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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 (CDBG) & (ESG) & (HOME) Program- Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report { DRAFT VERSION AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FROM FEBRUARY 27, 2024 THROUGH MARCH 13, 2024. 2023 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT FOR THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) & EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT (ESG) AND THE ST. JOSEPH COUNTY HOUSING CONSORTIUM HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (HOME) .,,SDU,rq e /O U na8i1,-111114 W PEACE 1865 `Filed in Clerk's Office FEB 2 8 2024 Bianca Tirado City Clerk,South Bend, IN 1 • Fifty-four(54)Permanent Supportive Housing rental units; • One(1)new construction,Permanent Supportive Housing scattered site rental unit; • Two(2)new construction rental units The NNRO was formed in 2000 to strengthen and revitalize South Bend's Northeast Neighborhood. In 2023,the NNRO completed the following: • One(1)mortgage subsidy. NNRO projects expected to be completed in 2024: • One(1)single-family new construction home. • One(1)mortgage subsidy. NNRO projects expected to be completed in 2025: • One(1)single-family new construction home. The NNN has been improving the quality of life in the Near Northwest Neighborhood for over 30 years.The NNN completed the following projects in 2023: • One(1)single-family acquisition-rehab sale; • Two(2)new construction rental units NNN projects to be completed in 2024: • Two(2)single-family new construction home sales; • One(1)single-family home acquisition-rehab sale; • Six(6)new construction rental units CAPER 2 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Goal Category Source/ Indicator Unit of Expected Actual— Percent Expected Actual— Percent Amount Measure — Strategic Complete — Program Complete Strategic Plan Program Year Plan Year CDBG:$ APM-1 /HOME: Administration Other Other 10 7 3 0 Management $/ESG: 70.00% 0.00% $2000 d CDBG:$ APM-2 Planning Administration /HOME: Other Other 0 1 0 0.00% $ .,\ Public Facility or Infrastructure Non-Housing CDS-1 Activities other than Persons Community CDBG:$ 0 14045 0 14045 Infrastructure Low/Moderate Assisted Development Income Housing Benefit Public Facility or Infrastructure Non-Housing CDS-1 Activities for Households Community I CDBG:$ 0 0 Infrastructure Low/Moderate Assisted Development I Income Housing Benefit CDS-1 Non-Housing Infrastructure Community CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Development CAPER 4 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Public service Non-Housing activities for CDS-3 Public Households Community CDBG:$ Low/Moderate 0 0 Service Assisted Development Income Housing Benefit Non-Housing CDS-3 Public Homeless Person Persons Community CDBG:$ 0 632 0 632 Service Overnight Shelter Assisted Development Non-Housing Overnight/Emergency CDS-3 Public Community CDBG:$ Shelter/Transitional Beds 0 0 0 0 Service Development Housing Beds added Non-Housing CDS-3 Public Community CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Service Development Public Facility or Infrastructure Non-Housing CDS-4 Public Activities other than Persons Community CDBG:$ 0 0 Transit Low/Moderate Assisted Development Income Housing Benefit Public service Non-Housing activities other than CDS-4 Public Persons Community CDBG:$ Low/Moderate 0 0 Transit Assisted Development Income Housing Benefit Public service Non-Housing activities for CDS-4 Public Households Community CDBG:$ Low/Moderate 0 0 Transit Assisted Development Income Housing Benefit CAPER 6 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Public service Non-Housing activities for CDS-7 Public Households Safety Community CDBG:$ Low/Moderate Assisted 0 0 Development Income Housing Benefit Non-Housing CDS-7 Public Community CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Safety Development Non-Housing CDS-8 Community CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Revitalization Development CDS-9 Non-Housing Neighborhood Community CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Organizations Development Public service Non-Housing activities other than EDS-1 Persons Employment Community CDBG:$ Low/Moderate Assisted 0 0 Development Income Housing Benefit Non-Housing EDS-1 Community CDBG:$ Jobs created/retained Jobs 0 0 Employment Development Non-Housing EDS-1 Community CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Employment Development Non-Housing EDS-2 Financial Businesses Community CDBG:$ Businesses assisted 0 0 Assistance Assisted Development CAPER 8 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Public service HOM-2 CDBG:$ activities other than Persons Operation/Support Homeless /ESG:$ Low/Moderate Assisted 11040 18739 0 31 169.74% Income Housing Benefit HOM-2 CDBG:$ Homeless Person Persons Homeless 0 0 0 0 Operation/Support /ESG:$ Overnight Shelter Assisted HOM-2 CDBG:$ Homeless Other Other 0 0 Operation/Support /ESG:$ HOM-3 Homeless Homelessness Persons Homeless CDBG:$ 0 0 Prevention Prevention Assisted HOM-3 Homeless Homeless CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Prevention HOM-4 Permanent Household Supportive Homeless HOME: Rental units Housing 0 0 0 0 $ constructed Housing Unit HOM-4 Permanent Household HOME: Housing for Homeless Supportive Homeless Housing 100 44 0 22 Housing $ added Unit 44.00% HOM-4 Permanent HOME: Supportive Homeless $ Other Other 0 0 Housing CDBG:$ HOM-5 Shelter Homeless Person Persons i Homeless /ESG: 0 0 2000 0 Housing $126729 Overnight Shelter Assisted 0.00% CDBG:$ 1 HOM-5 Shelter Homeless /ESG: Other Other 0 0 Housing $126729 CAPER 10 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Household HSS-3 Housing Affordable CDBG:$ Rental units Housing 20 22 0 18 Rehabilitation Housing rehabilitated 110.00% Unit Household HSS-3 Housing Affordable Homeowner Housing CDBG:$ Housing 460 99 17 22 Rehabilitation Housing Rehabilitated 21.52% 129.41% Unit Household HSS-3 Housing Affordable Housing for Homeless CDBG:$ Housing 0 0 0 0 Rehabilitation Housing added Unit Household HSS-3 Housing Affordable Housing for People CDBG:$ Housing 0 0 0 0 Rehabilitation Housing with HIV/AIDS added Unit HSS-3 Housing Affordable Rehabilitation Housing CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Affordable HSS-4 Fair Housing CDBG:$ Other Other 5 0 Housing 0.00% Household HSS-5 Lead-Based Affordable Rental units CDBG:$ Housing 0 0 Paint Housing rehabilitated Unit HSS-5 Lead-Based Affordable Homeowner Housing Household CDBG:$ Housing 0 0 Paint Housing Rehabilitated Unit HSS-5 Lead-Based Affordable CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Paint Housing Public service activities for HSS-6 Housing Affordable Households CDBG:$ Low/Moderate 25 0 Education Housing Assisted 0.00% Income Housing Benefit CAPER 12 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Public service activities for SNS-2 Social Non-Homeless Households CDBG:$ Low/Moderate 0 0 Services Special Needs Assisted Income Housing Benefit SNS-2 Social Non-Homeless CDBG:$ Other Other 0 0 Services Special Needs Public Facility or Infrastructure Non-Homeless Activities other than Persons SNS-3 Accessiblity CDBG:$ 0 0 Special Needs Low/Moderate Assisted Income Housing Benefit Public service activities other than Non-Homeless Persons SNS-3 Accessiblity CDBG:$ Low/Moderate 0 0 Special Needs Assisted Income Housing Benefit Public service activities for Non-Homeless Households SNS-3 Accessiblity CDBG:$ Low/Moderate 0 0 Special Needs Assisted Income Housing Benefit Household Non-Homeless Rental units SNS-3 Accessiblity CDBG:$ Housing 0 0 Special Needs rehabilitated Unit Household Non-Homeless Homeowner Housing SNS-3 Accessiblity CDBG:$ Housing 0 0 Special Needs Rehabilitated Unit CAPER 14 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Coronavirus Pandemic: • food resources • emergency rent and mortgage assistance • emergency utility assistance • supportive services • program administration The accomplishments of the City of South Bend and the St.Joseph County Housing Consortium were consistent with the Consolidated Plan's high-priority community development and housing objectives,and are presented in this report. CAPER 16 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a) Identify the resources made available Source of Funds Source Resources Made Amount Expended Available During Program Year CDBG public-federal 2,860,991 4,705,992 HOME public-federal 1,536,400 874,149 ESG public-federal 210,014 282,813 Table 3-Resources Made Available Narrative In 2023,the City of South Bend continued to use the remaining balances on the CARE Act funding allocated during the Coronavirus pandemic. ESG-CV:The balance 1/1/2023 was$5,308 and was spent prior to the end of the year. CDBG-CV:A total of$363,096 was expended throughout the year.As of 12/31/2023,there was $234,112 to carry over to 2024. Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Target Area Planned Actual Narrative Description Percentage of Percentage of Allocation Allocation Low-and All projects identified for funding are Moderate-Income selected for their ability to provide Areas 70 100 services to a LMI area Table 4—Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Narrative Based on data received from HUD for the NSP1 and NSP3 programs,the areas of greatest need in the City of South Bend were identified as census tracts 6,4, 21, and 5.Two of those census tracts are located in the Near Northwest and Near West Side neighborhoods.The City also identified census tracts 19 and 20 as areas of greatest need based on the data and the foreseen likelihood of foreclosures. Additionally,the geographic allocation of resources was based upon: CAPER 18 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Leveraging Explain how federal funds leveraged additional resources(private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements were satisfied,as well as how any publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that were used to address the needs identified in the plan. ESG match dollars came from a variety of sources including State grants, other Federal grants, private donations, volunteer labor, and United Way grants. HOME match dollars came from private donations, volunteer labor, land donations, waived fees/taxes, and banked match. In 2023 the City of South Bend's Community Homebuyers Corporation (CHC) provided $77,400.00 of CDBG funds in the form of forgivable mortgage subsidies to three families, enabling them to become homeowners for the first time. These subsidies were leveraged with $305,600.00 in private mortgage funding. CDBG provides a mortgage subsidy of 20% of the purchase price of a home, not to exceed $26,000,and local lenders represented on the CHC board pool their funds to provide the remaining dollars. CHC offers financing to clients that are typically not conventionally lendable. Pre- and post-purchase counseling required for the mortgage subsidy program is a major contributing factor to its success. Rebuilding Together (formerly known as Christmas in April) has aided homeowners in various neighborhoods throughout the community since 1989. Over the years, Rebuilding Together has built a strong relationship with the City of South Bend, local trades,the higher education community, and the business community. In 2023, 750 people volunteered over several days to contribute 7400 hours in donated labor with an estimated value of$226,688 to complete moderate home repairs for 21 low-to moderate-income qualified homeowners residing in west side neighborhoods in the city of South Bend. A total of$239,744.83 of CDBG funds were invested in the project coupled with donations of$6,500 in materials and donated warehouse rent of$9,900. Fiscal Year Summary—HOME Match 1. Excess match from prior Federal fiscal year 83,696 2. Match contributed during current Federal fiscal year 158,770 3.Total match available for current Federal fiscal year(Line 1 plus Line 2) 242,466 4. Match liability for current Federal fiscal year 153,859 5. Excess match carried over to next Federal fiscal year (Line 3 minus Line 4) 88,607 Table 5—Fiscal Year Summary-HOME Match Report CAPER 20 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Match Contribution for the Federal Fiscal Year Project No.or Date of Cash Foregone Appraised Required Site Bond Total Match Other ID Contribution (non-Federal Taxes,Fees, Land/Real Infrastructure Preparation, Financing sources) Charges Property Construction Materials, _ Donated labor 18-JH-30 06/26/2023 38,407 0 0 0 20,000 0 58,407 18-JH-30(01) 11/14/2022 0 11,717 0 0 0 0 11,717 19-1H-30 12/28/2022 0 3,422 0 0 0 0 3,422 19-JH-31(02) 11/14/2022 0 11,717 0 0 0 0 11,717 21-JH-30(01) 09/30/2023 0 0 5,900 0 0 0 5,900 21-JH-30(02) 09/30/2023 0 11,717 0 0 0 0 11,717 22-JH-40 11/17/2022 20,552 0 0 0 0 0 20,552 23-JH-65 09/30/2023 0 14,818 0 0 20,520 0 35,338 Table 6-Match Contribution for the Federal Fiscal Year HOME MBE/WBE report Program Income-Enter the program amounts for the reporting period Balance on hand at Amount received during Total amount expended Amount expended for Balance on hand at end begin-ping of reporting reporting period during reporting period TBRA of reporting period period $ $ $ $ $ 0 274 274 0 0 Table 7-Program Income CAPER 22 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Relocation and Real Property Acquisition—Indicate the number of persons displaced,the cost of relocation payments,the number of parcels acquired,and the cost of acquisition Parcels Acquired 0 0 Businesses Displaced 0 0 Nonprofit Organizations Displaced 0 0 Households Temporarily Relocated, not Displaced 0 0 Households Total Minority Property Enterprises White Non- Displaced Alaskan Asian or Black Non- Hispanic Hispanic Native or Pacific Hispanic American Islander Indian Number 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cost 0 0 0 0 0 0 Table 10—Relocation and Real Property Acquisition CAPER 24 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) • Acquisition/rehab/rental activities • New construction homeowner activities • Oaklawn TBRA • Coordinated Entry • ESG Shelter Operations-AIDS Ministries,the Center for the Homeless, Life Treatment Centers, Youth Service Bureau, and the YWCA • ESG Rapid Rehousing-AIDS Ministries,Youth Service Bureau, and the YWCA • ESG TBRA—Youth Service Bureau and the YWCA In addition,the following activities were undertaken in 2023 with CARES Act funding with the goal of preventing, preparing for,and responding to the Coronavirus pandemic and are not counted in the numbers above: • CDBG-CV Emergency Rental Assistance- REAL Services • CDBG-CV Food Support Assistance—HOPE Ministries (for Motels4Now) • CDBG-CV Support Services—Oaklawn (for Motels4Now and Weather Amnesty Services) • ESG-CV—Oaklawn (for Motels4Now and Weather Amnesty Services) The City recognizes that there exists a shortage of affordable housing options. Part of this shortage is the residual impact from material shortages affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. However, in 2023, South Bend,similar to other communities across the country experienced a substanitial increase in the cost of housing which in many cases priced safe,sanitary and decent housing out of the range of affordabilty for low-and moderate-income households. Following the drastic price increase,was the continued increase in mortgage rates that further served to price housing with mortgages outside what is considered affordbable to low-and moderate-income households. While these factors directly affect home purchases, it has a residual affect on the rental market as many landlords recognized the value in selling their rental homes in the midst of a buyer-directed housing market. Many landlords were able to increase their rents as the demand for housing for all income levels increased. Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans. The outcomes noted in the attached spreadsheets for each funding source indicate that the City of South Bend and the St.Joseph County Housing Consortium are allocating funds to the activities that meet the priorities of the 2020-2024 HCD Plan and best serve low-mod income families in the respective jurisdictions. In 2023 South Bend allocated CDBG-CV funds for meals and wrap-around support services at a low-barrier site for homeless individuals and two weather amnesty locations. The creation of affordable housing remains a priority for the City of South Bend and will continue to be an area of focus for the 2024 Action Plan. CAPER 26 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320(d, e); 91.520(c) Evaluate the jurisdiction's progress in meeting its specific objectives for reducing and ending homelessness through: Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons)and assessing their individual needs The City continues to provide direct financial support to the Regional Planning Council's Coordinated Entry process. Additionally, in the past year,the City and RPC worked to establish a Lived Experience Advisory Committee, in which RPC/City representatives meet monthly with currently or formerly unhoused individuals to better understand their experiences, learn their perspectives on the current system, service gaps, etc. The City's newly contracted Homeless Coordinator has created a outreach subcommittee which meets monthly to identify locations where people were staying outside,coordinate services, plan for weather amnesty, and identify gaps in services. Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons The City, as part of the Regional Planning Council,continued to discuss and work on strategies to address the needs of persons who are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness. These stratefies resulted in the following priorities: • Continue working to restructuring the traditional shelter system utilizing the Housing First model and meeting the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (Hearth)Act priorities; and,supporting the City's efforts in joining the Mayor's Challenge to End Veteran Homlessness • Focusing on rapid re-housing activities with ESG; • Using two distinct approaches, one for circumstantially impoverished homeless and one for chronically impoverished homeless,to re-house them; • Reducing the unsheltered or precariously housed population; and • Reducing the time spent in transitional housing. The City oversees the Weather Amnesty program which provides a warm shelter for homeless individuals between the months of November and April. During the 2022/2023 season, 12,730 bed stays were utilized between two shelter facilities. A rehabiliation of the Center for the Homeless increased capacity which will allow the Weather Amnesty program to be carried out by one shelter facility. The benefit of moving to one facility is to facilitate outreach and connections to services to this population. The City also provides bus passes for agencies working with the Weather Amnesty program CAPER 28 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) partnerships with RPC agencies to close the housing gap for those who are homeless and have substance use disorders. Beacon Health System and St.Joseph Regional Medical Center, major medical hospitals in the community, have accredited Clinical Social Workers assigned to all inpatient and outpatient areas who provide discharge planning services to all patients.Trained social workers and/or case managers follow protocols to assess needs upon admission and develop a plan of care which includes the healthcare team, patient, and family.They are responsible to coordinate the plan of care incorporating services, resources, and other providers appropriate to their needs prior to discharge. Mental Health: Beacon Health System operates 4 inpatient psychiatric care units located at Epworth Hospital and follows regulatory standards and protocols to ensure appropriate discharge and follow-up care. Oaklawn Psychiatric Center is the community's designated Community Mental Health Center and provides outpatient services, including placement into permanent housing for patients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Oaklawn patients are not routinely placed in shelters for housing. A gap exists for those exiting Epworth that opt not to use Oaklawn in coordinating services. Corrections:The local parole district is committed to keeping parolees out of the homeless services system whenever possible.A Re-entry Accountability Plan is completed in advance of the inmate's release date and shared with re-entry supervising agencies.The Ducomb Center's transition program provides local services and support and only refers individuals that need housing to shelters only when necessary. A re-entry Task Force,established by the Community Corrections Advisory Board, has developed a resource guide which is distributed to area service providers and is available online. Goodwill Industries also offers a Second Changes program to increase employability of ex-offenders so that they might avoid or quickly exit the homeless assistance system. Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families,families with children,veterans and their families,and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness,facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again The chronically homeless,severely mentally ill, veterans, persons with HIV/AIDS,victims of domestic violence, and unaccompanied youth were moved into rapid re-housing options rather than the traditional shelter system whenever possible.The chronic substance abuse homeless subpopulation used a traditional shelter model with expanded services and programs. In addition to the Center for the Homeless Robert L.Veteran's Center, and the 32-unit permanent supportive housing at Oliver Apartments,the 22-unit permanent supportive housing at Hope Avenue Apartments was fully occupied in 2022. Concerted effort and progress was made in creating and addressing the By Name list as part of the Mayor's Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness. CAPER 30 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j) Actions taken to address the needs of public housing Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership The HASB participates in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS).The Family Self-Sufficiency(FSS) program supports the strategic goal of increasing economic opportunity for Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Program Participants. FSS provides grant funding to support a FSS Coordinator who assist participating families receiving housing assistance. FSS Program Coordinators develop local strategies to connect participating families to public and private resources to increase their earned income and financial empowerment, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency. In the context of the Self Sufficiency account, "self-sufficiency" is defined as a household's ability to maintain financial, housing,and personal/family stability.To achieve self-sufficiency, individuals in a household move along a continuum towards economic independence and stability;such movement is facilitated by the achievement of educational, professional, and health/mental health and financial empowerment-related goals. For the FSS program,self-sufficiency is further defined as a work-able-family's ability to maintain itself free from income-based public safety net programs such as TANF,SNAP, Medicaid and housing assistance. Many FSS program participants have expressed interest in becoming homeowners so the HASB has included a HUD approved Housing Counselor to its Program Coordinating Committee as well as offers assistance with credit repair,virtual and in person financial literacy classes and employment retention counseling to assist FSS program participants with preparing for homeownership. In 2023, participation in the FSS program increased to over 60. Of those,over half are participating in the escrow piece which encourages saving for homeownership and other financial goals. Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs Extensive training for the Board of Commissioners continues to be provided to include the following training designed to make the Board ready,willing, and able to govern the HASB and oversee its progress. The HASB Board and management team supported efforts by the City to improve communication between the two partners.Additionally,the Board passed a Resolution for the acceptance of the HASB portfolio repositioning plan to assist the HASB in recovering from its designated troubled status. In 2023, HASB utilized CDBG funds to rehabilitate rental units at the South Bend Avenue Apartments. Funds were used to replace roofs, soffits,fascia and gutters and doors. Brick tuckpointing CAPER 32 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j) Actions taken to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls,tax policies affecting land,zoning ordinances, building codes,fees and charges,growth limitations,and policies affecting the return on residential investment. 91.220 (j); 91.320 (i) In 2023,the South Bend Human Rights Commission (HRC)transitioned from fully vitual training sessions to in-person training participated in a number of community events to educate the community on fair housing issues. In the Spring of 2023, HRC hosted three virtual Fair Housing Webinars with Judith Fox, Amy Nelson and Doneisha Posey each hosting a week. The City of South Bend website's Human Rights Commission page also contains recording of past virtual webinars. The annual Fair Housing Luncheon was held in person in April which included the presenation of the high school Fair Housing Essay winners. HRC participated in a number of community events in which they staffed a vendor table and shared information regarding the services and actions they take with attendees. Events held in South Bend in 2023 included The Martin Luther King JR Celebration in January, the University of Notre Dame University of Notre Dame Juneteenth celebration in June,the City of South Bend's Police Night Out in July,the University of Notre Dame Resource Fair in August,the Meet the Mayor(City of South Bend) in September, La Casa's Trunk and Treat event in October, SBPD's Cops and Goblins event in October. At each event, HRC staff was able to share information, answer questions and pass out literature. In October 2023, HRC hosted a training titled Basics of Fair Housing in an Inclusive Community for residents of Mishawaka. The City of South Bend continues to be a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency. Housing counseling services offered include Pre-Purchase and Homebuyer Education.While not a financial mechanism, increased education and understanding around budgeting and fnancial health,and the costs and risks of homeownership can direct individuals to successful outcome. Understanding if and when a home purchase is a viable option is of critical importance. In 2022 the City adopted and implemented the following to support development which have continued into 2023: • Sewer lateral reimbursement program to reimburse up to$20,000 for certain infill housing • System Development charge ordinance to reduce development costs: Cost is associated with demand a new user will place on the water and sewer system; No cost for infill developments of up to five(5) residential units; No cost for any residential infill development done by non-profit or part of Low Income Housing Tax Credit Project. • Preapproved design plans for infill housing which adheres to the current zoning and building codes. These plans help to reduce pre-development costs to developers and builders. The plan CAPER 34 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) children,and increased awareness about available resources such as the NDLIT lead screening kit, City of South Bend lead remediation grant,and Department of Health resources. Over the past 5 years,the City has been the recipient of grant funds to address lead-based paint hazards through the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.The City currently has available approximately$3.3 million in funding through a FY21 HUD Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant for lead based paint mitigation work and healthy homes funding.The grant can assist owner-occupied and rental units with income qualifying occupants. It is anticipated that the funding will assist up to 80 housing units. The Housing Authority of South Bend maintained a Section 8 Landlord Assistance Program in which any resident living in a Section 8 unit identified as lead-contaminated,and where the owner refuses to bring the home into a lead-safe status, has an absolute preference on the Public Housing waiting list for the first available unit.Additionally, any pre-1978 Section 8 home that was identified during the Housing Authority's Annual Housing Quality Standards Inspection as having chipped, peeling, or cracked paint had to receive and pass a clearance test by a State certified inspection. These policies significantly increased the number of affordable housing units that are lead-safe in the City.The HASB also maintains an active list of current lead safe addresses. Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families.91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City of South Bend provides a variety of economic development resources including a revolving loan program,tax abatements,small business grants, business technical assistance,and tax increment financing.As an example, in 2023,the City approved 11 loans totaling over$4.4 million in direct financial support for South Bend small businesses-73 percent of loan recipients in 2023 were minority-and/or women-owned businesses.In 2023,the City approved tax abatements that would result in over $360,000,000 in new investment. Moreover, a City-wide exterior enhancement grant program was launched in January 2023 which has sparked projects that total over$327,000 in additional private investment. Through programs like Pathways and Upskill SB,the City of South Bend is providing free and reduced cost training designed to provide residents the skills and certification they need to advance their careers and improve their quality of life.The City also partners with local service providers to assist entrepreneurs in creating professional business plans,completing vendor registration (including minority-and women-owned certification with the State of Indiana), and completing an application for an SBA-guaranteed loan if needed. Upskill SB can provide a pathway to achieve a professional certification at minimal or no cost to our residents and offers professional, industry-standard certifications in areas such as information technology,business and management, health care, and climate/solar. The St.Joseph County community was further committed to implementation of the low income CAPER 36 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) • Racial&Ethnic Minority Concentrations—there is minimal racial and ethnic integration across St.Joseph County,South Bend and Mishawaka.The presence of racial/ethnic segregation presents challenges to fair housing as segregation is linked to economic and service disparities. • Individuals with Limited English Proficiency—languages spoken across the county show significant diversity. More than half of non-native English speakers report speaking English less than very well. Limited capacity to communicate hinders access to housing and public services that promote fair housing. • Protected Class Status& Unemployment—significant variation exists in the unemployment rate of the county and cities across gender, race,and ethnicity. Unemployment has severe implications for fair housing as it effects disposable income for household expenses. • Housing Rental Costs—disparity exists between the salary earned by minimum wage laborers and the fair market rent(FMR) established by HUD.The FMR for a 2-BR apartment is$810.A minimum wage laborer must work 86 hours a week to afford the rent. • Housing Affordability-disparity exists in the affordability of housing.Median housing values have increased while median income has decreased.There is a disparity in the affordability of a house across race/ethnicity with the housing prices of the area. • Protected Class Status&Household Size-the majority of minority families have three or more persons within their households;however, rentals are primarily 1-BR and 2-BR units. Lower rates of home ownership among minority households suggests that large minority families may have difficulty finding adequate rental housing with a sufficient number of bedrooms,which may result in overcrowding. • Opportunities to File Fair Housing Complaints-St.Joseph County,South Bend, and Mishawaka have public ordinances to protect and enforce fair housing for residents. Lack of awareness of these ordinances and lack of consistency in handling complaints can lead to disparities in treatment across jurisdictions. • Unsupported Section 8 Vouchers- both the Housing Authority of Mishawaka and the St.Joseph County Housing Authority report waiting lists for Section 8 Housing Voucher assistance. • Housing Authority of South Bend-the Housing Authority of South Bend (HASB)was not available for interview. Other interviewees referenced reduced hours of operation and services due to financial constraints and organizational problems. Internal problems within HASB can limit the access of residents to housing services. • Public Transit-South Bend and Mishawaka offer public transportation for their residents. Limited nighttime hours may restrict the commuting ability of second and third shift laborers and limited access to public transportation outside of city limits may limit the commute and access to services of low-mod income populations in the county. • Denial of Mortgage Applications- an impediment to fair housing is seen in the ability of lower income and minority households to obtain home loans.The primary causes of denial were related to the household's income.The rate of denial for Blacks and Asians remains higher than the rate for Whites. Hispanic households were also challenged as their denial rate has increased. CAPER 38 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) • Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. (11/2023)—CDBG • Habitat for Humanity(11/2023)—HOME • South Bend Heritage Foundation (11/2023)—CDBG • Rebuilding Together(11/2023)—CDBG • St. Vincent DePaul (11/2023)—CDBG-CV • REAL Services (11/2023)—CDBG-CV Additionally, based on the size and complexity of a project/program there are regularly scheduled meetings between staff and agencies in order to manage real time communication, check status, and immediately address any issues/challenges that may arise.The following regular meetings took place in person and/or remotely in 2023: • Near Northwest Neighborhood—(10) check-in meetings • South Bend Heritage Foundation/NNRO—(10)check-in meetings When the City of South Bend contracts with CDBG and HOME subrecipients,a memo is provided detailing the process to engage M/WBEs. In addition,a list of M/WBEs in St.Joseph County from the State of Indiana is provided to subrecipients.During on-site monitoring visits,evidence is requested that attempts were made to engage M/WBEs. Citizen Participation Plan 91.105(d); 91.115(d) Describe the efforts to provide citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment on performance reports. In accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,the St. Joseph County Housing Consortium prepared a draft 2023 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report(CAPER) describing the Consortium's accomplishments in housing and community development for January 1,2023 through December 31, 2023. The draft version of the CAPER will be available to the public for review and written comment from February 27 through March 13,2024 at the following locations:all branches of the St.Joseph County and Mishawaka Public Libraries;the Walkerton Public Library, and New Carlisle/Olive Township Public Library;the City of Mishawaka Planning Department office;the City of South Bend Department of Community Investment Neighborhoods office;and the City of South Bend City Clerk's office.The draft version of the CAPER will also be available online at www.southbendin.gov. Notice of the draft CAPER's availability to the public will be published in the South Bend Tribune,the local paper of highest circulation, and El Puente,the region's Spanish language news source. CAPER 40 0MB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c) Specify the nature of, and reasons for, any changes in the jurisdiction's program objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its experiences. The City of South Bend did not make any changes to program objectives.The goals of all programs still align with the priorities of the 2020-2024 HCD Plan. Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDDI} grants? No [BEDI grantees] Describe accomplishments and program outcomes during the last year. CAPER 42 OMB control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Developers that are not in compliance with the above affirmative marketing requirement will incur corrective actions as described in Appendix Ill (included as an attachment to this report). Refer to IDIS reports to describe the amount and use of program income for projects, including the number of projects and owner and tenant characteristics The amount of HOME program income received in 2023 was$274. A total of$183 was expended on a new construction rental project that is currently under construction. Once completed,this unit will be rented to a low-to moderate-income renter household. The balance of$91 was allocated to a homebuyer assistance for a first-time homebuyer and will show as expensed in 2024. Describe other actions taken to foster and maintain affordable housing. 24 CFR 91.220(k) (STATES ONLY: Including the coordination of LIHTC with the development of affordable housing). 24 CFR 91.320(j) Affordable housing intiatives continued to be a focal point in the developement and implemenation of the 2023 Action Plan and Program Year. Acquisition/rehab of single-family homes and multi-family rental units; new construction of single-family homes and multi-family rental units on previously developed vacant lots; new construction of permanent supportive housing units; and,tenant-based rental assistance for severely mentally ill individuals served to foster and maintain affordable housing in the City of South Bend. CAPER 44 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021) Other. Table 15—Qualitative Efforts-Number of Activities by Program Narrative Section 3 requirements were discussed at each Davis Bacon Act preconstruction meeting with the contractors on eligible projects. In addition to this, DCI staff attended a Northern Indiana Minority Business Association (NIMBA) meeting in 2023 to provide information and outreach for disadvantaged and small businesses. CAPER 46 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021)