption at the May 11, 2021 regular meeting of the City Council. 

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:

Findings:

• The use of CDBG entitlement funds may be used for a wide array of activities that meet at least one of the National Objectives:

                      - Benefit to low and moderate income persons

                      - Aid in the prevention of slums or blight

                      - Urgent Need

• Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

1.     Housing Rehabilitation (loans and grants to homeowners, landlords, non-profits and developers)

2.     Down Payment and other homeownership assistance

3.     Loans and grants to businesses for economic development

4.     Removal of architectural barriers to the elderly and disabled

5.      Public services such as job training, transportation, health care and child care

6.      Public infrastructure

Conclusions:

1. Rocklin will receive $280,198 for the 2021-2022 Program Year.  This is a slight increase in the amount of funding the City received compared to the 2020-2021 Program Year ($279,064).  Staff received grant applications from Seniors First, The Gathering Inn, Stand Up Placer, and the Salvation Army for programs to be funded from the Public Services category.  No more than 15% of the current year award ($42,029.70) can be expended on public services during the plan year.
   
   
2. Seniors First requested $20,000 in grant funding this year for the Senior Nutrition Program. They were funded $13,953.20 for Senior Nutrition last year.  For the 2021-2022 program year, staff recommends a slight increase in funding to $14,009.90. 
   
   
3. The Gathering Inn requested $60,000 in grant funds this year to support the City's emergency homeless shelter needs as required by state law. City staff recommends that $60,000 in funds be provided to The Gathering Inn exclusively from the City’s Low and Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund rather than CDBG in order to create more opportunities to fund other programs with these limited funds.
   
   
4. Stand Up Placer has requested $20,000 in grant funding this year for their Victims Services Program.  They were funded $13,953.20 last year.  For the 2021-2022 program year, staff recommends a slight increase in funding to $14,009.90.
   
   
5. The Salvation Army has requested $15,000-$20,000 in grant funding this year for their Rental Assistance Program. They were funded $13,953.20 last year.  For the 2021-2022 program year, staff recommends a slight increase in funding to $14,009.90. 
   
   
6. Agreements with all sub recipients will specify that Rocklin funds must be utilized to assist Rocklin residents.
   
   
7. Below is a list of programs and allocations that City staff is proposing for approval in the 2021-2022 Program Year. These items are reflected in the draft Annual Action Plan with the estimated allocation amount ($279,000) that has been published for review by the public and subject to City Council review and direction at this time.  Also included is the actual HUD allocation amount ($280,198) and the proposed adjustments among each of the programs.

Alternatives:

• Direct staff to add or remove programs and/or projects or to adjust proposed funding allocations in the 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan within program limits for specific activities.