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Second Public Hearing on CDBG-NR Grant Application for Emergency Housing Repairs and Park Improvements
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to (1) hold a public hearing on the draft application from the Town of Carrboro for Federal Community Development Block Grant - Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) Funds, and (2) to authorize the Town to submit an application for CDBG-NR funds.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Housing and Community Services, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Programming
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ Climate _X___ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
The comprehensive plan identified the provision of critical home repair as one way to maintain affordable housing stock and to secure and maintain stable housing for low-to-moderate income and aging in place households. It also identified a goal to ensure all people in Carrboro have safe, equitable, and connected access to parks, open space, and recreational facilities. Race and Equity and Climate Action pocket questions can be found in Attachments B and C respectively.
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Information
INFORMATION: The Rural Economic Development Division (REDD) of the North Carolina Department of Commerce announced funding availability through the Community Development Block Grant - Neighborhood Revitalization category. The Town of Carrboro is eligible to apply as a non-entitlement municipality and can apply for a maximum of $950,000. Tropical Storm Chantal recovery efforts are not eligible for these funds. Excerpted guidelines for the grant are included as Attachment D.
Carrboro staff proposes applying for the CDBG-NR funds to be used for providing emergency home repairs to Carrboro homeowners who are low-to-moderate income (LMI) and to conduct park and playground improvements at Town Commons, located within the Qualified Census Tract (QCT), and Simpson Park, bordering the QCT. Housing repairs must benefit 100% low-to-moderate income households, and park improvements must benefit no less than 51% LMI.
After assessing housing repair needs and existing resources, staff recommend requesting $355,000 for emergency home repairs. This funding will support repairs not included in the scope of the Town’s weatherization funds and will stretch the Affordable Housing Special Revenue Fund dollars further. CDBG-NR requires a Housing Selection Committee to approve beneficiaries; this function is within the charge of the Housing and Human Services Advisory Commission.
The remaining non-administrative funds ($500,000) will accelerate the timeline for improvements to Town Commons and Simpson Park. A project summary is provided (Attachment E). Before submitting an application, the Town of Carrboro must hold a public hearing after the application is drafted but prior to its submission. The draft application is available online at Housing and Community Services | Carrboro, NC - Official Website <https://www.carrboronc.gov/2377/Housing-and-Community-Services>.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no budgetary impact associated with this item at this time. If the Town of Carrboro is awarded CDBG-NR funds, up to $950,000 would be available for this project.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommend that the Town Council (1) conduct the public hearing and accept comment on the draft application for CDBG-NR funds and (2) authorize the Housing and Community Services department to submit the application for CDBG-NR funds.
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