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Home My WebLink About921036.tiff RESOLUTION RE: APPROVE ANNUAL UPDATE OF COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION AND AUTHORIZE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with an annual update of the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) Implementation by the Weld County Housing Authority, which will be incorporated with the Greeley portion of the CHAS constituting the Greeley/Weld CHAS Plan for 1993, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said strategy, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, ex-officio Housing Authority Board, that the annual update of Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy Implementation be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chairman be, and hereby is, authorized to sign said strategy. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 26th day of October, A.D. , 1992. (/fin/ �{/p//, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ATTEST41/141 /✓ L/�` �` WELD COUNTY, COLORADO Weld County Clerk to the Board EXCUSED /�.[�/J,J � Geor e Kennedy, Chairman BY: �X f� f ` / '`i{y ///L Deputy Clerk to the Boar Constance L. Har er , Pro-Tem APPROVED AS T FORM: le f,/,-,447 C. W. Kirby EXCUSED County Attorney Gordon E. Lacy W. H. Webster 921036 , arc pc- ' KR STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION Priority Number 1 Moderate Rehabilitation/Acquisition Owner-Occupied Housing - i. Investment Plan All families assisted through the moderate rehabilitation program will qualify as a low income family as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Moderate Rehabilitation activity through Weld County has been conducted through the Small Cities CDBG and the Farmers Home Administration Housing Preservation program for owner-occupied housing. The Owner-occupied program has been administered since 1983 in designated target areas of the County. It has become a very popular program with local officials, the business community and program participants. Occasionally units are identified which can not justify rehabilitation since the cost of rehabilitation would exceed 50% of the value of the home. In these instances alternative replacement housing is considered the most practical solution and has been used on these occasions. Prior to 1992, the owner-occupied program was administered as a deferred payment loan program with provisions for forgiveness. Due to a policy change instituted by the Colorado Division of Housing the owner-occupied program is now administered as a loan program with no provision for forgiveness. Homeowners are approved for housing rehabilitation as a 3% loan. The term of the loan is flexible to permit the family's monthly payment to be based on their ability to repay. Weld County also administers an Emergency Repair program as a component of the housing rehabilitation program. This program provides funds up to $5,000 for the repair of health and safety hazards requiring immediate attention. Funds for this program is provided from program revenues from the proceeds of the housing rehabilitation loans. Occasionally Weld County gains possession of properties, mostly manufactured housing, through unpaid taxes. On several occasions these properties have been provided, "free of charge," to the Housing Authority, for use by a family who has been selected as a candidate for replacement housing. During 1993, Weld County will continue to utilize this practice. During 1993, Weld County will explore possibilities of leveraging Community Development Block Grant funds and Farmers Home Housing Preservation funds with Community Reinvestment Act funds and or Federal Home Land Bank funds. To address moderate rehabilitation, Weld County expects to commit $250,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds, $90,000 in Farmers Home Housing Preservation Grant funds, $10,000 in Community Reinvestment Act funds and $50,000 in Federal Home Land Bank funds. 921036 ii. Geographic Distribution During the next fiscal year, Weld County will continue it' s rehabilitation efforts of owner-occupied single family homes in the targeted area of Weld County. Currently this area includes a Census Tract approach involving Census Tracts 10, 17, 18, 19.01, 20 and 21. The cities/towns participating include Erie, Evans, Fort Lupton, Firestone, Gjlcrest, Johnstown and Platteville. Through the efforts of the rehabilitation program, involved communities have rehabed homes and have up-graded the overall quality of housing. A homeowner who may not qualify for the program wants his/her home to look as good as a rehabed home and many times does the work himselfto acheive a similar housing standard. This is the main goal of the program: to encourage communities to identify their own needs and work to find a solution to their problems. In Weld County, we have found the housing rehabilitation program to be an effective strategy to assist communities to maintain their housing stock. iii. Service Delivery and Management Housing Rehabilitation will be administered through the Weld County Housing Authority under the auspices of Weld County. Weld County Housing Authority has administered housing rehabilitation since 1983. Monitoring of the activitity comes from the County as well as the Colorado Division of Housing. Priority Number 2 Moderate Rehabilitation/Acquisition Rental Housing i. Investment Plan Rental rehabilitation has been administered in targeted areas of the County since 1985. Funding for the program was funded through the HUD Rental Rehabilitation program administered by the State Division of Housing. This funding was eliminated during the past year. During 1993 we anticipate that the HOME program will replace the "old" Rental Rehabilitation Program under a loan financing formula. The program will benefit both low income and very low income families. $100,000 in HOME funds are expected to be committed to rental rehabilitation activities during 1993. ii. Geographic Distribution The targeted area for the Rental Rehabilitation program is yet undetermined. The target area will be selected on the basis of the current and projected rents in that area to assure affordable rents for low and moderate income families. 921036 Priority Number 2 New Construction/Substantial Rehab Rental Housing i. Investment Plan During the past year, the supply of housing has become tighter. Since supply also affects the costs of rental housing, rents have gone up substantially during the same period. As the rental market becomes tighter, the low income population is significantly impacted. Without an increase in the availability of housing, the price for affordable housing remains out of reach for the low income group. Most landlords do not want to rent to these families because they cannot demonstrate a good rental history, and compete in a tight market. The most appropriate means of alleviating the problem is by promoting 'more new construction, thereby increasing the supply of housing. During 1993 Weld County will explore the possibility of utilizing the HOME program, the Federal Home Land Bank and the Farmers Home Administration as possible resources to augment the supply of housing for the low and very low income population. ii. Geographic Distribution New construction of rental housing will be explored in the areas of the County which have the lowest vacancy rates. Market surveys will also be used to substantiate the need for new construction of rental housing. iii. Service Delivery and Management Weld County will support the efforts of local investors and non-profit developers in the expansion of affordable rental housing opportunities for the low and very low income populations. Ownership and management of these units will be the responsibility of the individual investors and non-profit developers. 921036 Priority Number 3 New Construction/Substantial Rehab Related Infrastructure Owner-Occupied Housing i. Investment Plan During 1993 Weld County will support the efforts of developers and other organizations to expand the supply of new homes for low and very-low income persons. The primary funding source through this approach will be the Farmers Home Administration. Currently Colorado Rural Housing Development Corporation continues its self-help program in a subdivision in Fort Lupton, with plans to expand their program to a subdivision in Erie. Private developers are also constructing owner-occupied housing in the town of Windsor. The Farmers Home Administration is the primary funding source. Weld County has no plans to become directly involved in new construction of owner-occupied housing during 1993. ii. Geographic Distribution The targeted areas of Fort Lupton, Erie and Windsor. iii. Service Delivery and Management The service delivery and management of programs for new construction homeownership will be the responsiblity of the developers. New construction is not planned for the homeless population. Priority Number 1 Rental Assistance i. Investment Plan Due to the high number of families in the County faced with the affordable housing issues, rental assistance continues to represent a number one priority. Without rental assistance, many families would undoubtedly face homelessness. Weld County Housing Authority has applied to HUD for 25 additional Section 8 Certificates to augment our existing Section 8 efforts. Weld County will continue to support the efforts of other delivery systems which provide rental assistance to special needs population groups; specifically the mentally ill, the developmentally disabled and the elderly. During 1993 Weld County, through the Weld County Housing Authority, expects to obligate $165,000 in Section 8 funds for rental assistance ii. Geographic Distribution Rental Assistance, through the Section 8 program, is available for the all of Weld County. 9rjvl.Ot)e iii. Service Delivery and Management The Weld County Housing Authority has administered the Section 8 Existing program in the areas of the County, exclusive of the City of Greeley since 1981. Project based rental assistance projects are managed by the private sector. 921036 Priority Number 2 Homebuyers Assistance i. Investment Plan Assistance for first-time homebuyers has been conducted by CHFA and through County sponsored Mortgage Revenue Bonds. These approaches will continue during the next five years. In addition, Weld County will explore the HOME program as an alternative for providing assistance for first-time homebuyers. In addition to eligible low and very low income persons, participants of the Section 8 program, will be targeted to those participants who are making the transition from a renter to a homeowner. A part of this program will encompass a case management component which will promote self-sufficiency elements. This strategy will be a level two priority and is contingent upon funding availability. Provided that funds are available, Weld County expects to commit $50,000 in HOME funds for first-time homebuyers. ii. Geographic Distribution The Homebuyer Assistance Program will be offered in all unincorporated areas of the County as well as incorporated communities who choose to participate in the program. iii. Service Delivery and Management The Homebuyer Assistance program will be administered through the Weld County Housing Authority. Priority Number 2 Support Facilities and Services i. Investment Plan Weld County has supported a variety of support facilities and services including the Island Grove Treatment Center, Weld Mental Health, United Way, the homeless shelters: Guadalupe Center, Greeley Transitional House, Triangle Cross Ranch, Centennial Development Services and Greeley Resources for Independent People, to name a few. Any approach to housing must encompass a holistic approach which promotes self-sufficiency of the participants. The activity is a level two priority for the County with the emphasis on the maintenance of the current network already established. During 1993, Weld County expects to commit $25,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds, and $15,000 in Emergency Community Services Homeless Grant funds. The actual level of funding is subject to availability from the State. ii. Geographic Distribution Homeless funds will be awarded to non-profit agencies who have demonstrated an effective record of administering program which benefit the homeless population. 921036 iii. Management responsibility of the Emergency Shelter Grant and the Emergency Community Services Homeless Grant shall be through the auspices of Weld County. RELEVANT PUBLIC POLICIES During the CHAS planning process, a series of public meetings were conducted to determine the status ofrental market, and needs of special populations low and moderate income persons aspiring to be homeowners. Weld County has long been concerned with the preservation of it's housing stock through the enforcement of coded violations in order to promote decent, safe and sanitary housing. In 1989, the County Building Code was amended to assure that all housing meets minimum housing standards. The Weld County Housing Authority and the Weld County Housing Coalition served as the driving force which lead to the adoption of this ordinance by the County Commissioners. Since the adoption of this ordinance, the County has cooperated with property owners who have been cited for violations by offering technical and financial assistance. Low and moderate income families have been assisted through the Community Development Block Grant program and a locally sponsored Emergency Rehabilitation program. The County will continue to provide resources to eligible families and property owners in an effort to promote decent, safe and sanitary housing. The shortage of housing for migrant farm workers has been a critical issue for several years. Many of the "camps" and other related housing have been closed or razed. Weld County continues to look toward the farmers and growers as the principal parties who have the responsibility of providing housing for their workers. Moreover, the shortage of housing for this population group has a negative impact upon the migrant services and related support systems as well as the agricutural economy of the County. As a means of providing more housing for migrant and seasonal workers, the County continues to support efforts of the private sector and non-profit groups in acquiring, rehabilitating and managing farm worker housing. Migrant and seasonal farmworkers housing will be a number two priority during 1993. The County continues to promote decent housing for migrant and seasonal famrworkers through the sponsorship of grant applications to State and Federal funding sources. All efforts involving farm labor housing will be coordinated with the respective non-profit organization, incorporated communities in which the housing is located, as well as farmers and growers. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE To address housing and homeless issues, Weld County has organized a Homeless/Housing Task force comprised of community, public and private sector representation. The mission of the task force is to develop a comprehensive and strategic plan that will respond to the present and future housing and shelter needs of Weld County' s homeless and low income populations including migrants, elderly and other special needs population groups. Recommendations from the Task Force will be considered for implementation by the County, the City of Greeley and United Way. The Task Force has two subcommittees: the Legislative/Funding and the Local Delivery system Subcommittees. The subcommittees will be conducting an analysis of the current housing services in the County, identifying duplication and gaps in services, establishing goals and objectives and offering outcome criteria to improve services. A need identified during the CHAS planning process was for a comprehensive housing resource center which would serve as a clearinghouse for information ranging from emergency housing availability to foreclosure prevention. 921036 ACTIVITIES TO INVOLVE PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS IN RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT AND OWNERSHIP The Weld County Housing Authority does not own or manage rental housing. The Weld County Housing Authority Board promotes private sector and non-profit groups to own and manage rental housing. The Housing/Homeless Task Force, will explore tenant residential management and ownership as an alternative, wherever feasible. POLICIES, RULES AND REGULATIONS Weld County fully supports efforts which contribute to a family' s right to choose where they live regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. If the County becomes aware of any allegation of discrimination, the County is prepared to take the appropriate remedy as necessary, including the coordination with federal and state enforcement agencies responsible for fair housing and civil rights laws. All programs administered by Weld County benefiting low and moderate income families offer a hearing process to mediate any decisions affecting benefits. Any policies, rules or regulations which are identified as negatively impacting affordable housing will be addressed by the County in an open process. Affordable housing may require flexibility in zoning requirements. Historically, the County Board of Adjustments has exercised understanding when considering variances for projects which correct code violations involving low and very low income persons. PROGRAM SERVICES AND SPECIAL INITIATIVE STRATEGIES The County, through the Weld County Housing Authority, administers the Section 8 Existing Certificate and Voucher programs, a CDBG moderate rehabilitation and alternative replacement housing program and a rental rehabilitation program in targeted areas of the County. Program applications are submitted directly to the funding source from the County; for CDBG and HOME funds, the State of Colorado serves as the funding source. A locally funded Emergency Rehabilitation program, which addresses specific repair or code violations, is also available to, low and moderate income families. Depending upon funding, all of the existing programs will be maintained during the next five years. The County will also continue to explore other programs which address the housing needs of the low and moderate income and the homeless population. Through the network of homeless, emergency and other providers, the County will continue to provide administrative, technical and financial assistance during the next five years. Weld County is very concerned that services are being coordinated in the most efficient and cost effective manner. The County will continue it's sponsorship of the Emergency Shelter Grant funds and the Emergency Community Services Homeless Grant funds through criteria that results in the most efficient delivery of services. 221036 CERTIFICATIONS FAIR HOUSING The jurisdiction hereby certifies that it will affirmatively further fair housing. Signature of Authorized Official RELOCATION AND ANTIDISPLACEMENT The jurisdiction hereby certifies that it is in compliance with a residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan under section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Signature of Authorized Official /%/yam 15 921036 Kletoa DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES P.O. 6 GREELEY,COLORADO 80632 Administration and Public Assistance(303)352-1551 Child Support(303)352-6933 C Protective and Youth Services(303)352-1923 O Food Stamps(303)356-3850 FAX(303)353-5215 COLORADO TO: George Kennedy, Chairman Board of Weld County Commissioners FROM; Judy A. Griego, Director Department of Social Services SUBJECT: Approval of Annual Update of Co ` reh sive usi g Affordability Strategy (CHAS) DATE: October 21, 1992 Enclosed for Board approval is an annual update of the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) . The purpose of the CHAS is to identify housing needs in the County and to develop a plan to address those housing needs. Moreover, the CHAS identifies the housing programs and the amount of funds which we plan to apply for during the next year. The Weld County portion of the CHAS will be incorporated with the Greeley portion of the CHAS constituting the Greeley/Weld Comprehensive Affordability Strategy Annual Plan for 1993. Under the annual update, the following priorities were established. 1. Priority One: Moderate rehabilitation of owner-occupied and rental assistance. 2. Priority Two: Rental rehabilitation, new construction of rental housing, assistance for first-time home buyers and support of owner-occupied housing. 3. Priority Three: New construction of owner-occupied housing. If you have any questions, please telephone me at extension 6200. JAG:jac Enclosure NOTE: This annual update was discussed at the Housing Authority Board Work Session of 10/19/92. 921036 L-14-nn i n Hello