TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Carol Helland |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Seraphie Allen |
Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Brooke Buckingham |
Human Services Manager |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Alaric Bien |
Senior Planner |
TITLE:
title
Approve King County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2025 Funding Allocation Plan
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
As part of the Interlocal agreement with King County, each year Redmond must develop a plan for allocating its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funds. This plan is for funds to be received, allocated, and spent in 2025.
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☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
King County Consortium Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan
• Required:
Community Development Block Grant Program Joint Interlocal Agreement
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
Projects eligible to receive CDBG funds are limited due to various federal requirements. Funds may be used for public services (i.e., human services programs) and capital projects that demonstrate a direct benefit to Redmond residents that meet the low- to moderate-income requirements. The proportion of funds available for each type of activity is determined by the interlocal agreement between Joint Agreement Cities and King County. Funds may be used in three categories, Capital, Public Service, and Administration, as described below.
Capital Funding Process and Recommendation: CDBG may support certain Public Improvement and/or Parks projects, and there are many constraints related to the use of these funds. Support for affordable housing is an allowed use, and staff is recommending that the 2025 CDBG capital funds be allocated to A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH), as they have been for many years.
Public Service Funding Process and Recommendation: Programs that may be considered for public service funding are dedicated to human service activities that must also meet strict CDBG eligibility and reporting requirements. Staff reviewed applications that were received as part of the regular 2025-2026 Human Services allocation process. Only proposals for new or expanded services may be considered for CDBG funding, though continuing programs that have been supported using CDBG are eligible to continue receiving those funds. Based on these criteria, staff is recommending that Redmond allocate its 2025 CDBG Public Services funds to PorchLight to continue supporting the services and operation of an emergency shelter for men experiencing homelessness in East King County.
Planning & Administration Funding Recommendation: CDBG allows up to 20% of the grant for planning and administration purposes. Ten percent is retained by the County for administration of the consortium capital expenditures, housing stability program, housing repair program, and other activities required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The other 10% may be waived and applied to capital projects. However, our experience has been that the amount of staff time spent on administrative activities consistently exceeds the maximum allowed. The rest has been supported by City funds. Staff is recommending the full 10% be allocated to the planning and administration of this grant.
The full plan for which approval is needed is summarized in Attachment A.
OUTCOMES:
Approval of this funding plan keeps the City in compliance with County requirements governing the pending distribution of 2025 CDBG funds to the City. Allocation of these funds will help support emergency shelter for men experiencing homelessness, Redmond’s contribution to ARCH capital funds, and staff time to plan for and administer these funds, ensuring compliance with all federal regulations.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
The required 15-day notice for public comment was posted in the Seattle Times on July 26, 2024. Opportunity for in-person public comment was held at a public meeting on August 26, 2024.
Opportunity for written public comment was given from July 26 through August 26, 2024.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Written public notice was published in the Seattle Times.
• Feedback Summary:
No public comment was received.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
Approximately $257,163. The exact amount will not be known until the budget is passed by Congress in 2025 (typically by early summer).
Staffing to support this work is being provided by the Department of Planning and Community Development - Human Services Division.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000037 - Housing and Human Services
Budget Priority:
Vibrant and Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grants
Budget/Funding Constraints:
All funds must be expended between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
09/17/2024 |
Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
|
Nothing proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
The City’s allocation plan must be submitted to King County by October 18, 2024, in order to be incorporated into their process for submission to the federal government. To meet this timeline, Council must approve a plan by its October 15, 2024, meeting.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
Should Council decline to approve the funding allocation plan, the City would need to propose a new set of uses and begin the process again starting with the 15-day public notice, public comment period, internal committee review, presentation to the Public Safety and Human Services Committee of the Whole, and approval by City Council. Alternatively, the City could return the funds to the County for use by the entire CDBG Consortium.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Proposed 2025 Redmond CDBG Allocation Plan