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 |
Brooke Buckingham |
Human Services Manager |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Alaric Bien |
Senior Planner |
TITLE:
title
Proposed King County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2023 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 2023.
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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:
Council has not requested this information.
• 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 a number of constraints related to the use of these funds. Support for affordable housing is an allowed use, and staff is recommending that the 2023 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 2023-2024 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 2023 CDBG Public Services funds to Congregations for the Homeless to continue supporting the services and operation of an emergency shelter for homeless men on the Eastside.
Planning & Administration Funding Recommendation: CDBG allows up to 20 percent of the grant for planning and administration purposes. While this may be waived and applied to capital projects, our experience has been that the amount of staff time spent on eligible activities consistently exceeds the maximum allowed. The rest has been supported by City funds. Staff is recommending the full 20% 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 2023 CDBG funds to the City. Allocation of these funds will help support emergency shelter for men experiencing homelessness, Redmond’s contribution to A Regional Coalition on Housing’s 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 June 10, 2022. Opportunity for in-person public comment was held at a public meeting on June 27, 2022.
Opportunity for written public comment was given from June 10 through June 27, 2022.
• 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 $237,585. The exact amount will not be known until the budget is passed by Congress in 2023 (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:
000248
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, 2023.
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
8/16/22 |
Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services |
Provide direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
|
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
The City’s allocation plan must be submitted to King County by October 7, 2022, 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 September 20, 2022, 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 2023 Redmond CDBG Allocation Plan