CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: May 14, 2024.
Agenda Date: May 28, 2024.
Prepared By: Florence Torbert, Housing Program Coordinator
Through: Charlene Neuterman, Community Services Director
Requested Action:
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Conduct the Final public hearing on the proposed FY2024/2025 Action Plan; approve the Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan for submission to HUD; and authorize the Mayor to sign all subsequent certifications and agreements..
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Cocoa anticipates receiving $128,609 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $76,044 in HOME grant funds for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City receives HOME funds from HUD as part of the Brevard County HOME Consortium, which is composed of the cities of Cocoa, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville, and Brevard County.
The overall purpose of the CDBG Program is the development of viable urban communities by providing quality housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of low- and moderate income. Eligible activities include public services, public facilities and improvements, housing, code enforcement, clearance and demolition, economic development, acquisition, and disposition. At least 70% of all CDBG funds must be expended on program activities benefiting low- and moderate-income persons. HOME Program funds can only be used for housing activities benefiting low- and moderate-income persons.
Based on priorities and goals identified in the FY 2022/2027 Consolidated Plan, the City of Cocoa developed a one-year Action Plan, which identifies community development projects that shall be undertaken between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. The City’s Citizen Participation Plan was updated in 2024 to reflect improvements to communications and notifications to the community.
As required by HUD and the City’s Citizen Participation Plan, an ad was placed in the Florida Today newspaper summarizing the proposed projects and a 30-day public comment period. The 30-day public comment period began April 19, 2024 and ended on May 19, 2024. All comments received during the comment period were noted in the document.
Projects were advertised with funding amounts of $128,609 for CDBG and $76,044 for HOME in accordance to Council’s approved recommendations on May 28, 2024. On May 24, 2024, the City received notification of updated HOME allocations totaling $64,924.02, a decrease f $11,119.98.
PROPOSED FINAL STATEMENT OF CDBG PROJECTS FOR FY 2024/2025
PUBLIC SERVICES:
Community Services Council (meals on wheels & seniors at lunch) $ 4000.00
Family Promise of Brevard (rent/mortgage assistance) $ 5,291.35
Central Brevard Sharing Center (community kitchen) $ 5,000.00
Salvation Army (meals in domestic violence shelter) $ 5,000.00
CDBG OTHER AND PUBLIC FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS:
Repayment of Section 108 Loan Guarantee $77,188.65
ADMINISTRATION:
CDBG Administration and Operational funds $ 31,129.00
Fair Housing Education & Outreach $ 1,000.00
TOTAL CDBG FUNDS: $128,609
PROPOSED FINAL STATEMENT OF HOME PROJECTS FOR FY 2024/2025
Housing: CHDO $9,738.60
HOME: Housing Activity $48,693.02
HOME Administration and Operational funds $ 4,823.85
HOME Administration County $ 1,668.55
TOTAL HOME FUNDS: $64,924.02
Staff is requesting Council approve the proposed FY2024/2025 Action Plan; approve the plan for submission to HUD; and authorize the Mayor to sign all subsequent certifications and agreements.
PRIORITY AREA CONNECTION:
Economic and Community Development.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Budgeted N/A
To be budgeted in FY 2025
PREVIOUS ACTION:
First Reading approved on March 11, 2024
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Recommendation
Conduct the Final public hearing on the proposed FY2024/2025 Action Plan; approve the Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan for submission to HUD; and authorize the Mayor to sign all subsequent certifications and agreements.end