05-03-2011 - FY2011-2012 Community Development Block Grant (CDB - Item 10 Attach 1 (2).docSECOND PROGRAM YEAR ACTION PLAN
The CPMP Second Annual Action Plan includes the SF 424 and Narrative Responses to Action Plan questions that CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, and ESG grantees must respond to each year in order to
be compliant with the Consolidated Planning Regulations. The questions for which narrative responses must be prepared are highlighted in the boxes and italicized.
NARRATIVE RESPONSES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
GENERAL QUESTIONS
HOUSING
HOMELESS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NON-HOMELESS SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING
OTHER NARRATIVES
GENERAL
The General Section contains narrative responses to questions in the following areas:
A. Executive Summary: Objectives, outcomes and past performance.
B. General Questions: Areas in which investment will be directed, basis for allocating investments geographically, actions to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs and resources
expected to be available to address needs.
C. Managing the Process: Lead agency, process by which the Action Plan was developed and actions to enhance coordination between public and private organizations.
D. Citizen Participation: Summary of the process, citizen comments, efforts to broaden participation including outreach to minorities and persons with disabilities and responses to comments.
E. Institutional Structure: Description of actions to develop institutional structure.
F. Monitoring: Description of actions to monitor housing and community development projects and ensure compliance with program requirements.
G. Lead-based Paint: Description of actions to evaluate and reduce the number of housing units containing lead-based paint.
Attachment A on pages 39-40 lists the data sources used to prepare the Annual Action Plan.
A. Executive Summary
1. Objectives and Outcomes
Table 1 identifies the City of West Covina’s objective and outcome categories for CDBG funded activities in accordance with the Federal Register Notice dated March 7, 2006. During the
2011-2012 period, the City will fund activities in two objective/outcome categories – SL-1 and SL-3.
Table 1
City of West Covina
Program Year 2 (2011-2012)
Objectives and Outcomes
SL–1 Improve Availability/Accessibility for the Purpose of Creating a Suitable Living Environment
Fair Housing Services
Child Care Services
Senior Services
Other Public Services
SL–3 Improve Sustainability for the Purpose of Creating a Suitable Living Environment
Code Enforcement
Neighborhood Improvement Program
2. Evaluation of Past Performance
The City’s 2005-2010 Consolidated Plan established the following priorities:
Preserve the Existing Housing Stock
Increase Affordable Housing Opportunities
Affirmatively Further Fair Housing
Address the Needs of Homeless Individuals and Families
Address the Needs of Special Populations
Provide Public Infrastructure Improvements
During the past five years (2005-2010), the City has carried out numerous projects and activities in order to implement these priorities. Many of the projects and activities have exceeded
the goals established in the Consolidated Plan and each Annual Action Plan. The following lists summarizes past performance during the 2005-2010 period:
3,600+ code enforcement cases have been processed
255 homes have been rehabilitated
650-700 extremely low and very low income households have received rental assistance
1,415 persons/households have been provided fair housing services
3,400+ homeless persons or people at risk of homelessness have been assisted
71,000+ extremely low and very low income persons have received needed public services
Capital projects have been completed to remove park barriers, replace curbs and gutters, remove street barriers, repair local streets, construct lighted crosswalks, and rehabilitate
the Senior Center.
The PY 2011-2012 Action Plan focuses on the following projects and activities: fair housing, public services, code enforcement, neighborhood capital projects and public facility improvements.
Housing rehabilitation and preserving the existing housing stock are an important priority of the City. However, the City’s efforts during Program Year 2011-2012 will be guided by the
Community Development Commission’s (CDC) 2010-2014 Redevelopment Implementation Plan. Housing rehabilitation in Program Year 2011-2012 will be funded by the CDC’s Low and Moderate Income
Housing Fund instead of CDBG funds.
3. Citizen Participation and Consultation Process
The City’s citizen participation process included:
Pre-development Public Hearing held by the City Council on March 15, 2011
Distribution of a survey by the West Covina Senior Center to seek input in regard to the types of programs and services that should be offered to the community
Review and evaluation of public services applications by the Community Services Commission and Senior Citizens’ Commission
Circulation of the Draft PY 2011-2012 for a 30-day public comment period
Public Hearing held by the City Council to consider approval of the Action Plan
The consultation process included:
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
Southern California Association of Governments
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
Non-profit social service agencies
4. Program Year 2 Action Plan CDBG Budget
Table 2 shows the CDBG budget allocations to specific projects and activities. The total budget of $1,138,273 is the sum of the City’s entitlement grant of $1,077,620 and program income
of $30,000. It also includes an amount equivalent to 15% of the program income received in FY 2010-2011 ($204,355 as of April 25, 2011) to augment funding for public services, as allowed
by statute. The budget is based on preliminary planning numbers announced by HUD on April 22, 2011. However, the actual CDBG entitlement grant amount may not be known until June or
July of this year. Once allocations are finalized, the City will proportionally adjust the amounts Table 2 allocated to the projects and activities approved by the City Council at its
May 3, 2011 public hearing, accordingly.
The other variable affecting the total CDBG budget is the estimated program income to be received during Program Year 2011-2012. Program income is the gross income received by the City
and its subrecipients directly generated from the use of CDBG funds. The sole source of program income for the City is the repayment of principal on housing rehabilitation loans made
using CDBG funds. Table 2 estimates that $30,000 of program income will be received by the
City during Program Year 2011-2012. It also includes an amount equivalent to 15% of the program income received in FY 2010-2011 ($204,355 as of April 25, 2011) to augment funding for
public services, as allowed by statute.
Table 2
City of West Covina
Program Year 2 (2011-2012) Action Plan CDBG Budget
Project/Activity
Proposed Funding ($)
Public Services
192,296
Code Enforcement
100,000
Neighborhood Improvement Program
624,453
Planning and Administration
221,524
Total
1,138,273
The total Planning and Administration budget is $221,524. The specific projects/activities that will receive funds from the Public Services budget will be decided by the City Council
at a public hearing in June 2011.
5. CDBG Funding for High Priorities
The 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan established high priorities for CDBG funding. Table 3 shows how the planned CDBG funding supports the following priorities:
Arrest the decline of deteriorated and deteriorating areas through code enforcement activities
Support a Neighborhood Improvement Program for infrastructure improvements
Support public facilities funding
Support funding for fair housing and tenant/landlord counseling services
Address the needs of homeless families with children; homeless individuals; and chronically homeless persons
Support public services funding
More specifically, Table 3 identifies for each priority:
Program/activity
Agency funded
Amount of CDBG funding
Annual objectives (planned accomplishments)
The information for homeless services and public services will be added to Table 3 following the City Council public hearing in June 2011. The Neighborhood Improvement Program supports
improvements such as: street/alley improvements, sidewalks, street lighting and accessibility improvements. The amount to be allocated to each improvement has not been determined.
Table 3
Consolidated Plan
Priorities
Program/Activity
Agency
Funded
Funding
Amount
Annual
Objectives
Arrest the decline of deteriorated and deteriorating areas through code enforcement activities
Code Enforcement
Program
Public Works
Department
$100,000
600 code
complaint
cases
Support a Neighborhood Improvement Program for infrastructure improvements,
Neighborhood
Improvement Program
Public
Works
Department
$624,453
To be
determined
Including support public facilities such as:
Senior centers
Neighborhood facilities
Park and/or recreational facilities
Support funding for fair housing and tenant/landlord counseling services
Fair Housing
Program
Housing
Rights
Center
TBD
250 people
Address the needs of homeless families with children; homeless individuals; and chronically homeless persons
TBD
Support public services finding for:
Senior services
TBD
Handicapped services
TBD
Youth services
TBD
Battered and abused spouses
TBD
Food pantry services
TBD
Child care services
TBD
Homeless services
TBD
Other low- and moderate-income services
TBD
City of West Covina
Use of CDBG Funds to Address 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan Priorities
B. General Questions
Program Year 2 Action Plan General Questions Response:
1. Geographic Areas in which Assistance will be Directed
Assistance will be directed to neighborhoods that qualify for CDBG funds on an “area benefit” basis. An area benefit activity is one that is available to benefit all the residents of
an area which is 1) primarily residential, and 2) where 51% of the population is low/mod income. However, HUD recognizes that some communities have no or very few areas in which 51%
of the residents are low-and moderate-income. For these grantees, the CDBG law authorizes an exception percentage in order for such grantees to be able to undertake area benefit activities.
West Covina’s exception percentage is 37.38%.
Table 4 on the next page lists the Block Groups and Census Tracts that meet the exception percentage of 37.38% or more low- and moderate-income population. Table 4 also shows that the
vast majority of the population residing in the CDBG eligible low- and moderate-income census tracts and block groups belong to minority population groups. In fact, on a block group
basis, the minority population ranges from 58.1% to 91.3% of the total population.
Exhibit 1, in the back sleeve, shows the areas that are located within the boundaries of the CDBG-eligible Census Tracts. Exhibit 2 shows the areas that are located within the areas
of the CDBG-eligible Census Block Groups. Exhibit 3 shows the Redevelopment Project Areas.
The Code Enforcement Program will be conducted in focused area benefit neighborhoods that are located within the designated Redevelopment Project Areas.
Table 4
City of West Covina
Minority Population in CDBG Low- and Moderate-Income Areas
Census
Tract
Block Group
Low and Moderate
Income
Population
Total Population
Percent
Low and Moderate
Income1 (%)
Percent Minority (%)
403600
5
399
918
43.50
58.1
405300
1
1,259
1,968
64.00
81.9
405300
2
522
1,687
30.90
74.3
405300
3
577
1,389
41.50
73.9
405300
4
309
1,470
21.00
72.3
405300
5
307
756
40.60
70.5
405300
6
665
1,399
47.50
79.5
Total
3,639
8,669
42.00
76.1
405500
2
578
1,337
43.20
73.3
405500
3
474
938
50.50
78.2
405500
5
155
399
38.80
65.2
Total
1,207
2,674
45.10
73.9
405600
5
553
1,347
41.10
61.2
406200
1
307
521
58.90
60.2
406200
2
1,765
3,172
55.60
72.8
Total
2,072
3,693
56.10
69.1
406500
5
390
1,036
37.60
81.0
406602
2
244
647
37.70
70.6
406700
1
29
77
37.70
83.8
406700
2
838
2,242
37.40
79.7
406700
7
522
1,248
41.80
80.3
Total
1,389
3,567
38.90
80.0
408101
2
1,306
3,282
39.80
84.7
408133
1
1,521
2,591
58.70
91.3
1Percent low- and moderate-income means the percentage of the population with annual incomes less than 80% of the Los Angeles County median household income
2Minority population includes all populations except the non-Hispanic, White Alone population
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Census 2000 Low and Moderate Income Summary Data, City of West Covina Census Tracts and Block Groups
Census 2000, Summary File 1, Table P4, Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race
The Neighborhood Improvement Program will produce benefits such as street rehabilitation, curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs, park and other improvements in the low- and moderate-income
area benefit neighborhoods.
The City estimates that 65% of CDBG funds will be dedicated to targeted areas. This percentage estimate includes funding for code enforcement and neighborhood improvement capital projects
as a percentage of all PY 2011-2012 CDBG funds.
Fifteen percent of the PY 2011-2012 CDBG funding amount will be allocated to Public Services. The public service projects will meet the National Objective of benefiting low- and moderate-income
persons.
The following groups of persons are currently presumed by HUD to be made up principally of low- and moderate-income persons:
Abused children
Battered spouses
Elderly persons
Severely disabled adults
Homeless
Illiterate adults
Persons living with AIDS
Migrant farm workers
Twenty percent of the PY 2011-2012 CDBG funding amount is allocated to Planning and Administration activities, which include fair housing services.
2. Basis for Allocating Investments Geographically
The basis for allocating investments reflects the results of 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan which was approved by the City Council in April 2010. The City Council approved the allocation
investments on the basis of the following input:
Consolidated Plan Community Meeting – February 10, 2010
Housing and Community Development Needs Survey
Public Consultation (e.g., social service agencies, fair housing providers)
Consolidated Plan Homeless Needs Assessment
Consolidated Plan Non-Homeless Needs Assessment
City of West Covina General Fund Budget, FY 2009-2010
City of West Covina Capital Improvements Program
Community Development Commission, 2010-2014 Redevelopment Implementation Plan
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, 2009 Priorities
City Council Predevelopment Public Hearing – March 2, 2010
3. Efforts to Address Obstacles to Meeting Underserved Needs
Efforts to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs will include the following:
The City will obtain data from the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HAcoLA) and the Baldwin Park Housing Authority (BPHA) on the number of Section 8 households assisted
by race, ethnicity, age, and disability status. The City will compare who is being served to the demographic characteristics of the community. In this way, the City will be able to
estimate more precisely underserved populations.
The City will encourage and support the efforts of the HAcoLA and BPHA to seek additional Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
The City will encourage and support the efforts of non-profit housing development corporations to seek funding from federal, state and local sources for special needs housing.
4. Resources Expected to be Available During the Program Year
CDBG funds in the amount of $1,138,273 are expected to be available to address the community’s needs. The City does not receive Section 8 funds directly nor does it compete for McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act funds. A 65-unit senior affordable housing development that was constructed in 2010 was awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits. A local resource is the Community
Development Commission’s non-housing and housing funds. The planned use of those funds is guided by the Commission’s 2010-2014 Redevelopment Implementation Plan. As previously noted,
in PY 2011-2012 housing rehabilitation will be funded by the CDC’s Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund instead of CDBG funds.
C. Managing the Process
Program Year 2 Action Plan Managing the Process Response:
1. Lead Agency
The City of West Covina Community Services Department is the lead agency for overseeing the development of the PY 2011-2012 Action Plan and administration of the CDBG programs. This
Department offers social and recreational programming, advocacy, child-care, special events, and transportation. In addition, the Department serves as a City liaison to numerous youth
sport groups and community organizations, while helping mediate activities such as community planning, collaboration, and coordination for many capital projects and senior services.
Grant management programs are also assigned to the Department and include the administration of the CDBG Program, the Area Agency on Aging Grant for senior meals, Proposition A and C
as well as Measure R Local Return funds, and the Department pursues competitive grants in community service areas. In an effort to raise funds for the community’s benefit, the Department
also manages and operates a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called the Community Services Foundation.
The Department operates one nature center, one senior center, three community centers, one aquatic center, one equestrian center, one skate park, one roller hockey center, and 29 athletic
facilities, as well as a Big League Dreams complex via contract. The Department also operates five licensed day care programs; these programs offer morning care, afternoon care and
full day care for grades K-five. The full day care rate is $81 per week.
2. Significant Aspects of the Process by which the Action Plan was Developed
The City’s Community Services Department took the lead in developing the PY 2011-2012 Action Plan. The Department accomplished the following:
Prepared a narrative summary and chart of the Consolidated Plan priorities
Announced by letter to public service providers and by a published public notice in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on January 31, 2011 the availability of a CDBG public service application
Accepted public service applications through 5PM Tuesday February 22, 2011
Conducted a pre-development public hearing before the City Council on March 15, 2011
Reviewed needs, priorities and past performance at the pre-development public hearing
Organized and carried out the public service application review process in conjunction with the Community Services Commission and Seniors Citizens’ Commission
Consulted with other City Departments including City Manager, Planning, Public Works, Police and the Community Development Commission staff
Published a draft PY 2011-2012 Action Plan and provided for a 30-day public review period
3. Actions to Enhance Coordination
During Program Year 2, the City will continue its coordination efforts with:
Los Angeles County Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG)
Los Angeles Community Development Commission (LACDC Industry Funds)
San Gabriel Valley Housing and Homeless Services Coordinating Council
Baldwin Park Housing Authority
County of Los Angeles Housing Authority
Los Angeles County Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
On January 25, 2011, City volunteers helped LAHSA to conduct street counts of unsheltered homeless as well as sheltered homeless living in emergency shelters and institutions. The City
will continue to coordinate with LAHSA as it completes a full report of the 2011 Homeless Count later this year.
b. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
SCAG has initiated the process of projecting the housing needs for each City in the five-county region. The draft methodology for projecting the need will be released in October 2011.
A draft allocation of the regional housing need to individual jurisdictions may be published by April 2012. The City plans to coordinate with SCAG throughout the process of developing
the plan for allocating the regional housing need to counties and cities located within the five-county region.
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG)
The City participates in the activities of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. One of the major activities of the SGVCOG is the Housing Committee, which is planning a restructuring
to encompass housing, economic development and community development issues. In an effort to enhance coordination, the City will either participate or monitor the activities of this
important Committee.
Los Angeles Community Development Commission (LACDC Industry Funds)
The Los Angeles Community Development Commission administers the City of Industry Housing Funds. Attachment B (page 41) provides a description of the Industry Housing Funds.
As part of its strategic planning process, SGVCOG identified as a goal to increase interest from prospective businesses and developers to expand commercial, mixed use, and housing development
opportunities in the valley. In addition, it was recognized that the San Gabriel Valley is not receiving its fair share of resources to support this type of investment. There is specific
concern regarding City of Industry funds, which allocate tax increment set-aside funds for special needs populations and affordable homeownership developments in and around the
City of Industry. Cities in the San Gabriel Valley are not currently positioned to successfully compete for these funds, and in recent years the majority of these monies have been directed
to development outside of the San Gabriel Valley.
In order to raise awareness about our communities and the resources available to support development projects therein, SGVCOG is scheduling a series of roundtable discussions between
city policy makers and key members of the business and real estate development community. The objective of these meetings is to introduce city officials and key stakeholders to commercial
and housing developers that have not previously been active in valley communities. It is anticipated that these meetings will build relationships between the cities and the development
community that will result in collaborative opportunities to leverage available funds for future development opportunities.
Future efforts by the City to enhance coordination will include coordinating with SGVCOG as it attempts to obtain funding to expand commercial, mixed use and housing development opportunities
in West Covina.
San Gabriel Valley Housing and Homeless Services Coordinating Council
The City staff participates in the meetings of the Coordinating Council. The staff also provides input on the strategies and programs to be implemented by the Coordinating Council.
Baldwin Park Housing Authority
The City reviewed the Baldwin Park Housing Authority (BPHA) Fiscal Year 2010 PHA Annual Plan (April 2010). A part of that Plan estimates Housing Needs for jurisdictions served by the
BPHA. The City’s review indicates that the Plan relies on outdated housing need data. The City will provide more accurate indicators of housing need prior to completion of the 2011
Annual Plan.
Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles
The City also reviewed the Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Plan of the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles. The City supports the following policy and actions of the Housing Authority:
To increase the awareness of HA’s resources among families of races and ethnicities with disproportionate needs, the HA:
Affirmatively markets to races/ethnicities shown to have disproportionate housing needs.
Continue marketing the public housing and Section 8 at housing fairs, local governmental activities, churches, and to public housing resident councils and conduct open houses for a variety
of communities.
Counsel Section 8 tenants as to location of units outside of areas of poverty or minority concentration and assist them to locate those units.
Market the Section 8 program to owners outside of areas of poverty/minority concentrations.
Continue distributing fair housing brochures to public housing residents and Section 8 participants.
D. Citizen Participation
Program Year 2 Action Plan Citizen Participation Response:
Summary of Citizen Participation Process
The City’s citizen participation process included:
Pre-development Public Hearing held by the City Council on March 15, 2011
Distribution of a survey by the West Covina Senior Center to seek input in regard to the types of programs and services that should be offered to the community
Review and evaluation of public services applications by the Community Services Commission and Senior Citizens’ Commission
Circulation of the Draft PY 2011-2012 for a 30-day period
Public Hearing held by the City Council to consider approval of the Annual Action Plan
The Community Services Commission was created by the City Council. It is comprised of ten commissioners, two are appointed by each Councilmember to aid and advise the City Council on
matters that pertain to the community service needs of the citizens of West Covina relating to (a) public recreational services, (b) cultural activities and special events, (c) youth
services, (d) public transportation, (e) neighborhood and human relations, and (f) human rights.
The Commission has a CDBG Ad-Hoc Committee to provide an in-depth review of CDBG funding for public services.
The Senior Citizens’ Commission (SCC) was created by the City Council. It is comprised of five commissioners, each appointed by a Councilmember to aid and advise the City Council in
the
identification of the needs of the senior population of West Covina and recommend policies and programs to meet those needs.
The SCC has a CDBG Ad-Hoc Committee designed to review and recommend the allocation of certain aspects of CDBG funding.
2. Summary of Citizen Comments or Views
The City Council conducted a noticed public hearing on March 15, 2011. The purpose of the public hearing was to provide a forum for citizen participation during the development of the
Action Plan. At the public hearing, the following topics were discussed:
Housing and community development needs
Development of proposed activities
Review of program performance
There were no public comments. Mayor Pro Tem Michael Touhey requested that staff investigate the potential for implementation of a foreclosure registration program modeled on a one
operated by the City of El Monte. He also requested that staff investigate the possibility using CDBG to fund the program, as it would be intended to facilitate code enforcement on
foreclosed properties.
The Draft PY 2011-2012 Action Plan will be available for review from March 24, 2011 through April 22, 2011. A public notice announcing the availability of the Draft Action Plan for review
and comment was published in a local newspaper prior to the start of the review period. The public notice stated that the Draft Action Plan was available for public review at the following
locations:
City of West Covina
Community Services Department, Room 316
1444 West Garvey Avenue
City of West Covina
City Clerk’s Office, Room 317
1444 West Garvey Avenue
City of West Covina
Police Department
1444 West Garvey Avenue
West Covina Library
1601 West Covina Parkway
Public comments received by the City during the 30-day review period will be added.
The City Council will conduct a public hearing to adopt the PY 2011-2012 Action Plan on May 3, 2011. Public comments made at the public hearing will be added.
3. Summary of Efforts to Broaden Public Participation
HUD guidance indicates that the City should provide a summary of efforts made to broaden public participation in the development of the Consolidated Plan, including outreach to minorities
and non-English speaking persons, as well as persons with disabilities.
During the 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan process, the City’s outreach effort to minority populations and non-English speaking persons was accomplished through the Consolidated Plan Community
Meeting and the Housing and Community Development Survey. Respondents to the survey were asked to rank housing and community development needs as either a High, Medium or Low priority.
Table 5 lists the percentage of respondents than ranked a specific need as a High priority.
Table 5
City of West Covina
Housing and Community Development Survey
CDBG Eligible Activity
Percent of Respondents Indicating High Priority (%)
Public Improvements
Parks and recreational facilities
54.5
Street improvements
45.5
Youth centers
45.5
Public Services
Youth services
54.5
Transportation services
45.5
Crime awareness
45.5
Emergency assistance
(prevent homelessness)
45.5
Housing
Energy efficiency improvements
45.5
The survey results support the focus of the Program Year 2 Action Plan on public services and public improvements through a neighborhood approach. Many of the public services will benefit
minority low- and moderate-income youth and adults. Additionally, the neighborhood public infrastructure program will make needed improvements in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods
that also have a majority minority population. As previously noted, Table 4 also shows that the vast majority of the population residing in the CDBG eligible low and moderate income
census tracts and block groups belong to minority population groups.
Outreach efforts to persons with disabilities were accomplished through the public consultation process. The consultation process included interviews with organizations representing
the views and interests of the disabled including:
California Department of Rehabilitation
California Department of Developmental Services
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
County In Home Supportive Services Program
Services Center for Independent Living
The latter is a Center for Independent Living (CIL). CILs are private, nonprofit corporations that provide services to maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities and
the accessibility of the communities they live in. Centers are funded in part by the Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Independent Living Branch.
4. Responses to Comments
Staff contacted and discussed the foreclosure registration program with code enforcement representatives in the City of El Monte. The program Following consultation with HUD, the City
will fund a component of the program with CDBG funds in FY 2011-2012.
E. Institutional Structure
Program Year 2 Action Plan Institutional Structure Response:
The City’s Community Services Department and Public Works Department are the key departments involved in the Consolidated Plan and Action Plan process. The Building Division of the Public
Works Department is responsible for community enhancement while the Engineering Division is responsible for capital improvement projects. The Community Development Commission administers
the Housing Improvement Loan and Housing Preservation Programs.
In order to strengthen internal coordination and timeliness of expenditures, the Community Services Department meets monthly with the Building, Engineering, and Maintenance Divisions
of the Public Works Department. The purpose of the meetings is to strengthen the delivery of programs and services in neighborhoods so that there are tangible physical and quality of
life benefits resulting from the expenditure of CDBG and other funds.
The City also coordinates on a regular basis with the following housing providers:
County of Los Angeles Housing Authority (Section 8)
City of Baldwin Park Housing Authority (Section 8)
Community Development Commission (Housing Rehabilitation/Preservation)
Housing Rights Center (Fair Housing)
City activities include: collection of information regarding clients served, geographic distribution of clients served, and review and comment on Public Housing Agency Plans.
Coordination with health providers involves the periodic collection of lead-based incident statistics from the County of Los Angeles, Department of Health Services, Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program. In addition, the City will continue to obtain information from the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy.
Coordination with social service agencies is accomplished through the CDBG public service programs. This involves a notice of funding availability, evaluation of applications submitted
including needs to be addressed, and monitoring and performance evaluation of funded social service agencies.
In order to strengthen the institutional structure for carrying out its housing and community development plan, the City will strengthen the working relationship by providing input to
and coordinating with the County of Los Angeles Housing Authority and Baldwin Park Housing Authority. Efforts to strengthen the institutional structure involve review of the five-year
and annual plans of each authority.
F. Monitoring
Program Year 2 Action Plan Monitoring Response:
At the beginning of the Program Year, the City will develop an overall monitoring plan. This procedure will allow the Community Services Department to match its available resources for
monitoring with the needs and capacity of subrecipients. The City’s monitoring plan will include:
Objectives of the monitoring plan
Standardized procedures for reporting by subrecipients
Standardized procedures for review and monitoring
How risk areas will be identified and addressed
Frequency of meetings, monitoring reviews and inspections
Pre-monitoring preparation
Use and scheduling of staff and other resources for monitoring
CDBG program and project portfolio
Sample monitoring letters
Monitoring “checklists”
The City will also monitor subrecipients regarding compliance with administrative and financial requirements for accounting standards, cost principles, and procurement.
G. Lead-based Paint
Program Year 2 Action Plan Lead-based Paint Response:
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to
young children and pregnant women.
According to the Strategic Plan component of the City’s Consolidated Plan, the City’s housing stock contains almost 25,400 housing units built before 1979. About 4,900 housing units
that are occupied by low- and moderate-income households have lead based paint in the unit. Of this 4,900 total, about 51.5% and 48.5% are renter- and owner-occupied, respectively.
Renters occupy fewer units built before 1979 than owners. However, a higher percentage of renters compared to owners have extremely-low-, low- and moderate-incomes. An estimated 2,527
and 2,387 pre-1979 low- and moderate-income renter- and owner- occupied housing units respectively have lead based paint in the unit. Among owners and renters, the majority of housing
units with lead-based paint are occupied by moderate-income households.
CDBG funds will not be expended on housing rehabilitation. Instead, funding for this activity will be derived from the Community Development Commission’s Low- and Moderate-Income Housing
Fund. During the rehabilitation loan application process, the Commission staff will provide the applicant with several forms including the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Homeowner Information.
This disclosure form provides applicants with basic information on lead-based paint hazards, informing them that this type of paint may be found in homes built before 1978.
The Community Services Department staff obtains and reviews planning data from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Recently
the staff reviewed the following two planning documents:
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), Lead Safe LA 2010 – Strategic Plan to End Childhood Poisoning in Los Angeles County,
2005, 35 pages
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Response and Surveillance System for Childhood Lead Exposures, Number of Reported Lead Poisoning Cases in Los Angeles County by City and
Area, Between 2005-2009 (N=598), September 2, 2010
According to the above source, West Covina had one to nine cases of lead poisoning between 2005 and 2009.
HOUSING
The Housing Section contains narrative responses to questions in the following areas:
H. Specific Housing Objectives: Description of the priorities and specific objectives for the coming year and of the resources expected to be available to address needs.
I. Needs of Public Housing: Description of how the jurisdiction will address the needs of public housing.
J. Barriers to Affordable Housing: Description of the actions that will take place during the next year to remove barriers to affordable housing.
K. HOME/American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI): Does not apply to the City of West Covina.
H. Specific Housing Objectives
Program Year 2 Action Plan Specific Objectives Response:
1. Specific Housing Objectives
CDBG funds will not be expended on housing. However, housing rehabilitation and preserving the existing housing stock remain an important priority of the City. Housing rehabilitation
during Program Year 2 will be funded by the Community Development Commission’s (CDC) Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund instead of CDBG funds. The CDC’s 2010-2014 Redevelopment Implementation
Plan indicates that 60 housing units will be renovated by the Housing Improvement Loan Program (50) and the Housing Preservation Program (10).
2. Resources Expected to be Available
As noted, the CDC’s Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund will be used to meet the housing priorities. The 2010-2014 Redevelopment Plan includes the following planned expenditures:
Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) $2,500,000
Home Preservation Program (HPP) $500,000
New Construction $5,092.200
Other Programs $712,900
The City will support efforts of CDC by providing development incentives such as density bonuses to reduce the per unit land and construction costs.
In PY 2011-2012, the CDC plans to expend $600,000 on the Housing Improvement Loan Program ($500,000) and Housing Preservation Program ($100,000).
I. Needs of Public Housing
Program Year 2 Action Plan Public Housing Strategy Response:
1. Needs of Public Housing
Public housing is not located in West Covina. The Baldwin Park Housing Authority (BPHA) owns and administers McNeil Manor, a project-based public housing development. West Covina residents
can apply for residence at McNeil Manor, which is located in Baldwin Park.
McNeil Manor is a 12-unit low-income senior (62 years or older) housing development. Under a project-based housing assistance program, eligible families live in specific housing developments.
Unlike the tenant-based program, once the client vacates from the project-based assisted unit, the client loses the housing assistance and the new tenant in the unit receives the rental
assistance. The amount of monthly rent the tenant pays is determined by their income and will not exceed 30% of their adjusted monthly gross income.
The BPHA currently has 87 applicants on the waiting list for McNeill Manor. When units become vacant, the next available applicants are pulled from the waiting list, based on date and
time of the preliminary application. West Covina residents can apply for residence at the BPHA owned public housing development.
The BPHA will be removing its public housing units from its inventory and the existing tenants will receive tenant-based assistance. The voluntary conversion from public housing to tenant-based
assistance will be done in accordance with 24 CFR 972 subpart B, according to the BPHA. The physical needs, if any, of McNeil Manor will be addressed during the conversion process.
The BPHA Resident Advisory Board (RAB) had an opportunity to review and comment on the policies and programs incorporated in the 5-Year (Public Housing Agency) PHA Plan. The meeting
was held on February 11, 2010.
The Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles manages over 2,962 units of public and other affordable housing properties located throughout Los Angeles County. West Covina residents
can apply for residence at the County owned public housing units.
As required by HUD, in 2008 the Housing Authority (“HA”) conducted a physical needs assessment of the HA’s 56 properties to determine the useful life of all major building systems and
the potential life-cycle replacement of all major building systems during a 20-year term. The assessment included dwelling structures, dwelling and non-dwelling equipment, management
facilities, community activity spaces, open spaces and playgrounds. This assessment will allow the HA to ensure the long-term physical viability of its properties and to continue providing
a safe living environment for residents.
The HA rehabilitated a total of 1,892 housing units at seven Conventional Public Housing Program developments throughout Los Angeles County, and closed two Capital Fund programs during
Fiscal Year 2009-2010. Additionally, the HA has rehabilitated at total of 2,429 units at 14 Conventional Public Housing Program developments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act funds.
Commissioners adopted a Resolution authorizing the HA to submit an application to HUD for the demolition of 13 vacant apartment units located at 1542 East 85th Street in unincorporated
Los Angeles County, to remove blighting conditions and permit the future development of six units of family housing under the Conventional Public Housing Programs.
After HUD approved demolition of the vacant units, on July 17, 2001, the Board of Commissioners approved the award of a construction contract for the demolition and site clearance of
the subject property. Funding for the construction contract was provided by HUD under the Capital Fund Program. The demolition and site clearance were completed in December 2001.
On February 6, 2007, the Board of Commissioners adopted a Resolution approving the submission of an application for the disposition of the vacant land. The Disposition Application was
submitted to HUD on June 5, 2007, and was approved October 31, 2008.
The HA determined that the vacant land will be transferred title to the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (CDC) for the provision of affordable housing or homeownership.
In exchange, the HA has received from the CDC, title to four sites located at 4621 and 4625 Linsley Street in unincorporated Compton and 11117 and 11119 Firmona Avenue in unincorporated
Lennox. The HA completed the rehabilitation of the four sites in November 2008 with Replacement Housing Factor funding from HUD. The four sites are currently occupied.
The HA’s Resident Advisory Board (RAB) reviewed the FY 2010 Annual Plan.
2. “Troubled” Housing Authority
To the City’s knowledge, the neither the County nor Baldwin Park Housing Authorities are “troubled.” California’s troubled housing authorities include Berkeley, Contra Costa County,
Santa Clara County and Yolo County.
J. Barriers to Affordable Housing
Program Year 2 Action Plan Barriers to Affordable Housing Response:
Barriers and constraints to affordable housing are described in the City’s 2008-2014 Draft Housing Element Update. During Program Year 2, the Planning and Community Services Department
will address some of the barriers to affordable housing that are identified in the Housing Element. These will include:
Update of the City’s procedures for processing applications for density bonus units. This update is necessary in order to implement the requirements of the State Density Bonus law as
reflected in SB 1818. SB 1818, which took effect on January 1, 2005, revised the State density bonus law – Government Code Section 65915-65918. The law requires all cities to adopt
procedures that describe how compliance with Section 65915-65918 will be implemented. Pursuant to the SB 1818 provisions, density bonus units must be granted – when certain conditions
are met by the applicant – for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households as well as senior citizen housing developments.
It should be noted that the City does permit density bonus units. However, Chapter 26, Division 6 of the Zoning Ordinance – Low- and Moderate-Income Housing – does not meet the updated
requirements of State law. However, the City’s current density bonus policies exceed the requirements of State law by providing for “discretionary density bonuses,” which have the purpose
of meeting the “City’s intent to be of further meaningful assistance to promoting the development of housing to meet the diverse needs of the community.” Discretionary density bonuses
may exceed the minimum requirements of State law.
Prepare land use policies and standards for single room occupancy (SRO) housing units. The State housing element law encourages cities to develop policies that permit a variety of housing
types including SRO housing units. SROs are usually defined as follows:
Multi-family residential buildings containing housing units with a minimum floor area of one hundred fifty square feet and a maximum floor area of three hundred seventy-five square feet
which may have kitchen and/or bathroom facilities. Each housing unit is restricted to occupancy by no more than two persons and is offered on a monthly rental basis or longer.
K. HOME/American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI)
Program Year 2 Action Plan HOME/ADDI Response:
The City does not receive HOME or ADDI funds. The American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI) was signed into law on December 16, 2003. ADDI will provide down payment, closing costs,
and rehabilitation assistance to eligible individuals. ADDI, however, provides funds to local HOME participating jurisdictions that have a population of at least 150,000.
HOMELESS
The Homeless Section contains narrative responses to questions in the following areas:
L. Specific Homeless Prevention Elements: Description of the homeless resources and actions to prevent homelessness and to address chronic homelessness.
M. Emergency Shelter Grants: Does not apply to the City of West Covina.
L. Specific Homeless Prevention Elements
Program Year 2 Action Plan Homeless Response:
1. Sources of Funds
The only funds available to address homeless that are under the City’s control are CDBG funds.
Some agencies either located in West Covina or serving West Covina residents may receive funding from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
During Program Year 2 the City will allocate CDBG public service funds to agencies that respond to the needs of homeless people. A decision on which agencies will receive funding will
be made by the City Council at a noticed public hearing.
The City supports the San Gabriel Valley Regional Homeless Services Strategy and the efforts of the San Gabriel Valley Housing and Homeless Coordinating Council (SGVHHCC) in seeking
funds to implement the strategy. At the January 19, 2011 SGVCOG Housing Committee, the SGVHHCC Executive Director reported that the next step is to move towards implementation of the
units identified in the adopted Regional Homeless Services Strategy. Activities currently underway in support of this implementation step include generating developer interest, meeting
with cities to identify partnering opportunities, and existing and future opportunities. In January/February 2011, the SGVHHCC has been working primarily on getting firm commitments
from cities to build capacity through development of affordable housing projects as permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families.
The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments is also considering implementing Six-Month Strategic Objectives from January 29, 2011 through July 15, 2011. One objective is for the Housing
Committee to:
Advocate with L.A. County for $150,000 for the continued operation of the SGV Housing and Homeless Coordinating Council and secure at least one other funding source.
2. Homelessness Specific Objectives
According to the Consolidated Plan, the City’s homeless priorities reflect the need to maintain the continued availability of existing facilities and services and to contribute to the
achievement of the homeless services priorities for Cluster Four of the San Gabriel Valley as identified in the Regional Homeless Services Strategy. Therefore, City’s priorities are:
Continue to provide opportunities for homeless assistance providers to compete for CDBG public service funding.
Continue to support the priorities of the Regional Homeless Services Strategy within West Covina and other communities of San Gabriel Valley:
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) in small PSH projects and affordable housing set-asides
Scattered-site rent-subsidized units leased in the private market
Maintain the existence of the West Covina Access Center.
Emergency shelter beds for singles
Transitional housing beds for singles
Scattered-site, master-leased short-term housing for families
Prevent homelessness by:
Continuing and expanding, if possible, the number of households assisted by the Section 8 rental assistance program.
By preserving the existing stock of affordable housing.
Specific objectives will be established following the City Council decision on agencies that will receive public services funding. The objectives will be based on the CDBG public service
funds allocated to agencies addressing homelessness. The primary obstacle to meeting a higher level of objectives is the limited CDBG funding available and the competition for these
funds by agencies that address critical needs other than homelessness.
3. Chronic Homelessness
“Ending chronic homelessness in the next decade is a top objective” of the FY 2003 Federal Budget. That means the goal of ending chronic homelessness is to be attained by 2012.
According to HUD:
a person who is “chronically homeless” is an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for more than one year, OR has had
at least four (4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years. In order to be considered chronically homeless, a person must have been sleeping in a place not meant for human
habitation (e.g., living on the streets) and/or in an emergency shelter. A disabling condition is defined as a diagnosable substance use disorder, serious mental illness, developmental
disability, or chronic physical illness or disability including the co-occurrence of two or more of these conditions.
It is estimated that six of West Covina’s 45 unsheltered homeless are chronically homeless individuals.
Chronically homeless people will be assisted by one or more agencies receiving public services funding.
Obstacles and barriers to addressing homelessness include: a) the transient nature of homelessness; b) homeless people reluctant to be assisted; c) connecting homeless people to the
appropriate services; and d) lack of permanent supportive housing.
4. Homeless Prevention
The Strategic Plan component of the Consolidated Plan estimated that there were 785 families with children, 295 elderly households and 260 “other” households that were threatened with
or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. This estimate includes extremely low income renters that paid more than one-half of their income on housing costs. The City’s Consolidated
Plan identified the planned action steps that will be taken each Program Year to address the individuals and families with children at imminent risk of becoming homeless:
Continue to provide opportunities for homeless assistance providers to compete for CDBG public service funding.
Prevent homelessness by continuing and expanding, if possible, the number of households assisted by the Section 8 rental assistance program.
Prevent homelessness by preserving the existing stock of affordable housing.
5. Discharge Coordination Policy
Attachment C on pages 43-45 describes the County’s discharge coordination policies
M. Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG)
Program Year 2 Action Plan ESG Response:
The City of West Covina does not receive ESG funds, which is limited to larger cities and counties. In the County of Los Angeles, seven cities (including the City of Los Angeles) and
the County were allocated Program Year 2010-2011 ESG funds.
The Emergency Shelter Grants program provides homeless persons with basic shelter and essential supportive services. It can assist with the operational costs of the shelter facility,
and for the administration of the grant. ESG also provides short-term homeless prevention assistance to persons at imminent risk of losing their own housing due to eviction, foreclosure,
or utility shutoffs.
Grantees, which are state governments, large cities, urban counties, and U.S. territories, receive ESG grants and make these funds available to eligible recipients, which can be either
local government agencies or private nonprofit organizations. The recipient agencies and organizations, which actually run the homeless assistance projects, apply for ESG funds to the
governmental grantee, and not directly to HUD.
ESG funds are available for the rehabilitation or remodeling of a building used as a new shelter, operations and maintenance of the facility, essential supportive services (i.e., case
management, physical and mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, childcare, etc.), homeless prevention, and grant administration.
Grantees, except for state governments, must match ESG grant funds dollar for dollar with their own locally generated amounts. These local amounts can come from the grantee or recipient
agency or organization; other federal, state and local grants; and from "in-kind" contributions such as the value of a donated building, supplies and equipment, new staff services,
and volunteer time.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Community Development Section contains narrative responses to questions in the following areas:
N. Community Development: Description of the priority non-housing community development needs and specific objectives.
O. Antipoverty Strategy: Description of the actions that will take place during the next year to reduce the number of poverty level families.
N. Community Development
Program Year 2 Action Plan Community Development Response:
1. Priority Non-Housing Community Development Needs Eligible for Assistance
The City’s non-housing community needs eligible for assistance include:
Public Improvements
Public Services
Code Enforcement
Fair Housing
2. Specific Long-Term and Short-Term Objectives
The City’s long-term and short-term objectives are noted below and on the next page:
Code Enforcement Process 3,000 code complaint cases in five years
Process 600 code complaint cases in Program Year 2
Infrastructure Complete 5 major projects in five years
Complete 1 major project in Program Year 2
Fair Housing Assist 1,250 people in five years
Assist 250 people in Program Year 2
Public Services To be determined at the City Council public hearing
O. Antipoverty Strategy
Program Year 2 Action Plan Antipoverty Strategy Response:
Measuring poverty is a complex subject. Following the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Statistical Policy Directive 14, the Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds
that vary by family size and composition to determine who is in poverty. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold, then that family and every individual in it
is considered in poverty. The official poverty thresholds do not vary geographically, but they are updated for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The official poverty
definition uses money income before taxes and does not include capital gains or noncash benefits (such as public housing, Medicaid, and food stamps). Refer to Attachment D on pages
46-48 for more detailed information on how poverty is measured.
According to the American Community Survey, the City’s poverty rate was 9.1% of all people as of mid-year 2009. That means that about 10,300 residents live in poverty. However, the highest
poverty rates are experienced by those who likely need child care services the most. Female householders (without a husband) with children less than 18 years of age have a 23.4% poverty
rate. Those with children less than 5 years of age have an 11.1% poverty rate. The 2009 official poverty threshold for a 3-person family with two related children under 18 years of
age was $17,285.
California’s high cost of living is not reflected in official poverty measures. Poverty is officially measured by comparing family income to a nationally determined threshold and does
not take into account regional differences in the costs. The 2009 official poverty threshold for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) was $21,756. After adjusting for the cost of
living, the poverty rate jumps by more than 5 percentage points in a number of California counties, including Los Angeles. The County’s adjusted poverty rate is 26% compared to the
official poverty rate (unadjusted to account for high cost of living) of 15%.
The City recognizes that a goal to reduce poverty will contribute to the economic well being of individuals and families. The families whose income increases above the poverty level
will be able to live independent of public and private assistance. The Strategic Plan component of the Consolidated Plan contained the goals, policies and program described on the next
page.
Anti-Poverty Goal: To reduce poverty level incomes below current levels by 2015. This goal will be monitored, in part, by the results of Census 2010 which are likely to be released in
2012. The Consolidated Plan contained a 2008 poverty rate of 9.0% and, as previously indicated, the 2009 poverty rate is 9.1%.
Anti-Poverty Policy #1: To continue to support and coordinate with public and private efforts aimed at preventing and reducing poverty level incomes.
Anti-Poverty Policy#2: To conduct outreach with public and private agencies whose mission is to reduce poverty level incomes such as United Way of America Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles
County Department of Public Social Services and Los Angeles County Community and Senior Services. The latter is a Community Action Agency established under the Economic Opportunity
Act of 1964 to fight America's war on poverty. Community action agencies help people to help themselves in achieving self-sufficiency.
Anti-Poverty Program: Allocate CDBG public service funds to projects and activities that will help persons and families who have incomes below the poverty level.
During Program Year 2011-2012, the following actions will be taken:
Encourage the development of child care facilities through the updated density bonus ordinance. Under State law, density bonuses may be given for affordable housing, senior housing,
land donations for affordable housing, and child care facilities. The City will adopt an ordinance that specifies how compliance with Government Code Section 65915-65918 will be implemented.
Provide Section 8 rental assistance to reduce poverty income families, The City will continue to support the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The City will work with the Housing
Authority of the County of Los Angeles and Baldwin Park Housing Authority to increase the number of households that obtain rental assistance.
The City will work with the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles and the Baldwin Park Housing Authority to determine the number of West Covina families participating in the
Family Self-Sufficiency Program. To the extent possible, the City will encourage West Covina families to participate and graduate from the FSS Program.
Utilize the City’s CDBG funds to provide subsidized child care services
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program is a voluntary program established by HUD to promote economic self-sufficiency among families participating in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Program. Family Self-Sufficiency Specialists working with the Baldwin Park Housing Authority and the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles assist each participant in developing
a Service Plan that outlines their goals for the next five years. Emphasis is on full time employment, credit readiness, and independence from public assistance. While participants
work toward their goals; if their rent increases due to earned income the additional rent paid is set-aside in an escrow account. This escrow account may be accessed upon completion
of their individual FSS Plan to pursue a business venture, education, or homeownership.
According to the California Budget Project, access to childcare is a policy that contributes to helping the working poor to make ends meet. The California Budget Project states:
“Quality child care can be prohibitively expensive to low-income working families. Some families are able to obtain assistance through California’s childcare programs, which provide
low-cost childcare for eligible families. However, state and federal funding for child care programs has failed to keep pace with the need.”
The National Center for Children in Poverty suggests a strategy to reduce low-income families work related expenses through child care and after school care programs. The Center also
recommends making housing available to the many low-income children in both working and jobless families who are without this basic resource.
The City’s Careship Program provides subsidized childcare services. The Careship Program assists low-income residents of West Covina that are working or going to school with the cost
of after-school childcare. The program will assist students for a maximum three-year period while the parent works to afford the entire amount of care. The program has been able to
subsidize 95% of the applicants who applied.
NON-HOMELESS SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING
The Non-Homeless Special Needs Housing Section contains narrative responses to questions in the following areas:
P. Non-homeless Special Needs: Description of the priorities and specific objectives for the coming year and resources expected to be available to address needs.
Q. Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS: Does not apply to the City of West Covina.
R. Specific HOPWA Objectives: Does not apply to the City of West Covina.
P. Non-homeless Special Needs (91.220 (c) and (e))
Program Year 2 Action Plan Specific Objectives Response:
1. Priorities and Specific Objectives
The non-homeless special needs populations include the:
Elderly
Frail Elderly
Persons with disabilities (mental, physical, developmental)
Persons with HIV/AIDS and their families
Persons with alcohol or other drug addiction
Victims of domestic violence
Public housing residents (does not apply in West Covina)
Table 6 identifies the estimated number of persons or households that comprise the special needs populations. In addition, the relative priority assigned to each subpopulation is noted.
Table 6
City of West Covina
Non-Homeless Special Needs Populations
Subpopulation
Need Indicator
Relative Priority
Elderly
13,000 persons 62+
10,900 persons 65+
5,600 households 65+
613 low/mod income cost burdened elderly renters
773 low/mod income cost burdened elderly owners
H for public services
Frail Elderly
1,158 persons (65+, self-care disability)
H for public services
Disabled
6,000 households
H for public services
AIDS
50-202 persons
M for public services
Alcohol/Drug Addiction
6,410-8,000 persons
M for public services
Domestic Violence
333 persons
H for public services
M = Medium Priority, meaning the City may fund an eligible activity
H = High Priority, meaning the City will fund an eligible activity
The City’s priority non-homeless special needs populations include:
Elderly
Frail elderly
Persons with disabilities
Domestic violence victims
Specific objectives will be established following the City Council decisions on the agencies that will be awarded public services funding. These decisions will be made at a public hearing
in June 2011.
2. Resources Expected to be Available
Apart from CDBG funds, the City does not directly receive funds that can be allocated to address the housing and supportive housing needs of the non-homeless special needs populations.
The City has allocated $198,240 of CDBG funds for public services. The City Council will make a decision on the amount of public services funding for each agency at a public hearing
in June 2011. This decision will be made following receipt of recommendations from the Senior Citizens’ Commission and the Community Services Commission.
Additional financial resources are obtained by County and regional agencies whose mission is to address the needs of these population groups. For example, among the agencies charged
with addressing these needs are:
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services
Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, HIV Epidemiology Program
County of Los Angeles, Community and Senior Services
Q. Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS
Program Year 2 Action Plan HOPWA Response:
The City of West Covina does not receive HOPWA funds. The City of Los Angeles is the only city in the County that receives HOPWA funds. The PY 2010-2011 allocation to the City of Los
Angeles is almost $12.4 million. The HOPWA program is briefly described in the following paragraphs.
The HOPWA Formula Program uses a statutorily-mandated method to allocate HOPWA funds to eligible cities on behalf of their metropolitan areas and to eligible States to address the specific
needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Metropolitan areas with a population of more than 500,000 and at least 1,500 cumulative AIDS cases are eligible for HOPWA formula
grants. In these areas, the largest city serves as the Formula Grant Administrator on behalf of the metropolitan area. States with more than 1,500 cumulative AIDS cases (in areas outside
cities eligible to receive HOPWA funds) are also eligible to receive HOPWA formula grants.
HOPWA funds may be used for a wide range of housing, social services, program planning, and development costs. These include, but are not limited to, the acquisition, rehabilitation,
or new construction of housing units; costs for facility operations; rental assistance; and short-term payments to prevent homelessness. An essential component in providing housing
assistance for this targeted special needs population is the coordination and delivery of support services. Consequently, HOPWA funds also may be used for services including (but not
limited to) assessment and case management, chemical dependency treatment, mental health treatment, nutritional services, job training and placement assistance, and assistance with
daily living.
Low-income persons (at or below 80% of area median income) that are medically diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and their families are eligible to receive HOPWA-funded assistance.
HOPWA Formula Grants are awarded upon submission and HUD approval of a Consolidated Plan pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations (24 CFR Part 91).
R. Specific HOPWA Objectives
Program Year 2 Specific HOPWA Objectives response:
The City of West Covina does not receive HOPWA funds.
OTHER NARRATIVE
Include any Action Plan information that was not covered by a narrative in any other section.
City of West Covina
2010-2015 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and Fair Housing Action Plan
The City has updated its Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and Fair Housing Action Plan. During Program Year 2010-2011 the City implemented two actions identified in the
Fair Housing Action Plan:
Provision of fair housing services through a contract with the Housing Rights Center
Initiated the adoption of a reasonable accommodation procedure
The fair housing services included the investigation and resolution of housing discrimination complaints; tenant/landlord counseling services; public informational workshops; and dissemination
of fair housing information.
The Reasonable Accommodation Procedure will be presented to the West Covina Planning Commission in April, 2011. It is anticipated that the Reasonable Accommodation Procedure will be
adopted during this fiscal year (by June 30, 2011).
During Program Year 2011-2012, the City will implement the following actions:
Action #1: Continue to Provide Fair Housing Services
The City provides a fair housing program and is committed to promoting fair housing. All renters and home seekers, according to the City, are entitled to receive equal treatment, regardless
of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status or age.
The City contracts with the Housing Rights Center (HRC). HRC educates the public about fair housing laws and investigates reported cases of housing discrimination. HRC is a non-profit
organization dedicated to promoting fair housing for all persons.
The City’s website will advise people that have landlord/tenant related questions or issues, to phone the Housing Rights Center at their toll free number: 1 (800) 477-5977. Residents
also may visit them at: 520 S. Virgil Avenue, Suite 400, Los Angeles CA 90020. The HRC website is: www.hrc-la.org
The City’s website also will provide a link to the California Department of Consumer Affairs comprehensive booklet describing California landlord/tenant residential laws.
The City will continue to contract with the Housing Rights Center in order to provide all of West Covina residents with access to fair housing services. A key focus of these services
is to investigate and respond to housing discrimination complaints.
Action #2: Newspaper and Online Advertising
Newspaper and online ads often state “no pets” allowed. These ads could discourage applications from disabled persons who need a “service” or “companion” animal. The City will work with
the San Gabriel Valley Tribune to determine if a brief notice can be published informing its readers that apartments must accept disabled persons who need a service or companion animal.
Therefore, a “no pets” ad does not apply to such disabled persons.
Additionally, the City and Housing Rights Center will monitor newspaper advertising. Once every six months newspapers ads will be reviewed to determine if words and phrases violate the
standards of fair housing law. The HRC will contact directly the manager of apartments having advertisements with questionable words and phrases.
Action #3: Location of Affordable Housing within the City
Affordable housing per HUD policy needs to be located outside high minority population and high poverty income areas. The City will conduct an analysis of the location of age- and non-age
restricted affordable housing. The results of the analysis will be used to establish policies in the Housing Element and Fair Housing Action Plan.
Action #4: Disabled Outreach Campaign
Housing discrimination is most prevalent against disabled persons indicating a lack of awareness by the general public and apartment property managers of their fair housing rights. The
City will conduct an Outreach Campaign to inform the community of the fair housing rights of persons with disabilities.
Attachment A
Data Sources
American Community Survey, Subject Definitions, 152 pages
American Community Survey, West Covina, California, Selected Economic Characteristics: 2009, 2009 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
Baldwin Park Housing Authority, Fiscal Year 2010 Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan, April 2010, (approved by HUD on July 15, 2010)
California Budget Project, Hard Work and a Fair Shot: Helping California’s Low-Income Working Families Make Ends Meet, August 2007
City of West Covina Community Development Commission, 2010-2014 Redevelopment Implementation Plan
City of West Covina, 2008-2014 Draft Housing Element of the General Plan
City of West Covina, 2010-2015 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and Fair Housing Action Plan
Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles, Fiscal Year 2010 Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan, (approved by HUD on June 14, 2010)
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), Lead Safe LA 2010 – Strategic Plan to End Childhood Poisoning in Los Angeles County.
2005. 35 pages
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Response and Surveillance System for Childhood Lead Exposures, Number of Reported Lead Poisoning Cases in Los Angeles County by City and
Area, Between 2005-2009 (N=598), September 2, 2010
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Continuum of Care Application, response to 2008 SuperNOFA Application to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Partners with Community to Conduct the Nation’s Largest Homeless Count, June 25, 2011
Public Policy Institute of California, Poverty in California, March 2009, 2 pages
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), Regional Homeless Services Strategy
State of California, Department of Finance, E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties and the State, 2001-2010, with 2000 Benchmark Sacramento, California, May 2010.
U.S. Census Bureau, How the Census Bureau Measures Poverty
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Census 2000 Low and Moderate Income Summary Data, City of West Covina Census Tracts and Block Groups
Attachment B
Description of City of Industry Funds
The City of Industry Funds (Industry Funds) is a financing resource for the development of affordable housing. Industry Funds are tax increment set-aside funds administered by the Housing
Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACoLA). Industry Funds help fund affordable rental housing for Non-Special Needs and Special Needs populations, and affordable homeownership
developments. Since the program began, over $193 million in Industry Funds have leveraged over $1.6 billion from other funding sources to help create over 6,500 units of affordable
housing throughout Los Angeles County.
Applications for Non-Special Needs and Special Needs rental housing and Homeownership housing are only accepted following HACoLA's issuance of a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
NOFAs are periodically released to invite proposals for the development of affordable and special needs housing. Industry funds may be used in any jurisdiction within a 15-mile radius
of the City of Industry. Proposed developments that are located within 500 feet of a freeway are not eligible.
An application to use Industry Funds for Non-Special Needs rental housing development must set aside a minimum of 20% of the units for households earning at or less than 50% of the Los
Angeles County median income.
Applications for Special Needs housing must set aside 35% of the units to serve one of the following special needs populations earning at or less than 50% of the Los Angeles County median
income:
Permanent Housing for Persons with Mental Illness
Permanent Housing for Persons with Living with HIV/AIDS
Transitional Housing for Victims of Domestic Violence
Permanent Housing Persons with Development Disabilities
Transitional & Permanent Housing for Transition Age Youth
Permanent Housing for Homeless Households
Permanent Housing for Frequent users of services of the Department of Health Services and/or Department of Mental Health
Each Special Needs Application must incorporate a component on how the specific Special Needs population will be served.
Industry Funds are also available for the development of affordable single-family and condominium (both attached and detached) housing. These funds are primarily available for site
acquisition and permanent financing. A minimum of 20% of the project units or five units (whichever is greater) must be reserved for households earning less than 120% of the Area Median
Income. Assistance can be provided for the reserved units only.
City of Industry Boundary Map
Attachment C
County of Los Angeles
Discharge Coordination Policy
Institutions and facilities that discharge persons who potentially could become homeless are primarily operated by the County of Los Angeles. In 2005, the Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors adopted a policy of “zero tolerance” for discharging individuals from any County institution or facility or any County-sponsored program (where applicable) to homelessness.
In 2006, the relevant County departments worked collectively to develop these policies. In some instances, such as foster care, additional standards apply from the State.
The City supports the County’s discharge policies that have the purpose of preventing homelessness. The City of West Covina, however, has no direct responsibility in carrying out these
policies.
Foster Care
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) protocol requires a Transitional Independent Living Plan for every youth age 14 and older in “out of home care”
to ensure they are not discharged into homelessness. This protocol complies with State Child Welfare regulations, which require completion of a Transitional Independent Living Plan
(TILP) for youth between 15½ and 16 years who are in placement. The social worker is to ensure that the plan provides for “acquisition of safe and affordable housing, upon emancipation”
(California Department of Social Services Manual of Policies and Procedures, Division 31-236(i)(12).
These case planning procedures are supported by the provision of State-sponsored transitional housing placement programs (THPP), authorized under Section 11403 of California Welfare
and Institutions Codes. In addition, counties may also participate in the State’s license-exempt Transitional Housing Program – Plus (THP-plus), for emancipated foster youth, ages,
19-24 (Health and Safety Code, §1559.110 (e) and Welfare and Institutions Code, §11403.2). Los Angeles County participates in both THPP and THP-plus programs.
Health Care
Los Angeles County public health care inpatient facilities have implemented a policy requiring that all persons exiting health care facilities receive assistance finding appropriate
housing opportunities and needed supportive services. This policy states that persons leaving these institutions shall not be released into homelessness and to only utilize HUD McKinney-Vento
funded emergency shelters, transitional, or permanent housing units as a last resort. Discharges are facilitated by social workers who evaluate each patient that reports being homeless
to determine if there are discharge arrangements that can be made with family, friends or other support systems.
Additionally, the following activities further support these discharge planning efforts:
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Hospital Discharge Planning Task Force, facilitated by the Hospital Association of Southern California, conducts regular meetings with hospital administrators
to improve discharge planning activities and to increase the availability of needed resources.
Homeless Health Care Los Angeles conducts training for Kaiser Permanente discharge planning staff and LA County Hospital.
The County Department of Health Services, in partnership with local private hospitals in the CoC, have secured $1.2 million in County funding to increase the number of 24-hour recuperative
care beds by 45 over the next year. This program will provide medical oversight for homeless individuals being discharged from hospitals who no longer require acute care, but do require
some medical/caregiver assistance. The project is expected to serve approximately 540 clients annually.
Access to Housing for Health, a project of the County Department of Health Services, has obtained a commitment of 100 Section 8 housing subsidies from the City and County Housing Authorities
(HACLA and HACoLA) and is working with contracted housing locators to place homeless former patients in permanent housing with supportive services.
Mental Health
In 2006 the Department of Mental Health (DMH) finalized and implemented discharge planning procedures for acute care hospitals, State mental hospitals and Institutions for Mental Disease
(IMDs) that are designed to ensure that patients are not discharged to homelessness. Also in 2006, the DMH revised the Acute Psychiatric Inpatient contracts to include provisions for
similar discharge planning. Additionally, the DMH monitors contracts to ensure compliance with State and Federal laws regarding discharge planning, ensuring compliance with required
aftercare plans that are individualized. These plans incorporate the following elements.
Physical need
Financial need
Family involvement (when appropriate)
Accessibility to services
Housing need
DMH has also developed program guidelines for Outreach and Engagement for Clients in Institutions for those clients in Assertive Community Treatment, AB 2034 and Full Service Partnerships
Programs. The guideline states “the agency staff must work cooperatively with the institution to coordinate discharge. The agency staff shall assist with locating residential placement/housing…”
These improved discharge planning protocols are leveraged by funding from the Mental Health Services Act to create housing for the homeless and those at-risk of homelessness with severe
mental illness.
Correctional Facilities
Correctional facilities operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are the only substantial source of prison and jail capacity in the Los Angeles CoC, holding approximately
20,000 prisoners on any given night. These county facilities are available for use by all cities within the County.
Under the Sheriff’s Department, the Community Transition Unit (CTU) prepares prisoners for social reintegration by:
Preventing discharge into homelessness by creating linkages to appropriate resources
Ensuring staff is responsible for completing discharge plans for each prisoner
Assuring discharge plans include educational, housing, job training, health care, entitlements assistance, advocacy, community linkages, social work and mental health components where
applicable
The CTU provides case managers, including night staff to assist homeless people prior to and during release.
CTU coordinates mental health, hospitalization and benefits enrollment with relevant County departments. For example, the Department of Mental Health provides staff to jails assigned
to assist transitioning homeless inmates into housing and ensures that inmates stay on schedule with their medications. The Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) identifies individuals
scheduled for release that are eligible for mainstream benefit programs. DPSS works with the Department of Health Services to ensure that inmates being discharged to/from hospitals
are also targeted for benefits enrollment.
State of California
The California State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has discharge policies to prevent recidivism, including ensuring adequate housing arrangements exist post-release. They
additionally provide website listings for halfway housing as a housing resource. In April 2007, then Governor Schwarzenegger announced a prison reform agreement that included creation
of community-based re-entry programs to reduce recidivism that recognizes the importance of housing as a key element to prevention. This initiative encompasses a range of service interventions,
which ultimately require stable housing for success. In the Los Angeles CoC, the State-funded Going Home Los Angeles will have housing resources available to program participants.
Attachment D
American Community Survey and U.S. Census Bureau
Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months
American Community Survey (ACS) Poverty Statistics
Poverty statistics in ACS products adhere to the standards specified by the Office of Management and Budget in Statistical Policy Directive 14. The Census Bureau uses a set of dollar
value thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who is in poverty. Further, poverty thresholds for people living alone or with nonrelatives (unrelated individuals)
vary by age (under 65 years or 65 years and older). The poverty thresholds for two-person families also vary by the age of the householder. If a family’s total income is less than the
dollar value of the appropriate threshold, then that family and every individual in it are considered to be in poverty. Similarly, if an unrelated individual’s total income is less
than the appropriate threshold, then that individual is considered to be in poverty.
How the Census Bureau Determines Poverty Status
In determining the poverty status of families and unrelated individuals, the Census Bureau uses thresholds (income cutoffs) arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The matrix consists
of family size (from one person to nine or more people) cross-classified by presence and number of family members under 18 years old (from no children present to eight or more children
present). Unrelated individuals and two-person families are further differentiated by age of reference person (RP) (under 65 years old and 65 years old and over).
To determine a person's poverty status, one compares the person’s total family income in the last 12 months with the poverty threshold appropriate for that person's family size and composition
(see example below). If the total income of that person's family is less than the threshold appropriate for that family, then the person is considered “below the poverty level,” together
with every member of his or her family. If a person is not living with anyone related by birth, marriage, or adoption, then the person's own income is compared with his or her poverty
threshold. The total number of people below the poverty level is the sum of people in families and the number of unrelated individuals with incomes in the last 12 months below the poverty
threshold.
Since ACS is a continuous survey, people respond throughout the year. Because the income questions specify a period covering the last 12 months, the appropriate poverty thresholds are
determined by multiplying the base-year poverty thresholds (1982) by the average of the monthly inflation factors for the 12 months preceding the data collection.
For example, consider a family of three with one child less than 18 years of age, interviewed in July 2009 and reporting a total family income of $14,000 for the last 12 months (July
2008 to June 2009). The base year (1982) threshold for such a family is $7,765, while the average of the 12 inflation factors is 2.22421. Multiplying $7,765 by 2.22421 determines the
appropriate poverty threshold for this family type, which is $17,271. Comparing the family’s income of $14,000 with the poverty threshold shows that the family and all people in the
family are
considered to have been in poverty. The only difference for determining poverty status for unrelated individuals is that the person’s individual total income is compared with the threshold
rather than the family’s income.
Individuals for Whom Poverty Status is Determined
Poverty status was determined for all people except institutionalized people, people in military group quarters, people in college dormitories, and unrelated individuals under 15 years
old. These groups were excluded from the numerator and denominator when calculating poverty rates.
Table 7
Poverty Thresholds for 2009 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years
Size of family unit
Weighted
average
thresholds
Related children under 18 years
None
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
or more
One person (unrelated individual)....
10,956
Under 65 years.......................
11,161
11,161
65 years and over....................
10,289
10,289
Two people............................
13,991
Householder under 65 years...........
14,439
14,366
14,787
Householder 65 years and over......
12,982
12,968
14,731
Three people..........................
17,098
16,781
17,268
17,285
Four people...........................
21,954
22,128
22,490
21,756
21,832
Five people...........................
25,991
26,686
27,074
26,245
25,603
25,211
Six people............................
29,405
30,693
30,815
30,180
29,571
28,666
28,130
Seven people..........................
33,372
35,316
35,537
34,777
34,247
33,260
32,108
30,845
Eight people..........................
37,252
39,498
39,847
39,130
38,501
37,610
36,478
35,300
35,000
Nine people or more...................
44,366
47,514
47,744
47,109
46,576
45,701
44,497
43,408
43,138
41,476
Note: The poverty thresholds are updated each year using the change in the average annual Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). Since the average annual CPI-U for
2009 was lower than the average annual CPI-U for 2008, poverty thresholds for 2009 are slightly lower than the corresponding thresholds for 2008.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.