City of Great Falls
2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan
Prepared by: City of Great Falls Planning & Community Development Draft Released: March 18, 2010 Department Public Hearings: December 15, 2009, and #2 Park Drive April 20, 2010 Great Falls, MT 59401 Public Comments: April 1—April 30, 2010 406.455.8513 Final Approval: May 4, 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Executive Summary ...... 1
2. Planning Process Introduction ...... 4 Consultation and Coordination ...... 5 Citizen Participation ...... 6 Changes to Grant Application Process ...... 8 Institutional Structure ...... 8 Community Profile/Demographics ...... 9
3. Housing and Homeless Analysis Housing Market ...... 10 Assisted Housing Inventory ...... 17 Affordable Housing ...... 20 Lead-Based Paint ...... 22 Homeless Facilities and Services Inventory ...... 23 Special Needs Populations Housing and Services ...... 25 Barriers to Affordable Housing ...... 27 Fair Housing ...... 29
4. Housing, Homeless and Community Development Needs Assessment Housing Needs ...... 30 Homeless People and People Threatened with Homelessness ...... 34 Special Needs Populations ...... 37 Infrastructure ...... 43 Removal of Slum and Blight ...... 44 Economic Development ...... 45 Public Facility Improvements ...... 46 Public Services ...... 47 Obstacles to Meeting Underserved Needs ...... 48
5. Five Year Strategic Plan: Housing, Homeless and Community Development Five Year Priorities and Objectives ...... 49 Strategic Plan Development Background ...... 52 Housing ...... 54 Homeless ...... 56 Overcoming Gaps ...... 57 Public Housing ...... 57 Barriers to Affordable Housing ...... 58 Fair Housing ...... 58 Lead-Based Paint and Asbestos Hazards ...... 59 Economic Development ...... 60 Infrastructure ...... 61 Removal of Slum and Blight ...... 62 Public Facilities ...... 63 Public Services ...... 63 Anti-poverty ...... 64
6. 2010/2011 Annual Action Plan Activities to be Undertaken ...... 66 CDBG/HOME Program Specific Requirements and Resources ...... 66 Other Resources ...... 67 Homeless and Special Needs Activities ...... 67 Other Actions ...... 69 Home Guidelines for Resale and Recapture ...... 74 Monitoring ...... 75 Performance Measurement ...... 76
Appendices
A Consultation/Coordination/Needs Assessment Process Undertaken B Citizen Participation Plan C Public Hearing/Citizens Comments D Maps E Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice 2010—2015 F Great Falls and Cascade County Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy 2010—2019 G Table 1A, Table 1B, Table 1C, Table 2A, Table 2B, Table 2C H Table 3A, Table 3C for each Proposed Project, Listing of 2010/2011 Proposed Projects I Management Plan for Neighborhood Stabilization Program J 2010/2011 Annual Action Plan Planned Project Results Table K Application for Federal Assistance (SF424 CDBG and HOME) L Certifications 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Great Falls Consolidated Plan (Consolidated Plan) for the five year period from 2010 through 2015 was approved by the Great Falls City Commission on May 6, 2010, following a 30 day comment period extending from April 1 through April 30. City Commission action on the Consolidated Plan followed a plan development process which included the development of the Great Falls and Cascade County Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy 2010–2019 (CHAS) undertaken by a diverse community group; input from local organizations; and input from a public hearing on housing and community development needs on December 15, 2009, and a public hearing on the proposed Consolidated Plan and 2010/2011 Action Plan on April 2.
The purpose of the Consolidated Plan is to identify the housing and community development needs of low income people in the community and develop strategies for addressing those needs in a comprehensive, coordinated fashion using available federal and non-federal resources. The Consolidated Plan includes the one year Annual Action Plan for 2010/2011 which serves as the budget for the City of Great Falls 2010/2011 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME). Specific projects recommended for the upcoming year are described in detail in the Consolidated Plan.
The Consolidated Plan is required for participation by the City of Great Falls in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CDBG and HOME programs. The Consolidated Plan combines the planning and application requirements for the CDBG and HOME programs. Combining the submission requirements for these two programs allows program planning and citizen participation to take place in a comprehensive context.
Seven priorities and related objectives are identified in the Consolidated Plan to meet the diverse needs of low income households in Great Falls. These needs were identified primarily through the process undertaken to develop the CHAS, including four separate community surveys, individual interviews, focus groups and working groups. Census data and other published data was also reviewed to assist in identifying needs.
The following is a listing of the priorities and the related objectives to address the priorities. Priorities are listed in order of HUD matrix codes. All priorities were established based on high needs and none are higher than another.
Priority: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment (03)
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 1 Objective: The City of Great Falls will prioritize meeting handicap accessibility requirements in public facilities and infrastructure and will do 26 activities in the next five years using $1,162,623 in CDBG funds. Other activities that will be funded will primarily address energy efficiency, structural deficiencies and basic code upgrades for public facilities and non-profit agencies that serve the general population. The City of Great Falls will allocate $332,000 in CDBG funds for Phase 4 of the Upper and Lower River Road Water and Sewer District infrastructure project.
Priority: Provide assistance for transitional housing with supportive services benefiting homeless or special needs persons (03 A-D)
Objective: Over the next five years, the City of Great Falls will fund qualified projects to construct or rehabilitate transitional housing (total of 16 units) with supportive services for the homeless, homeless youth, young parents under the age of 18 years, homeless single head of household families who do not meet criteria for public housing, victims of abuse and others.
Priority: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons (05)
Objective: Over the next five years the City of Great Falls will provide funds to social service agencies to fund scholarships for child and youth day care/recreational/educational programs, purchase food for elderly home meal delivery program and other activities for the provision of services to low income people.
Priority: Provide direct first-time homebuyer assistance for low to moderate income families (13)
Objective: Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (NHS), will assist 46 first time home buyers who have low to moderate incomes using an estimated $515,000 in HOME funds. Habitat for Humanity will do site work (water and sewer lines, sidewalks, parking pads) for 15 new houses. Using non CDBG/HOME funding, NHS will use $1.3 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds for 10 foreclosed homes.
Priority: Provide construction and rehabilitation assistance for very low to moderate income homeowners or property owners with very low to moderate income renters to upgrade the city housing stock to provide and sustain safe, affordable housing (12-new construction or 14-rehabiltiation)
Objective: Over the next five years, the City of Great Falls will provide 50 loans to low income homeowners through the Deferred Payment Loan program using an
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 2 estimated $1,010,000 in CDBG funds. The City of Great Falls will provide loans to property owners to rehabilitate 140 rental units that will be rented to low income people through the Rental Improvement program using an estimated $350,000 in CDBG funds. The City of Great Falls will provide nine loans to low income homeowners and property owners who provide rental units which remain affordable to low income households to construct or replace water and sewer lines through the Water and Sewer program using an estimated $55,000 in CDBG funds. The City of Great Falls may apply for additional CDBG funding for the Historical Preservation Program in the future. NHS will construct 25 single family homes and rehabilitate 25 single family homes for low to moderate income people. The Great Falls Housing Authority will construct four four-plex apartments as part of phased development of the Sand Hills project using HOME funds.
Priority: Provide decent affordable housing opportunities for very low and low income renters, particularly the elderly and/or disabled (12-new construction or 14- rehabilitation)
Objective: Accessible Space, Inc., will construct a 30 unit accessible, subsidized apartment complex with 24 hour services for elderly very low to low income adults using HOME and HUD 202 project funds. This agency will also continue to provide 87 units of accessible, subsidized rental housing for the elderly and/or disabled through their three apartment complexes. The City of Great Falls will provide $262,179 in CDBG funds to non-profit social service agencies to rehabilitate five group homes for disabled people (total of 40 housing units). The City of Great Falls anticipates it will receive requests for funding from project-based rental assisted housing providers for upgrades, however, the amount cannot be anticipated at this time.
Priority: Provide funding to projects which will create decent paying jobs with benefits for persons from low to moderate income households (18)
Objective: Over the next five years the City of Great Falls will fund economic development projects which will result in the creation of jobs for low to moderate income people. Such projects will include funding to the Great Falls Development Authority revolving loan fund to provide gap financing to existing and start-up businesses to create new jobs for low to moderate income people. Other projects could involve building expansion, provision of infrastructure or job training programs which result in the creation of new jobs for low to moderate income people.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 3 2. PLANNING PROCESS
Introduction
A Consolidated Plan is required by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from all jurisdictions receiving annual federal assistance entitlements. The City of Great Falls 2010–2015 Consolidated Plan (Consolidated Plan) combines the planning and application process for grant funds of two HUD program— Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME)—which the City of Great Falls receives as an entitlement community and participating jurisdiction. The City Commission reviews and approves the Consolidated Plan and the City of Great Falls is committed to fully implementing the Consolidated Plan.
The Consolidated Plan is a detailed analysis of current housing and community development issues and a comprehensive needs assessment of those areas. In the Consolidated Plan are the priorities and objectives which have been determined to meet the identified needs. Also included is an Annual Action Plan which is a description of activities that will be undertaken in the upcoming year using CDBG and HOME grant funds and other community resources toward meeting the identified priorities and objectives.
The time period covered by the Consolidated Plan is for five years, from July 2010 through June 2015. The City of Great Falls is responsible for development, submission, implementation and administration of the Consolidated Plan.
The City of Great Falls Planning & Community Development Department (City) is the lead agency in the development, submission, implementation and administration of the Consolidated Plan and several related plans and reports which are required by HUD. These documents include a Citizen Participation Plan, Annual Action Plan and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).
See the section entitled “Citizen Participation” for a description of the Citizen Participation Plan. As noted above, the Annual Action Plan is a description of activities which will be undertaken in the upcoming year toward meeting the seven priorities identified in the Consolidated Plan. The 2010/2011 Annual Action Plan is included in the Consolidated Plan. In subsequent years the Annual Action Plan is prepared as a stand alone document that relates to the 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan.
The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) outline the progress the City has made in that year toward meeting the objectives and priorities in the Consolidated Plan. The CAPER provides a detailed description of activities undertaken using CDBG and HOME grant funds.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 4 Consultation and Coordination
The Consolidated Plan represents a collaboration of government agencies, non-profit and for-profit housing providers and developers, lenders, real estate professions, economic development specialists, community-based social service providers (including those who provide supportive services to special needs and homeless populations), faith-based organizations and private residents. In addition to the formal citizen participation process described in the next section, City staff consulted with approximately 75 entities across the full housing and community development spectrum.
See Appendix A for a detailed description of the consultation and coordination process undertaken by the City as part of development of the Great Falls and Cascade County Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy 2010-2019 (CHAS). The CHAS was used to inform the Consolidated Plan, particularly in identifying needs and developing strategies. Extensive surveying was undertaken to determine the public perception of housing, public services, education, healthcare, recreation, social opportunities and economic development within Cascade County and Great Falls. For purposes of the Consolidated Plan, responses from Great Falls residents only were used.
The City works one-on-one on an ongoing basis with housing and social service agencies to continually obtain current information about client needs. The group and individual technical assistance provided as part of the grant process each year also provides current information about the needs and challenges facing agencies who serve low income people in the community.
Ongoing communication will occur to obtain input for federal reporting and to distribute information about grant funding. In particular, communication will be ongoing with groups including the nine Neighborhood Councils, the local Continuum of Care for Homelessness and the Great Falls Housing Task Force. See Page 72 for a description of these groups.
Coordination between the City and its community partners will be undertaken throughout the planning and implementation processes each year for the upcoming five year period. The establishment of such an organizational structure enhances collaboration and ongoing communication. Affiliation with non-profit agencies, advisory committees, government departments, sub-recipients and the general public is important for the successful implementation of the City’s strategies to reach its identified objectives.
Data was collected from the U.S. Census Bureau 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3 Year Estimates, as well as 2000 Census data. Information was also collected from a variety of previously developed planning documents describing housing and community development services and needs. In particular, an annual housing status (homeless) survey and an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (see Appendix E for full report) were undertaken by the City and information from these sources has been integrated into the Consolidated Plan.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 5 Citizen Participation
The City undertakes a multitude of steps to promote citizen participation and strives to foster strong community partnerships in the areas of housing and community development. These alliances help the City to identify the needs of the community and barriers to obtaining needed services.
The City has developed a Citizen Participation Plan (see Appendix B) which details how input from the public is pursued as part of the Consolidated Plan process, substantial amendments to the Consolidated Plan, the Annual Action Plan and the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The participation of low and moderate income persons and the organizations and agencies that serve these people is emphasized. The most current version of the Citizen Participation Plan was adopted by the City Commission in January 2010.
The City will hold two annual public hearings to receive public comment regarding the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan processes. Citizens will have timely notification of all public hearings. Hearings will be held at times and locations convenient to potential and actual beneficiaries. Accommodations for people with disabilities and non-English speaking assistance will be available as requested.
The first annual public hearing will be held early in the annual application process to solicit information regarding community needs including, but not limited to housing, homeless assistance, community development and economic development. Before adoption of the Consolidated Plan and each Annual Action Plan, the City will make information available through newspapers notices and outreach regarding the amount of CDBG and HOME assistance the City will receive and the range of activities to be undertaken.
The second annual hearing will be held when the draft of the Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan is completed to obtain feedback on the proposed plans and to accept input on the City’s performance in administering the CDBG and HOME funds it receives.
Notification of these public hearings will be prominently advertised in the Great Falls Tribune and Consumers Press at least three times before each hearing, submitted to television and radio stations for public service announcements, posted on the City’s Internet site, displayed in Great Falls Housing Authority newsletters, distributed to the nine Neighborhood Councils, the local Continuum of Care for Homelessness and the Great Falls Housing Task Force. Notification about the public hearings will also be given to all agencies on the CDBG distribution list which includes approximately 100 housing providers, social service agencies, government departments and others.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 6 See Appendix C for a summary of citizen comments received at public hearings and through other modalities such as telephone, mail or email prior to or after the public hearings in the process of developing the Consolidated Plan.
Multiple HOME and CDBG funding notices and requests for applications are advertised in the Great Falls Tribune and Consumers Press and notices are provided directly to the CDBG distribution list previously described. The City provides extensive technical assistance to any individuals interested in developing proposals for CDBG and HOME financial assistance. The City also holds an application workshop early in the application process and applicants are given the opportunity to submit their draft applications for review before the deadline for accepting applications.
In addition to actively seeking individual and agency participation, the City Commission has appointed a Community Development Council (CDC). The CDC is a 10 member volunteer advisory board that reviews and prioritizes CDBG applications to make funding recommendations to the City Commission. The City Commission makes the final decision on all grant funding for the program year.
A minimum of 30 days will be allowed to receive public comment on the proposed Consolidated Plan. In the year when a Consolidated Plan is prepared, the Annual Action Plan will be considered as part of the Consolidated Plan, subject to the same public notice process. In subsequent years, the public will be asked to review and comment on the proposed Annual Action Plan. The City will receive public comment for 30 days and a summary of the comments received will be included in the final version of the Annual Action Plan.
Substantial changes to proposed activities listed in the Consolidated Plan will require an amendment. Public comment will be received for 30 days following the publication of the amendments.
The individuals, agencies and organizations contacted for input on the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan will be contacted again when preparing the CAPER to gain their input regarding accomplishments. Advertisements will be published to make the public aware of the availability of the proposed CAPER for review and comment. The City will receive comments for 15 days; a summary of the comments received will be included in the final version of the CAPER.
The City will monitor its activities to promote citizen participation to determine whether alternative methods might be more effective at encouraging citizen participation in the processes. Just as use of the City’s web site on the Internet has increased over the years, activities aimed at increasing citizen participation will be implemented, expanded or changed based on technological advances.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 7 Changes to Grant Application Process
Based on indications from the current City Commission and CDC members, changes may be made in the upcoming years regarding how the grant application process will be undertaken. These changes will occur to provide information to the City Commission earlier in the process and to receive their guidance earlier in the grant application cycle.
Although actual changes have not yet been specifically determined, it is anticipated the CDC may become a board and meet sooner and for a longer span of time in the program year rather than meeting intensively for approximately six weeks as is the current process. The CDC may undertake an annual community needs assessment process and recommend annual funding priorities for each category (housing, economic development, public services, public facilities and administration) to the City Commission prior to the grant application cycle. Additionally, the CDC may make recommendations for funding priorities within the categories for that year. As has been the case in the past, the City Commission will set the annual funding priorities for each category and the CDBG City Commission policies will guide the funding allocation process.
Institutional Structure
The City is a public entity whose purpose relative to housing and other categories pertinent to CDBG and HOME grant funding involve such areas as planning, financing, code enforcement, zoning enforcement, building inspection, plan review and overall community development. The City’s financial resources for assistance are the CDBG and HOME programs. In addition to having its own housing programs, the City allocates federal funds to housing and non-profit agencies to address housing, economic development, public facility and public services issues. The programs are administered through the Planning & Community Development Department with support, as necessary, from other departments within the City of Great Falls. Policy oversight is provided by the City Commission. Administrative oversight is provided by the City’s department director and the city manager.
The City works in conjunction with the various entities described in the previous section (such as local housing, community development and social service providers) and groups such as the Continuum of Care for Homelessness and Great Falls Housing Task Force to insure the Consolidated Plan accurately reflects the needs of the community. As noted in the previous section, the CDC provides application funding recommendations and the City Commission makes the final decision on the direction the City will take to meet the needs identified in the Consolidated Plan.
The various entities previously described have a history of collaboration with the City in seeking to meet the needs of low income and at-risk populations. This collaboration has become increasingly crucial as funding resources have decreased at most governmental levels. The City anticipates being able to implement the programs/projects proposed in
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 8 the Consolidated Plan unless federal funds become unavailable, reduced or delayed for a substantial period of time. From the City’s viewpoint, the major weakness in the Consolidated Plan is the obvious lack of sufficient funding available to adequately address all the priorities simultaneously. However, this problem is beyond the control of the City.
Community Profile/Demographics
Great Falls is located in Cascade County in the north central region of Montana and the geography is typical of the Northern Plains, with grasslands and mesas. In 2008 the population of Great Falls was 59,251. In the past 18 years the population has increased by 7.5%; the population has increased only 1% since the 2000 Census.
See Appendix D for maps depicting the boundary of Census tracts and the following information by census tract: total persons, minority distribution, persons 65 years and older, percent persons below poverty, median household income, median family income and HUD low to moderate income areas. It is of note Census Tract 12 encompasses Malmstrom Air Force Base and is not within the city limits.
Great Falls has a total minority population of 11%, with the largest percentage (6.7%) being Native American. Census Tract 7 has the highest concentration of racial minorities and is one of the oldest areas of the City. Census tracts which have 9% or more racial minorities include 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16 and 21.
The median age in Great Falls is 39.6 years; 24% of the population is under 18 years and 21% is 60 years or older. As the population matures in larger numbers, there will be greater demands for assisted living facilities and elderly support services. As demographic changes occur, the housing market will need to change to serve these residents. Over 51% of the families in Census tracts 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 16 are low to moderate income. The highest concentration of low income households are in Census tracts 6 and 7. The poverty rate for Great Falls is 14%. Of the people at least five years of age or older, 22% report a disability.
In Cascade County in 2008, the highest percentage of those employed in private industry was 49% in services, 27% in retail trade and 7% in construction. Based on the Census Bureau 2005-2007 American Community Survey, the median household income in Great Falls is $40,486 and the median family income is $51,002. Per capita income is $22,071, which is 89% of the national average. In January 2010 the unemployment rate for Great Falls was 6.8%.
Census tracts 4, 8 and 16 are designated as slum and blight areas. Census tracts 5, 6 and 7 are included in a HUD-approved Urban Renewal Area. Great Falls also has a designated HUB Zone which includes Census tracts 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. An average of 78% of the houses in Census tracts 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were built prior to 1950.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 9 3. HOUSING AND HOMELESS ANALYSIS
Housing Market
A housing market analysis was performed as part of development of the Great Falls City- County Comprehensive Plan which is the basis for the current Great Falls City-County Growth Policy. Much of the housing market information was based on 2000 Census data from the U.S. Census Bureau. To reflect current housing market conditions, updates from the U.S. Census Bureau in the form of the 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3- Year Estimates were incorporated in the housing market analysis. In addition, local data from sources such as the City and other published resources was used.
The City has been actively involved in the housing market for many years. This involvement was initially through the efforts of the Great Falls Housing Authority to provide public housing to eligible low and moderate income residents. The Great Falls Housing Authority also helps low income families find affordable rental housing by administering the Housing Choice voucher program through HUD.
The City has affected the housing market in other ways for years. For example, the adoption and enforcement of zoning regulations and building codes has shaped the growth of neighborhoods and influenced the design, quality and cost of the community’s housing stock. The City employs a full-time code enforcement technician who responds to complaints about buildings in poor condition, unsightly yards, trash and other problems that detract from the quality of life and discourage re-investment in older houses and neighborhoods. The extension and pricing of water and sewer services have also shaped the direction and cost of residential development.
An indicator of the health of the housing market is the number of real estate loans in foreclosure. Not only are foreclosures an indicator of economic stress, but they also exert a direct impact on the housing market through their contribution to the supply of unsold homes. Economists report that comprehensive, current data on foreclosures is very hard to find. However, according to information obtained from HUD, there were 68 foreclosures in Great Falls as of April 7, 2010. This is a low rate when compared to other states within the United States; however, it is the third highest rate for Montana.
In spite of the expenditures and accomplishments by the City and a wide variety of agencies and organizations during the past several decades, more work remains to be done to address the community’s housing issues. The following sections present data that illustrate characteristics of the local housing market.
Housing Supply
The housing stock in Great Falls includes all occupied or vacant, but habitable, housing units. Table #1 illustrates the number and type of housing units. The actual housing stock
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 10 has increased 11% during the last 18 years, in spite of minimal population growth. This change, coupled with relative lack of change in population, reflects a trend of smaller household size. It should be noted the inventory of housing units in Great Falls does not include housing units at Malmstrom Air Force Base as it is located outside the city limits.
Table #1 Housing Units, 1990—2007 City of GF 1990* % 2000* % 2007* % Actual** % Single-Family Units 14,923 61.8 16,450 65.1 16,821 65.4 17,623 65.1 Multi-Family Units 7,530 31.2 7,771 29.5 7,384 28.7 8,045 29.7 Mobile Homes*** 1,699 7.0 1,342 5.3 1,310 5.9 1,393 5.2 Total Housing Units 24,157 25,253 25,715 27,061 Source: * U.S Census, 2005-2007 American Community Survey ** 2000 U.S. Census data plus actual number of permits issued by City of Great Falls Community Development Department 2000 through 2007 *** Includes modular and manufactured homes
In addition to the actual total housing units shown in Table #1, a total of 142 demolition permits were issued for the years 2000 through 2007. However, these permits are not categorized by type of housing unit and therefore are not included in Table #1.
Single-family units comprise the largest percentage of the housing units in Great Falls. These types of housing units are traditionally the least affordable type of housing, due in part to higher land and construction costs.
As shown in Table #1, a slight drop in the share of the housing market composed of multi- family units has occurred. For the purposes of Table #1, multi-family unit includes duplexes, apartment buildings and attached single-family residences such as townhouses. Despite the addition of over 500 multi-family units from 1990 to 2007, the percentage of the total housing market declined slightly by 2007. While the reason for this decline is difficult to define, it is clear that a smaller supply of apartments causes hardships for renters, especially low and moderate income residents who cannot afford a single-family house or mobile home. A smaller supply of multi-family housing units creates these hardships because it causes a tighter market, which in turn causes rents to increase and makes it more difficult for low income people and families to find decent, sanitary, affordable rental housing.
The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing which was completed by the City in March 2010 reveals one of the six identified impediments to be limited availability of quality rental housing for low income people who wish to use Housing Choice vouchers. See the section entitled “Fair Housing” on Page 58 for further information about the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 11 Housing Demand
From 2000 through 2007, new construction added 1,356 new units to the total housing stock. During this period, single-family homes represented 86% of all new units added to the housing market. The remainder included duplexes, multi-family units and modular/manufactured homes. Based on this data, the desirability of single-family homes is likely to continue.
As noted earlier, the City has worked with local developers and non-profit agencies to produce new housing opportunities. Unfortunately, the number of new affordable units is still smaller than the demand from low and moderate income residents. The private sector is unable to build single-family homes priced below $125,000, except in limited numbers. And it takes an increasing grant subsidy for non-profit housing agencies to provide affordable units.
New construction of multi-family housing units has fluctuated dramatically in the past eight years, ranging from eight units in 2002 to 76 units in 2007. Based on these findings, multi-family construction seems to be more dependent on market demand than single- family construction. A clear need for a demonstrated number of rental units must be shown in order to justify the substantial investment needed to construct a large multi- family residential building.
The ability to produce affordable rental housing varies by the targeted rent levels. The private market is generally able to produce new rental housing that is affordable to households earning above 80% of the median income level when there is sufficient demand. In addition, many of the existing rental units are affordable to households earning over 70% of the median income if vacancy rates remain high. Once the demand for housing increases enough to make the vacancy rate drop below 5%, however, it becomes much more difficult to find suitable rental units that are affordable to low and moderate income households. In order to produce units for these residents, it is often necessary to provide the tenants or developers with some type of federal and/or state subsidy or incentive. The City clearly does not have sufficient resources to provide such assistance and the annual level of state and federal assistance is difficult to predict.
Mobile or manufactured homes represent another significant component of the housing market. There are approximately 12 developed mobile home parks where residents can rent a mobile home or a pad if they already own a unit. Mobile home parks provide a form of affordable housing, however, conditions in these parks vary dramatically. Anecdotal evidence indicates limited availability of parks that will allow mobile homes which are more than five years old. In addition to developed parks, there are a number of properties located throughout the community that contain two or more mobile homes. These are often older units in crowded and poorly maintained conditions. Since 1977, the City zoning ordinance has allowed only double-wide mobile homes to be located on lots in the single-family zoning districts provided they are placed on permanent foundations and use compatible exterior materials.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 12 The mix of owner-occupied and renter-occupied housing has slowly changed as shown by Table #2 below. The percentage of owner-occupied units has increased while the percentage of renter-occupied units has fallen.
Table #2 Housing Occupancy, 1990—2007 City of Great Falls 1990 % 2000 % 2007 % Owner-Occupied Units 14,207 62.8 15,019 63.0 15,939 66.9 Renter-Occupied Units 8,432 37.2 8,815 37.0 7,871 33.1 Total Occupied Housing Units 22,639 23,834 23,810 Source: U.S. Census, 2005-2007 American Community Survey
Based on the 2005-2007 American Community Survey, the homeowner vacancy rate is 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate is 5.5%. A vacancy rate of about 5% is considered to be indicative of a housing market that is functioning efficiently.
Housing Conditions
Table #3 shows the chronology of home construction in Great Falls. Looking at the age of residential structures is helpful in evaluating physical condition. Almost half (49.8%) of all housing units are more than 50 years old. As the community’s housing units continue to age, increased investment for maintenance, repairs, rehabilitation and replacement will be needed to maintain the quality of living conditions and prevent deterioration of neighborhoods.
Table #3 Age of Housing Units Year Structure Built # of Units % 2005 or later 347 1.3 2000-2004 1,033 4.0 1990-1999 2,032 7.9 1980-1989 1,505 5.9 1970-1979 3,854 15.0 1960-1969 4,139 16.1 1950-1959 5,136 20.0 1940-1949 2,319 9.0 1939 or earlier 5,350 20.8 Total 25,715 100.0 Source: U.S. Census, 2005-2007 American Community Survey
There is no detailed inventory of the physical condition of the area’s housing stock or number of abandoned buildings. Such a survey would be prohibitively expensive to undertake.
2007 U.S. Census data provides information which reflects a very limited of housing units have the following conditions: 1. Incomplete plumbing facilities – 130 (0.5%) of the 23,810 occupied housing units
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 13 lacked complete plumbing facilities (defined as both hot and cold piped water, a flush toilet and a bathtub or shower) 2. Incomplete kitchen facilities – 385 (1.5%) of the 23,810 occupied housing units lacked complete kitchen facilities (defined as an installed sink with piped water, a range, convection or microwave oven and a refrigerator in one housing unit) 3. Overcrowded housing units – the average household size was 2.4 people and 1.3% of the occupied housing units have 1.01 or more persons per room, which is the definition of an overcrowded housing unit 4. Source of water – 23,989 (95%) of the 25,253 housing units relied on a public water system. This high level reflects the quality of the City’s water system and the longstanding policy of requiring annexation before properties are connected to the system.
Montana Department of Revenue ratings for 2005 indicated there were 43 unsound dwellings and 201 very poor dwellings in Great Falls. Unsound was defined as structurally unsound and practically unfit for use. Very poor was defined as structurally unsound and practically unfit for use; repair and overhaul needed on painted surfaces, roofing, plumbing and heating; excessive deferred maintenance and abuse; property approaching abandonment or major reconstruction. See the Housing Needs Assessment section for specific housing conditions which residents report as problematic.
Housing Affordability and Costs
The basic housing affordability problem for many residents is the disparity between income levels and housing costs, especially for low and moderate income people. Average housing prices have grown faster than income levels, making it difficult or impossible for many families to save enough for a down payment or to afford the monthly cost of a mortgage, interest, insurance and taxes. This problem is worse for people with poor credit histories, especially those people with low and moderate incomes.
Housing that is considered affordable is defined as housing units that have sales prices or rents that are within the means of a low or moderate income household. The private housing market does not generally provide affordable housing without some type of subsidy or incentive. Public agencies and non-profit organizations have been very active in housing programs for many years, as described elsewhere in this report. Despite their success, however, the ability of low and moderate income families to acquire housing has still been adversely affected as a result of costs rising faster than incomes.
Another problem related to housing affordability is a shortage of quality houses in certain price ranges. Housing units that may be affordable to residents within certain income groups often have physical problems that make the units ineligible for financing from private lending institutions, as well as unattractive to potential buyers. In other cases, the houses may be in good enough condition to qualify for a loan but the unit is priced too high for low or moderate income potential buyers to afford.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 14 Table #4 shows in the past five years the average sales price of a house (not including mobile homes) has increased 14% and the median sales prices has increased 20%. The trend of increasing sales cost continues from previous years.
Table #4 Great Falls Home Values and Sales, 2005-2009 Year Total Houses Sold Average Sales Price Median Sales Price 2005 907 $138,150 $128,238 2 2006 1,017 $150,924 $144,150 2007 968 $159,847 $151,727 2008 879 $157,496 $150,114 2009 841 $157,864 $153,939 Source: Great Falls Association of Realtors
A March 2010 article about economic indicators in the Great Falls Tribune reported the median sales price of single family houses in January 2010 was $125,000. This drop reflects a repercussion of the current economic situation, including the effect of the $8,000 tax rebate targeted to first-time home buyers.
Table #5 lists selected monthly costs for homeowners and Table #6 lists gross rent costs for renters. The 2007 median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $1,061, non-mortgaged owners $350 and renters $514. While household incomes have been steadily declining in terms of real buying power, housing costs have been steadily increasing. Overall, the ability for families with low and moderate incomes to acquire housing continues to be adversely affected. Table #5 Selected Monthly Homeowner Costs, 2005-2007 Housing Units With a Mortgage # of Units % Less than $300 14 0.1 $300 to $499 262 1.6 $500 to $699 988 6.2 $700 to $999 3,322 20.8 $1,000 to $1,499 3,881 24.3 $1,500 to $1,999 1,237 7.8 $2,000 or more 672 4.2 Total Units 10,376 Median (dollars) $829 Housing Units Without a Mortgage # of Units % Less than $100 14 0.1 $100 to $199 281 1.8 $200 to $299 1,393 8.7 $300 to $399 2,042 12.8 $400 or more 1,833 11.5 Total units 5,563 100.0 Median (dollars) $350 Total owner occupied Units 15,939 Source: U.S. Census, 2005-2007 American Community Survey
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 15 Table #6 Gross Rent for Renter Occupied Housing Units, 2005-2007 Gross Rent # of Units % Less than $200 894 11.4 $200 - $299 635 8.1 $300 - $499 2,042 25.9 $500 - $749 2,810 35.7 $750 - $999 618 7.9 $1,000 - $1,499 268 3.4 $1,500 or more 257 3.3 No Cash Rent 347 5.2 Total Units 7,871 100.0 Median (dollars) $514 Source: U.S. Census, 2005-2007 American Community Survey
Based upon HUD definitions, cost burden is considered the extent to which gross housing costs, including utilities, exceed 30% of a household’s gross income. This is the threshold at which the cost of shelter often becomes a real financial hardship for a household, reducing the amount of income available for other necessities like food, health care and clothing. Based upon the 2005-2007 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, in our community 31% of homeowners with a mortgage, 14% of homeowners without a mortgage and 37% of renters have a housing cost burden.
The 2007 median value of an owner-occupied housing unit was $126,100. This compares to the median sales price of a house in 2007 of $151,727 as was shown earlier in Table #4. Table #7 shows housing values in Great Falls based on the 2005-2007 American Community Survey.
Table #7 Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units Value # of Homeowners Less than $50,000 1,085 $50,000 to $99,999 3,776 $100,000 to $149,999 6,116 $150,000 to $199,999 2,967 $200,000 to $299,999 1,283 $300,000 to $499,999 612 $500,000 to $999,999 100 $1,000,000 or more 0 Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Household Income
The relationship between income and housing costs is the main factor affecting the ability of residents to afford adequate housing. Because housing costs have increased faster than income levels, families must spend more for housing. The resulting mismatch between income and housing costs is most difficult to overcome for low income and
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 16 moderate income households. Based on 2000 Census data (the most recent available) the median income in Great Falls was $41,663 for owner-occupied units and $18,531 for renter-occupied units. Based on American Community Survey data, the median household income in 2007 was $40,486 and the per capita income was $22,071.
Another measure of income that is relevant to the strength of a community’s housing market is the number of residents who live below the poverty level as defined by HUD. These people clearly have a harder time finding decent affordable housing and they generally need more assistance from the various public or non-profit agencies that offer programs. From 2005 to 2007, 14% of people in Great Falls were in poverty. 20% of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 9% of people 65 years old and over. 11% of all families and 34% of families with a female head of household and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level. Table #8 shows the percentages of people who lived in either owner-occupied or renter-occupied housing units and were below the poverty level according to the 2000 Census. As expected, the percentage of people below poverty level was much higher in the renter-occupied housing units.
Table #8 Housing Units Below Poverty Level, 2000 Total Owner- Owner-Occupied % Renter- Renter-Occupied % Occupied Housing Units Occupied Housing Units Below Housing Below Poverty Housing Poverty Level Units Level Units 15,011 751 5.0% 8,774 2,626 29.9% Source: U.S. Census
Assisted Housing Inventory
Public Housing
The Great Falls Housing Authority is the public housing authority for Great Falls. The tables below show the public housing inventory, current waiting list and housing conditions.
Table #9 Public Housing Inventory Total Studio 1-bedroom 2-bedroom 3-bedroom 4-bedroom 490 8 136 169 141 36 Source: Great Falls Housing Authority
One of the units has been designated as a satellite Boys & Girls Club and will remain unavailable as a housing unit. The Great Falls Housing Authority has a total of 24 units of housing which are handicap accessible in their public housing stock at the following designated sites: a) Main site—14 units; b) Sunrise—three; c) Yeoman-Types—two units; and, d) Austin Hall—five units. There are also eight accessible units in the affordable housing project at Holland Park.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 17 Tables #10 and #11 provide current information about waiting lists for assisted housing, public housing and current condition of the public housing inventory. No units of public housing are expected to be lost from the housing inventory in the next five years.
Table #10 Persons on Public Housing Waiting List # of Persons % Total # of families 132 100
30% Area Median Income 90 68 50% Area Median Income 29 22 80% Area Median Income 13 10
1 Bedroom 88 67 2 Bedroom 20 15 3 Bedroom 17 13 4 Bedroom 7 5
Families with Children 72 55 Elderly Families 13 10 Families with Disabilities 17 13
Table # 11 Public Housing Building Condition Site # of Year Year Substantial Rehab Current units Constructed Rehabilitation Required? Condition Main site 156 1938 1978 (minor) & 1987 Yes, to begin Poor (minor) 2010 200 1960 2008 No Good Sunrise Court 50 1973 21 units in 2002 No Excellent 29 units in 2005 Russell 20 1980 Currently being Will be Excellent rehabilitated completed 2010 Yeoman-Tynes 30 1980 2008 No Excellent Austin Hall 34 1982 9 units in 2004 No Good 9 units in 2008
Housing Choice Vouchers
As of January 2010 the Great Falls Housing Authority was administering 196 Housing Choice vouchers, serving a total of 650 people. An additional 24 vouchers were open without lease (people looking for housing). The Great Falls Housing Authority anticipates the number of open vouchers will change in the upcoming five years.
Opportunities, Inc., is the local Human Resources Development Council and the central intake point for most social service provider organizations. This agency provides a wide variety of services for homeless and low income people and many of these services are described in the Homeless Facilities and Services Inventory section. Opportunities, Inc., is the only agency in addition to the Great Falls Housing Authority which provides families with rental assistance under the Housing Choice voucher program. As of January 2010 Opportunities, Inc., was administering 146 mod-rehab units and 465 Housing Choice
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 18 vouchers in Great Falls. In the upcoming five years Opportunities, Inc., does not anticipate any significant change in the numbers which will be administered.
Housing Choice Voucher Waiting Lists
Table #12 # Persons on Housing Authority and Opportunities, Inc. Housing Choice Voucher Waiting Lists s Housing Authority Opportunities, Inc. # of Persons % # of Persons %
Total # of families 269* 100 2,105* 100
<30% Area Median Income 186 69 1,466 70 >30 but <50% Area Median Income 66 25 591 28 >50 but <80% Area Median Income 17 6 48 2
Families with Children 182 68 1,117 53 Elderly Families 13 5 119 6 Families with Disabilities 24 9 422 20 Source: Great Falls Housing Authority and Opportunities, Inc. *Families on the Housing Authority Housing Choice waiting list could be duplicated on Opportunities, Inc., waiting list and vice versa.
Subsidized Housing Inventory
In the past three years approximately 6% of landlords have opted out of or expired from the Housing Choice voucher program. It is difficult to project whether this trend will continue during the upcoming five years; however, it is anticipated it will. If this projection is accurate, approximately 165 units will be lost from the assisted housing inventory. It is of note Great Falls does not have any non-profit agencies which have accessed the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program to provide affordable housing.
A survey of subsidized housing undertaken in January 2010 revealed a total of 1,551 subsidized housing units are available and the overall occupancy rate is 94%.
Table #13 Subsidized Housing Units
# of Project Family Elderly/ 1 bdr/ 2 bdr 3 bdr 4 bdr units based Hndcp studio rental Aspen Village 60 X X 27 30 3 Autumn Run* 120 X 31 80 9 Broadview Manor 20 X X 10 10 Centennial Village 48 X X 36 12 Eagles Manor 66 X 2/64 Elmore Roberts Hotel* 60 X X 20 40 Elmwood 18 X 18
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 19
# of Project Family Elderly/ 1 bdr/ 2 bdr 3 bdr 4 bdr units based Hndcp studio rental Franklin Apartments* 38 X X (2) 38 Grandview 96 X X 48 36 12 Holland Court * 16 X X 8 8 Meadowlark Apartments 17 X X 13 4 Park Manor 103 X X 52/51 Parkview 83 X X 36 30 17
Portage 47 X X 47 Rainbow House 40 X X 34 6 Sandstone Apartments 48 X 16 32 Southwinds Estates 23 X X 23 Sunshine Village 72 X X 60 12 Townsite Apartments 20 X 10 10 Vista Villa 96 X 16 80 * Tax assisted/affordable housing
Affordable Housing
A. City Housing Rehabilitation Programs:
The City administers four housing rehabilitation programs to assist very low to moderate income renters and homeowners with housing rehabilitation activities.
1. Deferred Payment Loan Program: no-interest deferred loans to low income homeowners to make code-related repairs to owner-occupied, single family homes; 2. Rental Improvement Loan Program: no-interest loans to property owners for code- related repairs to rental units which remain affordable to low income households; 3. Water and Sewer Loan Program: no/low-interest loans to low income homeowners and property owners who provide rental units which remain affordable to low income households to construct or replace water and sewer lines; 4. Historic Preservation Loan Program: low-interest loans to property owners for additional funding for multi-family housing rehabilitation projects which require historic preservation regulation compliance (loans may be deferred).
In addition to CDBG and HOME funded programs, the City will administer the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 stimulus funds from the State of Montana Department of Commerce. NSP provides down payment assistance with rehabilitation of foreclosed homes for families whose incomes are below 120% of area median income (AMI). Additionally, 25% of those assisted must be at or below 50% AMI. This program runs in conjunction with Neighborhood Housing Services first time homebuyer program and foreclosure prevention services which are
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 20 also funded with other resources (see Section C below for a detailed description of that agency’s programs).
B. Great Falls Housing Authority
The Great Falls Housing Authority is a public entity whose mission is to work towards a community that provides safe, affordable housing. They educate and assist residents to develop skills necessary to maintain successful residency, to improve quality of life and to pursue self-sufficiency. In addition to the public housing and Housing Choice voucher program previously described, the Great Falls Housing Authority manages 16 units of affordable housing (Holland Court). This site was constructed in 1995 using HOME funds and is in good condition.
The Great Falls Housing Authority has begun phased construction of four affordable, handicap accessible, four-plex apartments (16 housing units) at the Sand Hills site. They are currently constructing one four-plex. The project is being funded in part with 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 City HOME funds. The agency has also received HOME grant funding from the State of Montana for a second four-plex which will be constructed in 2010/2011. The project completion date is difficult to predict as it is based on funding availability; however, it is anticipated it may take longer than five years for the entire project.
The Great Falls Housing Authority does not anticipate any new construction of public housing or any other affordable housing in the upcoming five years.
C. Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.
Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS), aka NeighborWorks Great Falls, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose overall goal is to provide safe, affordable housing for low income families. NHS is the primary affordable housing developer in Great Falls and is also the only Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and Community Based Development Organization (CBDO) in Great Falls. When an agency is designated as a CHDO and/or CBDO by HUD, it means the agency is eligible to apply for specific federal grant funds and undertake specific activities to address affordable housing within a community.
The primary services NHS provides include low interest loans and construction assistance to neighborhood low income homeowners for rehabilitation of their homes; purchase and rehabilitation of houses to be sold to low and moderate income households; purchase of vacant land; construction of single family homes that are affordable for low to moderate income households; down payment and closing cost assistance; foreclosure prevention loans; homebuyer education program; outreach to Head Start parents and Housing Authority tenants; neighborhood wide clean-up and revitalization activities, Crime Watch network and special assistance to residents of target
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 21 neighborhoods; and housing services to low income elderly homeowners to allow them to stay in their homes as they age.
See Appendix D for a map of NHS’s CBDO boundaries. At this time NHS reports it will concentrate its neighborhood revitalization services in the following geographic areas: a) Central Avenue to 10th Avenue South from 2nd Street to 15th Street b) Central Avenue to 10th Avenue North from 2nd Street to 26th Street c) South of 10th Avenue South from 4th Street to 26th Street d) southwest side north of American Avenue to Northwest Bypass
In addition to local housing activities, NHS provides administrative assistance to Montana communities for the development of affordable housing programs.
D. Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a community-wide organization which assists low income families who cannot purchase homes through conventional means. This organization partners with low income families who are required to work a specific number of hours on their own house and also relies on donated labor and materials to construct affordable houses. Habitat for Humanity also provides budgeting and foreclosure prevention counseling. They operate the ReStore, a building material recycling center which generates revenue for their program and recycles construction materials.
E. Opportunities, Inc.
In addition to the Housing Choice voucher program previously noted, Opportunities, Inc., owns and maintains a 14 unit apartment complex (Kennedy Apartments) where rent levels are kept as low as possible for low income renters. The agency also provides rental assistance, rental security deposits and eviction prevention services.
Lead-Based Paint
The 2007 Census data shows a total of 25,715 housing units in Great Falls. Of those units, 20,798 (approximately 81%) were built prior to 1980 and may have a higher probability of containing lead-based paint hazards than those constructed since that time. The same Census data shows that approximately 39% of the population of Great Falls had incomes below 80% of the median household income. Therefore, about 8,111 units which may have lead-based paint hazards may be occupied by households characterized as having extremely low, low or moderate incomes. The City takes preventive and rehabilitative measures in all CDBG and HOME funded housing projects to ensure the extinction of lead-based paint hazards.
The City-County Health Department (CCHD) currently has no financial resources to provide lead-based paint screening services at no charge. They do offer education if
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 22 requested. It should be noted that historically several hundred individuals were tested when the CCHD first become involved in lead screening and very few elevations were found during that time.
Homeless Facilities and Services Inventory
The City is a participant in the statewide Montana Continuum of Care Coalition (MT CoC) and has actively facilitated regular meetings for the local Continuum of Care for Homelessness (COC) group since 1998. The MT CoC is a statewide collaboration of diverse homeless service providers, non-profit organizations and government agencies who work together to address homeless issues. This system is predicated upon community and regionally based continuum of care systems. The local COC group serves as a forum for discussing community-wide homeless issues as they arise and provides an opportunity for participants to learn about the status and current description of services available in the community for homeless people. This group works to expand the community’s understanding of services needed by those who are homeless, to facilitate consolidation and coordination of services, to reduce duplication of such services and to improve service delivery to homeless people. Social service agencies provide a spectrum of services from homelessness prevention to permanent, supportive housing that is available locally for people who are homeless.
The following chart provides an overview of the primary housing and supportive services available for individuals who are homeless and/or have special needs. Many of the organizations are described in more detail in the sections following the chart.
Activity Agency/Organization Capacity/Service Homeless- Voices of Hope and YWCA 24 hour hotlines ness prevention: Local churches and faith-based organizations Ongoing outreach COC group Meet regularly to determine current needs & coordinate services Opportunities, Inc. Eviction prevention services City Fair Housing Community education & mediation of landlord/tenant conflicts Young Parents Education Center Rental deposits/payments to prevent eviction NHS Foreclosure loan prevention program Habitat for Humanity Foreclosure prevention counseling Rural Dynamic, Inc. Foreclosure prevention counseling Emergency Great Falls Rescue Mission 71 beds for men, meals, primary health care, shelter and hygiene assistance supportive services:
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 23 Activity Agency/Organization Capacity/Service Opportunities, Inc. Intake and referral; limited motel vouchers in conjunction with Salvation Army YWCA - Mercy Home (domestic violence shelter) 20 women & their children, supportive services Children’s Receiving Home 14 beds for children, supportive services Center for Mental Health PATH outreach worker Transitional Great Falls Rescue Mission 71 beds for men (emergency shelter but use housing & as transitional at times as no other options) supportive services: Great Falls Rescue Mission – Haven of Hope 59 beds for women with families (emergency shelter but use as transitional at times as no other options) Gateway Community Services – Blue Thunder 8 beds for Native American males in Lodge chemical abuse treatment Center for Mental Health – Center West 8 beds for adults with severe disabling mental illness (SDMI), supportive services Center for Mental Health – Passages group home 8 beds for individuals with SDMI Kairos Youth Services - Missouri River Youth and 8 beds for male adolescents 8 beds Shelter Home, Evergreen Youth and Shelter for female adolescents 6 beds for Home, Portage Place Therapeutic Youth Home severely emotionally disturbed coed adolescents (all 3 facilities are combined emergency & transitional housing) Permanent/ Center for Mental Health 4 Shelter Plus Care housing vouchers for supportive chronically homeless people with SDMI housing: Center for Mental Health – 4 group homes 32 beds for adults with SDMI Center for Mental Health 14 foster care beds for adults with SDMI Accessible Space, Inc. – Meadowlark Apartments 17units for mobility impaired/brain injured adults, supportive services Accessible Space, Inc. – Southwinds Estates 23 units for mobility impaired/ brain injured adults, supportive services Accessible Space, Inc. – Portage 47 units for elderly low income, supportive services Quality Life Concepts 14 group homes with capacity ranging from 3-8 adults, supportive services Great Falls Housing Authority – Austin Hall 34 units for elderly/handicapped, Great Falls Housing Authority 24 units handicap accessible public housing 8 units handicap accessible affordable housing
Opportunities, Inc., as the regional Human Resources Development Council (District 5), serves as the central agency for assessing the needs of homeless and low income people in Great Falls and Cascade County. This agency provides comprehensive screening to determine needs, provides direct services and refers individuals to a variety of other social service agencies that provide food, shelter, clothing, and other services. Opportunities, Inc., typically processes in excess of 5,000 families a year through the Human Service Resource Center. Services include intake and referral for low income
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 24 households requesting food, housing, utility, clothing and energy assistance. The agency administers a weatherization program, Family Self-sufficiency program, Work Force Investment Act program and HeadStart program.
Services available specifically for the chronically homeless population include the following: Great Falls Rescue Mission – outreach through day room program, sleeping mats during nights with life-threatening weather Center for Mental Health – Shelter Plus Care housing vouchers, outreach and assistance in accessing mental health services and locating housing Opportunities, Inc. – emergency services referral, counseling, limited case management, designated payees for Social Security recipients City-County Health Department – health and dental care, prescription drugs
Special Needs Populations Housing and Services
In addition to the supportive housing listed previously, numerous agencies assist non- homeless persons who have special needs.
The Center for Mental Health (CMH) provides children and adults with mental disorders with comprehensive community-based mental health services including psychiatric assessment and treatment; individual, group and family therapy; medication monitoring; case management; crisis intervention; and supportive employment and recreational activities. The agency currently provides day treatment but this service is at grave risk for being discontinued because of funding decreases.
CMH assists people with chronic and severe mental illness in transitioning from hospital settings such as the Montana State Hospital to independent living situations through the Program for Assertive Community Treatment. CMH has a Peer Support Program to assist clients in crisis or in need of recovery support. CMH works with local agencies such as Office of Public Assistance, Great Falls Rescue Mission, Opportunities, Inc., Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul Society to coordinate services. Services include assistance with housing, food, clothing, medical care and payee services for people with mental illness.
Easter Seals-Goodwill Industries provides a wide array of services to people with disabilities, including employment services, supportive and sheltered employment, supported living services, adult day programs, case management, home care and home health care.
Quality Life Concepts provides services for people with developmental and/or physical/ mental disabilities and their families. In addition to housing, they provide day activities; day programming; assistance with finances, medical appointments, shopping, transportation and other day-to-day living needs; vocational rehabilitation services;
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 25 recreational/social activities; and assistance to families with children who have developmental disabilities or are at risk for developing delays.
Accessible Space, Inc., is a national non-profit organization which provides accessible, affordable housing, assistive/supportive living and independent living opportunities for low income people with physical disabilities and brain injuries, as well as seniors. As noted in the chart in the previous section, ASI has developed three apartment complexes in Great Falls: two provide accessible subsidized housing and supportive services for adults with mobility impairments and/or brain injuries and one provides accessible subsidized housing and supportive services for elderly people with low incomes.
The City-County Health Department provides a wide variety of services to the entire community, including people with low incomes or who are homeless. These services include disease prevention and control, nutrition education, food supplements, primary health care, dental care, case management, assistance with obtaining prescriptions and specialty medical care and parenting instruction.
The Indian Family Health Clinic serves low income urban American Indian patients as well as non-native people. Services include primary medical care, diabetes clinical services, prescription medication, behavioral health programs, fitness and wellness services and limited mental health counseling.
Gateway Community Services provides comprehensive alcohol and drug abuse treatment services, including intensive outpatient treatment, case management and residential treatment services for low and moderate income people diagnosed with a chemical dependency addiction.
Cascade County Aging Services provides supportive services such as home meal delivery, home attendants, health promotion, foster grandparents, retired senior volunteer programming and transportation to assist elderly people who are not homeless.
The Great Falls Senior Citizens Center provides low cost meals, health/exercise programs, tax preparation assistance, telephone outreach, information, educational workshops and recreational/social activities for elderly people in the community.
Several organizations and agencies have programs for ensuring people returning from mental health and physical health institutions will receive appropriate supportive housing, including Benefis Healthcare, Northcentral Independent Living Services, Easter Seals— Goodwill, CMH and Quality Life Concepts. Benefis Healthcare staff members provide discharge planning services for patients being discharged from the hospital. Discharge planners have an in-depth knowledge of all community services, including housing options statewide, and provide information about these services, as well as assisting with financial plans. Along with planning for the medical needs of the patient, discharge planning focuses on housing and supportive service needs.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 26 Barriers to Affordable Housing
Great Falls first adopted a zoning ordinance to regulate the use of land and buildings in 1930. A complete re-write was undertaken and the Unified Land Development Code was adopted in 2005. The new code implements the City’s growth policy, river corridor plan, neighborhood plans and transportation plan. The purposes of the code are: 1) to ensure that all development is guided by and gives consideration to the Growth Policy; 2) to provide clear, consistent standards, regulations and procedures for the review and approval of all proposed development within the city; and, 3) to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare by establishing minimum standards for design and development.
The City subjects development applications to subdivision regulations, zoning and land use controls and annexation policies. Such codes and policies are designed to create orderly development; provide adequate services including transportation, utilities, and fire and police protection; and promote public health, safety and general welfare.
The City is currently using the 2006 International Building Codes (IBC) for compliance. The City expects to adopt the 2009 IBC once it is adopted by the State of Montana. Building, plumbing and electrical codes are minimum standards to reasonably protect health and safety.
Costs for building new housing have greatly increased in recent years but this is due to other factors previously described rather than the cost of meeting code requirements. The City building official reports there is the perception costs of building permits are high and require a time-consuming process. However, in February 2010 the total estimated cost for construction permits to build a house worth a value of $125,000 was $1,146, or 1% of the structure’s value. The City has not had a permit fee increase in more than five years. The building codes require over-engineered foundations and this may be a significant cost, however, it is necessary because of the clay formation underlying much of the city. The City works with homeowners to educate them on ways to reduce the cost of permitting whenever possible. The time line for permitting is currently a 10 day turnaround time based on approved drawings and there is good accessibility to inspections and access to inspectors. However, the time line for annexation is protracted.
The current zoning and setback requirements can be restrictive for developing affordable housing in situations where developers wish to use odd-size or small lots or construct high density housing as the codes will not allow this. Additionally, no affordable housing incentives such as reduced lot size, set back or building fees are available to developers of affordable housing. Currently, no affordable housing zoning ordinances exist. In order to build homes on small lots, a special process of zoning variance has to be undertaken which often involves a four month process.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 27 The current process for annexing is well-defined. When an area is annexed, development options are primarily controlled by the zoning classification assigned to the subject property. The City has not imposed any growth limits and is supportive of annexations involving compatible land uses where adequate infrastructure exists or is to be installed. The current policy is to not extend any city water or utility services beyond the city limits without annexation. This is done to ensure an orderly expansion of the incorporated area.
The time required to move through the zoning and annexation processes can be protracted, resulting in difficulty moving forward with development projects.
Traditionally, mobile/manufactured housing has allowed low income families to purchase housing when a conventional home may be out of reach. However, there is limited availability of vacant affordable single lots, mobile home courts will not accept homes that are older than five years and a zoning change would be required if a new mobile home subdivision were to be developed. There appears to be the demand for an affordable housing option such as improvements to existing mobile/manufactured home parks or development of a new mobile/manufactured home subdivision.
In Montana, property tax is the only way authorized by the legislature for cities to raise money to provide local government service and finance schools. Therefore, the tax burden falls on property owners. The cost of building new housing is also affected by the concept that the user pays. The developer of new housing must pay the full cost of extending water and sewer services, connecting to city utilities and putting in curbs, gutters, sidewalks and paved streets. While these requirements affect the cost of housing, these standards also dictate the quality, permanence, safety and environmental aspects of a community.
The City does not have influence on tax policies because there is currently a cap set based on the number of mills and this number cannot be increased. Therefore, the City is not in a position to influence the cost of housing based on tax policies. The City cannot levy more mills to increase property tax as this is controlled by the State of Montana. However, the City can encourage commercial and industrial expansion through its tax incentives in which commercial and/or industrial businesses are taxed at a lower rate the first year, then pay a progressively higher tax each year until reaching the 100% regular tax rate at the end of five years.
A situation exists on the west side of Great Falls in which the levees along the Sun River need to be certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the property will be reclassified as unprotected flood plain. The cost of re-certification is the responsibility of the residents. The dikes are managed by the West Great Falls Flood Control District which has not determined if certification of the levee will be pursued. If certification of the levee is not obtained, the area ultimately would be reclassified on the floodplain map showing it to be in the 100-year floodplain. The existing homeowners may be required to purchase flood insurance which could pose a barrier as more than 50% of the
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 28 homeowners in one of the two Census tracts involved (16) have low to moderate incomes.
Fair Housing
The City provides residents with services such as counseling, referral, conflict resolution and mediation concerning landlord-tenant problems and complaints of housing discrimination. In the past five years, approximately 900 inquiries were received annually. A total of 101 complaints of alleged housing discrimination were received by the City in the past five years (2005 through 2009). 113 complaints were referred for investigation and resolution to the Montana Human Rights Bureau, Montana Fair Housing Commission and HUD’s Fair Housing Enforcement Center. Of the complaints received by these three agencies, the largest number (67) was in the protected class of disability. The majority of these cases were related to service animals and the number of complaints has been substantially decreasing as people become more educated about this subject. Twenty-three complaints were in the class of familial status, 14 in race, six in sex/gender, and three in national origin. Based on the number of inquiries and complaints, the community continues to face issues related to landlord-tenant relations and potential housing discrimination problems.
The City completed an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing in March 2010. Six impediments were identified: 1. HUD fair market rents are lower, and therefore not competitive, with local market rents. As a consequence, rental property owners are opting out of HUD programs and fewer subsidized housing choices are available. 2. Discriminatory practices in violation of the Fair Housing Act exist. 3. Landlords, property manager, tenants, future tenants and human service agency staff lack knowledge about federal fair housing laws, state landlord-tenant laws and discrimination laws. 4. Limited availability of quality housing for low income people with Housing Choice vouchers results in restricted housing options and mobility for people using the program. 5. Fully accessible/useable subsidized housing for elderly people and people with disabilities is lacking. 6. Organizations that provide housing and agencies seeking housing for their clients do not have an effective method of exchanging information about housing options that are available and housing that is needed. This includes housing for young parents and veterans, accessible housing and foreclosure prevention services.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 29 4. HOUSING, HOMELESS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Housing Needs
The City undertook a two and one-half year long process beginning in September 2007 to incorporate extensive community involvement to identify and assess current housing and community development needs. This process included wide-ranging surveying, focus groups, individual and agency consultations, working groups and a full planning group effort which resulted in the 2010-2019 Great Falls and Cascade County Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS). See a full copy of this document in Appendix F. This planning process addressed community development needs beyond housing needs. The following are the 17 most significant housing needs as identified through the CHAS process.
1) Fair market rents are too low. The Great Falls Housing Authority and Opportunities, Inc., report Housing Choice voucher participants are having difficulties finding landlords that will accept vouchers. The primary problem is fair market rents are below the city market rents and in a strong rental market, landlords will rent to the open market for higher rents. A second problem is the landlord would have to hold the rental open until the Housing Quality Standards (HSQ) inspection was completed and compliance with HQS requirements achieved, meaning that rental income is lost during the transition. This waiting period, coupled with lower than market rent, results in landlords being reluctant to accept Housing Choice vouchers.
2) Transitional apartments for individuals and families ready to leave shelter care are lacking. Homeless families are now primarily housed in the Haven of Hope or the YWCA Mercy Home, while single males are housed at the Great Falls Rescue Mission. These organizations have identified a need for transitional apartments where families can live independently but with support services until they are ready to move to fully independent status.
3) Supervised affordable housing for young parents is needed. Public housing and many private parties will no longer rent to teen parents because of the vagueness in Montana law concerning disaffirming contracts by persons under 18. Young parents are often unable to go to school, hold down a job to earn a living and care for a child.
4) Decent, safe one and two bedroom apartments are needed near the medical center, College of Technology and University of Great Falls. Students and persons needing or providing medical services have a very hard time finding affordable housing in those areas. Vacancies are immediately filled. Housing with less than a one year lease is needed for summer students and transitioning medical professionals.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 30 5) More units of affordable accessible rental housing for seniors are needed. During the past decade a significant number of project-based affordable housing units have come out of contractual agreement with HUD to remain affordable. This fact, coupled with an ever increasing number of seniors—many of whom have low incomes—is creating an increased demand for one and two bedroom affordable senior rental units.
6) A lack of funds for rent and utility deposits keep individuals and families in emergency shelter longer than necessary. A deposit fund is needed to allow faster transition to independent living. This fund would also be helpful in integrating former criminal offenders into the community after their release.
7) Decent, affordable homes for first-time homebuyers continue to be needed. The average cost of safe and sanitary single family residences continues to be beyond the means of families with low to moderate incomes.
8) Land donations are needed to permanently create housing that is affordable in the form of land trusts.
9) Downtown redevelopment hinges on the need for middle income housing stock in the downtown area.
10) An expedited zoning process or special zoning ordinance is needed to encourage development of affordable housing.
11) Local non-profit developers need to utilize the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to augment affordable rental housing stock, especially units affordable to households or individuals at 50% of area median income.
12) The need for deferred loans for single family home improvement by lower income homeowners continues.
13) Additional Medicaid waivers are needed for the growing number of disabled and elderly people. More housing providing assisted living units that will accept the waivers is needed.
14) Facilities are needed that combine affordable senior housing and the use of in- home services. This is a lower cost alternative than assisted living or a nursing home, and is similar to allowing seniors to stay in their homes while receiving in- home care.
15) A housing ombudsman is needed to help renters negotiate rental application rejections.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 31 16) A better quality of rental housing stock available to those receiving Housing Choice vouchers is needed.
17) Preservation and upgrading of existing manufactured housing communities is needed to preserve housing for lower income families.
A review of findings from the 1,496 surveys which were returned from an opinion survey undertaken as part of the CHAS process revealed the following significant housing problems and needs: inadequate insulation air leaks around windows and doors sticking doors and windows need to demolish vacant deteriorating buildings, houses and trailers need grants and low-interest loans to support first time homebuyers support seeking state or federal funds to make improvements or expand affordable housing opportunities
Of the 1,348 responses to the survey question about the area’s biggest housing problem, the following was found: no problem – 310 poor quality housing – 242 lack of affordable housing – 226 lack of low income housing – 99 new homes too expensive – 75 rent too high – 60
As part of the CHAS process, a brief Great Falls Area Housing Needs Assessment survey was sent to 1,400 low income families. 612 responses were received and 86% of the responses were from low income households, 62% were renters and 33% were receiving rental assistance. The most significant housing problems reported were inadequate insulation, air leaks, cracked foundations, sticking doors and windows and problems with walls or ceilings. 92% reported more opportunities are needed to help low income families become home owners and 73% felt housing for persons with special needs is lacking.
Small focus groups were held from October 2008 through April 2009 to determine the extent and character of the needs identified through the surveys undertaken as part of the CHAS. The focus group which addressed subsidized rentals identified the following needs: Senior housing with elevator access More 1 bedroom and 4 bedroom homes Reassessment of HUD fair market rates to be based on quality average rents, for homes that can pass the Housing Quality Standards
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 32 Two other significant housing needs were identified through the CHAS process: affordable housing ordinance that allow smaller lot sizes and other density incentives to reduce the cost of construction rentals that will allow pets, especially for elderly people
In addition to the CHAS process data, a compilation of historical CDBG and HOME funding was considered. The amount of CDBG and HOME funding applied for over the past five year period to meet specific needs (including both funded and unfunded applications) was incorporated when determining current need levels.
There are presently 2,105 families on the waiting list for Housing Choice vouchers for rental assistance through Opportunities, Inc., and 291 families on the waiting list through the Great Falls Housing Authority. It is of note 57 families on this waiting list are receiving public housing. The Great Falls Housing Authority currently has a 97.4% occupancy rate in public housing units and does not anticipate doing any new public housing construction in the upcoming five years as no funding is available.
The number of Housing Choice vouchers these agencies can administer is contingent on funding availability and beyond the control of the agencies or the City. The waiting lists for Housing Choice vouchers administered by the Great Falls Housing Authority and Opportunities, Inc., reflect that many people are requesting housing assistance through this program.
Based on information presented in previous sections of the Consolidated Plan, it is evident little population growth has occurred in the past decade. However, the number of households has steadily increased due to changes in household composition. Several groups of at-risk residents are particularly affected by the lack of affordable housing, including the increasing number of elderly people. Additionally, 14% of the overall population is in poverty, 22% report a disability; and 37% of renters and 31% of homeowners with a mortgage are paying 30% or more of their income for housing. The median sales price of single family houses has fluctuated from approximately $128,000 in 2005 to a high of $154,000 in 2009. In a reflection of the current economic situation, it has since fallen to $125,000 as of January 2010.
It is difficult to determine whether any racial or ethnic groups have a disproportionately greater need in comparison to the needs of a particular income category. Great Falls has a total minority population of 11%, with the largest percentage (6.7%) being Native American. The professor who analyzed data for the CHAS reported the racial demographics of Great Falls are so homogeneous that a statistically valid determination can not be made because it would be based on such a small sample. It is of note the Great Falls Housing Authority’s waiting list is comprised of 21% Native Americans and of the 464 units of public housing currently occupied, 20% are Native Americans and all other races other than white are less than 1%. It is also of note the number of Native Americans being provided services though NHS has increased over the past five years.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 33 As noted earlier, the City has worked with community groups to produce new affordable housing opportunities. Unfortunately, the number of new affordable units is still smaller than the demand from low and moderate income residents. The community’s inability to produce more affordable housing, especially single-family and rental housing, continues to need to be addressed.
See Appendix G for Table 2A Priority Housing Needs, Investment Plan Goals and Priority Housing Activities which ranks the housing needs of small related, large related, elderly, and all other renters and homeowners and non-homeless special needs; identifies estimated numbers of units and money needed to meet the identified housing needs during the upcoming five year period; and details specific housing activities to be undertaken.
Homeless People and People Threatened with Homelessness
Nature and Extent of Homelessness
In coordination with the MT CoC, the local COC group which was described earlier conducts annual point-in-time counts of the homeless population in Great Falls through a housing status survey. In addition to determining overall numbers of homeless people in the community, specific demographic characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity and length of homelessness are obtained. This information is used to gain a more encompassing view of the homeless population and in applications for federal homeless grants funds.
The COC group conducted its most recent housing status survey on January 28, 2010. Thirteen organizations and 35 volunteers were involved in the effort. Additionally, more than 100 people who might possibly have contact with homeless individuals were notified of the count. In addition to the housing status survey, a housing inventory was also undertaken. An analysis of the data will not be available from the MT CoC until late April; therefore, data from the January 29, 2009, count was used for the Consolidated Plan. Once the 2010 data is available, it can be found at www.mthomeless.org.
The number of homeless people identified in the annual count has not radically changed from year to year. The statewide data from the January 2009 count reflected a total of 4,498 homeless people in Montana. A total of 193 unduplicated homeless people were identified in Great Falls. The local definition of homeless includes those individuals “doubled up” rather than being limited to the HUD definition of people sleeping in places not meant for habitation or in emergency shelter or transitional housing for the homeless. For some government purposes, in the past families expected to lose their housing within one week were considered homeless and this has recently been changed to two weeks.
The following demographics were gathered on the 113 individuals who responded to the 2009 survey questionnaire.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 34 71% were alone, 18% were single parents with children, 5% were with a spouse or partner and children, 2% were with a spouse or partner and no children and 8% were with other people 41% had spent the evening of the count with friends or relatives, 25% had slept in an emergency shelter and 18% had slept in transitional housing for homeless people 68% were male, 32% were female 6% were less than 20 year old, 62% were ages21 to 46 years, 23% were ages 47 to 60 years and 9% were ages 61 to 79 years 12% had served in the military 79% were white, 12% were American Indian, less than 3% were some other race 48% were homeless for one year or more; 49% had never previously been homeless. 27% had been hospitalized for a mental health issue and 19% for a substance abuse issue 35% had a heath condition that limited their ability to take care of themselves 2% had been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS 74% had been in the community one year or more
The Great Falls Public School District has hired a homeless student coordinator who has begun participating in the COC group so information about the number of homeless students and their associated needs should be available in the future. The coordinator reported as of April 2010 there were 145 homeless students in the public schools. One of the focus group of the CHAS reported there are nine chronically homeless students attending the alternative high school and seven chronically homeless students at the two regular high schools. An additional estimated 10% to 15% of the alternative high school population may be doubling up. Several agencies have noted there is a significant number of youth who need housing and transportation assistance so they can attend school.
Unsuccessful efforts were made to obtain demographic information and needs for the 53 homeless veterans who were identified in the veterans Stand Down in September 2009.
Because of the transitory nature of homelessness, it is commonly accepted that accurately measuring the number of homeless people is very difficult. However, based on survey findings, it appears the number of homeless people is relatively small in proportion to the total population of Great Falls. Nonetheless, the individual needs of this population can be considerable.
Needs of Sheltered and Unsheltered Homeless
The COC group discusses needs of homeless people on an ongoing basis and was specifically asked to identify and prioritize current needs for purposes of the Consolidated Plan. Priority needs were identified in the following three areas:
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 35 transitional housing with supervision/supportive services emergency shelter and supportive services for homeless people with mental illness housing for individuals who are perceived to be ineligible for public housing or Housing Choice vouchers because of a history of felony incarceration
One of the seven priority needs identified in the CHAS process is the need for transitional housing with support services for individuals and families who are homeless, teenagers, young parents, ex-felons or people who have mental illness.
Extensive community-wide surveying was done as part of the CHAS to determine community needs. Results of the 1,496 surveys which were returned from an opinion survey indicated the following significant needs as related to the homeless population: more shelter space for homeless people more transitional housing for homeless families and individuals emergency shelter for mentally ill homeless and those being discharged from the state hospital
One of the focus groups formed as part of the CHAS process discussed shelter care and found a major concern was housing affordability as related to low paying jobs and high housing prices and rents. Poor credit histories and past debts to subsidized housing result in difficulty qualifying for housing. Especially in abusive situations, this problem can be compounded by abuse victim still being married to the person who caused the debt. Homeless people frequently move between friends’ houses and go into debt before seeking shelter assistance. The needs identified by this group include the following: 8 to 12 individual apartments for transitional housing from six months to two years to help stabilize families who have been in emergency shelter safe transitional housing for battered spouses that is longer term then the shelter care at the Mercy Home first month’s rent and utility deposit assistance a housing ombudsman for debt and damage claims to appeal unreasonable damage claims from prior rental units and arrest warrants which eliminate eligibility for subsidized housing more single-family and multi-family homes which can be rented with Housing Choice vouchers health inspections for questionable rentals more quality low income housing options in general specialized supportive housing for those with mental illness and other disabilities
The Great Falls Rescue Mission, the main emergency shelter and transitional housing for the homeless in Great Falls, and the YWCA Mercy Home report an ongoing trend of increasing numbers of people who need to stay in their facilities for longer periods of time than in the past. It is believed this trend is caused by the economic situation and will continue into the future. See Special Needs Populations section regarding housing needs options for homeless people who are mentally ill.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 36
See Appendix G for Table 1A Homeless and Special Needs Populations which lists the current inventory of services, numbers under development, and unmet need/gap for various homeless populations, both sheltered and unsheltered.
Needs of People Threatened With Homelessness
Because of the current economic situation, people are losing their jobs. Many people’s financial condition does not provide for unplanned or emergency financial obligations so if they lose their job they soon lose their homes, as well. The cost of housing – particularly for renters – coupled with the lack of employment opportunities, child care expenses and a lack of medical insurance put low income families at risk for eviction.
The COC identified a high need for eviction prevention services. These services are available for renters through Opportunities, Inc., but they are currently funded with stimulus funds. Therefore, future funding resources for these services are uncertain. Other needs for this group include transportation to work and rental assistance. Emergency child care is also needed as frequently the people in this population are employed in jobs which do not allow them to stay home from work if a child is ill.
Special Needs Populations
Although it is difficult to identify the precise number of people who have special needs, data from the 2005-2007 Census update reflects 11,149 individuals age five years and older with a disability reside in Great Falls. Although more specific Census data is not available for Great Falls, 2008 Census data for Cascade County indicate there are 7,125 people who are 16 years or older with outside-home/self-care disabilities and 19,301 disabled persons age five years and older with sensory/physical/mental disabilities (person can have more than one disability). It is of note that of the 1,299 individuals who responded to a community opinion survey question about limitations, 320 people indicated they are limited in some way because of physical, mental or emotional problems.
The current waiting list for public housing includes 17 families with disabilities. The current waiting list for Housing Choice vouchers through the Great Falls Housing Authority includes 24 families with disabilities and Opportunities, Inc., waiting list includes 422 families with disabilities. As noted previously, there may be an overlap on the Great Falls Housing Authority and Opportunities, Inc., Housing Choice voucher waiting lists.
There are 260 Medicaid Waivers being administered by Easter Seals-Goodwill Industries and Area VIII Agency on Aging.
The search for affordable housing is complicated for individuals facing serious disabilities or other special situations. Both the public and government agencies have become
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 37 increasingly aware of the need to work with the private sector and non-profit organizations to develop viable housing options for people with special needs, including the elderly, disabled, homeless and single female-headed households. An important component of successfully addressing housing needs is integrating low income and special needs housing units into the community. In addition, people with disabilities or who have other special needs require supportive services concurrent with housing assistance.
As described previously, extensive community-wide surveying was done through the CHAS process to determine community needs. Results of the 1,496 surveys which were returned from an opinion survey indicated the following significant needs as related to the special needs population: more housing for people with physical or mental disabilities more permanent housing opportunities for teen parents who are pursuing schooling and caring for children more permanent housing opportunities for victims of violence more apartments for the elderly more housing options for low income elderly more group homes for people who are mentally ill, developmentally disabled, adult foster care, youth foster care, runaway youth and at risk youth more personal care facilities more nursing home space
See Appendix G for Table 1B Special Needs Non-Homeless Populations which lists a ranking of the overall needs of specific sub-populations within the special needs population, an estimate of unmet needs, estimated dollar amount needed to meet needs and multi-year and annual goals.
People with Mental Illness
The population in Great Falls with special housing needs includes people with various forms of mental illness. Using data from the 2000 Census, it is estimated there are 986 people in Great Falls age five year and older who have one type of disability that is a mental disability.
As described previously, the main programs to assist this group of residents are administered by the Center for Mental Health (CMH). This agency served approximately 2,200 people in Great Falls and Cascade County from June 2008 through July 2009. In addition to the housing services described in the Homeless Facilities and Services section, the CMH provides comprehensive community-based mental health services including psychiatric assessment and treatment; medication monitoring; individual, group and family therapy; day treatment; crisis intervention; and supportive services such as housing assistance, case management, supported employment and recreational activities.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 38 In addition to the emergency shelter needs described in the previous section, there is a significant need for more transitional housing to serve this population, as well as permanent housing (affordable rental units). The CMH is currently developing transitional housing at Center West, a short-term transitional housing facility for adults with severe disabling mental illness. This facility will house people leaving the state hospital or group homes and/or disabled veterans to help them transition into community living. The facility opened with eight units of housing and an additional 12 units are planned to be opened in 2010. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds were used in part on this project and seven permanent jobs were created.
The focus group of the CHAS which addressed housing for people with disabilities reported that only one of the four group homes operated by the CMH which serve mentally disabled people is accessible to physically disabled clients. The Mental Health Association of Great Falls reports a number of people with mental illness live in sub- standard conditions because they have criminal records and are viewed as undesirable tenants. The following needs were identified by the focus group: dental care mental health outreach services to assist people with finding rental housing emergency shelter and transitional housing in a setting that understands the needs of mentally ill homeless person subsidized housing units for seriously mental ill people
Physically Disabled People
Based on data from the 2000 Census, there are 5,327 people in Great Falls age five year and older who have a physical disability.
Accessible Space, Inc., (as described in the Special Needs Populations Housing and Services section), developed and manages two accessible, subsidized apartment complexes which have a total of 40 units for mobility impaired/brain injured adults. These facilities typically have an overall occupancy rate of 98%. As of August 2009 the agency reported a total waiting list for their three housing complexes (includes one facility for low income elderly) of 73 people who are in need of accessible, subsidized affordable housing with concurrent supportive services.
Park Manor, an elderly/handicapped subsidized apartment building operated by in the Montana Institute of Family Living in the downtown area, is seeing a trend away from housing the elderly to housing those who have a physical disability. Currently, 85% of their residents have a physical disability.
Small focus groups were held from October 2008 through April 2009 to determine the extent and character of the needs identified through the surveys undertaken as part of the CHAS process. A focus group noted the agency staff helping people with disabilities who are seeking accessible housing do not have a process in place to interact with providers
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 39 and therefore a gap exists between providers and people who need the service. This lack of communication between agencies and those seeking their services is noted as Impediment #6 in the Analysis of Impediments for Fair Housing. Identifying the inventory of accessible housing and establishing an electronic network for providers to report current vacancies to potential clients looking for accessible housing is needed. Other needs noted in the CHAS are for new homes and rental property to be built to minimum visit ability standards and the need for more flexibility in use of emergency funds, including rental deposits and first and last month rent, which can be used by people with disabilities who are seeking rental housing.
Developmentally Disabled People
Quality Life Concepts, as described earlier, is the primary provider of housing in Great Falls for people who are developmentally disabled. As of June 2009 this agency was providing supported living services for 31 people in the community and housing 83 adults in 14 group homes. All these people have very low incomes.
Easter Seal—Goodwill Industries provides a variety of services to people with developmental disabilities and anticipate serving approximately 250 developmentally disabled people annually.
The focus group of the CHAS process which addressed housing for people with disabilities reported that less than half of the group homes for developmentally disabled people operated by Quality Life Concepts meet accessibility requirements. This group identified the following needs: five to six group homes on one level in safe neighborhoods, adaptable to specific needs supportive housing with services for severely disabled mentally ill, developmentally disabled and those with brain injuries current group homes need to be adapted to meet needs of aging clients
Elderly/Frail Elderly People
2006-2008 Census data reflects there are 12,296 people (15% of the total population) who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39.7. The portion of the population who is elderly has been steadily increasing and will continue to do so. As a result of these changes, the number of elderly people facing housing problems will increase, especially for people who have low and moderate incomes. Many of these elderly people will need subsidized housing and/or special housing facilities as they continue to age, including handicapped accessible units, assisted living facilities and congregate care facilities. A wide range of levels of in-home care such as meal delivery, home attendant services and transportation will be needed so elderly people can age in place. Other needs include medication management, assistance with activities of daily living and transportation.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 40 The focus group of the CHAS process which addressed senior housing identified needs which included the following: more assisted living homes that are affordable for persons with Medicaid waivers a combination facility where home services can be provided to seniors more Medicaid waivers to keep seniors in assisted living instead of skilled care facilities a tax credit project with rents affordable for 50% area median income earners more HUD 202 rental projects that generally serve extremely low income seniors by providing extended project based rental assistance one-bedroom homes in safe neighborhoods for seniors who wish to sell their larger than needed homes
Single Parent Households/Victims of Domestic Abuse
In 2008 the YWCA Mercy Home, the primary provider of emergency/transitional housing and supportive services for victims of domestic abuse, sheltered 268 women and children who were victims of domestic violence. This agency reports an ongoing trend of women seeking housing services for a longer period of time where they will be safe from previous abusive relationships. The Mercy Home was designed to be emergency shelter and is not adequately designed for transitional housing. The YWCA also reports serving more victims who are not eligible for public housing until they pay past due balances which are often caused by abusive partners. Along with housing assistance, victims of domestic violence may require financial assistance for basic needs, counseling, legal assistance and training/education to assist with employment.
Increasing housing prices and rents make it difficult for single-parent households to purchase or rent safe, affordable housing. Most single-parent households are classified as low or very low income. NHS reports a large proportion of the low income people they serve are single parent heads of household. Affordable housing options are available, however, these units are primarily of substandard condition, unsafe or not energy efficient so utility costs are prohibitive. Therefore, subsidized housing that is in decent condition is needed.
Youth
It is difficult to estimate exact numbers of youth who require supportive housing assistance; however, the following numbers of youth were served from June 2008 through July 2009. Kairos Youth Services – 90 Children’s Receiving Home – 203 Haven of Hope – 59 beds available for women and families
CASA-CAN Children’s Advocacy Network reports there are 250 abused and neglected children in Cascade County who are in some type of foster care placement.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 41
The focus group of the CHAS which addressed teens and teen parents reported public housing and many private parties will no longer rent to teen parents because of the vagueness in Montana law concerning disaffirming contracts by persons under the age of 18 years. Some landlords will rent to teens under 18 years old in special circumstances but these units are not subsidized. Teens and teen parents who have to pay full rent may need to drop out of school in order to work full-time to be able to afford the rent. Such a situation can create long term poverty patterns because of a lack of education and inability to obtain employment which pays an adequate wage. The needs this group identified included the following: rent deposit assistance teen crisis stabilization facility supportive housing for teens graduating from foster care supportive housing for teens parents increased CDBG funding to improve current specialized housing
The need is seen for a supervised transitional living center for young parents to address the lack of affordable housing, especially for those ages 17 years and younger. In addition to housing, this group needs affordable daycare.
People with HIV/AIDS and Their Families
The City-County Health Department (CCHD) reports as of January 2010, an estimated total of 23 people living in Great Falls have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Demo- graphics are available on 17 of this population as they are accessing case management services. Data indicates the following: five are female, 12 are male 14 are white, two are African-American, one is other (undefined race) five are between the ages of 25 and 35, six are between the ages of 36 and 45 and six are between the ages of 46 and 55 nine have annual incomes of less than $1,000, four have incomes between $10,000 and $20,000, two have incomes between $20,000 and $30,000 and two have incomes between $50,000 and $60,000
The CCHD reports of the 17 people, 10 are currently receiving supporting housing assistance. Eight of these 10 are single adults living alone or with a partner/spouse. The other two are single with one or two children. A federal program, Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS, can provide security deposits and rental assistance. This grant- based program serves a tri-state area and is designed to fill the gap until people are able to find more permanent housing options such as Housing Choice vouchers. The local waiting list for this program is unknown. The CCHD indicates the priority supportive services needs of this population are medical treatment, clothing, food, emotional/mental health support, substance abuse treatment and education about risk reduction.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 42 People with Alcohol/Drug Addictions
It is difficult to provide an estimate of the numbers of people with some form of alcohol and/or drug addiction. However, Gateway Recovery Services, the primary provider of intensive outpatient treatment, case management, and residential treatment services for low and moderate income people who are diagnosed with a chemical dependency addiction, served 531 people from June 2008 through July 2009. Gateway Recovery Services estimates they have 37 clients who need supportive housing assistance, drug and/or alcohol addiction treatment and other supportive services.
Public Housing Residents
Of the Great Falls Housing Authority’s current resident families, 7% are elderly and 18% have disabilities. These targeted special needs populations of residents will have needs similar to those in the population as a whole.
Infrastructure
Many areas in the city have infrastructure replacement needs and these needs are greatest in the older areas of the city which have a high percentage of low income households.
The Public Works Department has a Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2010— 2015 and it includes the following total project costs: a) water system - $28.5 million, b) sanitary sewer system - $7.7 million and c) storm drain system - $11 million. The plan does not include roadways but the Public Works Department anticipates overlaying a total of approximately 60 blocks in the upcoming year and a similar amount annually in the subsequent years. Anticipated sidewalk projects are also not included in the plan but it is indicated the need for such projects exists in several low income areas. A total of $700,000 in CDBG funding has been spent in the past five years on projects to install handicap ramps (curb cuts) to provide handicap accessibility and on an ongoing grant program to provide assistance to low income homeowners to remove and replace hazardous sidewalks. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds were used in the past year to fund both these projects.
A $7 million water and sewer improvement project is being undertaken to extend water mains and sewer lines to connect the Upper and Lower River Road Water and Sewer District to existing city lines. The initial income survey found that more than 56% of the approximately 400 families in the District have low to moderate incomes. The project is being implemented in multiple phases over several years and has a combination of federal and state grant and loan funding sources. $332,000 in City CDBG funds was allocated in 2004/2005 and $332,000 in 2005/2006. At this time, it is anticipated the final $332,000 in City CDBG funds will be allocated in 2011/2012. The District had an income
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 43 survey conducted for the remaining households which found 61% of the households were low to moderate income.
A review of findings from the 1,496 surveys which were returned from an opinion survey undertaken as part of the CHAS process revealed the following as related to infrastructure needs: 60% indicated streets need improvement 30% indicated curbs gutters and sidewalks in neighborhood were fair to poor condition 20% indicated there are no curbs, gutters and sidewalks in their neighborhood 31% indicated accessible curb cuts are fair to poor 31% indicated there are no accessible curb cuts
Another need noted in the CHAS is for continuation of the handicap ramp (curb cut) program to enable elderly to stay in neighborhoods as they become more physically fragile or disabled. Providing handicap accessible sidewalks helps allow people to stay in their homes longer as they age. The City needs to continue to work toward meeting American with Disability Act requirements for handicap accessibility in infrastructure and public facilities.
Removal of Slum and Blight
Activities will need to be continued which aid in the elimination or prevention of slums or blight on either an area or spot basis. Census tracts 4, 8 and 16 are designated as slum and blight areas. Census tracts 5, 6 and 7 are included in a HUD-approved Urban Renewal Area. Great Falls also has a designated HUB Zone which extends from the Missouri River east to 15th Street and south to 10th Avenue South. There are 11 registered HUB Zone contractors in Great Falls.
Improvements will continue to need to be made in these areas to improve aging and deteriorating infrastructure, rehabilitate substandard structures, remove unsafe structures, create affordable housing and promote general neighborhood revitalization. Activities to address the elimination of slum and blight on a spot basis will also need to be continued throughout the city.
The focus group of the CHAS which addressed code enforcement and building codes identified the following needs: Additional part-time city judge firmer enforcement of city private property regulations by the court more city staff emphasis on inspecting substandard housing increase recycling of construction waste citizen education regarding licensing requirements for construction work keeping city commissioners informed about ongoing need to vacate and condemn substandard properties
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 44 Economic Development
The Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) is the primary economic development organization in the community. The GFDA’s mission is to lead Great Falls economic development efforts to promote growth, diversification and the creation of high wage jobs. The growth areas the GFDA will focus on are agri-processing, energy and entrepreneurship. One of their strategic priorities is to develop a heavy industrial park (Great Falls AgriTech Park) and this will involve working with existing businesses and entrepreneurs, identifying and contacting leads within the competitive niches of the target industries, networking to identify opportunities and expanding their web site services.
The Montana Government Contract Assistance Center and the Small Business Development Center will be housed within the GFDA offices.
The GFDA’s financial services will continue to be business financing options such as loan programs, revolving loan funds and a SBA 504 program. The GFDA was allocated CDBG funds in the past to expand a CDBG revolving loan fund to provide gap financing to existing and start-up businesses to provide loans to businesses to create jobs for low income people.
The GFDA reports they are seeing a sharp increase in needs in the following three financial areas as a result of the credit crisis: 1) filling gaps in conventional lending markets, 2) additional unconventional loan capital to assist existing businesses and start-up entrepreneurs 3) real estate revitalization loan funds to address the gap financing needs of commercial real estate developers who are trying to renovate distressed properties
Among other planned activities, the GFDA will assist businesses in developing grant applications for work force training. The agency will provide technical assistance, financing and support to developers considering an investment in the West Bank Park Renewal Area. This is a brownfield project in a 45 acre area within the city limits near the west bank of the Missouri River.
The GFDA notes the economic situation in Great Falls has changed significantly from five years ago when the previous Consolidated Plan was written. Many jobs have been lost and the unemployment rate has risen. Income continues to be lower than the national average and slow economic growth continues to be a challenge. The Bureau of Business and Economic Research note that 47% of basic industries labor income is derived from Malmstrom Air Force Base. Great Falls is at significant risk if the economy is not diversified.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 45 The GFDA has asked the City to consider exploring and identifying activities which it will undertake to address economic development activities, such as job retention and creation and attracting private investment.
A review of findings from the 1,496 surveys which were returned from an opinion survey undertaken as part of the CHAS process revealed the following as related to economic development: 84% make more than 75% of their family purchases locally 81% indicated more efforts to attract new large businesses and industry are needed 87% indicated more efforts to attract new small businesses are needed 72% indicated a greater effort to support the expansion of existing large businesses is needed 86% indicated a greater effort to support the expansion of existing small businesses is needed Four of the top five financial services people would like to see more available are housing related
The focus group of the CHAS which addressed economic development indicated the existence of low incomes is causing an affordability gap for housing. It is difficult for people to find rental housing in adequate condition if their incomes are too high to qualify for subsidized housing or too low to afford quality rental property. Diversification of the economy could result in high paying jobs for residents. Needs identified by the focus group included the following: affordable housing ordinance that allows smaller lots sizes and other density incentives to reduce the cost of construction; which are only available if the home is to be affordable to a family or individual at or below 120% of area median income creation of an industrial park to attract businesses that will fully utilize the work force skill available and provide higher paying jobs
Public Facility Improvements
Most non-profit social service agencies continue to have difficulty securing the financial resources to pay for code deficiencies, badly needed rehabilitation or handicap accessibility in their buildings. In many cases the rehabilitation is necessary for the agency to continue to offer services and, in some cases, the demand for the service has increased so dramatically that additional space is needed. In addition to the needs presented by agencies, needs are seen within City departments to complete upgrades at a variety of city public facilities and public improvements to comply with Americans with Disability Act requirements. As noted previously, the City will need to continue to work toward meeting American with Disability Act requirements for handicap accessibility in infrastructure and public facilities.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 46 City departments and a number of non-profit agencies apply for CDBG funding each year and the dollar amounts of these requests has been increasing over the recent years. During the application process for 2010/2011, the City received requests from two city departments and nine non-profit agencies for a total of $994,043 in CDBG funding to meet public facility improvement needs. The total dollars requested for public facility projects was approximately three times the amount of funding available. Funding was requested for a broad range of activities such as handicap accessibility, sidewalk repairs, building renovations and energy efficiency upgrades. Based on the current trend, a high level of requests for CDBG funding for public facility improvement projects is projected to continue throughout the next five years.
A review of findings from the 1,496 surveys which were returned from an opinion survey undertaken as part of the CHAS process revealed the following as related to public facilities needs: of the 66% who know about disabled and handicap access and facilities, 34% indicated more or better quality is needed of the 52% who know about daycare services, 25% indicated more or better quality is needed of the 61% who know about senior center and senior services, 23% indicated more or better quality is needed of the 56% who know about crisis services, 31% indicated more or better quality is needed
Public Services
A number of social service agencies apply for CDBG funding each year. An analysis of the CDBG applications received over the past five years for public service funds reflects the City received an average of requests from 12 different non-profit agencies for an average of $180,155 requested in CDBG funding to meet public service needs. An average of $143,173 was available to fund public service applications. A broad range of requests are received from social service agencies seeking funding for activities such as child care scholarships, food programs and office equipment. The trend for this high level of funding requests is expected to continue throughout the next five years. It is anticipated needs will continue to increase exponentially in this category, especially if non-profit social service agencies continue to be faced with governmental funding cuts.
A review of findings from the 1,496 surveys which were returned from an opinion survey undertaken as part of the CHAS process reflected a significant need for the following public services for low income people: health care (especially in the form of a walk-in medical care facility) dental services or medical services for people with chronic conditions medication food utility assistance
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 47 transportation, including extended bus service in the evenings and on weekends money management training
The need is seen for social service agencies to be able to provide their services on a scholarship basis to low income people using CDBG funds similar to the child care scholarships that are now being provided. For example, if supportive services such as transportation to medical appointments could be provided, it would allow special needs populations to live in their own homes rather than having to be housed in a care facility.
Obstacles to Meeting Underserved Needs
A universal obstacle to meeting underserved needs is a lack of available funding. Federal or state mandated programs without funding can be especially problematic as local funding may not be available to meet requirements such as handicap accessibility. Secondly, difficulty in establishing a formal structure for establishing collaborative service delivery throughout the community is a challenge to achieving comprehensive, lasting solutions.
It is seen that providing housing or one specific service to foster self-sufficiency for low income people is seldom sufficient to address underserved needs. Providing supportive services along with housing appears to be a more effective solution. However, finding funding for the administration of supportive services is difficult.
Many non-profit social service agencies have limited staff or are understaffed and lack the time, knowledge and/or abilities to meet the plethora of application and reporting needs for CDBG and HOME funding. In addition, many of the contracting businesses in Great Falls are small or owner-operator businesses and they have difficulty implementing all governmental requirements when initially completing an application for CDBG or HOME funds.
In addition to the economic issue, obstacles are seen in the area of people’s lack of knowledge of available resources, waiting lists for services and people “falling through the cracks” because they do not meet entrance and/or program criteria.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 48 5. FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN: HOUSING, HOMELESS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Five Year Priorities and Objectives
Priorities, objectives and strategies were developed by a consideration of the needs assessment, consideration of the housing and homeless inventory and an analysis of CDBG and HOME funded activities and unmet needs for the past five years. All the priorities and objectives identified in the following five year strategic plan are consistent with the strategies identified in the CHAS. They are also consistent with the City Commission goals as identified in the Strategic Plan Development Background section. It must be kept in mind historically there have been competing interests requesting a large amount of CDBG and HOME financial assistance from a limited availability of funds The City anticipates this situation will continue throughout the next five year.
The following priorities are listed in order of HUD matrix codes. All priorities were established based on high needs and none are higher than another.
Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including American with Disabilities Act (ADA) handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment (03)
Provide assistance for transitional housing with supportive services benefiting homeless or special needs persons (03 A-D)
Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons (05)
Provide direct first-time homebuyer assistance for low to moderate income families (13)
Provide construction and rehabilitation assistance for very low to moderate income homeowners and landlords with very low to moderate income renters to upgrade the city housing stock to provide and sustain safe, affordable housing (12- new construction or 14- rehabilitation)
Provide decent affordable housing opportunities for very low and low income renters, particularly the elderly and/or disabled (12- new construction or 14- rehabilitation)
Provide funding to projects which will create decent paying jobs with benefits for persons from low to moderate income households (18)
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 49 The following is a listing of the above priorities, along with the objectives to meet those priorities. The objectives are not an inclusive listing and projects may be funded that are not specifically described as long as these fit within the priorities.
Priority: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment (03)
Objective: The City will prioritize meeting ADA requirements in public facilities and infrastructure and will do 26 activities in the next five years using $1,162,623 in CDBG funds. Other activities that will be funded will primarily address energy efficiency, structural deficiencies and basic code upgrades for public facilities and non-profit agencies that serve the general population. The City will allocate $332,000 in CDBG funds for Phase 4 of the Upper and Lower River Road Water and Sewer District infrastructure project.
Priority: Provide assistance for transitional housing with supportive services benefiting homeless or special needs persons (03 A-D)
Objective: Over the next five years, the City will fund qualified projects to construct or rehabilitate transitional housing (total of 16 units) with supportive services for the homeless, homeless youth, young parents under the age of 18 years, homeless single head of household families who do not meet criteria for public housing, victims of abuse and others.
Priority: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons (05)
Objective: Over the next five years the City will provide funds to social service agencies to fund scholarships for child and youth day care/recreational/ educational programs, purchase food for elderly home meal delivery program and other activities for the provision of services to low income people.
Priority: Provide direct first-time homebuyer assistance for low to moderate income families (13)
Objective: NHS will assist 46 first time home buyers who have low to moderate incomes using an estimated $515,000 in HOME funds. Habitat for Humanity will do site work (water and sewer lines, sidewalks, parking pads) for 15 new houses. Using non CDBG/HOME funding, NHS will use $1.3 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds for 10 foreclosed homes.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 50 Priority: Provide construction and rehabilitation assistance for very low to moderate income homeowners or property owners with very low to moderate income renters to upgrade the City housing stock to provide and sustain safe, affordable housing (12- new construction or 14-rehabiltiation)
Objective: Over the next five years, the City will provide 50 loans to low income homeowners through the Deferred Payment Loan program using an estimated $1,010,000 in CDBG funds. The City will provide loans to property owners to rehabilitate 140 rental units that will be rented to low income people through the Rental Improvement program using an estimated $350,000 in CDBG funds. The City will provide nine loans to low income homeowners and property owners who provide rental units which remain affordable to low income households to construct or replace water and sewer lines through the Water and Sewer program using an estimated $55,000 in CDBG funds. The City may apply for additional CDBG funding for the Historical Preservation Program in the future. NHS will construct 25 single family homes and rehabilitate 25 single family homes for low to moderate income people. The Housing Authority will construct four four-plex apartments as part of phased development of the Sand Hills project using HOME funds.
Priority: Provide decent affordable housing opportunities for very low and low income renters, particularly the elderly and/or disabled (12- new construction or 14- rehabilitation)
Objective: Accessible Space, Inc., will construct a 30 unit accessible, subsidized apartment complex with 24 hour services for elderly very low to low income adults using HOME and HUD 202 project funds. ASI will continue to provide 87 units of accessible, subsidized rental housing for the elderly and/or disabled through their three apartment complexes. The City will provide $262,179 in CDBG funds to non-profit social service agencies to rehabilitate five group homes for disabled people (total of 40 housing units). The City anticipates it will receive requests for funding from project-based rental assisted housing providers for upgrades, however, the amount cannot be anticipated at this time.
Priority: Provide funding to projects which will create decent paying jobs with benefits for persons from low to moderate income households (18)
Objective: Over the next five years the City will fund economic development projects which will result in the creation of jobs for low to moderate income people. Such projects will include funding to the GFDA revolving loan fund to provide gap financing to existing and start-up businesses to create new jobs for low to moderate income people. Other projects could involve building
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 51 expansion, provision of infrastructure or job training programs which result in the creation of new jobs for low to moderate income people.
The impact of the investment of the funds through the various programs during the five year period is impossible to estimate because of the unpredictability of future availability of revenue sources. If the funding sources are sufficient to support the implementation of the proposed activities, there will be an impact toward meeting the needs of low to moderate income people and improving the local housing stock. If sufficient funds will not be available, the unmet needs will be greater. It should be noted the housing and community development needs listed in the Consolidated Plan are all high priorities; however, there are many other unmet needs in the community, as well.
See Table 2B Priority Community Development Needs in Appendix G for the priority need level, unmet priority need, dollars to address need, five year and annual goal plan/activity for each priority need. See Table 1C and 2C Summary of Specific Objectives in Appendix G for a listing of funding, performance indicators, expected and actual numbers served and percent completed for each specific objective for each year in the five year period.
Strategic Plan Development Background
The five year strategic plan was developed to coordinate the needs of the community and available resources to meet the following basic goals central to performance measurement requirements and set forth in the statutes of the CDBG and HOME grant programs: . provide decent housing for low and moderate income people . provide a suitable living environment for low and moderate income people . expand economic opportunity principally for low and moderate income people
Priorities have also been developed in coordination with the goals the City Commission has identified, which include the following: . develop a visually appealing and culturally rich community . manage growth to preserve our resources, environment and sense of community . provide excellent public services desired by the community within its financial means . strengthen and diversify our economy to provide job opportunities . anticipate future service needs, costs and resources and plan ahead to address them . form partnerships with other governments and organizations to make better use of public resources in providing services . ensure open and accessible government . build a stronger team of staff, elected officials and citizens by transforming our organization to meet the change needs of the community . remain financially strong . provide leisure and recreation opportunities which add to our quality of life
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 52 The five year strategy is designed to address areas of greatest need through a systematic process. Beginning in September 2007 the City helped to initiate a community-wide effort to undertake a combined comprehensive housing affordability strategy and community development needs assessment. This process began with facilitated group discussions about community needs, which lead to working groups being formed, one of which focused on undertaking a comprehensive housing and community development needs assessment and developing a comprehensive strategy to assure affordable housing needs will be met. When considering needs, all community needs were considered, including such areas as infrastructure, public services, public facilities and economic development in order to obtain comprehensive information for the Consolidated Plan. However, it should be noted the strategies developed as part of the CHAS focus on housing needs only.
To gather community-wide input the working group conducted three surveys: 1) 68 agencies and organizations responded to a survey about housing and community development needs; 2) 1,496 surveys were returned about community needs for housing, public facilities, public services, education and economic development; and 3) 612 low income people responded to a brief survey regarding housing needs. Findings from the 2009 housing status (homeless) survey were also incorporated.
After compiling the survey results, from October 2008 through April 2009 the working group held 15 weekly focus group sessions to determine the extent and character of the needs identified through the surveys. Following the surveys and focus groups, a working group produced a list of 17 housing needs. This information was presented to the entire CHAS group for discussion, prioritization and adoption. In February 2009 the full planning group identified 16 strategies to address the needs. From the beginning of the CHAS process, the planning group was considering housing needs of people with low to moderate income, as well as housing for the work force which roughly includes those at 80% to 120% of area median income. As a result, some of the 17 strategies will not fit within the parameters of what can be undertaken with HUD funding. Items followed by an asterisk are activities that would not likely be eligible to be funded with HUD funds.
1. Conduct Fair Market Rent Survey for Cascade County 2. Construct or rehabilitate existing buildings to create transitional housing with support services 3. Form a partnership to apply for grant funds to create a supervised transitional living center for young parents 4. Provide affordable rental housing options for students and health workers near the hospital and universities 5. Construct rental housing for low income seniors 6. Apply for grant funds and network to provide rent and utility deposits and address other barriers to accessing affordable housing
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 53 7. Provide deferred down payment assistance and construct or renovate houses for low income homebuyers in transition neighborhoods; assist renters into homeownership; develop a Resident Owned Community 8. Solicit land donations to create land trusts for permanently affordable homes * 9. Create middle income (work force) housing options with emphasis on historic building preservation in the downtown area * 10. Work toward adoption of affordable housing zoning ordinances and enforcement of upgraded building codes for Energy Star and accessibility 11. Encourage non-profit developers to use Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to augment affordable rental housing stock 12. Expand homeowner housing rehabilitation loan programs 13. Increase the number of Medicaid waiver slots and find more assisted living facilities that will accept waivers * 14. Create a collaboration between rental property owners and service providers to allow the provision of in-home services to elderly renters * 15. Identify funding for a housing ombudsman to appeal rejected rental applications * 16. Upgrade rental housing stock available to those receiving Housing Choice vouchers and other low to moderate income renters 17. Preserve and upgrade existing manufactured housing communities
Out of these 17 strategies, seven were prioritized for adoption in the CHAS as the 2010- 2020 Housing Plan: Create transitional housing with supervision and services to serve homeless, teenagers, teen parents, ex-felons and people with mental illness Address need for affordable rental housing in the medical-education district Create middle income housing options with emphasis on historic building preservation in the downtown area Encourage adoption of ordinances that promote development of affordable housing, remove blight and encourage universal accessibility and energy efficiency Provide safe, accessible, affordable housing options for the elderly, including more Medicaid waivers to be used for in-home care options for renters as well as owners Improve quality of rental stock available to low income renters, focusing on upgrading current rental housing stock and preserving project-based affordable rental housing Preserve and upgrade existing manufactured housing communities
The CHAS will be presented for adoption by the City and County Commissioners.
Housing
The overall housing strategy is described in the listing of priorities and objectives. The strategy was developed based on the market analysis, an assessment of housing needs and several other important factors. It should be noted in addition to the many other activities that will be undertaken as part of the housing strategy, the Great Falls Housing
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 54 Task Force and other groups will be consulted with on an ongoing basis to determine if additional needs arise or if strategies need to be modified. The City will be an active member of the Great Falls Housing Task Force which meets regularly to collect and share information on housing affordability, availability and accessibility; to discuss and project trends within the housing market; and to promote fair housing.
The following information about the current housing market situation was considered to be of particular relevance when determining the housing strategy.
The recession was slower to hit Great Falls compared to other places in the country and the impact was not felt much before June 2009, as is reflected in the housing market analysis. Great Falls has historically had a stable economy with only minor changes in population levels. Although the dramatic increase of numbers of foreclosures was slower to hit Great Falls than in other areas of the country, the impact is beginning to be felt. An increase in the number of foreclosures results in increased housing needs. More people are losing their homes now and must become renters. And more renters are losing their jobs and becoming at risk for being homeless. The Census data does not always reflect the actual housing market situation at this time because of the recession.
The City is seeing an increased request for Rental Improvement program funds because the number of renters is increasing, resulting in an increased need for rental options. Property owners who are good landlords are rehabilitating rental properties to provide additional rental options and if they want to be able to have their rental units affordable for people who have low incomes, they need a low interest rate to finance improvements to their rental properties.
Housing prices have recently fallen and therefore some low income people who did not previously own homes are buying houses to take advantage of the $8,000 rebate for low income first time home buyer.
Because of the current economic situation, it is very difficult for potential home buyers to secure any type of loans unless they have impeccable credit and a large down payment. This has resulted in NHS receiving a large increase in loan requests because people cannot get credit through regular financing options.
A significant amount of the assisted housing stock has come out of affordability and is now higher end rentals. This change adversely impacts low income renters, especially the elderly.
Along with the other activities to be undertaken as part of the housing strategy, HOME funds will be allocated to address the increasing housing needs of the elderly and frail elderly. Additionally, it is anticipated the City will establish a structured program to evaluate the habitability of mobile homes, manufactured homes and single and multi- family rental properties, especially those being rented by low income people using
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 55 Housing Choice vouchers.
Although housing needs are addressed in the five year strategic plan, it should be noted the City will not be able to resolve all the needs because of a lack of resources and other factors beyond its control.
Homeless
Homeless services will include a prevention strategy and involve a variety of services. While all services may not be needed by everyone, the community will have them available as part of a comprehensive system. Such services will include: o emergency or transitional shelter and permanent housing, including supportive housing o identification and assessment of an individual or family’s needs o social services, including mental health and substance abuse counseling, vocational rehabilitation, family support, childcare, independent living skills and job training and placement
The COC group and the CHAS identified transitional housing with supportive services as the highest priority need for the homeless population. To meet this need, the strategy will be to provide CDBG/HOME funding for new construction or rehabilitation to create transitional housing. If possible, the City will help coordinate sharing of housing between appropriate populations, for example homeless youth and young parents could share a supervised facility. Breaking the long-term cycle of homelessness cannot be accomplished by building more facilities alone and this is why an essential component to any new facilities will need to be supportive services. As the needs of homeless people are best met through supportive services in combination with housing assistance, such strategies employ a multi-faceted coordination of many local service providers beyond housing providers.
The City will support development of transitional housing or other housing options for homeless people or people who are at risk of becoming homeless as noted in the priorities. The City will facilitate the COC group and will encourage the group to undertake activities which will move toward reaching the federal goal of ending chronic homelessness. The City will coordinate the annual housing status (homeless) survey in Great Falls as long as this continues to be part of the MT CoC efforts.
Opportunities, Inc., the local Human Resource Development Council, will be the local liaison with the MT CoC. The COC will be advised of activities the MT CoC is taking to address ending chronic homelessness and will participate whenever possible. If local agencies pursue projects such as emergency housing with supportive services for the mentally ill homeless, the COC group will support all appropriate proposals. In addition, the City will encourage application for federal homeless grant funds for such projects through the MT CoC statewide application process.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 56 Overcoming Gaps
The amount of annual CDBG and HOME funds is not enough to address housing, homeless and non-housing community development needs such as public services, public facilities and infrastructure. In addition to the deficit of federal funding, the city government itself is facing difficulties because of the current economic situation.
The City is attempting to address this gap by exploring other grant funding options such as economic stimulus funds and Neighborhood Stabilization Funds. In addition, the City will network extensively with non-profit agencies to promote the possibility of organizations collaborating whenever possible to combine service delivery to address similar problems. Given the effects of the recession, forming new partnerships and exploring creative potential solutions to ongoing problems facing low income people will be more important than ever.
Public Housing
The Great Falls Housing Authority has been designated by HUD as a high performing public housing authority each year since 2004 based on the Public Housing Management Assessment Program. The Great Falls Housing Authority will continue the processes it has in place to improve the living environment for its residents, including using capital funds to rehabilitate housing units as necessary. A rehabilitation project planned for the upcoming five years is infrastructure upgrading and major renovation of 156 units at the main housing site. A new construction project planned for the upcoming five years is for an affordable housing complex using HOME funds as previously described.
In reviewing the Section 504 needs assessment, the Great Falls Housing Authority is in compliance with the physical handicapped accessibility requirement for housing authority facilities. The Great Falls Housing Authority will take into account the handicap accessibility requirements (5% rule) during any rehabilitation projects. The Great Falls Housing Authority has housing designated for the elderly/disabled and has established partnerships with assistive agencies within the community to assist those residents.
The Great Falls Housing Authority will encourage tenants to be involved in the management of public housing through having two tenants on the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. The Great Falls Housing Authority will write and distribute a quarterly newsletter and host public hearings to obtain input from residents as to their needs and opinions, including those related to the annual plan and proposed rehabilitation of housing units. The information obtained from hearings will be considered in the annual grant applicant.
The Great Falls Housing Authority will work with NHS and Habitat for Humanity to encourage residents to undertake the necessary steps to make the transition from renters to homeowners, if appropriate. The Great Falls Housing Authority has contracted with the
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 57 Great Falls Police Department for more than two decades for an on-site community police officer. The programs involved with this service encourage public housing residents to become involved in their community and address problems in their neighborhood. The Great Falls Housing Authority will continue this service as long as funding is available. The Great Falls Housing Authority will coordinate with the Boys & Girls Club of Cascade County to provide a wide variety of services for resident youth and will provide numerous scholarships.
Barriers to Affordable Housing
Every five years, the City produces the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice which includes barriers to affordable housing. This document is updated annually to ensure barriers are being addressed and removed, as possible. See the following section for further information about this document.
The City may explore the possibility of developing affordable housing incentives and investigating methods for expediting zoning and annexation time requirements. Additionally, universal accessibility and Energy Star appliances and housing plans will be encouraged.
Fair Housing
The foundation for the City’s Fair Housing program is the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice 2010—2015 (AI). This document describes the extensive public participation process undertaken to obtain broad-based information. The fair housing priorities, goals and action plan are consistent with community needs while meeting the requirements and intent of federal and state fair housing goals and objectives. The AI is a completed document with associated strategies. It is updated on an annual basis and if additional impediments should arise, these will be analyzed and incorporated into the overall strategies. See Appendix E for the complete document which includes a detailed description of the six impediments which were identified and the activities which will be undertaken in the upcoming years to address overcoming the effects of each impediment.
In addition to development and annual updating of the AI, the City will undertake the following activities in the upcoming five years to affirmatively further fair housing: o partially fund a fair housing specialist position o do outreach through education and networking (including distributing pamphlets, providing information on the city Internet site, holding workshops and classes, writing articles for newsletters, coordinating an annual event at the Great Falls Home Show, holding one-on-one training session and participating in numerous local housing related groups o provide training for landlords and tenants o provide conflict resolution and formal mediation services for landlords and tenants o review changes to city ordinances to ensure compliance with fair housing laws
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 58 o coordinate with the Great Falls Housing Authority (review leasing requirements and provide guidance and investigate tenant complaints) o monitor rental housing market, especially subsidized housing o review city ordinances for compliance with fair housing laws
Lead-Based Paint and Asbestos Hazards
Preventive and rehabilitative measures will be taken in all CDBG and HOME funded housing projects and public facilities projects that serve young children to ensure the extinction of lead-based paint hazards. All rehabilitation projects in which the building was constructed before 1978 will address lead-based paint regulations. Information about lead-based paint hazards will be provided to all people who apply for City housing rehabilitation loans and all property owners will be notified of the ages of their buildings. If lead-based paint is found during initial testing on a project where families with children under the age of six reside they will be referred for testing for lead-based paint exposure.
All pertinent City housing project sites which have visual paint deterioration where rehabilitation will take place will be tested for the presence of lead-based paint. On any sites that test positive, only contractors certified in safe work practices will be used for abatement. Clearance tests will be performed by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified risk assessor and a certified laboratory upon project completion. The City has an arrangement with NHS to use the XRF Technology Lead Analyzer (which was purchased with CDBG funds) to determine the presence of lead-based paint. The City pays for testing and the only added cost to the homeowner is if a contractor has to be hired.
Lead-based paint hazards will be taken into consideration on all pertinent CDBG-funded projects being undertaken by sub-grantees.
All CDBG and HOME funded housing projects will also take asbestos hazards into consideration. The City housing rehabilitation specialist will do a visual inspection and if it reveals the presence of asbestos, samples will be sent to an accredited laboratory. If the presence of asbestos containing materials is found, approved abatement procedures will be undertaken, including final clearance testing.
Asbestos hazards will also be taken into consideration on all pertinent CDBG-funded projects being undertaken by sub-grantees.
The CCHD will provide information about lead-based paint hazards to people in the community who request information. The CCHD does not have sufficient funding to provide free lead screening tests but can do such testing if people have the funds to pay.
The Great Falls Housing Authority will provide all new tenants with lead-based paint hazard reduction information and will include lead-based paint considerations in their
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 59 policies. Lead-based paint hazard will also be taken into consideration as part of the Great Falls Housing Choice voucher program inspections which are done for private rentals. This process will include initial testing using the XRF Analyzer on all houses built prior to 1978 when peeling paint is present and children will be in the home. Safe work practices and clearance testing will be undertaken when the presence of lead-based paint is found. The Great Falls Housing Authority has had all public housing sites tested for the presence of lead-based paint. The Great Falls Housing Authority will follow the same asbestos hazard process as previously described for City CDBG funded housing projects. The Great Falls Housing Authority has retained an engineering consultant firm to address lead-based paint and asbestos inspection, testing and mitigation, if required, at the main site rehabilitation project.
NHS will comply with all HUD lead safe requirements for properties constructed prior to 1978. NHS is a certified abatement company and has staff certified in lead safe practices. Staff will do initial tests using the XRF Lead Analyzer to check for the presence of lead- based paint, do visual testing, supervise workers doing abatement and obtain laboratory clearance tests from an EPA certified risk assessor after the abatement is complete.
NHS will test for the presence of asbestos hazards in all housing rehabilitation projects. If materials test positive for asbestos and will be disturbed during construction, abatement will be done by a licensed contractor certified for asbestos abatement and clearance tests will be obtained from an outside firm.
Economic Development
A variety of public, private, and quasi-private agencies and organizations have been formed over the years to assist in retaining existing businesses in Great Falls and to help attract new economic growth to the area. The City will work with the Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA), a private non-profit agency which serves as a consultant to those interested in relocation, expansion or establishment of businesses and industries in the area. The GFDA has seven strategic priorities; a primary focus will be on developing a rail served heavy industrial park (Great Falls AgriTech Park).
As noted in the previous needs assessment section, the GFDA provides a variety of services to assist the community in short and long term economic development efforts. They will also provide technical assistance, financing and support for developers considering investment in the West Bank Urban Renewal Area. The GFDA was allocated CDBG funds in the past to expand a CDBG revolving loan fund to provide gap financing to existing and start-up businesses to provide loans to businesses to create jobs for low to moderate income people. Additional CDBG funds will be allocated in the upcoming year for this fund.
The Montana Government Contracting Assistance Center and the Small Business Development Center are also housed within the GFDA offices.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 60 The Business Improvement District (BID) will carry out economic development activities in the downtown area, focusing primarily on façade and interior building improvements; cleaning, maintenance and beautification; new business activity and residential development in the downtown area.
The Great Falls Downtown Association will promote events in the downtown area.
The Downtown Action Alliance, a group with members from the GFDA, the BID, the City of Great Falls, the Chamber of Commerce and others, will promote downtown revitalization.
The downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Great Falls Central Business Historic District. The City historic preservation officer will promote the use of investment tax credits for certified rehabilitation and the use of the Uniform Code for Building Conservation as tools for revitalization of the downtown area. The City will also promote the National Register sign register program and other historic signage programs to promote tourism.
Development of a natural gas-fired power plant by Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative has been promoted for a number of years. In March 2010 the Cooperative secured $85 million to build the first phase of a 40 megawatt project eight miles east of the city limits. However, this project has faced a multitude of environmental, legal and financial issues over the years and it is unknown if or when development will progress.
In 2008, 412 building permits were issued for a total of $69,954,417. In 2009, 408 building permits were issued for a total of $73,511,364.The Planning and Community Development director indicates there is no consensus regarding what future trends will be for construction and development in Great Falls. Although there are signs to indicate an improved economic situation will be forthcoming, historically Great Falls and Montana experience a time lag in the economic climate in relation to the rest of the nation. If this trend continues, the economic situation may worsen before it improves or a slowed recovery time may occur.
Infrastructure
One goal of the CDBG program is to improve the infrastructure in areas of the city determined to contain a majority of low income households. There are many areas in the city with infrastructure replacement needs and the areas where the need appears to be the greatest are the older areas which have a high percentage of low income households. The City Public Works Department has the ability to match CDBG funding with other funding sources to make projects in the low income block group areas viable projects. Without this funding, the households in the improvement areas would be responsible for paying special improvement district fees to pay for the infrastructure improvements.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 61 As noted in the needs assessment section, the Public Works Department has prepared a Capital Improvement Plan for the upcoming five years regarding water system, sanitary sewer system and storm drainage system improvements which total approximately $47 million. Roadway overlaying projects will also be undertaken. These improvements will be done on a city-wide basis. In the past, CDBG funds have been allocated to the Public Works Department for projects to install handicap ramps (curb cuts) to provide handicap accessibility and an ongoing grant program to provide assistance to low income homeowners to remove and replace hazardous sidewalks. It is anticipated these allocations will continue in the upcoming five years.
The final phase of the $7 million Upper and Lower River Road Water and Sewer District infrastructure project previously described will be completed.
The City will receive Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) grant funds to enhance community transportation networks through historic preservation, landscaping, and sidewalk/trail projects. Congress is currently in the process of reauthorizing the Transportation Act, therefore, future funding levels are uncertain. However, with the funding that is currently available, it is anticipated an estimated $850,000 will be expended on eight projects in the upcoming five years. Projects will include the Civic Center and Police Department building restoration and repairs, Riverview Elementary and Sun River Connection bike/pedestrian paths, Gibson Park lighting, 1st Avenue South streetscape, 23rd Street sidewalk and bike route signage. CTEP grant funds will be leveraged with funding from private and non-federal public sources.
Removal of Slum and Blight
The City will fund activities which aid in the elimination of slums and blight in Census Tract 4, 8, and 16 as these are the Census tracts which are designated as slum and blight areas. Activities will also be undertaken in Census tracts 5, 6 and 7 as this area is a HUD-approved Urban Renewal Area. Such activities will include infrastructure improvements, rehabilitating substandard structures, removing unsafe structures and promoting general neighborhood revitalization as described in other sections of this plan. The City will renew the designation of the slum and blight area and the Urban Renewal Area in 2012.
The City will also address slum and blight on a spot basis as projects are presented based on need in the community. Housing rehabilitation activities undertaken through the City’s housing programs will address the prevention or elimination of slum and blight by improving deteriorating housing conditions in a variety of neighborhoods.
NHS will use a portion of their CDBG/HOME funding to demolish structures which are unable to be rehabilitated and purchase and rehabilitate blighted property when possible to revitalize neighborhoods. NHS will have ongoing programs for neighborhood wide
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 62 clean-up, reporting of code infractions, a Crime Watch network and special assistance to residents of targeted neighborhoods. They will coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Neighborhood Watch, NHS Neighborhood Committees, the City of Great Falls and other local groups to provide these programs.
The City has housing inspection and code enforcement programs to promote safe housing and to ensure adequate maintenance of the housing stock. The City will seek to resolve hazardous housing conditions or other threats to the public health, safety and welfare by encouraging or requiring property owners to maintain their properties in compliance with all applicable codes concerning junk and debris and other unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
Public Facilities
It is anticipated a large number of social service agencies, including senior centers, youth organizations and group homes, will request CDBG funds annually for handicap accessibility, energy efficiency upgrades and renovations to the buildings where the agencies provide services. In addition, other non-profit organizations such as museums and recreational facilities will request CDBG funds for similar improvements.
It is anticipated non-profit agencies, as well as City departments, will request CDBG funding to complete required upgrades to comply with ADA handicap accessibility requirements. In the past several years a large portion of the CDBG funds allocated to public facility project have been used to provide ADA upgrades to buildings, streets and parks. It is anticipated the current trend of far more requests than there are funds available will continue, most likely at an ever-increasing rate. The City will allocate CDBG funds for public facility improvements based on availability of funding and prioritization of needs.
Public Services
At this time people are having their work hours cut or losing their jobs. Applications in Cascade County for the three major welfare programs (Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) have greatly increased. In 2008 there were 5,475 applications. As of August 2009 there were already 5,300 applications for that year.
Similar to the public facility category, it is anticipated the current trend of more requests than there are funds available will continue, again at an increasing rate. In the past several years a large portion of the CDBG funding which is allocated to public service activities has focused on providing assistance to agencies who serve youth, the elderly and mentally and physically disabled people. It is anticipated this trend will continue, particularly as non-profit social service agencies report facing funding difficulties. As with
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 63 the other categories of funding allocation, the level of CDBG funding the City will allocate for public services will be based on availability of funding and prioritization of needs.
Anti-Poverty
Rural Dynamics, Inc., (RDI) has been awarded a $150,000 grant through the Northwest Area Foundation which is designed to attract additional funding for projects that help people get out of poverty. RDI’s Assets for Montana project will assist families with savings accounts, the use of tax credits, financial education and will expand a website and network of non-profit organizations focused on building assets. RDI will hold financial education workshops and free financial literacy classes and will administer a youth financial literary program and Montana Foster Child Independence Program. This agency will also provide income tax assistance to help eligible low income people file their federal tax returns and provide matched savings incentive. RDI will partner with Great Falls Weed & Seed and NHS to administer the Asset Development Demonstration (ADD) Initiative. Families will be provided with financial literacy training, one-on-one counseling and ADD match assistance for down payment. The goal of this grant program is to move low income families into first time homeownership in Weed & Seed neighborhoods. See Appendix D for a map of these neighborhoods.
Opportunities, Inc., will provide a wide variety of programs to assist very low and low income people. The Human Service Resource Center within Opportunities, Inc., will provide emergency services related to food, housing, clothing, eye care, medical care, prescriptions, dental care and transportation. Opportunities, Inc., will administer the following programs which focus on assisting people out of poverty: 1) Family Self-sufficiency Program which teaches participants how to become self- sufficient; 2) Work Force Investment Act Program which provides dropout, low income, at risk and special needs young adults ages 16 through 22 with year round, full-time employment; and 3) HeadStart Program which provides education of preschool-age children, child care, parent education, job training, continuing education, GED preparation, life skills classes, assistance with applying for financial aid for college and coordination with other community services.
Opportunities, Inc., will provide assistance to low income households through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Program which gives financial assistance to low income families to help with utility bills, furnace repair/ replacement and other energy efficiency services.
The YWCA of Great Falls will offer services that promote self-sufficiency, reduce violence and achieve equal opportunities for people. Services will include life skills training classes and women’s health workshops. Vouchers will be available to community service organizations for used clothing.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 64
Young Parents Education Center will provide on-site developmental day care, family support and outreach, pre-vocational activities and parenting/child development education to assist pregnant and parenting teens and young adults to build self- sufficiency.
Social service non-profit agencies who provide a wide range of services will administer a multitude of programs during the upcoming five years. The City will allocate CDBG and HOME funding to many of these agencies.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 65 6. 2010/2011 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
Activities to be Undertaken
A description of the specific activities and projects which will be undertaken during 2010/2011 with anticipated CDBG and HOME funds and program income is provided on the Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects in Appendix H. A summary listing of recommended projects for 2010/2011 and Table 3A-Summary of Specific Annual Objectives are also in Appendix H.
CDBG/HOME Program Specific Requirements and Resources
Community Development Block Grant Program: 36th Year CDBG allocation $1,007,629 Unused prior year CDBG grant funds $60,371 Anticipated CDBG program income * $692,500 Total CDBG $1,760,500
HOME Investment Partnership Program: HOME federal allocation $438,016 Unused prior year HOME grant funds $67,085 Anticipated HOME program income ** $70,000 HOME match*** $5,126,429 Total HOME $5,701,530
Total anticipated federal funding $7,463,929
* The total anticipated CDBG program income is $692,500, all of which will be used to continue revolving loan programs. NHS anticipates receiving $450,000 in CDBG program income. The City Deferred Payment Loan program anticipates receiving $175,000 in CDBG program income and the City Rental Improvement Loan program anticipates receiving $47,000 in CDBG program income. The City Water and Sewer program anticipates receiving $8,500 in CDBG program income. These amounts will be used for City housing rehabilitation programs. The City should receive $12,000 in program income from GFDA’s CDBG funded revolving loan fund. ** The total anticipated HOME program income is $70,000. NHS anticipates receiving $25,000 in HOME program income from new construction (Owners in Partnership programs) and $45,000 in HOME program income from down payment and closing cost assistance loans. *** The total anticipated HOME match is $5,126,429. HOME match from NHS will be $675,000 from Montana Board of Housing, $185,215 from SHOP and $180,000 from NeighborWorks. HOME match from ASI will $3,094,300 in HUD 202 funds, $250,000 in HUD 202 Demonstration Planning grant funds, $145,000 from a Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle grant and $596,914 from other grant funds.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 66 It is anticipated the City will also receive $700,000 in program income from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program; this amount was not included in the previous total program income amount as it is not CDBG or HOME funding.
87% of 2010/2011 CDBG funds will be used for activities that benefit persons with low and moderate income. The City uses the Section 8 method passed as part of the Housing Act of 1937 to determine income parameters for who qualifies as a low income household to receive CDBG and HOME funded services.
The following table lists the CDBG priorities, funding percentages and amount of CDBG funds which were approved by the City Commission in January 2010 to be allocated to each category for the 2010/2011 program year. It is of note this amount is different than the actual allocation listed on the previous page. This difference occurs because it is necessary for the City Commission to consider funding percentages early in the application process to provide guidance to the CDC when they are making their proposed funding recommendations.
CDBG Funding Entitlement Priorities Percentage Amount Public facility improvements/ 33% $321,752 handicap accessibility Affordable housing 27% $263,948 Economic development 5% $50,000 Public service activities 15% $146,700 Administration 20% $195,600 Total Allocation 100% $978,000
Of the $438,016 anticipated to be received in 2010/2011 HOME funds, 10% or $43,801 will be used for administration and 90% or 394,215 will be used for housing projects. This amount is the same as the actual allocation noted on the previous page as these funds are not divided into different priority categories. A minimum of 15% will be set-aside for NHS, the only CHDO in the community.
Other Resources
Other specific funding resources in addition to CDBG and/or HOME funds which will be used for each individual project allocated funds during 2010/2011 are listed on Table 3C completed for each project (see Appendix H).
Homeless and Special Needs Activities
The COC group and the CHAS identified transitional housing with supportive services as the highest priority need for individuals and families who are homeless, as well as for teenagers, young parents, ex-felons or people who have mental illness. In addition, the
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 67 number and needs of homeless youth, especially those in the school district, will be explored. Another area which will be addressed is the question of whether people are ineligible for public housing or Housing Choice vouchers because of a history of felony incarceration.
The City will support development of transitional housing or other housing options for homeless people or people who are at risk of becoming homeless if appropriate application is made for CDBG/HOME funding for new construction or rehabilitation projects. The City will provide assistance to help coordinate social service agencies develop such housing in a shared fashion, if possible. The City will undertake other activities on an annual basis as noted in the Five Year Strategic Plan Homeless section.
Although there is currently a shortage of emergency shelter, the nature of that shortage is seen as a reflection of the trend of homeless people staying longer in shelters rather than an actual shortage of emergency shelter. If additional transitional housing can be developed, the shortage of emergency shelter for the general homeless population should decrease. However, it should be noted a priority need continues to be identified for emergency shelter and supportive services specifically for homeless people with mental illness. Funding availability makes meeting this need difficult. The City will provide technical assistance to social service agencies who seek grant funding to address this need. The City will encourage application for McKinney-Vento federal homeless grant funds for projects assisting homeless people through the MT CoC statewide application process.
As described previously, Opportunities, Inc., will be the central intake point for most social service provider organizations in Great Falls and will provide a wide variety of services for homeless and low income people. Opportunities, Inc., will be the local liaison for the MT CoC and will regularly attend statewide and local meetings and participate in planning to meet the national goal of ending chronic homelessness. In the upcoming year the agency will offer referral, limited case management and designated payee status to address the needs of chronically homeless people. In the upcoming year, Opportunities, Inc., will explore identification of potential action steps to address ending chronic homelessness beyond those already being offered as noted in the Housing and Homeless Analysis section. Opportunities, Inc., will coordinate with the Center for Mental Health to provide referral and direct assistance services for the mentally ill homeless in the community. The agency will also collaborate with a local veterans group, Vets4Vets, to plan and implement a Stand Down in September 2010.
Opportunities, Inc., is currently receiving HUD Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re- housing Program grant funds to help re-house families that fall into homelessness or to prevent them from becoming homeless. Services will include short and medium-term rental assistance, security deposits, utility payments and other related services. It is not known how long these stimulus funds will be available.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 68 All agencies and organizations listed in the Homeless Facilities and Services Inventory portion of the Housing and Homeless Analysis section anticipate providing services as described in those sections. These activities are undertaken to provide outreach, to assess individual needs, to address housing and supportive services needs and to help homeless people make the transition to self-sufficiency.
Activities, including eviction prevention services, will be undertaken to help low income families and people at risk of becoming homeless and these activities are described in the Five Year Strategic Plan Anti-poverty section of this report.
All agencies and organizations listed under the Special Need Populations section of the Housing and Homeless Analysis anticipate providing services to address the special needs of people who are not homeless. These populations include people with physical and/or developmental disabilities, people with mental illness, elderly/frail elderly people, single parent households/victims of domestic violence, youth, people with HIV/AIDS and their families and people with alcohol/drug addictions. It should be noted the Center for Mental Health reports that because of funding cuts, day treatment services for people with mental illness provided at the New Directions Center will likely be terminated.
Specific projects which are proposed to be funded with CDBG and HOME funds in the 2010/2011 year which will benefit special needs populations include the following:
Agency Project Center for Mental Health Renovations at group home for mentally ill adults Children’s Museum of Montana Handicap accessible restroom and meeting room GF City Park & Recreation Eagle Falls Handicap accessible restroom GF City Public Works Handicap ramps (curb cuts) installation GF City Public Works Sidewalk replacement grant program GF Community Food Bank Handicap accessible restrooms Whittier PTA Handicap accessible playground equipment Agency on Aging Meal delivery program for elderly Children’s Advocate Network Materials for volunteer advocacy program Paris Gibson Square Class materials for people with physical disabilities Accessible Space, Inc. New construction accessible subsidized housing complex for seniors
Other Actions
Address Obstacles to Meeting Under Served Needs
As noted previously, an ongoing obstacle to meeting under served needs is the lack of required funding to provide services. The City will work within the restrictions it faces to collaborate with non-profit agencies and other governmental departments to help them seek funding to fill the gaps needed to make projects financially feasible so they can
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 69 serve low to moderate income families. Efforts will be made to work with social service and housing agencies to encourage collaboration when providing supportive services and housing services.
Foster and Maintain Affordable Housing
The City will allocate 27% of the annual CDBG grant and 90% of the annual HOME grant funding to affordable housing activities. It is of note that although these are the percentages allocated, because of variable expenditure rates these same percentages may not be reflected as achieved in the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report which will be submitted in September 2011.
Specific projects which are proposed to be funded with CDBG/HOME funds in the 2010/2011 year which will address affordable housing needs include the following:
Agency Project City Rehabilitation Specialist Provision of City housing programs for low income people City Deferred Payment Loan Program Homeowner housing rehabilitation program NHS Revolving loan fund and Owners in Partnership program Accessible Space, Inc. New construction accessible subsidized housing complex for seniors
No new CDBG funds have been requested for the City Rental Improvement Loan Program and Water and Sewer Loan Program for the upcoming year as these programs are operating sufficiently with program income. The City does not currently have any funding in the Historical Preservation program but may apply for more CDBG funding in future years.
NHS will be allocated CDBG and HOME funding to construct new houses, purchase, rehabilitate and re-sell existing houses and provide down payment assistance and closing cost assistance for existing houses that pass Housing Quality Standard inspections. Nine new or rehabilitated housing units will be completed and four down payment assistance loans will be provided (nine additional loans will be provided with NeighborWorks American funding). New construction will meet Energy Star standards. Existing houses which are rehabilitated will be brought up to code and Energy Star appliances will be installed. Two of the houses will be built by students from the high schools and one of the houses will be built by students from the College of Technology construction trades curriculum. All housing services will benefit low and moderate income buyers.
NHS will be using the Resident Owned Community program to purchase the Missouri Meadows trailer court and provide residents with 99 year leases on their lots. The goal of this project will be to replace substandard trailers with new, energy efficient modular
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 70 homes. Montana Homeownership Network will be using CDBG funds to assist in purchase of this park and to upgrade water and sewer lines. Allocation of CDBG funding to this project is contingent on obtaining other identified funding.
Accessible Space, Inc., will be allocated HOME funds to construct a 30 unit living facility for seniors and/or frail elderly as defined by the HUD Section 202 Program. This will be a $4.4 million project. One of the 30 units will be two-bedroom for an on-site caretaker; the other units will be one-bedroom. Three units will be fully accessible and additional units will have kitchens and baths that can be converted to fully accessible apartment as necessary. All units will be designed to accommodate the special needs of the elderly.
Habitat for Humanity anticipates constructing three new single family houses for low income families in the upcoming year. The agency will be allocated CDBG funds for infrastructure improvements at these three sites.
The Great Falls Housing Authority currently administers 220 Housing Choice vouchers and anticipates the level of administration will change in the coming year. They will continue management of 490 units of public housing and 16 units of affordable housing. In the upcoming year the agency will undertake renovation of 156 public housing units at the main site as described in previous sections of this plan. The agency will also continue construction of the Sand Hills project as previously described. It is anticipated one four- plex will be completed and a second one began in the coming year.
Opportunities, Inc., currently administers 146 mod-rehab units and 465 Housing Choice vouchers and anticipates the level of administration will remain essentially the same in the coming year. The agency will also assist households with rental assistance, rental security deposits and eviction prevention intervention and counseling. The agency will continue to research methods to provide housing services for veterans.
Remove Barriers to Affordable Housing
The City will begin exploring the possibility of developing affordable housing incentives. Additionally, universal accessibility and Energy Star appliances and housing plans will be encouraged.
Evaluate and Reduce Asbestos and Lead-Based Paint Hazards
As noted in the Five Year Strategic Plan Housing section, the City has integrated the regulations regarding evaluation and reduction of asbestos and lead-based paint hazards into the environmental requirements of all appropriate projects. All activities will be continued in the upcoming year as described in the Strategic Plan section.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 71 Reduce the Number of Poverty Level Families
A wide variety of programs and services aimed at reducing the number of poverty level families were previously described in the Five Year Strategic Plan Homeless and Anti- poverty section. The agencies that provide these services will administer a variety of programs during the upcoming year. The City will allocate CDBG and HOME funding to many of these agencies.
Develop Institutional Structure/Enhance Coordination between Public and Private Housing and Social Services Agencies
In addition to the formal structure inherent in administering CDBG and HOME funds, the City will pursue informal communication and coordination with public and private housing agencies, other government agencies, private businesses, non-profit community agencies and other entities who work to meet the housing assistance and support service needs of low income and moderate income people in the community. The City will coordinate with local agencies to help reduce duplication of programs, to emphasize efficient service delivery for local, state and federal programs and to identify and overcome gaps in institutional structure for carrying out the previously described strategies developed to address the priority needs.
The nine Neighborhood Councils will meet on a regular basis to discuss neighborhood issues and it is anticipated in the upcoming year discussions will focus on medical marijuana, traffic issues, improving City parks and city planning activities. It is anticipated local non-profit agencies will use Neighborhood Council meetings as a forum to disseminate information about their organizations.
There will be an ongoing agenda item at all City Commission meetings to give Neighborhood Council members an opportunity to report on specific issues of concern. The Neighborhood Councils will hold three Council of Council meetings in the upcoming year to discuss matters of citywide importance. The City staff who serves as the Neighborhood Council liaison will communicate regularly with City management on issues brought up by the Neighborhood Councils. Neighborhood Councils which are in Weed and Seed areas will coordinate with Neighborhood Watches in those areas.
The ACTION Team, a collaboration between Neighborhood Councils, Neighborhood Watches and NHS, will work toward increasing citizen participation in Neighborhood Council meetings, Neighborhood Watches and community projects.
The COC will meet in an ongoing effort to identify needed services, consolidate services, reduce duplication of services and improve service delivery to homeless people.
The City of Great Falls will continue its close working relationship with the Great Falls Housing Authority. This relationship will include such aspects as sharing of staff, review of
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 72 loan requests, environmental clearances and fair housing activities. The City Commission appoints the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and the city manager appoints the executive director of the Great Falls Housing Authority.
Great Falls Housing Authority staff are city employees. The Great Falls Housing Authority board acts as a loan committee and reviews loan requests for the City’s CDBG-funded housing rehabilitation programs. The City will do environmental reviews for all Great Falls Housing Authority sponsored construction and rehabilitation projects; therefore, the City will be aware of and review any proposed development sites or proposed demolition of public housing. Fair housing activities at the Great Falls Housing Authority will be accomplished by the jointly funded fair housing specialist. The City will review the Great Falls Housing Authority’s Annual Plan for compatibility with the City’s Consolidated Plan and to ensure review of any disposition of public housing developments.
The Great Falls Housing Authority will do Housing Quality Standards inspections for the first time homebuyer program administered by NHS. The Great Falls Housing Authority will also actively participate on the Great Falls Housing Task Force, Weed & Seed Committee and NHS’s New Home Loan Committee.
The Great Falls Housing Task Force will meet regularly to collect and share statistics on housing affordability, availability, and accessibility; discuss and project trends within the Great Falls housing market; promote fair housing activities; and serve as a resource for a variety of sources.
The City will coordinate with the city and state historic preservation officers to evaluate properties for historical significance as part of the environmental review process related to the use of federal funds.
The City has a history of allocating CDBG funds to a variety of faith-based organizations and will do outreach to these groups by including them on the mailing list for all CDBG and HOME activities.
Foster Public Housing Improvements and Resident Initiatives
The Great Falls Housing Authority has been designated a high performing public housing authority by HUD each year since 2004 based on an outstanding Section 8 Management Assessment and public housing scores. Therefore, the City of Great Falls does not need to provide financial or other assistance to a troubled public housing agency. However, the City of Great Falls has a close working relationship with the Great Falls Housing Authority as noted previously.
To encourage residents to become involved with public housing management, two resident tenants will serve on the Great Falls Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. The Great Falls Housing Authority will write and distribute a quarterly newsletter and host
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 73 public hearings to obtain input from residents as to their needs and opinions, including those related to the annual plan and proposed rehabilitation of housing units. The information obtained from hearings will be considered in the annual grant applicant.
The Great Falls Housing Authority will work with NHS and Habitat for Humanity to encourage residents to undertake the necessary steps to make the transition from renters to homeowners, if appropriate.
The Great Falls Housing Authority will contract with the Great Falls Police Department to have a community police officer on-site to provide prevention services, drug education and community policing programs.
The Great Falls Housing Authority will coordinate with the Boys & Girls Club of Cascade County to have a satellite at the main public housing site to provide on-site drug prevention and intervention strategies, a computer lab, a Study Back Program and meals for public housing resident youth. The agency will offer scholarships for Boys & Girls Club annual memberships and structured recreational activities.
Volunteers will mentor public housing resident youth through the Parkdale Youth Activity Club. The Great Falls Housing Authority will award a scholarship to a resident student in a two or four year post secondary institution of higher education. Scholarships will also be awarded to school-age children to assist with extracurricular activities. Funds for these scholarships are obtained from interest earned on an account of non-federal money and this amount fluctuates. A private day care which employs public housing residents will provide on-site day care at Sunrise Court and fees are based on a sliding scale dependent on income.
HOME Guidelines for Resale and Recapture
All HOME funds used as subsidies for the purchase of newly constructed or rehabilitated affordable single family homes will be granted to NHS, the only Community Housing Development Organization and Community-based Development Organization in Great Falls. The funds will be secured with a deed restriction.
When NHS Owners in Partnership (OIP) houses are sold there will be an equity share requirement as follows: 1) any outstanding loan balance from mortgages will be repaid; 2) NHS financed down payment and closing cost amount will be returned to NHS; however, if the new borrower meets the OIP qualifications they may be able to use the existing subsidy on the house; and 3) the homeowner shall receive their original cash investment contribution at closing and any major improvements paid by them during their ownership, with acceptable documentation of these costs. The remaining net proceeds will be handled as follows. If resale of property occurs, a portion of the appreciation shall be paid to NHS at the same ratio of NHS participation in the original sale, e.g., if the sale price is $80,000 and NHS provides $20,000, NHS will receive 25% of the equity.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 74 Any HOME funds returned (CHDO proceeds) will be used for the same purpose, either down payment assistance or subsidy in new construction or rehabilitation of single family housing, for another qualified buyer or other eligible CHDO reserve activities approved by the City HOME program administrator.
Each down payment assistance grant to home buyers is secured with a deed restriction stating that if the house is sold, the grant monies must be returned to NHS to be used for down payment assistance to another qualifying buyer. If the house is sold to another family whose income is below 80% of median income, a new lien secures the loan with the grant assistance due upon sale.
The City or NHS may recapture the entire amount of the HOME investment from the homeowner. However, if the recapture requirement is triggered by a sale (voluntary or involuntary) of the housing unit and the proceeds are insufficient to repay the HOME investment due, the City or NHS can recapture only the net proceeds, if any. If there are no net proceeds no HOME dollars can be recaptured. Net proceeds are the sale price minus superior loan repayments and any closing costs.
Monitoring
The City will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the CDBG and HOME programs. The City will monitor the performance of all CDBG recipients and all entities receiving HOME funds from the City by reviewing program agreements and requirements with grant recipient prior to project start, monitoring project through project completion and obtaining required documents prior to paying out full grant funds.
The grant award letter will include language regarding the need for timeliness in project implementation. See the following Performance Measurement section regarding actions which will be taken to monitor performance as related to meeting priorities and objectives set forth in the Consolidated Plan.
All CDBG grantees—other than city departments and grantees who have received public service grants for several consecutive years and demonstrated a very good job of administering those grants—will be monitored on-site at least once during the grant activity period. All CDBG subrecipients receiving program income which they are allowed to keep in their revolving loan funds will be monitored on-site annually to assure compliance with CDBG regulations.
All projects which involve construction contracts of more than $2,000 will be monited to assure compliance with Davis-Bacon Act regulations.
All rental housing developed with the use of HOME funds will be monitored for property standard requirements and rent restrictions in accordance with HOME requirements.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 75 All entities receiving CDBG and HOME funding are required to provide quarterly project updates and project completion information which includes individual and community benefit.
One-for-one replacement requirements will be observed for any housing units which are demolished. It is of note all units which NHS demolishes are replaced by affordable permanent housing. Demolition will be undertaken only on those houses which have been vacant for several months to a year and are considered substandard not suitable for rehabilitation. The determination of whether a house is a substandard unit will be made based on City property building codes which indicate a structure is unfit for human occupancy if it is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe, or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation that partial or complete collapse is possible.
All HOME assisted facilities which five or more units (Accessible Space, Inc., Eagles Manor, Great Falls Housing Authority) will be monitored to verify they have an Affirmative Marketing Plan and are implementing it. The Equal Housing Opportunity logo will be used on all correspondence and the Equal Employment Opportunity statement used in all advertisements. Rental vacancies will be advertised in the Great Falls Tribune and Consumers Press and public service announcements will be given to local radio and television stations. Publications will be distributed to local human service agencies and staff will give presentations to local groups regarding the services available.
Performance Measurement System
The City has a performance measurement system in place to examine the relationship between accomplishments in the CDBG and HOME funded projects and the resources invested in them. This assessment is done to determine whether the programs being funded are productive and provide a measurable level of improvement in the conditions that lead to the need for federal funds. Indicators for measuring this productivity and impact will relate to the priorities and objectives as identified in the Consolidated Plan.
Proposal application forms for CDBG and HOME grant funds require the applicant to indicate which of the Consolidated Plan priorities the proposed project will address, how this will be done and to describe how the proposed project would directly benefit low and moderate income people. All agencies who receive funding will be required to provide detailed outcome information for each client or program and this data will be analyzed to determine if the programs are successfully working toward meeting the needs as outlined in the Consolidated Plan.
Objectives and outcome indicators are determined for each CDBG and HOME funded activity based on the type of activity and its purpose. See Appendix J for the 2010/2011 Annual Action Plan Planned Project Results table which provides a summary of specific outcome, objectives, performance indicators and expected numbers to be served for each project that will be funded in the upcoming year.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 76
The following method is used to determine the annual units for handicap accessible public facility projects which potentially benefit all residents city-wide. 2000 Census data is identified for all physically handicapped residents in Great Falls and 51% are assumed to have low to moderate incomes. An example of this type of project would be one undertaken in the past at the Great Falls Baseball Foundation project to construct ADA compliant bathrooms at Centene Stadium. To determine annual units for projects which address handicap accessibility on a more localized level, 2000 Census data for block groups is used. An example of this type of project would be the City Park & Recreation Department–Oddfellows Park project to purchase and install handicap accessible playground equipment at a small neighborhood park.
City of Great Falls 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan Page 77 APPENDIX A 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan Consultation/Coordination/Needs Assessment Process Undertaken
In September 2007 a citywide meeting was held to begin a facilitated discussion about community needs, including comprehensive housing affordability needs. Forty-two citizens representing a broad section of public and private interests involved in housing and human services attended the meeting and five separate working groups were formed. One working group focused on undertaking a comprehensive housing and community development needs assessment for the Great Falls/Cascade County area. No such study has been done since 1982. The working group also focused on developing a comprehensive strategy to assure affordable housing needs will be met.
To gather community-wide input the working group conducted the following surveys. 1. In January 2008 approximately 160 public agencies, non-profit organizations and businesses were notified of an on-line survey being conducted regarding housing and community development needs [Great Falls Area Agency and Organization Questionnaire]. Sixty-eight individuals responded to the 14 to 18 item questionnaire. 2. In June 2008 a 104 item questionnaire was sent to 8,000 randomly selected households to assess community needs for housing, public facilities, public services, education and economic development [Great Falls/Cascade County Community Opinion Survey]. 1,496 completed surveys were returned. 3. In September 2008 a 29 item questionnaire focusing specifically on housing needs was sent to 1,400 low-income families and distributed through numerous social service agencies [Great Falls Housing Needs Assessment]. A total of 612 lower income people responded. 4. In January 2009 the City conducted a homeless survey in conjunction with the annual statewide homeless survey coordinated through the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition. The Great Falls Rescue Mission played a pivotal role in locating and surveying possible homeless people. The point-in-time count identified 193 homeless people (individuals and families) on the night of January 29, 2009.
After compiling the survey results, from October 2008 through April 2009 the work group held weekly focus group sessions to determine the extent and character of the needs identified through the surveys. Interview focus groups were held with shelter care agencies, social service agencies, senior housing providers, realtors, lenders, supportive housing providers, subsidized housing providers, agencies working with teens, public school staff, code enforcement officials, economic development professionals, landlords and representatives of church groups.
Following the surveys and focus groups, a working group produced a listing of 17 housing and community development needs and 16 strategies to meet those needs. This information was presented to the entire Great Falls/Cascade County Housing Planning Group for discussion, prioritization and adoption. In February 2010 the full planning group adopted seven key needs and strategies to meet unmet housing and community development needs. In addition, 14 additional housing activities were identified as needs and strategies that are already being undertaken which will need to be a part of the continuing plan and effort to address the needs in the community. A meeting was held in March 2010 to discuss finalization of the plan. The Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy and Community Housing Plan will be presented for adoption by the City and County Commissioners.
Respondents to the Great Falls and Cascade County agency and organization surveys Included the following:
1) Housing agencies—Accessible Space, Inc., Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Eagles Manor Retirement Community, Great Falls Housing Authority and Malmstrom Air Force Base Housing Office; 2) Housing related businesses—909 Apartments, American Realty Group, Big Sky Realty of Montana, Century 21 McDonald Realty, Coldwell Banker/The Falls Real Estate, Dahlquist Realtors, ERA American Horizon Realtors, Faith Realty, First American Title Company, First Interstate BancSystem, Great Falls Realty, Heritage Property Brokerage, McDonald Realty, Montana Realty, Re/Max of Great Falls, Russell Country Realty, Stockman Bank and Wells Fargo Bank; 3) Government agencies—Cascade County Office of Public Assistance, State of Montana Adult Protective Services, Cascade County Area VIII Agency on Aging, Cascade County Foster Grandparent Program, Cascade County Commission, City of Great Falls City Manager, City of Great Falls Community Development Department, City of Great Falls Planning Department, Great Falls Job Service Workforce Center; 4) Non-profit agencies—Benefis Healthcare-Behavior Health Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Falls, Camp File USA North Central Montana Council, Center for Mental Health, Easter Seals-Goodwill Industries, Get Fit Great Falls, Great Falls Children’s Receiving Home, HANDS, Inc., Kairos Youth Services, Inc., Life Way Pregnancy Services, Mental Health Association of Great Falls, North Central Montana Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Opportunities, Inc., Paris Gibson Square, Quality Life Concepts, Rural Dynamics, Inc./Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Montana, Voices of Hope, Young Parents Education Center and YWCA Mercy Home; 5) Faith-based organizations— Great Falls Rescue Mission, Salvation Army and St. Martin de Porres Mission-St. Jude Conference; 6) Miscellaneous— Great Falls Public School District-Paris Gibson Learning Center, Eklund Enterprises, National Electronics, Warranty Neighborhood Council and Whittier Elementary School.
In addition to the wide variety of individuals and agencies from whom input was obtained for the comprehensive housing affordability strategy process described above, individual consultation was also undertaken with the City-County Health Department regarding lead-based paint and HIV/AIDS issues, Great Falls Housing Authority and Great Falls Public School District.
The local Continuum of Care for Homelessness group was consulted with in developing the Consolidated Plan, particularly regarding identifying and prioritizing current needs and objectives. This group will be consulted with on an ongoing basis for their input for annual HUD reporting. The City’s active participation in the Continuum of Care for Homelessness will also provide an avenue to assist in carrying out activities in those areas affecting agencies which provide a wide array of supportive services to people with low incomes, special needs or those who are homeless.
The City’s Neighborhood Council liaison (a position facilitated and paid for by the City) assures the involvement of the nine Neighborhood Councils in being aware of the development and implementation of the Consolidated Plan and subsequent annual Action Plans. Input is sought on an ongoing basis from the nine Neighborhood Councils as part of the City’s actions to enhance coordination in the community.
The results of extensive consultations, surveys, public meetings, task force discussions and public outreach, along with demographic and job information constituting a community profile, have been combined to inform the Consolidated Plan. APPENDIX B
City of Great Falls, Montana Citizen Participation Plan for the Consolidated Plan or the Annual Action Plan January 2010
PURPOSE OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPING THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN:
A key component in creating the HUD required Consolidated Plan is citizen participation in all steps of the planning development process. To ensure citizens in Great Falls have the opportunity to take part in creating the Consolidated or the Annual Action Plan, the City of Great Falls has developed and commits to follow these elements of the Citizen Participation Plan.
THE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN:
PARTICIPATION: The City of Great Falls will provide for, and encourage, citizen participation emphasizing the involvement of low, very low, and poverty income residents in areas where housing and community development funds may be spent. The City of Great Falls will also inform and offer opportunities for comment to residents of low, very low and poverty income neighborhoods. The City of Great Falls will encourage the participation of the Great Falls Housing Authority and public and assisted housing residents of the Great Falls Housing Authority, and of Opportunities, Inc., and their assisted housing residents in Great Falls. The City will provide Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan development information to the Great Falls Housing Authority that will be available at the public hearing required for the Public Housing Agency Plan.
The City of Great Falls will make reasonable efforts to consult with other public, private, and non-profit agencies that provide housing, health services, and social services (including those focusing on services to children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities - including physical, mental and developmental disabilities as well as other persons in need of services). When preparing the portion of the Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan concerning lead-based paint hazards, the City of Great Falls will consult with the City/County Health Department in order to examine data identifying the addresses of housing units with children as containing lead. The City of Great Falls will encourage input and solicit information from each of the nine neighborhood councils, notify of all of the public hearings and the Consolidated Plan or the Annual Action Plan development process, and solicit comments.
The City Commission appoints ten citizens who reside within Great Falls to a voluntary advisory board that reviews public service and public facility projects submitted for CDBG funding. This advisory board, the Community Development Council, recommends project funding to the City Commission under the public service and public
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facility portions of the CDBG funding. The encouragement of lower income, minority, and disabled citizens or their representatives to apply for Community Development Council positions occurs annually; through advance notice of board openings and application information with have adequate time to apply.
ACCESS TO MEETINGS: The City of Great Falls will afford adequate, timely notification of meetings so all citizens can attend the public hearings. This will include, as appropriate, legal notices, advertisements, press releases, public service announcements, letters or other means of notifying interested parties. The City of Great Falls will also provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to all public hearings, and local meetings. Reasonable accommodations include but are not limited to holding meetings in handicapped accessible buildings, providing for sign language interpreters, and language interpreters, etc. when requested.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION: The City of Great Falls will provide citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties with reasonable and timely access to information and records relating to the Consolidated Plan or annual Action Plan and all of its components and the City's planned use of financial assistance received under the relevant federal programs during the next year. The public will have the opportunity to receive information, review and submit comments on any proposed submission including the Consolidated Plan adoption by the City of Great Falls City Commissioners and any Plan amendments and its performance reports. The required 30-day comment period on any proposed submission, adoption of the Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan submission, and any plan amendments is available as occurring. Information will also be available on the range of programs, the amount of assistance the City expects to receive, the amount of funds available and the estimated amount proposed to benefit low, very low and poverty income residents. These groups will also have access to the City's plans to minimize displacement of residents and businesses and assist those displaced because of these activities. Information and public records will be available during regular business hours in the City Community Development Department. Special arrangements are available to accommodate access to information for persons with disabilities.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: The City of Great Falls will provide appropriate technical assistance to all groups that request assistance in developing proposals for financial assistance under any of the programs covered by the Consolidated Plan.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: To obtain citizens views the City holds at least two public hearings conducted at a minimum of two different stages of the program. The City of Great Falls program year begins July 1 and ends June 30. These public hearings will address and respond to proposals and comments on:
1. Housing and community development needs 2. Development of proposed activities
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3. Review of proposed uses for funds 4. Review of program performance
The City of Great Falls attempts to provide public meetings conveniently timed for people who might or will benefit from program funds, accessible to people with disabilities and adequately publicized with sufficient information about the subject of the hearing to permit informed comment. The public hearings occur on a weekday evening in the Civic Center Building, which is centrally located, easily accessible with adequate parking, and handicap accessible.
Throughout the year, citizens may attend the City Commission meetings and public hearings to provide input as to the distribution of federal funds into the City. There will be two public hearings conducted by the City Commission annually. The first public hearing will give citizens the opportunity to comment and provide input on the following:
Any housing and non-housing community development needs that they have identified and wish addressed How funding proposals may meet community development needs in Great Falls Performance of the City in administering and distributing federal funds Every five years, or anytime the Citizen Participation Plan has substantial revisions or re-written, citizens may comment on the adoption of the Citizens Participation Plan. Prior to adopting the plan, the City distributes the plan for review and comment for a full 15 days.
The second public hearing will offer the opportunity for the citizens to comment on the following:
Adoption of the Consolidated or Annual Action Plan Use of federal funds Performance of the administration and implementation of funded projects
TIMELY RESPONSE: The City of Great Falls will consider any comments or views of citizens, agencies, units of general local government, or other interested parties concerning the Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan, any amendments to the Plan and all performance reports. The Community Development Department will address any complaints with written responses to written complaints within 15 working days, where practical. Depending on the nature of the complaint, staff may refer the issue to the City Manager or the City Commission if the response from staff is unsatisfactory to the complainant. As appropriate, an attachment of summary of comments and responses to complaints to the final submission of the Consolidated Plan, the Consolidated Plan Amendments, or the Annual Performance Report will take place.
NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING RESIDENTS: In the event that a significant number of non- English speaking residents can reasonably be expected to participate, the City will 3
provide accommodations for non-English speaking residents in the case of public hearings, if such accommodations are available.
SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS: Substantial changes in the City's planned or actual activities will require an amendment to the Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan. The following criterion determines substantial change and governs Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan amendments:
1. If a new project that has not previously received funding, is being created with unprogrammed funds, or created from financial changes from other funded projects. 2. If there is a change in the project site location, or the project affects an area, an amendment will be required if the project location changes to a different census tract. 3. If there is a change in project purpose or beneficiaries, such as a project eliminates or reduces by over 50% the proposed impact on the original beneficiaries, and/or if less than 51% of the beneficiaries are determined to be low, very low, or poverty income an amendment will be required. The CDBG administrator will determine on a case-by-case basis if an Amendment is required when the beneficiaries change from one targeted group to another. 4. If the project changes in scope the activity from the original proposal. 5. If a project budget increases by twice the total allocation and the increase exceeds 10% of the City's total current Block Grant allocation.
The City will advertise a notice in the Great Falls Tribune and make available any amendments to the Consolidated Plan for citizen comment for a 30-day period.
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT The Annual Performance Report is available to all citizens at the Public Library and the City Community Development Office through a notice in the daily newspaper notifying the public of the availability of this report for review and comment for a minimum of 15 days. Any comments received regarding the Annual Performance Report are considered and a summary of all comments is attached to the performance report.
SOLICITATION OF CITIZEN COMMENTS ON THE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN:
Prior to its adoption and approval by the Great Falls City Commission, the City of Great Falls will publish a legal notice in the Great Falls Tribune and Consumer's Press. The notices of the plan and/or any amendments to this plan are available for a 15-day comment listing the sites that a citizen may obtain a copy of the plan. The plan and any amendments to this plan are available to citizens at the Great Falls Public Library, the Great Falls city web page (www.greatfallsmt.net) and the City Community Development Office in the Civic Center.
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SOLICITATION OF CITIZEN COMMENTS IN PREPARING THE CONSOLIDATED OR THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN:
1. The City of Great Falls will contact local agencies, the housing authority, the local neighborhood revitalization agency, and the neighborhood councils to obtain information and comments to make citizens aware of the Consolidated or Annual Action Plan process.
2. The proposed Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan is available to all citizens at the Public Library, the City Community Development Office, the City’s web page (www.greatfallsmt.net). To inform the citizens of the proposed Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan, a notice published in the daily newspaper, the free weekly publication, and distributed to various agencies describes the availability of this plan and the 30-day period to receive public comment.
3. City Commission will conduct two public hearings requesting input from the citizens and representatives of low, very low and poverty level people as to the needs of the community, including but not limited to housing, community development, infrastructure, economic development and homeless assistance. A second public hearing conducted to receive citizen comments on the proposed Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan occurs after completion of the Plan.
The City will provide a reasonable number of free copies of the Consolidated Plan or Annual action Plan to citizens and groups upon request.
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APPENDIX C Community Needs Public Meeting City Commission Meeting December 15, 2009
A public meeting was held as part of the regular City Commission meeting on December 15, 2009, at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at the Civic Center. The meeting was held to provide an opportunity for citizens to advise the City Commission on the needs of low income people in the community and how CDBG and HOME grant funds could be used to address those issues and eliminate community needs. The following listing is a summary of the comments involving current community needs which were expressed in the meeting.
Sheila Rice, NeighborWorks Great Falls Ms. Rice described a housing planning process that has been going on for the past two years. In September 2007 a citywide meeting was held with 42 participants. This meeting resulted in the development of a housing planning group which subsequently undertook a series of steps to identify the housing and community development needs in Great Falls and Cascade County. Surveys were distributed to public agencies. Comprehensive surveys were sent to 8,000 randomly selected households in the county; 1,500 were returned, making the results statistically valid. Surveys were also sent to 1,400 clients served by various social service agencies; 600 were returned. In addition, a homeless survey was conducted. After the results of the surveys were available, small focus groups were formed to discuss the identified needs. Subsequent to these informational gathering activities the groups have been working on developing a comprehensive housing and community development plan and anticipate it will be completed within the next few months. This plan will be presented to the city and county commissions and will be incorporated into the Consolidated Plan.
Ms. Rice emphasized the need for affordable housing. She noted the housing cost problem in Great Falls is a wage problem, as well. She thanked the City Commission for their past support for providing affordable housing. She described several projects currently being undertaken by NWGF, including the development of resident-owned manufactured housing communities. This involves people living in manufactured homes in one setting (previously called trailer parks) forming a coop to purchase the land where their homes are already placed. This population is vulnerable as they own their houses but not the land and they can be forced to move.
Kim Theil-Schaaf, Great Falls Development Authority Ms. Theil-Schaaf spoke of two community needs that are of concern to the Development Authority. The first involved the $50,000 CDBG allocation made last year for an economic development project for job creation to benefit low income people. The Development Authority was the successful applicant and used the funding to start a new revolving loan fund. The $50,000 was loaned to a local business and created several new jobs for low to moderate income people. The Development Authority recently had a number of applicants who would be eligible for the loan funds to create jobs that would benefit low income people. The Development Authority anticipates applying for additional funds and requested the City Commission provide another $50,000 allocation for the economic development revolving loan fund. Secondly, Ms. Theil-Schaaf described a change in one of the Development Authority’s funding sources and how it is adversely affecting their ability to pursue economic development activities. The State of Montana Department of Commerce operates a Small Cities CDBG economic development fund which typically funds economic
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development projects to extend frastructure to specific business that will create or retain jobs benefitting low to moderate income people. These funds are typically awarded for up to $400,000. Cascade County previously was eligible to apply for these funds but an administrative rule change now prohibits it. The Development Authority is working on two projects which would have previously qualified for these funds—creating a shovel-ready heavy industrial site and assisting MSM with relocation to allow retention of jobs. The Development Authority asked the City Commission to consider using a portion of the CDBG allocation to fund a portion of the infrastructure economic development projects which were previously funded through the Montana Department of Commerce. This funding is needed as it allows leverage to other public and private funding. However, the Development Authority recognizes CDBG funding is limited and is not advocating for allocation of the entire $400,000 CDBG funds available to economic development projects in any one funding year, but would rather consider an option such as having the funds available over the course of several years.
Shannon Marra, Children’s Museum of Montana Ms. Marra related the Children’s Museum intends to apply for $5,000 in CDBG funds for scholarships and $28,500 for building renovations. She noted the museum satisfies the City’s community development needs by helping to serve low to moderate income families on a daily basis.
Kris Kleinschmidt, Accessible Space, Inc. Ms. Kleinschmidt reported she has worked with the disabled population for over 30 years. Currently she comes into contact on a daily basis with seniors and physically disabled people who desperately need affordable, accessible housing. There is a definite need for more such housing in Great Falls. ASI currently has 50 people on the waiting list for Southwinds Estates (includes full-time personal care attendant services), 20 people on the waiting list for Meadowlark Apartments and 25 people on the waiting list for the Portage (senior housing). She noted there are over 90 people waiting for affordable, accessible housing in Great Falls.
Kevin Hager, Great Falls Housing Authority Mr. Hager shared his perspective regarding affordable quality housing in Great Falls. The Housing Authority has 483 families on the Section 8 housing choice voucher and public housing waiting lists. Section 8 clients who have subsidy voucher and trying to rent in the private market are finding it very difficult to find quality housing. In some cases, Section 8 voucher holders are currently public housing residents who are looking for places to rent in the private market. These people are turning their vouchers back in after 60 days rather than getting extensions because they cannot find anything of comparable quality to rent in the private market. A housing Authority board member is the principal at a local school and he relates they are starting to see an increasing number of children and their families who are becoming homeless. Another board member has a spouse who is also an educator and described the situation of a student who is staying at the Rescue Mission and arranging transportation to school. Mr. Hager asked the City Commission to look favorably toward CDBG and HOME grant applicants that would provide new quality affordable housing for low income citizens. He thanked the City Commission for their previous support to provide quality affordable housing in Great Falls and advised them on the status of HOME funds previously awarded to the Housing Authority.
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COMMUNITY PUBLIC MEETING
WHO: All Great Falls Residents WHAT: Community Public Meeting WHEN: Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 7 p.m. WHERE: Civic Center, #2 Park Drive, Commission Chambers WHY: To get your comments and ideas about community development needs which could be addressed with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Partnership Investment Program (HOME) funding.
CDBG and HOME grant funding are federal grants which the City of Great Falls receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The City anticipates receiving approximately $782,400 in CDBG and $411,300 in HOME grant funds for the upcoming 2010- 2011 program year. CDBG funds are used to address the City’s community development needs, especially those needs affecting low and moderate income residents. These needs include the areas of affordable housing, public facility improvement, economic development and public service. Public service projects must be capped at 15% of the CDBG funds available. People with low or moderate incomes, minorities and people with disabilities are urged to attend. Handicap access is available on the north side of the Civic Center.
Great Falls Continuum of Care for Homelessness Meeting Minutes December 15, 2009 Rainbow Room, Civic Center
Present: Rita Beck, Chris Imhoff, Ray Jergeson , Jim Kizer, Melanie Lattin, Onita Yost,
Melanie read an email from Heidi Gibson regarding a Homeless Persons Memorial which will be held December 21 at 12 pm at Women's Park in Helena.
The City is in the process of developing a 5 year Consolidated Plan wh ich addresses how Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program grant funds will be used in the future. The City anticipates receiving $782,000 in CDBG and $411 ,000 in HOME funds for the upcoming year. As part of the Consolidated Plan process, the City seeks as much input as possible regarding community wide needs for low income and homeless people. A public meeting regarding community needs will be held tonight at 7 pm as part of the City Commission meeting and people were encouraged to attend. As part of the Consolidated Plan process the City must identify and prioritize needs for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Continuum of care members were asked to consider what these needs might be and bring them up for discussion at the meeting next month. Priorities needs were identified in the past as housing and supportive services for homeless people with mental illness, eviction prevention, outreach and coordination of homeless service providers.
Ray will have a summary of the Veterans Stand Down which was held in September 2008 available by January 2009. He will provide this information to the City as soon as it is available for consideration when determining homeless needs. 900 veterans were served at the Stand Down and 53 homeless veterans were identified. 40 homeless veterans were identified at the 2008 Veterans Stand Down .
Opportunities, Inc., is in the process of applying for Veterans Administration funds for a project involving transitional housing for homeless veterans.
Discussion was held regarding the number and needs of homeless youth , both those in school as well as those who are not in school. This population includes teen parents, as well. Because of legal constraints which exist in serving this population if they have not been legally emancipated, it was noted many of these youth are not receiving the services they need. Melanie will follow-up with Sally Mathers, the school administration staff person who works with the homeless issue, regarding statistical information and th e upcoming homeless survey.
Melanie noted the annual homeless survey is tentatively scheduled for January 28, 2010. On-line coordinator training is being held this month. The City will coordinate the survey as it has in past years. The Rescue Mission will coordinate surveying at their facilities and do the street survey.
Minutes submitted by Melanie Lattin Great Falls Housing Task Force Minutes December 9, 2009 Minutes
In attendance: Carol Bronson, Steve Cape, Rhonda Corkin, Chri s Imhoff, Amanda Szuter, Bill Walters, Terry Youngworth,
( I) Member introductions.
(2) Carol Bronson presented an update on the Weed and Seed program ( I have sent her handouts via e mail earlier). She presented the Strategies for 2007 -2012 and mentioned that they are looking for volunteers to sit on four subcommittees: Law Enforcement strategies; Community Ori entated Policing; Prevention/Intervention/Treatment and; Neighborhood Restorati on. To volunteer and ask questi ons of Carol please call 781-9537, Great Falls Weed and Seed. Carol will be joining our group as her time allows.
(3) Kevin Hager (GFHA): Absent
(4) Terry Youngworth (City): Discrimination in November 2009: 1. Tenant asked to move because girlfriend was pregnant. 2. Denied housing because girlfriend was pregnant. 3. Both cases referred to MT Fair Housing.
(5) Bill Walters (Planning) -Told the task force that there were no changes from last month.
(6) Great Falls Association of Realtors: Absent
(7) Rhonda Corkin: (Malmstrom AFB Housing): Housing construction is continuing with Phase 7A opening.
(8) Chris Imhoff / Melanie Lattin: Stimulus money for NSP program resulting in the first home ready to sell to low income. They are doing the Consolidated Plan at this time. . ... They are doing the Consolidated Plan at this time. "As part of that process, a public hearing will be held on 12115/09 at the City Commission meeting seeking comments about affordable housing and community development needs." A survey with large amounts of infonnation about the City of Great Falls has been completed.
(9) Bridget Schermele (Banking): Absent
(10) Steve Cape ( Consumer Credit Counseling): They have received money for foreclosure prevention and training programs. Bankruptcy education is way up. Steve also stressed that landlords are relying on credit reports as are other organizations (insurance, house insurance, etc.) There will be free tax clinics starting in January 20 I O. If you have questions contact Steve at454-5733
(II) Amanda Szutar: (Op. Inc.) - Announced that Pat Campbell is the new director at Opportunities, Inc. She also stated that Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are moving slowly with no lease ups since September 2009.
Next Meeting: January 13,2010 10:00AM -11:00 AM Rainbow Room (Civic Center, upstairs) See you there! Brett Doney from the Great Falls Development Authority, sent an email to the City on March 14, 2010, providing economic development information for the Consolidated Plan. As part of that email.Mr. Doney included the following list.
Suggested Questions for the City to Consider in Developing the Five Year Consolidated Plan
1) What strategies will the City use in the next five years to address the need for job retention and creation? 2) What does the City plan to do to attract private investment in the West Bank Urban Renewal Area? 3) Does the City intend to create a new Downtown Urban Renewal Area and Tax Increment Financing District to help attract jobs and private investment downtown? 4) What does the City plan to do to attract private investment in the Malt Plant Tax Increment Financing District? 5) What does the City plan to do to make possible the development of the Great Falls AgriTech Park? 6) What other strategies does the City intend to employ to protect and grow its property tax base? 7) What incentives, if any, will the City offer to attract new jobs and higher wage jobs? 8) How will the City meet the affordable housing and social service needs of the thousands of families affected by the loss of jobs over the last two years if new jobs are not created?
CITY OF GREAT FALLS PUBLIC HEARING
The City Commission will conduct a public hearing to listen to citizens comments regarding the Proposed 2010 – 2015 Consolidated Plan, the proposed use of 2010/2011 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds and the program policies and performance. The Consolidated Plan includes the 2010 – 2015 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.
When: April 20, 2010, 7:00 p.m. Where: City Commission Chambers, Second Floor Civic Center, # 2 Park Drive
Handicap access available north end of building
Anyone not able to attend this hearing may submit comments to Melanie Lattin, Planning & Community Development Department, City of Great Falls, P.O. Box 5021, Great Falls, MT, 59403-5021, email [email protected] or call 455.8513. Written comments may also be delivered to the CDBG/HOME & Neighborhood Council office, Room 4, at the Civic Center.
The Proposed Consolidated Plan will be available for review from April 1 through April 30, 2010, on the City of Great Falls web page (www.greatfallsmt.net) and at the following two public locations:
Great Falls Public Library 301 2nd Avenue North CDBG/HOME & Neighborhood Council Office Civic Center, Room 112
All comments must be received by April 30, 2010. For more information, call 455-8513.
Proposed Consolidated Plan Public Meeting City Commission Meeting April 20, 2010
A public meeting was held as part of the regular City Commission meeting on April 20, 2010, at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at the Civic Center. The meeting was held to provide an opportunity for citizens to provide input to the City Commission regarding the Proposed 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan which includes the proposed use of 2010/2011 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) grant funds.
Michael Haynes, director of the City of Great Falls (City) Planning and Community Development Department described the purpose of the public hearing, the purpose of CDBG funds, the requirement for serving low to moderate income people and the purpose of HOME funds. He noted the Proposed Consolidated Plan is being updated and revised as necessary and will come back in final form to the City Commission on May 4, 2010, for final action. Mr. Haynes described important changes to the overall grant application process and funding recommendations process which are being proposed in the Consolidated Plan.
The following listing is a summary of the public comments which were expressed in the meeting.
Steve L’Heureux, board chair of Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) Mr. L’Heureux related the GFDA is hoping there may be a slightly different allocation of some of the funds. He noted the GFDA has been struggling for a long time to find “shovel ready” heavy industrial sites and a unique opportunity is currently presenting itself. An existing business, Montana Specialty Mills (MSM), wishes to remain in Great Falls but is being forced to relocate out of a brownfield area. This company has the opportunity to expand their business but the GFDA has been unable to find them a site. MSM has advised the GFDA they are willing to provide financial assistance to create a suitable industrial park. The opportunity will not be available much longer as MSM has indicated if it does not happen this year they will move to Idaho. There is also currently a unique opportunity to leverage federal funds to develop an industrial park. Economic Development Assistance matching funds would be available if there is local government participation.
The GFDA asked the City Commission for $140,000, whether it be from a different allocation of CDBG funding than was proposed or from some other local public funding sources. He noted the GFDA has the opportunity to create an agri-tech park and they believe they can generate two new companies a year and fill up this park in the next five to seven years. If this occurred it would result in a great increase in the number of jobs and would serve agricultural businesses.
Steve Malicott, CEO of Great Falls Chamber of Commerce Mr. Malicot reported the Chamber of Commerce fully supports the GFDA agri-tech park project and strongly encourages the City Commission to provide financial support to get the project started. The Chamber of Commerce believes that when opportunities are provided to attract businesses, to develop primary sector jobs and to increase the tax base, the community benefits and overall greater diversity occurs. He noted there are a variety of
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reasons why an agri-tech park is needed at this particular time, as well as why the City should invest in such a park. Mr. Malicott indicated the GFDA would present its prospectus and they have the support of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Malicott described impending changes with the military situation in Great Falls. The Chamber of Commerce believes Great Falls is facing economic uncertainty regarding military stability in the area and therefore it is incumbent upon the community to take actions to mitigate that uncertainty. The Chamber of Commerce believes the agri-tech park would add significantly to diversifying the community’s economic portfolio and encouraged the City Commission to support the agri-tech park project as an investment in its economic future.
Owen Robinson, 1029 17th Ave SW Mr. Robinson spoke in support of changing the Consolidated Plan funding allocations so that money can go toward the agri-tech park. He noted the GFDA has diligently worked to develop something that will raise the tax base. He indicated if support can be obtained from the City and Cascade County the GFDA will be able to get federal funds. He requested the City Commission find some way to provide $140,000 for the agri-tech park project.
John Koppelman, board member of GFDA Mr. Koppelman spoke in favor of the GFDA agri-tech project. The GFDA has tried to focus on creating job opportunities in the city. He noted currently at least 2,000 people are either looking for work or a better paying job in Great Falls. He related that projections are that the agri-tech park will be able to produce 20 to 25 jobs each year and this will create better working opportunities and increase the tax base. He requested the City Commission find a way to initiate the agri-tech park project by supporting it with $140,000.
Scott Patera, board member of GFDA Mr. Patera spoke in favor of the agri-tech park project. He related the agri-tech park is something many people in Great Falls have decided is a first step in developing a stronger job base that will create higher paying positions. The GFDA believes city and county governments and local residents need to make an investment to bring industrial jobs that will allow children a chance to live in the community and make a decent living.
Mr. Patera noted the cost of the park is too high for individual developers to take on alone without public support. Mr. Patera related state and federal funding sources want to see that local public moneys will be put into the endeavor before they will commit their support. He indicated now is the best time to start a park so that as the economy expands and businesses are ready to relocate, the GFDA will be able to offer them a place in Great Falls. He added that if the City makes this investment the local tax base will increase.
Cheryl Crawley, board member of GFDA Ms. Crawley urged the City Commission to support the agri-tech park project and consider this opportunity to further diversify the economy of Great Falls.
Jeff Mangan, board member of GFDA Mr. Mangan echoed previous requests of the GFDA board members. In addition, he requested the Consolidated Plan include specific economic development needs such as
2
infrastructure, diversification, downtown and riverfront revitalization, industrial parks and the agri-tech park.
Trudy Schmidt, board member of GFDA and state legislator Ms. Schmidt asked the City Commission to support the GFDA agri-tech park and emphasized the importance of the City committing dollars to its development. She related that economic growth is needed to generate industrial property taxes and diversify the economy. Ms. Schmidt supports the agri-tech industrial park for four reasons: 1) it is important for the economic growth of the community and it will grow the industrial tax base, 2) it is much more cost effective to have an industrial park than to extend infrastructure in response to individual company requests, 3) it is best from a land use standpoint as it puts industry where it least conflicts with residents, and, 4) state and federal funders want to see local financial support that reflects the park is a priority for the City.
Ms. Schmidt noted the timing of developing the park is important because when businesses decide to expand, Great Falls needs to be ready and any city without a site ready will not be competitive.
Robert Butcher, director of GFDA Mr. Butcher asked for the support of funds requested for development of the GFDA agri- tech park.
Nancy Wilson, director of Meals on Wheels Ms. Wilson related how for the past 10 years CDBG funding has made a big difference in the lives of senior citizens. Meals on Wheels does not have a waiting list in Great Falls because they believe if a senior is in need of food, they should have it available and CDBG funding has made that possible. Meals on Wheels request money for food so they can meet the increasing needs. They currently serve 300 meals a day in Great Falls and this number grows each year. The agency has held their request to $25,000 annually because they also receive other community support.
Sheila Rice, NeighborWorks Great Falls Ms. Rice initially spoke about the Sunnyside development in response to a Neighborhood Council comment. NWGF is very interested in improving the streetscape in the Sunnyside neighborhood and they feel the work that has been done has made a difference in the neighborhood. The next step is a comprehensive plan for that neighborhood.
Ms. Rice spoke in favor of all housing elements in the Consolidated Plan and wished to discuss what is obtained when CDBG and HOME funding is provided for housing projects. She noted tremendous leveraging is obtained. For every $1 of CDBG and HOME funding, $12 of funding comes into the city from such sources as the Department of Housing & Urban Development, NeighborWorks America and mortgages.
The housing study, which is part of the Consolidated Plan, clearly supports housing of all types, including home ownership for low to moderate income families, foreclosure prevention, affordable rentals and accessible rentals. As part of the Consolidated Plan, $264,000 of CDBG funding will result in 47 homes and 70 rentals that will be constructed or renovated and 30 homes will be improved. In addition, a manufactured housing community will be formed and CDBG funding is being requested to help these households connect with
3
City water and sewer services. Out of that expenditure of HOME and CDBG funds, $8.5 million worth of construction will occur. Part of that will be Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) money, which is one time money that came to the City. The reason the City was one of the first cities to get NSP grant funds and was one of the first places to complete a home under the NSP program is because of all the years the City has supported neighborhood revitalization and NWGF. She noted the capacity to write the grant, get the money and start spending in such a timely manner occurred because of the enormous, wonderful partnership the City and NWGF has formed.
Ms. Rice reported the tax base additions just from NWGF over the last 25 years have been approximately $25 million from new and renovated housing.
She noted another advantage of housing projects using CDBG and HOME funding in the Consolidated Plan is they serve 100% of households with low to moderate incomes.
Ms. Rice emphasized the importance of housing and quality housing for families with low to moderate incomes. She described the emotional nature of closing because of the power of helping people become homeowners.
NWGF newest venture is resident owned communities (ROC) which are cooperatively owned and operated manufactured housing parks. Ms. Rice described how substandard trailer parks are likely to be closed and displace some of the most vulnerable people because there is no place to move the trailers to. She cited a recent incident in which one trailer park closed and displaced nine families. Ms. Rice indicated a ROC is a limited equity cooperative and therefore remains affordable forever.
Kris Kleinschmidt, 2112 4th Ave S, Accessible Space, Inc. Ms. Kleinschmidt described the mission of Accessible Space, Inc., is to provide new affordable, accessible, supported housing for independent living opportunities. ASI has proposed constructing a 30 unit apartment complex building for seniors ages 62 and older. Such a project would be ASI’s fourth supported housing development in Great Falls and their twelfth supported housing development in Montana. The City’s financial assistance with four complexes has leveraged over $11.5 million in federal and private funding, as well as approximately $2.4 million in additional renewal project rental assistance contracts.
4
APPENDIX D 40TH 7 8 A 39TH L I S 39TH Y LINDA SA 38TH A
37TH 7TH W H 36TH G H I 35TH T H 35 A 35TH 34TH 4 H S 6TH 34TH 3 T U
STUCKEY
19TH
33B 4
1ST 33RD 3A
1 2ND 33RD BLACK EAGLE
9TH VINYARD 3RD 32ND LINE 5A SKY 32ND
B 32ND H R SKYLINE 30TH CAJAWEA AINBOW DAM 29A 5 SA T 29TH H 29TH 9 30TH
24TH 29TH T 2
26TH 28TH S RIVERVIEW 5 G IN 27TH R
15TH P
C H S
D
19 T T W 25TH
R E 6 N
I 3
5TH 1 101 V 24TH IA
2 V R 8TH AU VE 23RD 6TH OLD HAVRE HIGHWAY G GH RI WIRE MILL N S 22ND
52ND OU COLORADO 10TH TH 21ST
4TH
F 48TH
4 SMELTER 19TH R 1 O 101 21ST T
17TH NT H 1
H 15TH H A T T 18TH G 28TH 9
E 1 T 18TH H W IE D TH 0 RIVER V E 7 1 Y U 1 DIVISION 6TH E EN 17TH L V 6TH 5TH L D 9 A A E B K TH V N NU R
2
E A WILKINSON V RIVER A 14TH 18 P
9TH AVE 10TH 9TH 10TH N 27TH 10TH 12TH N STAR VAUGHN
38TH 8TH 10TH ASTA 5TH P 10TH 7TH 6TH FAIRWAY
34TH D 9TH 9TH O 9TH 9TH O
16TH
5 4TH 5TH 12TH 13TH HIG HW 8TH 1 0
12TH
H T
T 3RD 4TH 20TH 21ST
42A H
11TH 10TH 31ST
5
32ND 14TH
T 24TH
H 3RD 6TH 4
S
T
24TH 14TH PARK
2ND 13TH
26TH 15TH 1 2ND 9 H 2 22ND ND 39A M 4 CIVER 3 1ST T 27TH
31ST 7 1ST 5
3RD 4 15TH
CENTRAL 3 52ND 36TH 1ST 27TH
40TH
2 42ND 34TH
18TH 19TH
H 3RD 1ST 22ND 1ST 8TH
44TH
T 37TH 17 2ND 1ST 11TH
6 2ND 35TH
24TH
25TH 12TH 7TH
16TH 17TH 2ND 1 32ND 3RD BAY CENTRAL
57TH 33RD
3RD 3RD 29TH
30TH 18TH
4TH 1ST 24TH 4TH AMER 6 28TH IC 16 1ST 38TH T A N 1ST LEWIS
2ND 25TH S BO R 20TH R
1 5TH 16TH D A T 2 3R 3RD
S
26TH
42ND 6TH 44TH
1
T K
14TH N 5 E R 4TH
24TH CAROL
C 23RD
T 4TH S A CRE 46TH
3RD LER S P A IA V 1 5T 6TH H 52ND SUN VIEW S 7 4 UN NT RI 9TH E 6TH 7TH H 4 10 V 9 7TH 11 C E C 4TH 7TH T 13TH 9TH T 8 S 2ND H 0 I R 8TH 56TH T E 5TH H 8TH T 5 Y R 40TH E 53RD 7TH 8TH B V C 10TH 9TH H H 51ST IEW 10TH T T 11TH 9TH 8 8TH 33RD ELLA 4 9 K 4 O 16TH 17TH 9TH CLUB O 10TH L 9TH TRY O L 11TH 11TH 54TH L N VE R I U CO 12TH 11TH H 7TH 12TH 13TH 9TH
5TH
47TH T 13TH 13TH 12TH H 24TH 29TH T S 4TH
32ND 14TH 7 E A 13TH 14TH 5
EC 2 B 15TH
T 43RD ST W P 35TH
2 15TH H E S 14TH H 17TH 15TH T T 1 TH O T A 7 33RD T
R 5 S 17TH 22 T P 1 5 16TH 1 15TH HIGH 16TH
18TH H
1 S 39TH
E 18TH 16TH 21 19TH OTTER T
D 1 E 7 6TH
2ND T 107 R R 18TH 1 14TH 20 E
S
E T U 1ST H G S V 18TH 18TH D 1 2 I A 4 E 8TH 20TH R 12TH C ALDER H RMINA LA E 21ST 21ST G 19 T L R N E P 24TH 16TH 21ST 21ST I T
CHERRY R T 22ND 15TH T E RK 23 32ND E A P
A H M 26TH N 3A S 3 E 23RD I 26TH T 24TH T 1 D 11A H 9A
1 S
19TH ARK G N 24TH ARDEN 1 W 1 P I L O 25TH 25TH 2ND L E 25TH AIRPORT IN R BE E A A M
S I C O DEN U C M R D O N I A HUSH H V A L A E ER S 16TH P 15TH Y C C E S 18TH A A O 6TH
D
J W L FOX
E
E
R N
I
T
FOX FARM
A 31ST 29TH H V O
19TH
O
13TH FERN
T DIXIE C
S
FLOOD 31 Y ST K I 32ND H H H
7 PERIMETER 8TH
10TH
T
B T T R O 32ND
5 33RD 4 6
A
ALPINE C 33RD
1 1 1
P GIBSON FLATS
CAMAS UPPERRIVER 29TH DELEA LOWER RIVER AIRPORT BENCH E G A
T E N I
O L FR R L EATON I 31ST
H A ULM NORTH FRONTAGE I- HIGHLAND TR FLOOD 45TH M GE 40TH ID R 2000 CENSUS TRACTS Legend Great Falls Montana 2000 Census Tracts 0 0.5 1 2 Miles City Limits ¯ Great Falls Planning Department March 2009 19
18 1
5 4 3 2 16 6 7 8 9 10 11
21
Total Population POP Legend Total Persons 721 - 1840 By Census Tract 1841 - 2958 Water 2959 - 4077 Streets 4078 - 5195 0 0.5 1 2 Miles 5196 - 6314 CensusTract Boundary
Great Falls City-County Planning Mar05 Source: Census 2000 (SF 1) Total Pop.mxd
19
18 1
5 4 3 2 16 6 7 8 9 10 11
21
Persons 65 Years and Over Person_65_ Legend Persons 65 Years and Over 9 - 299 By Census Tract 300 - 590 Water 591 - 880 Streets 881 - 1171 0 0.5 1 2 Miles CensusTract Boundary 1172 - 1461 Great Falls City-County Planning Mar05 Source: Census 2000 (SF 1) Persons 65 and Over.mxd 19
18 1
5 4 3 2 16 6 7 8 9 10 11
21
Below Poverty Below_Pove Legend Percent Persons Below Poverty 2.6% - 11.6% By Census Tract 11.7% - 20.6% Water 20.7% - 29.5% 29.6% - 38.5% Streets 38.6% - 47.5% CensusTract Boundary 0 0.5 1 2 Miles Source: Census 2000 (SF 3) Great Falls City-County Planning Mar05 Pct Below Poverty.mxd 19
18 1
5 4 3 2 16 6 7 8 9 10 11
21
Median Household Income Med_House_ Legend Median Household Income $10,331.00 - $20,221.00 By Census Tract $20,221.01 - $30,111.00 Water $30,111.01 - $40,001.00 Streets $40,001.01 - $49,891.00 0 0.5 1 2 Miles CensusTract Boundary $49,891.01 - $59,781.00 Great Falls City-County Planning Mar05 Source: Census 2000 (SF 3) Median Hsehld income.mxd 19
18 1
5 4 3 2 16 6 7 8 9 10 11
21
Median Family Income Med_Fam_In Legend Median Family Income $11,944.00 - $22,966.40 By Census Tract $22,966.41 - $33,988.80 Water $33,988.81 - $45,011.20 Streets $45,011.21 - $56,033.60 CensusTract Boundary $56,033.61 - $67,056.00 0 0.5 1 2 Miles Source: Census 2000 (SF 3) Great Falls City-County Planning Mar05 Median Family Income.mxd H.U.D. Low to Moderate Income Areas, City of Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana Percent Low to Moderate Income by Census Block Group 36th Ave NE 19 3 Block Group with Less than 51% 33rd Ave NE 101 Low to Moderate Income
9th St NE Block Group with 51% or More
18 1 24th St NE Low to Moderate Income
2 1 3 Block Group Number 2
4
r
e iv Census Tract Boundary 8th St NE R 2 1
2nd St NW Smelter Ave NE
18th Ave N 19 Census Tract Number
2
ri Water u Misso 3
6th St NW 2
Interstate Highway
Northwest Bypass 3
1
4 1 10th Ave N Primary Highway 1 9th Ave N 6th Ave NW 1 8 8th Ave N Local road or street
27th 5 15th St N 4th Ave NW 1 3rd St NW 1 5th Ave N 2 Railroad 38th St N
10th St NW 5 3 2
4 34th St N 2 1 Airport Central Ave W 25th St N 9th St N 17 3 32nd St N
42nd St N 2 57thSt N
4 3 2nd Ave N 1 4 1st Ave N 2 Central Ave 2 6
46th St N 1st Ave S 11 2
24th St SW 20th St SW 1 4
58th 4 1 4
Su 2nd St S n River 16 1 1
21st St S Carol Dr 2 14th St S 5th Ave S 3 10 14thSt SW 8 9 15 7th Ave S 6th Ave S 36th St S 1 0.5 0.25 0 0.5 1
5 6th St SW 2 3 2 7 2 Scale of Miles 15th St S
3
10th Ave SW 50th St S
10th Ave S 29th St S
3
107 2 12th Ave S 9th St S 3 1
13th St S 13th Ave S
1 4 1
23rd St S 17th Ave S 15th Ave S 39th St S 51st St S 1
2 21st Ave S 2 24th Ave SW 22nd Ave S CASCADE Park Garden Rd COUNTY 5 6 26th Ave S 9 21
22 29th Ave S 23
3 33rd Ave S
26th St S The Area of Interest:
FloodRd
Fox Farm Rd City of Great Falls in Cascade County
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000, Tract and Block Group boundary lines; Housing and Urban Development, Low and Moderate Income data; Map created by the Census and Economic Information Center, 406-841-2740, [email protected]. GF_BlockGroups.mxd Jan 2004
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5 S O APPENDIX E
Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
2010 - 2015
City of Great Falls Community Development City of Great Falls, Montana
March 2010
Table of Contents
Introduction: HUD Fair Housing Requirements……………………………………. 3
Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………. 4
Great Falls Background Data: Demographics, Income Data and Employment……. 6
Household, Income and Poverty……………………………………………………. 9
Great Falls Current Fair Housing Legal Status……………………………………... 11
Community Survey…………………………………………………………………. 13
Public Sector Impediments…………………………………………………………. 14
Private Sector Impediments………………………………………………………… 17
Current Great Falls Fair Housing Activities………………………………………... 23
Strategies to Address Impediments to Fair Housing Choice……………………….. 24
Appendix A: HUD Low to Moderate Income Areas and Census Tract……………. 28
Appendix B: Great Falls Housing Survey………………………………………….. 30
Appendix C: Great Falls Subsidized Housing Statistics as of February 2005………38
2
Introduction: HUD Fair Housing Requirements
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires communities that administer Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs to implement procedures to affirmatively further fair housing. Great Falls receives approximately $1.44 million annually from the following HUD programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME). (Interview CDBG Administrator December 2009)
The CDBG program contains a regulatory requirement to affirmatively further fair housing and a second requirement that grantees certify that they will affirmatively further fair housing. This holds true for the HOME program, also.
As part of the jurisdiction’s obligation to affirmatively further fair housing, Great Falls as an entitlement community, must undertake the completion of an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.
Funding for this plan was accomplished using HUD entitlement funds for administration activities in Great Falls.
What is an impediment to Fair Housing Choice?
According to HUD’s Fair Housing Planning Guide, impediments to fair housing choice are defined as: Any actions, omissions, or decisions taken because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin that restrict housing choices or the availability of housing choice. Any actions, omissions, or decisions that have this effect. Violations, or potential violations, of the Fair Housing Act. Actions counter-productive to fair housing choices, such as community resistance when minorities, persons with disabilities and/or low-income persons first move into white and/or moderate to high income areas, or resistance to the siting of housing facilities for persons with disabilities because of the person who will be occupy the housing. Actions that have the effect of restricting housing opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin.
Methodology
In order to complete a comprehensive Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, hereafter AI, two public hearings were held during November and December 2009. The hearings were advertised in local newspapers, The Great Falls Tribune and Consumer Press (a free publication). Notices of the public hearings were also e-mailed to numerous organizations throughout the City and by personal contacts. The resulting 12 participants represented a very diverse group from Habitat for Humanity, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Montana, Opportunities , Inc., NeighborWorks, Easter Seals Medicaid Waiver, landlords, tenants, public housing, City of Great Falls Fair Housing Specialist, and interested citizens, to name a few. The public hearings were a forum to define impediments as seen by the attendees, establish strategies, measurements and responsibilities.
3 A survey was sent to approximately 300 individuals (actual numbers are unknown because of the various networks that were used) throughout the city by the Great Falls Housing Authority, Local Individuals Network for Customized Services (LINC – a conglomeration of human service organizations), Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Aging Services and Opportunities, Inc. (an agency that provides community action programs, assist low income residents in housing, housing referrals and subsidized housing). Of the approximate 300 surveys, 75 were filled out via the internet or hand delivered, the data is used in the writing of this AI. (See appendix B)
In completing the AI the following sources were reviewed or contacted: City of Great Falls Consolidated Plan Great Falls City-County Growth Policy Great Falls zoning laws Complaints filed with: o The HUD Fair Housing office o The Montana State Human Rights Bureau o Montana Fair Housing o City of Great Falls Fair Housing Specialist o Montana Legal Services Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Census 2000 (American Fact Finder 2008 and Data Sets 2006-2008)) Montana Census and Economic Information Center 2006-2008 American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau) Great Falls Area Housing Needs Assessment (conducted by the Great Falls Area Housing Plan Work Group Interview of public hearing attendees 2010 housing survey of subsidized housing Internet HUD income guidelines and fair market rents for 2009 Great Falls Tribune Habitat for Humanity NeighborWorks Great Falls Housing Authority Opportunities, Inc. Other anecdotal data
The final draft was submitted for public review as an appendix to the 2010 -2015 Consolidated Plan.
Executive Summary
In November and December 2009 public hearings (held in a listening format facilitated by the City of Great Falls Fair Housing Specialist) were held to gather information from the general population of Great Falls. Attendees were from the housing industry, financial organizations, mental health organizations, tenants and landlords. The purpose of the public hearings were to identify barriers to fair housing choice and develop strategies that could be undertaken in partnership with local organizations to address those barriers and further the opportunity for fair housing choice.
4 The City Fair Housing Specialist worked with a variety of public and private stakeholders to identify impediments to fair housing choice. This included a review of public sectors: Great Falls zoning, building codes, permits and fees, public housing and Section 8 policies. Elements reviewed in the private sector included lending practices, affordability of housing in both the rental and homeownership arena.
Besides the public hearings, a Housing Survey was distributed to an estimated 300 community members of which 75 surveys were returned. Results from the public hearings, surveys, and personal contacts resulted in seven impediments to fair housing choice selected for action. The AI was made available for public comment with the City of Great Falls Consolidated Plan, March 18 through April 16, 2010.
Strategies to Address Barriers
For each of the impediments and strategies discussed for the City of Great Falls, the designated lead staff person or organization will record all progress toward eliminating the stated impediment. A summary of the progress will be included as an appendix in the “Consolidated Plan for Great Falls” and will go through the appropriate public review and comment period. Final review will be accomplished by City staff, certified by the City Manager and approved by the Mayor and City Commissioners. This plan will be included in the 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan and the summary of progress will be included with the Consolidate Annual Performance Evaluation Report.
The listed impediments were those selected through the public hearing process, surveys and interviews, and listed as priorities within the community. Priority was determined based on impact upon the community, the community housing survey, and discussion among participants. Priorities and strategies are discussed in the final section of this plan.
Great Falls has been and will continue to actively pursue its commitment to furthering fair housing choice within the community. In addition to the impediments and strategies noted in this five year plan, Great Falls will continue the numerous activities and partnerships previously established to increase fair housing awareness in the public and private sector. This plan will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Public: 1. HUD fair market rents are not competitive with local market rents (to low) resulting in opting out from HUD programs and fewer housing units for subsidized rents. (Restricts housing choices or availability of housing choices)
Private: 2. Discriminatory practices in violation of the Fair Housing Act are present in Great Falls. (Restricts housing based on protected classes) 3 Landlords, property managers, tenants, future tenants and support agencies lack knowledge on Federal Fair Housing Laws, State landlord tenant laws and discrimination laws. ( Counter productive to fair housing choice) 4 Lack of quality housing for low income with Housing Choice Vouchers results in a lack of housing and mobility for those that are using this program. ( Counter productive to fair housing choice) 5 Lack of subsidized housing for elderly and disabled that is fully accessible / usable. (Restricts housing based on protected classes) 6 Lack of communications and education between organization that provide housing and agencies seeking housing for their cliental: safe housing for young parents, housing for veterans, foreclosure prevention, accessible housing. (Restricts housing choices or availability of housing choices)
5 Great Falls Background Data: Demographics, Income Data and Employment
General Overview
Great Falls, Montana is located along the banks of the Missouri River in Cascade County. Geographically located in the central region of the state the geography is typical of the Northern Plains with grasslands and mesas. The city is bordered on the east by the Highwood and Little Belt mountains while to the west the Rockies dominate the skyline.
The City of Great Falls has a population of 59,251 persons. The local economy is based on agriculture, retail, healthcare and defense.
Generally, the economy in Great Falls is fairly stable with neither dramatic growth nor decline. This is also true of the population. Population Comparison 2005 versus 2008 Census
2005– 58,257 2008 – 59,251 Increase: 994 Source: Montana Census and Economic Information Center, July 2008.
During the first half of the 1990’s a shift to a service and retail economy started and has continued with limited growth in the industrial arena.
In 1990 the U.S. Census showed 4,722 minority residents of which 926 were of Hispanic (of any race) origin. Whereas the 2000 census shows 5,316 of which 1,354 are of Hispanic or Latino (of any race). The 2006 – 2008 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates show an estimate 6,623 minority races of which 1,829 are Hispanic or Latino (of any race). This is an increase of 1,307 minority residents in a eight year period.
Poverty
In 2006-2008, 14 percent of the people were in poverty. Twenty-one percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 9 percent of people 65 years old and over. Eleven percent of all families and 42 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level. (2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimate)
Housing units, 1990 – 2007 City of GF 1990* Percent 2000* Percent 2007* Percent Actual** Percent Single- Family 14,923 61.8 16,450 65.1 16,821 65.4 17,623 65.1 Units Multi- Family 7,530 31.2 7,771 29.5 7,384 28.7 8,045 29.7 Units Mobile Homes** 1.699 7.0 1,342 5.3 1,310 5.9 1,393 5.2
Total Housing 24,157 25,253 25,715 27,061 Units Source:* U.S. Census, **2000 U.S. Census data plus actual number of permits issued by City of Great Falls Community Development Department 2000 through 2007, *** includes modular and manufactured homes.
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Single family units comprise the largest percentage of the housing units in Great Falls. These units are traditionally the least affordable, due in part to higher land cost and construction cost. The table shows a decline in multi-family housing resulting in a hardship for individuals seeking rental units.
Ethnic and Racial Population of Great Falls
Great Falls 2007 Racial and Ethnic Distribution
2005 - 2007 2000 Census 1990 Census White 52,571 50,996 51,301 Black or African American 722 540 531 American Indian and Alaska Native 2,962 2,888 2,549 Asian 477 485 458 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 49 Not Identified Some other race 267 341 258 Total Population** 58,397 56,690 55,097
Hispanic or Latino(of any race) 1,901 1,354 926
**The racial and ethnic distribution numbers may add to more than the total population because individuals may report more than one race. Source: 1990 and 2000 U.S. Census , 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3-year estimates
Minority Concentration
The 2000 census revealed that there are several concentrations of minority races in Great Falls: American Indian’s are located in all census tracts with the highest concentrations in tracts seven (7), nine (9), and 16; Hispanic or Latino are also in all census tracts with the highest concentration in tracts three (3), 12 and 16. Note that Malmstrom Air Force Base is located in Tract 12.
Economic Trends
The “base economy” of Great Falls includes agriculture and livestock, military, state and federal government, light manufacturing, healthcare, and service industries. Using cost of living comparisons provided by the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association’s “Inter-City Cost of Living Index” resulted in an overall rating of 98.2 based on a scale of 100. Housing was rated at 83.3. The housing index utilizes monthly apartment rent (2-bedroom, unfurnished, excluding all utilities except water, approximately 950 square feet), the purchase price of a new 1,800 sq.ft. urban home and monthly payment of principal and interest on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. (Falls & Surrounding Area, Relocation Guide 2009-2010)
7 Labor Force Characteristics and Unemployment
The 1990 and 2000 and American Community Survey for 2006-2008 censuses provides the following data:
Labor Force Status
1990 2000 2006-2008 3 year estimate
Persons 16 or over 42,035 43,951 46,601 In labor force 26,501 28,015 29,013 Civilian Labor Force 24,926 26,757 27,696 Employed 23,273 24,909 26,262 Unemployed 1,653 1,848 1,434 Armed Forces 1,575 1,258 1,317 Females 16 or over 22,363 22,882 24,350 Females in the labor force 12,422 13,299 14,349 Source: 1990 and 2000 Census, 2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-year estimates
The labor force in Great Falls continues to expand at a moderate rate. According to the Job Service Workforce Center December 2009 saw an unemployment rate of 5.9%.
As more of the population approaches 55 or older there may be shortages of entry level workers and an increase in an aging workforce. According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey it is estimated that 16,384 individuals are over the age of 55 while the 2000 Census showed that 14,218 individuals were over age 55, an increase of elderly population by 2,166.
Employment Characteristics
The largest employers in Great Falls are portrayed below:
Top 10 Private Employers in Great Falls
Private Sector
Rank Employer Business Type Employees
1. Benefis Healthcare Hospital 2,400 2. Great Falls Clinic Healthcare Facility 780 3. N.E.W. Customer Service Warranty/Service Plans 676 4. Wal-Mart Retailer 501 5. United Materials Construction 305 6. Albertsons Grocery Store 261 7. Easter Seals-Goodwill Services for Disabilities 249 8. Davidson Companies Financial Services/Travel 246 9. Missouri River Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation 246 10. McDonald’s Restaurant 241
Source: “09 The Great Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Guide”
8 Malmstrom Air Force Base
Malmstrom AFB, home of the 341st Space Wing, is one of the largest employers in Great Falls as well as a large contributor to the local economy. Malmstrom AFB saw a decline in their over all mission when 50 Minuteman Missiles were deactivated. The Base accounts for nearly 45 percent of the City’s economic base. As part of the community its military members are active in contributing and sharing in numerous volunteer activities. The base also supports approximately 1,400 retired military people who live in the area. Source: “09 The Great Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Guide”
Top 6 Public Employers in Great Falls
Public Sector
Rank Employer Business Type Employees
1. Malmstrom Air Force Base Military 4,004 2. Great Falls Public Schools Public School System 1,613 3. Montana Air National Guard Military 1,033 4. City of Great Falls City government 528 5. Cascade County County government 500 6. MSU-GF College of Technology University 172
Source: “09 The Great Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Guide”
Household, Income and Poverty
Family Size and Household Composition
The American Community Survey 3-year estimate (2006-2008) shows an estimated 24,015 households, up 181 households from the 2000 Census which showed 23,834 households. The survey estimates that the average family size is 2.98 while in 2000 the average family size was 2.92 persons. Of the total households 62.9%, up from 62.3% in 2000, were family households and 37.1% compared to 37.7% in 2000, were non-family households. (2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-year estimates)
Income and Poverty
The median household income for all households in Great Falls was $41,598 compared to $32,436 in 2000, and the family median income was $53,902 compared to $40,107in 2000. (Source: 2000 Census and 2006-2008 American Community Survey). In 2006-2008, 16 % of the people were in poverty. Twenty-five percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 8 percent of the people 65 years old or over. Thirteen percent of all families and 45 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had income below the poverty level. (2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-year estimates)
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The 2009 HUD income guidelines are presented below:
HUD Income Guidelines for 2009 – Great Falls Family size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Extremely Low Income* $11,450 13,100 14,700 16,350 17,650 18,950 20,250 21, 600
Very Low Income** $19,100 21,800 24,550 27,250 29,450 31,600 33,800 35,950
Low Income*** $30,500 34,900 39,250 43,600 47,100 50,600 54,050 57,550
* Extremely low income at or below 30% of median family income ** Very low income at or below 50% of median family income ***Low income 51-80% of median family income Source: Great Falls Housing Authority
Poverty
The poverty level is defined by the federal government on an annual basis and varies with household size. Poverty Thresholds 2008 Size of Family Weighted average thresholds
One person $10,991 Two persons $14,051 Three persons $17,163 Four Persons $22,025 Five persons $26,049 Six persons $29,456 Seven persons $33,529 Eight persons $37,220 Nine persons or more $44,346 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Poverty Thresholds for 2008
Areas of Poverty Concentration by U. S. Census Tract for Great Falls Census Tract 1999 Population Persons in Poverty Percent Poverty
1 2,414 162 7% 2 3,910 409 10% 3 3,525 656 19% 4 1,949 331 17% 5 2,407 755 31% 6 686 326 48% 7 2,113 781 36% 8 2,061 579 28% 9 3,208 698 22% 10 10 3,296 267 8% 11 4,446 415 9% 16 4,346 863 20% 17 2,289 214 9% 18 3,637 339 9% 19 4,291 183 4% 21 3,799 693 18% 22 6,017 659 10% 23 6,274 165 2%
Note: Tracts 17, 21, 22, 23 are partial tracts that include City of Great Falls and County of Cascade numbers. Percent poverty is for that census tract only. Source: 2000 Census
According to the data most individual rated as being in poverty are located in the central residential and downtown area of Great Falls, census tracts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 16 (See U.S. Census Tracts Map, Appendix- A). Although this data is some what dated, 2000 Census, its reflection of poverty in Great Falls is still accurate.
Great Falls Current Fair Housing Legal Status
Fair Housing Testing, Complaints and Legal Findings
Discrimination complaints, lawsuits and settlements can provide a snapshot of fair housing problems within a jurisdiction. Complaints, lawsuits and settlements can also be used to measure the severity of discrimination in housing, hence an impediment to furthering fair housing. The four organizations normally contacted with fair housing complaints from Great Falls are the City of Great Falls Fair Housing Specialist, Montana Fair Housing (a non-profit organization located in Butte, Montana), Montana Human Rights Bureau, and the Denver HUD Office. The City of Great Falls Fair Housing Specialist is a clearing house for referrals and information but does not perform any compliance/enforcement activity.
Fair Housing Testing and Complaints
E-mails requesting information on discrimination complaints were sent to Montana Fair Housing, Montana Human Rights Bureau and the Denver HUD office. Numbers submitted by the Great Falls Fair Housing Specialist were referred to the, afore mentioned agencies.
Montana Fair Housing is the main agency referred to by City staff. Montana Fair Housing receives complaints, completes basic intake information, logs the data in its data base, investigates complaints, conducts testing, and provides mediation and negotiation services.
Testing: Montana Fair Housing has and will continue to perform testing in Great Falls. In 2005 seven test were performed which resulted in case filings, 2006 eight cases were based on testing, 2007 no cases were based on testing, 2008 there was no testing, 2009 saw 21 tests completed with four conciliated cases based on the testing.
Complaints: The following tables show complaints received by the various agencies for Great Falls. It should be noted that the tables include not only federal protected classes but additionally the three protected classes recognized by the state of Montana: age, martial status and creed.
11 Great Falls Fair Housing complaints filed from January 2005 to December 2009 with HUD Office in Denver.
Protected Class 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Race 3 2 3 0 0 Color 0 0 0 0 0 Religion 0 0 0 0 0 Sex/gender 0 2 0 0 0 Disability 3 13 1 0 2 Familial Status 2 5 2 3 0 National Origin 0 0 0 0 0 Martial Status 0 0 0 0 0 Age 0 0 0 0 0 Creed 0 0 0 0 0 . Source: Freedom of Information Request with HUD for 2009, January, 2010 Both complaints in 2009 were withdrawn after resolution.
Great Falls Fair Housing complaints filed from January 2005 to December 2009 with Montana Human Rights Bureau.
Protected Class 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Race 0 0 0 0 1 Color 0 0 0 0 0 Religion 0 0 0 0 0 Sex/gender 0 0 0 0 1 Disability 0 7 0 0 3 Familial Status 0 0 0 0 1 National Origin 0 0 0 0 0 Martial Status 0 0 0 0 0 Age 0 0 0 0 0 Creed 0 0 0 0 0
Source: Montana Human Rights Bureau submission January, 2010
During 2009 the Montana Human Rights Bureau settled three cases; two for disability and one for familial status.
Great Falls Fair Housing Complaints Filed from January 2005 to December 2009 with Montana Fair Housing.
Protected Class 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Race 2 1 0 0 2 Color 0 0 0 0 0 Religion 0 0 0 0 0 Sex/gender 2 1 0 0 0 Disability 14 20 0 0 4 Familial Status 3 6 0 0 1 National Origin 0 3 0 0 0 Martial Status 0 0 0 0 0 Age 0 3 0 0 0 12 Creed 0 0 0 0 0 Source: Great Falls Annual AI Updates for 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and MT Fair Housing
During 2009 Montana Fair Housing settled three cases in disabilities and one familial status by conciliation.
Great Falls Fair Housing complaints filed from January 2005 to December 2009 with City of Great Falls Fair Housing Specialist
Protected Class 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Race 1 7 5 3 4 Color 0 0 0 0 0 Religion 0 1 1 1 0 Sex/gender 3 4 0 1 2 Disability 6 3 14 22 8 Familial Status 2 2 2 2 3 National Origin 0 0 0 0 0 Martial Status 1 0 0 1 1 Age 1 0 0 0 0 Creed 0 0 0 0 0
Note: All complaints were referred to Montana Fair Housing. Source: City of Great Falls Annual AI Updates for 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
All complaints were referred to Montana Fair Housing, Montana Human Rights Bureau or HUD. The numbers show that most complaints are based on disability and the majority of these complaints dealt with assistive, therapy or service animals.
Community Survey
Approximately 300 surveys were distributed through numerous health services organizations, Great Falls Housing Authority, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Opportunities, Inc., plus others. The exact number is unknown because many organizations e-mailed the survey to clients and other organizations. Surveys were also given to the Great Falls Housing Task Force, landlord associations and to members of the public hearing. The survey was designed to assess the communities general level of understanding and experience with fair housing issues (See Appendix B). This was not a scientific survey but with 75 responses it did provide a picture of possible discrimination in the community as well as information indicating the need for greater education in fair housing. See appendix B for survey and comments by those taking the survey.
A review of the survey shows the following perceptions by those that took the survey:
During the last five years the fair housing situation is better (50.7%), an increase of 2.8% from 2005. 85.9% of the surveys returned stated they had not experienced discrimination in housing. (Results in 2005 was 76.2%) 69% did not know of anyone experiencing discrimination in housing. (2005 showed 70.7%) For those who had experienced discrimination in question 2, familial status (53.8%), race, martial status, age and disability were chosen by 46.2% of those surveyed as the main forms of housing discrimination. For those who knew someone who had been discriminated against, race and familial status were the main forms of housing discrimination. This was the same in 2005.
13 Questions 9 through 20 showed the following as serious barriers to fair housing in Great Falls as seen by those surveyed: Income levels of minority and female heads of household. Residents are not familiar with their fair housing rights. Quality of rental properties and housing stock is substandard There is no centralized listing of rental property
Summary of Fair Housing Profile in Great Falls
The results of the Community survey and complaints received suggest that the Great Falls community members do experience discrimination in housing. In addition to the formal complaints and referrals, 14.1% of those surveyed stated they had experienced discrimination in housing during the last five years and 31% stated they knew of someone being discriminated against in housing during the past five years. (See appendix B)
It is notable that no complaints surrounding real estate and financial transactions were noted.
Public Sector Impediments and Additional Programs
In May, 2003 the Great Falls City Commission adopted “The Great Falls City-County Growth Policy.” Generally, a Growth Policy, formerly known as a Comprehensive Plan, is an official document adopted by a local government as a broad body of public policy to guide decisions about the physical, social, and economic development of a community. The essential characteristics of a Growth Policy are general, comprehensive, and long range: It is general in that it analyzes and summarizes community-wide issues and trends in order to recommend broad goals, objectives, and policies. It is comprehensive because it focuses on the entire community and all functional aspects of development as a single unit, with all components working together, not apart. The Growth Policy is long-range because it looks beyond pressing current issues to the potential problems and opportunities five or ten years or more into the future. The following discussions on zoning and subdivisions, codes, infrastructure, permits and fees and processing are from the “Growth Policy” document (Source: “The Great Falls City-County Growth Policy).
Zoning and Subdivision Regulations
Areas of the City are zoned for medium density multi-family residential use (“R-5 Multi-Family Medium Density”) and for high density multi-family use (“R-6 Multi-Family High Density”). The “R-6” zoning district is intended to accommodate multi-family units of the highest density on parcels that have sufficient area to accommodate required parking and landscaping. Multi-family residential development projects proposed for properties zoned “R-5” and “R-6” are subject to design review criteria through an open meeting process. As long as design and site requirements are met, development of multi-family residential housing in an “R-5” or an “R-6” zoning district is not restricted.
Building Codes and Enforcement
The enforcement of building codes in the City is not considered to be a constraint to residential development since most lenders and buyers demand that houses must meet the Montana State Adopted Codes or similar regulation. However, the enforcement of building codes in existing housing units is an issue, especially in the City’s older neighborhoods where property owners may not have the funds to repair problems and bring the units up to code.
14 Cost and Availability of Infrastructure
The condition and capacity of the streets, utilities, and other public facilities in the Great Falls area are generally sufficient to accommodate growth into the future.
Permits and Fees
The City collects fees that affect the cost of developing housing in Great Falls area. For example, building/zoning permit fees can contribute to the cost of building or remodeling housing. The largest impact on housing cost is the infrastructure such as sewers, water mains, etc. During the review for the AI this was observed as being necessary for the future of quality development.
Timely Processing of Permits for Development Projects
The City has relatively streamlined procedures for reviewing and approving development projects. Most proposals that conform to existing zoning, subdivisions, and building codes can obtain building permits within a few weeks or less. Request for new subdivisions, zoning changes, or conditional use permits are usually resolved within a few months. As a policy, the City of Great Falls attempts to keep the development review process as quick and efficient as possible. This does not seem to be a significant housing issue.
Malmstrom Air Force Base Housing
Malmstrom AFB currently has authorization for 1372 housing units. Currently, only 924 units are being occupied due to construction projects either planned or underway. Malmstrom AFB currently has 1106 housing units in the inventory with 175 inactive units. There are 266 housing units under construction. Waiting list for airman is minimal, as of January 2010: 75 individuals are waiting for two bedrooms; 10 waiting for three bedrooms and six waiting for four bedrooms and 1406 housing units include 111 renovated units and 278 newly constructed units. Impact on the local community will be minimal (Source: Malmstrom AFB Housing Office).
Public Housing, Section 8 and Subsidized Housing
Great Falls Public Housing Authority
The Great Falls Housing Authority owns and manages 490 public housing units located at five geographically separated sites. These sites are discussed below:
The Great Falls Housing Authority main site is located at 1500 Sixth Avenue South and consists of 356 units; 156 units were constructed in the early 1940’s and 40 of these units were substantially rehabilitated in 1982. In 1986 a major rehabilitation began on the additional 116 units. In 1998 a program designed to modify 200 additional units was started and completed in 2001.
In 1973, 50 units were constructed at Sunrise Court located at 5115 Third Avenue South. These units have gone through complete interior and exterior rehabilitation. This phase was completed in 2004 and the second phase was completed in 2006. Rehabilitation included asbestos abatement, new doors, windows, siding, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, flooring and section 504 requirements.
In 1980, 20 units were constructed at 3313 Eleventh Avenue South known as the Russell site. This project is in good condition. The Great Falls Housing Authority partnered with the Air Force Red Horse organization located at Malmstrom Air Force Base and completed a major landscaping project in 2001. 2009 and 2010 saw a
15 complete renovation of the Russell site to include asbestos abatement, new doors, windows, siding, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, flooring and section 504 requirements.
Also in 1980, 30 units were constructed at 2700 Sixteenth Avenue South known as Yeoman-Tynes. This site was completely modernized and completed in December 2008.
In 1982, 34 units were constructed at 1622 Third Avenue North, known as Austin Hall which serves elderly and disabled residents. Nine units and the community room are completing total rehabilitation and will be ready for occupancy during December 2004.
The Great Falls Housing Authority administers 220 Housing Choice Vouchers serving a population of approximately 220 families. As of January 2010, 275 families are currently on the waiting list, of which 194 are currently in some form of subsidized housing. The waiting time for Housing Choice Vouchers is approximately two to five years depending upon bedrooms and availability of vouchers.
Lead based paint abatement and removal requirements when first implemented were a major concern resulting in landlords not participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program. After discussing this with housing authority staff, participation in the voucher program has not become a problem, in part due to working closely with landlords on abatement and removal requirements.
The Great Falls Housing Authority has been rated as a “High Performer” by HUD nine of the last 10 years. The quality of housing and customer service provided for residence is outstanding (Source: Great Falls Housing Authority Interview).
The Great Falls Housing Authority Five Year Plan includes substantial remodel at the main site to include underground utilities. It is estimated that the project will take approximately five years to complete.
The Sandhills site is a new moderate income housing project under construction. The first 4-plex, of four 4- plexes, will be completed during 2010. The other three 4-plexes will be built as funds are available.
Opportunities, Inc.
“Opportunities, Inc. is dedicated to the principal that all people have the right to be self sufficient in providing for their own needs without discrimination; that they have equal opportunity for education training, employment and career advancement; and , that they have just access to the necessities for physical, psychological and spiritual well being.” (Source: Opportunities, Inc. mission statement) The purpose of the HUD Housing program is to “enable low and moderate income families to live in decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.” They provide a direct rental subsidy and administer the voucher program as an HRDC receiving federal funds through the Montana Department of Commerce.
As of January 2010, Opportunities, Inc. in Great Falls, is overseeing 146 Mod-Rehab units and 562 Housing Choice Vouchers. They have 1833 applicants on their waiting list, as of December 2009. The waiting list for Mod-Rehab units is approximately one month to one year, depending upon the bedroom size needed. The waiting list for Housing Choice Vouchers is approximately two years (Source: Opportunities, Inc documentation and interview January 2010).
Acceptance of Tenant Based Section 8
According to the Great Falls Housing Authority staff, there have been minimal complaints received regarding the rejection of Section 8 eligible individuals and families by landlords and property managers. Of the few complaints received by the City of Great Falls Fair Housing Specialist the reasons stated were paperwork 16 required, lack of payment for damages, and problems that have happened in the past with Section 8 renters. The Housing Authority raised their payments to 110% to be competitive with the rental market thus insuring a reasonable pool of Section 8 accepting landlords and property managers. Due to fair market rents being lower than local rents approximately 60 housing units opted out of the HUD program. Of these the Great Falls Housing Authority increased their voucher program by 20. See impediment 1.
Subsidized Housing
A survey of subsidized housing was accomplished during the month of January 2010 to ascertain availability of subsidized housing. The survey includes public housing operated by the Great Falls Housing Authority. Other properties are privately owned subsidized housing where the federal government, either through state channels or directly, provides subsidies to the owner who then applies the subsidies to the rent charged to low income tenants. There are privately owned subsidized housing units for seniors and people with disabilities, families and individuals. Accessibility is based on units available for individuals who are mobility impaired. A request by several human services agencies to ascertain the number of roll-in showers available in subsidized housing resulted in116 units with roll-in showers being reported.
Summary of Subsidized Housing Statistics – January 2010 Units (Occupied) Occupancy Rate Accessible Units Disabled Occupied 1,551 (1,456) 94% 290 109 See Appendix C for complete survey.
Numerous landlords stated that they advertise the availability of accessible units throughout the City but very few apply, hence the discrepancy between accessible units and disabled occupied. This has been the trend for several years.
Summary of Impediments in the Public Sector
There is only one impediment in the public sector: “HUD fair market rents are not competitive with local market rents (they are low) resulting in the opting out from HUD programs and fewer housing units for subsidized rents”. In March 2007 it was noted that 68 units were opted out but 12 of those units were allowed to use Housing Choice Vouchers
Private Sector Impediments and Additional Programs
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA): Application and Denials
The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), enacted by Congress in 1975 and implemented by the Federal Reserve Board’s Regulation C, requires lending institutions to report public loan data. In order to ascertain trends in Great Falls lending practices the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) was reviewed. The data is from the four major lending institutions meeting HMDA reporting requirements: Stockman Bank, Prairie Mountain Bank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo Fin’l Montana, Inc.
17 Disposition of Applications for FHA, FSA/RHS, and VA Home Purchase Loans, 1 to 4 Family Homes by Race, Gender and Income of Applicant, 2008 Race, Gender & Income Apps. Loans Apps. Approved Apps. Apps. Files Received Originated But Not Accepted Denied Withdrawn Closed as Incomplete American Ind/ Alaskan Native 1 1 0 0 0 0 (Total) Male 0 0 0 0 0 0 Female 0 0 0 0 0 0 Joint (Male/Female) 1 1 0 0 0 0
Asian/Pacific Islander (Total) 2 2 0 0 0 0 Male 1 1 0 0 0 0 Female 0 0 0 0 0 0 Joint (Male/Female) 1 1 0 0 0 0
Race, Gender & Income Apps. Loans Apps. Approved Apps. Apps. Files Received Originated But Not Accepted Denied Withdrawn Closed as Incomplete
Black (Total) 1 1 0 0 0 0 Male 0 0 0 0 0 0 Female 0 0 0 0 0 0 Joint (Male/Female) 1 1 0 0 0 0
Hispanic (Total) 8 8 0 0 0 0 Male 7 7 0 0 0 0 Female 1 1 0 0 0 0 Joint (Male/Female) 0 0 0 0 0 0
White (Total) 310 271 11 13 14 1 Male 99 77 3 2 7 0 Female 71 66 1 4 5 1 Joint (Male/Female) 140 124 7 7 2 0
Joint (White/Minority) Total 10 10 0 0 0 0 Male 0 0 0 0 0 0 Female 0 0 0 0 0 0 Joint (Male/Female) 10 10 0 0 0 0
Income of Applicants
Race, Gender & Income Apps. Loans Apps. Approved Apps. Apps. Files Received Originated But Not Accepted Denied Withdrawn Closed as Incomplete
Less Than 50% of MSA Median 22 14 1 4 3 0 50-79% of MSA Media 84 73 3 0 7 0 80-99% of MSA Median 66 59 1 4 1 0 100-119% of MSA 57 54 0 2 1 0 120% or More of MSA Median 96 88 5 3 2 0 Income Not Available 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 According to the data provided, 342 applications were received of which 293 loans were originated for properties in Great Falls; an overall 85% approval rate. Of those applications received 13 applicants were denied. American Indians/Alaskan Natives had a 100% approval rate for their loans; Asian/Pacific Islander and Blacks had a 100% loan approval.; Hispanics also had a 100% loan approval. Numbers seem to be low because of the economic environment.
Most loans were denied because of poor credit history and debt to income ratio.
Denials based upon income were somewhat surprising. Those less than 50% of MSA median income had a 63% loan origination while the other four levels were 87% or better loan origination (See Disposition of Applications table).
Due to the small numbers of minorities reported it is hard to determine the actual impact of loan origination.
This area will be continually monitored for adverse trends. Disposition of Applications for Conventional Home Purchase Loans, 1 to 4 Family Homes by Race, Gender and Income of Applicant, 2008
Race, Gender & Income Apps. Loans Apps. Approved Apps. Apps. Files Received Originated But Not Accepted Denied Withdrawn Closed as Incomplete
American Ind/ Alaskan Native 0 (Total) Male 0 Female 0 Joint (Male/Female) 0
Asian/Pacific Islander (Total) 0 Male 0 Female 0 Joint (Male/Female) 0
Race, Gender & Income Apps. Loans Apps. Approved Apps. Apps. Files Received Originated But Not Accepted Denied Withdrawn Closed as Incomplete
Black (Total) 0 Male 0 Female 0 Joint (Male/Female) 0
Hispanic (Total) 2 2 0 0 0 0 Male 2 2 0 0 0 0 Female 0 0 0 0 0 0 Joint (Male/Female) 0 0 0 0 0 0
White (Total) 187 142 19 5 23 0 Male 44 35 2 2 6 0 Female 34 26 5 1 2 0 Joint (Male/Female) 109 81 12 2 15 0
Other (Total) 0 0 0 0 0 0 Male 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 Female 0 0 0 0 0 0 Joint (Male/Female) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Joint (White/Minority) Total 1 1 0 0 0 0 Male 0 0 0 0 0 0 Female 0 0 0 0 0 0 Joint (Male/Female) 1 1 0 0 0 0
Income of Applicants
Race, Gender & Income Apps. Loans Apps. Approved Apps. Apps. Files Received Originated But Not Accepted Denied Withdrawn Closed as Incomplete
Less Than 50% of MSA Median 14 11 2 0 1 0 50-79% of MSA Media 30 18 3 3 5 1 80-99% of MSA Median 24 20 2 2 4 0 100-119% of MSA 13 8 3 0 3 0 120% or More of MSA Median 125 102 11 1 13 0 Income Not Available 4 3 0 1 0 0
The data shows that no minorities applied for conventional loans. The data also reflects the economy and that conventional loans may be harder to apply for.
Age and Quality of Housing Stock
Year Structure Built Estimate Percent Total housing units 25,708 Built 2005 or later 477 1.9% Built 2000 to 2004 1,092 4.2% Built 1990 to 1999 1,840 7.2% Built 1980 to 1989 1,587 6.2% Built 1970 to 1979 3,685 14.3% Built 1960 to 1969 4,023 15.6% Built 1950 to 1959 5,122 19.9% Built 1940 to 1949 2,504 9.7% Built 1939 or earlier 5,378 20.9% Selected Housing Characteristics, 2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-year Estimates
The majority of housing stock in Great Falls is 35 years or older. Over 49% of the stock is 45 years or older. Almost half of all housing units in Great Falls were built before 1960. This is considerably older housing stock than the State of Montana. As the community’s housing units continue to age, increased investment for maintenance, repairs, rehabilitation, and replacement will be needed to maintain the quality of living conditions and prevent deterioration of neighborhoods. (American Community Survey 3-year Estimates)
The quality of housing has always been at the forefront of discussion with low income tenants. The 2000 census stated that 136 units lacked complete plumbing facilities while the 2006-2008 estimates that 201 units
20 lack plumbing, (both hot and cold piped water, a flush toilet and a bathtub or shower) and 207 units in 2000 lacked complete kitchen facilities (installed sink with piped water, a range, convection or microwave oven; and a refrigerator) while the 2006-2008 estimates that 381 units lack kitchen facilities.
The City Community Development Department enforces various codes to ensure that housing units meet minimum safety requirements for the residents. The City supports the maintenance and rehabilitation of housing and residential neighborhoods through its code enforcement program.
Homeownership and Affordability
Housing affordability is affected by two independent factors: housing cost and household income. Housing costs have continued to grow steadily over the past decade, while income levels have not kept pace. The result has been a nationwide housing affordability crisis. (Source Great Falls City-County Growth Plan)
Housing that is considered “affordable” is defined as housing units that have sales prices or rents that are within the means of a low or moderate income household. The private housing market does not generally provide affordable housing without some type of subsidy or incentive. Public agencies and non-profit organizations have been very active in housing programs, such as NeighborWorks and Habitat for Humanity. Despite their success, the ability of low and moderate income families to purchase housing has been adversely affected during the past decade as a result of costs rising faster than income levels.
NeighborWorks
Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. of Great Falls dba NeighborWorks Great Falls (NWGF) helps families buy homes, improve their homes and keep their homes through various educational and loan programs. Since 1980, NWGF has helped over 4,000 families into homeownership across the state, utilizing a variety of funding sources. In 2009, NWGF assisted 139 families into homeownership throughout Great Falls, making 121 loans which deployed $1.2 million in secondary mortgage financing and leveraged $15 million in first mortgage loans. Three hundred and thirty one participants graduated from homebuyer education, 57 families enrolled in the IDA program (29 purchased homes), 139 customers received foreclosure prevention services, with 19 foreclosures prevented (most foreclosure customers continue to receive services) and 623 volunteers contributed 7960 hours of volunteer work in 2009.
NWGF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, works in low-to-moderate income and blighted areas targeted by NWGF and the City of Great Falls for revitalization. NWGF also provides homebuyer assistance programs city-and-statewide. During its 30-year history, NWGF has accomplished the following in Great Falls:
Over 1,500 families have become homeowners with NWGF help More than 4,500 participants have graduated from homebuyer education NWGF has been involved in 12% of Multiple Listing Service real estate sales in Great Falls Neighborhood revitalization in 6 Great Falls neighborhoods Over 226 new homes have been built by NWGF Over 411 dilapidated structures have been removed or repaired Hundreds of homeowners helped with home repair 1 new home built with Montana Conservation Corps 25 NWGF High School Houses built by students Over $135 million in public and private investment in NWGF target neighborhoods Over $60 million in Montana Board of Housing loans $36 million in Lender Pool loans $10 million in Rural Development low interest loans 21 Helped 255 families avoid foreclosure through counseling, lender negotiations and loans 26 years of MApril neighborhood cleanup projects 25 years of educating residents on code enforcement Incorporation of new Montana Home Ownership Network affiliate serving 55 Montana counties for delivery of statewide homeownership education and financial assistance Established the Neighborhood Committee to deal with both deteriorating rentals and escalating crime in Great Falls’ north side neighborhoods Assisted neighborhood residents in laying over 150,000 square feet of sod Participation in Great Falls improvement committees including Weed and Seed, Neighborhood Watch, Great Falls Housing Task Force, and the Regional Growth Alliance Annual “Meth is Scary” public awareness event Community organizing and involvement activities
NWGF has been working on revitalizing the lowest income and most blighted neighborhoods in Great Falls for the past 30 years. Approximately 10 – 15 lower income homeowners each year are assisted with loans and advice on home repairs. Additionally, NWGF purchases three to five major problem properties for rehabilitation and resale to families below 80% of Cascade County median income. NWGF is involved in the construction of approximately 10 to 12 new homes per year, as funds permit. NWGF works on attacking blight and deterioration in neighborhoods by removing dilapidated structures, organizing neighborhood cleanups and targeting properties for code enforcement. Their various programs, funded by several sources, include:
Payback capital projects and revolving loan funds Infill housing—a program to alleviate neighborhood vacant lot problems Mutual Self-help Housing where families built their own homes with NWGF supervision Construction of new homes affordable to families at less than 80% AMI Construction of new homes using high school and college of technology student labor Purchase, rehabilitation and sale of previously substandard units Home ownership promotion through education and loan programs HomeOwnership Center for full cycle lending Exterior improvement lending in targeted neighborhoods Emergency repair lending Foreclosure prevention education and lending Home maintenance education Predatory lending education Community leadership training and development Community outreach and education Neighborhood cleanup
NeighborWorks Great Falls focuses its energy on innovative programs that draw on basic principals to help people help themselves. The mission of the agency is to rebuild historic neighborhoods by providing homeownership opportunities for lower-income families.
The City of Great Falls annually grants NWGF funding from CDBG and HOME funds. CDBG and HOME funds are used for construction of new homes and renovation of restored homes in targeted neighborhoods. HOME funds are also used to provide down payment assistance for purchase of homes anywhere in the city. The target neighborhoods of NWGF include census tracts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, and 22 (block 2). Between 2005 and 2009, homes were constructed and renovations took place in tracts 5, 7, 16, and 22 (block 2).
22 NeighborWorks, Great Falls, outreach to minority populations included contracting with War Shield Development for barriers to Indian homeownership study, advertising in Native Montana, financial support of and booths at Round Dances, Native-taught financial fitness courses and naming the chief of staff of the Little Shell Band of Chippewa-Cree to the Board of Directors.
In fiscal year 2009, 40% of NWGF participants were below 50% Area Median Income (AMI); 32% were between 50% and 80% AMI; 11% were between 80% and 100% AMI and 16% were above 100% AMI.
Rental Market and Affordability According to the 2000 Census there are 23,785 occupied housing units of which 8,751 are specified renter occupied. The 2006-2008 American Community Survey 3- year estimates 25,708 total housing units with 24,015 occupied, and 8,016 are rental units. Since the 2000 census we see an increase in occupied housing but a decrease of over 700 rental units. Below is the 2000 Census data for gross rent and the three year estimates for 2006-2008.
Gross Rent Rent Number* Percent* Number** Percent**
Less than $200 1,048 12 644 8 $200 to $299 1,070 12.2 526 6.6 $300 to $499 3,927 44.9 2,352 29.3 $500 to $749 1,798 20.5 2,994 37.4 $750 to $999 347 4 757 9.4 $1,000 to $1,499 109 1.2 437 5.5 $1,500 or more 108 1.2 306 3.8 No cash rent 344 3.9 311 Source: *2000 Census and ** Selected Housing Characteristics 2006-2008, American Community Survey 3-year Estimates
Current Great Falls Fair Housing activities
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
The City aggressively pursued diverse avenues in expanding its philosophies and community involvement to affirmatively further fair housing through the following activities.
1. Annual updates to the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.
2. Outreach through education and networking continued to be the principal method of furthering fair housing. Activities undertaken during 2005 – 2010: (these activities will continue) * distributed pamphlets community-wide free of charge (information involved fair housing, landlord and tenant law, advertising guidance, and accessibility guidelines) * provided current information about fair housing on the City’s Internet site * presented discrimination and fair housing educational programs to approximately 2218 individuals through workshops at numerous agencies to include workshops sponsored by the City * provide a monthly fair housing presentation to first time homebuyers and the Great Falls Association of Realtors * participated in summer orientation event at MSU-Great Falls College of Technology and distributed fair housing information
23 * participated in community-wide workshops co-sponsored by the City, NeigborWorks, Opportunities, Inc., Neighborhood Councils and provided information about fair housing, landlord and tenant law, and housing regulations related to disabled people * wrote articles about fair housing for newsletters for NeighborWorks and the Great Falls Housing Authority * coordinated the annual Great Falls Housing Task Force booth at the Great Falls Home Show, where 16,000 individuals attend this three day show; staff from 15 organizations presented information and handouts as well as networked with the public * held 29 one-on-one landlord/property manager training sessions * actively participated as member of the Housing Task Force, Community Advisory Council, and the Local Individuals Network for Customized Services
3. The partnership between the City and the Housing Authority continued through the joint position of the City’s Fair Housing Specialist. Fair housing activities included: * conducted investigations of tenant complaints, sexual harassment complaints, and assistive animal rules and regulations at the Housing Authority * reviewed Housing Authority leasing requirements and provided guidance on fraud, fair housing, service animals, and pet policies * writing a fair housing column for the Housing Authority's newsletter about issues of concern to the public housing community.
4. From 2005 through 2009 the City Fair Housing Specialist responded to 4507 housing complaints and information inquiries from landlords and tenants, a majority dealt with state landlord and tenant laws.
5. Provided conflict resolution services involving fair housing issues and formal mediations related to landlord-tenant law to all individuals, as requested.
6. The rental housing market, especially subsidized housing was monitored on an ongoing basis. As of February 2009 the vacancy rate of subsidized housing was approximately 6%, this rate has been fairly constant (5% -6%) throughout the years. The National Low Income Housing Coalition released a report showing that in 2009 a Great Falls worker would need to earn $11.38 an hour to afford a two bedroom apartment at fair market rate; this is up $1.06 from 2005.
7. All enacted city ordinances were reviewed to ensure compliance with fair housing laws.
8. In recognition of Fair Housing Month, the Mayor of Great Falls, during the Commission Meeting, proclaims April as Fair Housing Month, at which time statistics from the previous year are mentioned.
Strategies to Address Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
The impediments and strategies listed below were developed through a consensus effort during a public listening meeting and e-mail review.
Impediments
Public: 1. HUD fair market rents are not competitive with local market rents (to low) resulting in opting out from HUD programs and fewer housing units for subsidized rents. (Restricts housing choices or availability of housing choices)
24
Private: 2. Discriminatory practices in violation of the Fair Housing Act are present in Great Falls. (Restricts housing based on protected classes) 3. Landlords, property managers, tenants, future tenants and support agencies lack knowledge on Federal Fair Hosing Laws, State landlord tenant laws and discrimination laws. ( Counter productive to fair housing choice) 4. Lack of quality housing for low income with Housing Choice Vouchers results in a lack of housing and mobility for those that are using this program. ( Counter productive to fair housing choice) 5. Lack of subsidized housing for elderly and disabled that is fully accessible / usable. (Restricts housing based on protected classes) 6. Lack of communications and education between organization that provide housing and agencies seeking housing for their cliental: safe housing for young parents, housing for veterans, foreclosure prevention, accessible housing. (Restricts housing choices or availability of housing choices)
Strategies and Measurements
Impediment 1 (Public Sector) HUD fair market rents are not competitive with local market rents (to low) resulting in opting out from HUD programs and fewer housing units for subsidized rents. (Restricts housing choices or availability of housing choices)
Strategy Discuss this impediment during the annual HUD consultation and see what is being done, if anything.
Measurement Pending December 2010 January 2011 HUD consultation.
Impediment 2 (Private Sector) Discriminatory practices in violation of the Fair Housing Act are present in Great Falls. (Restricts housing based on protected classes)
Strategy 1. The City Fair Housing Specialist will market the availability of education and outreach pertaining to the rights of all protected classes. The Fair Housing Specialist will be responsible for contacting various agencies to offer training in the rights and responsibilities of people in the housing market to include human services agencies.
2. A strategy will be developed to increase a community wide awareness of the existence of discrimination and resources available to those who have been discriminated against.
Measurement and Responsibility The Fair Housing Specialist will update the Great Falls Housing Task Force committee on a monthly basis as to the number of discrimination complaints received, the number of individuals receiving training and organizations contacted, commencing April 2010.
25 Impediment 3 (Private Sector) Landlords, property managers, tenants, future tenants and support agencies lack knowledge on Federal Fair Hosing Laws, State landlord tenant laws and discrimination laws. ( Counter productive to fair housing choice)
Strategy 1. An ongoing assessment of specific education needs through current course evaluations and a survey process of housing stakeholders will be performed by the City Fair Housing Specialist.
2. Partner with local agencies to provide education and encouragement for successful landlords and tenants and others in the housing market.
3. The Fair Housing Specialist will update and develop training materials and partner with housing agencies (landlord organizations, financial institutions, insurance and realty organizations) to procure and author educational handouts within each area of expertise.
Measurement and Responsibility The Fair Housing Specialist will provide a list of organizations contacted, number of individuals trained, copies of educational material to the housing task force on a quarterly basis starting April 2010.
Impediment 4 (Private Sector)
Lack of quality housing for low income with Housing Choice Vouchers results in a lack of housing and mobility for those that are using this program. ( Counter productive to fair housing choice)
Strategy Great Falls Planning / Community Development Department through its building inspectors, is establishing a more aggressive program to evaluate the habitability/quality of mobile homes, manufactured homes, rental properties (single and multi-family) especially for low income using Housing Choice Vouchers. This will include a tenant complaint system with involvement of the Cities Fair Housing Specialist. Outreach and education will be provided by building officials to act in a proactive manner. The Fair Housing Specialist will also contact Opportunities, Inc. and the Great Falls Housing Authority for statitics on Housing Quality Standards (HQS) failures.
Measurement Number of razing permits and permits for repairs based upon complaints received. Number of passed and failed HQS inspections.
Impediment 5 (Private Sector) Lack of subsidized housing for elderly and disabled that is fully accessible / usable. (Restricts housing based on protected classes)
Strategy Market need for fully accessible and usable housing and available programs that would help future rehabilitation of existing housing to become fully accessible / usable to households requiring special needs. Attract elderly / accessible housing providers to construct new units in the Great Falls community.
26 Measurement Track increase in request for program information and annual survey of agencies that request accessible / usable living for their clients. This will include tracking the number of newly constructed accessible units for elderly and occupancy rates.
Impediment 6 (Private Sector) Lack of communications and education between organization that provide housing and agencies seeking housing for their cliental: safe housing for young parents, housing for veterans, foreclosure prevention, accessible housing. (Restricts housing choices or availability of housing choices)
Strategy Seek an agency or organization willing to coordinated and maintain a web site for organizations and housing providers to list available housing for the specific needs of individuals listed in this impediment or any special needs housing situation.
Measurement Successful sponsorship and utilization of coordinator and web page.
27
APPENDIX A:
HUD Low to Moderate Income Areas and Census Tract Map, City of Great Falls
28 H.U.D. Low to Moderate Income Areas, City of Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana Percent Low to Moderate Income by Census Block Group 36th Ave NE 19 3 Block Group with Less than 51% 33rd Ave NE 101 Low to Moderate Income
9th St NE Block Group with 51% or More
18 1 24th St NE Low to Moderate Income
2 1 3 Block Group Number 2
4
r
e iv Census Tract Boundary 8th St NE R 2 1
2nd St NW Smelter Ave NE
18th Ave N 19 Census Tract Number
2
ri Water u Misso 3
6th St NW 2
Interstate Highway
Northwest Bypass 3
1
4 1 10th Ave N Primary Highway 1 9th Ave N 6th Ave NW 1 8 8th Ave N Local road or street
27th 5 15th St N 4th Ave NW 1 3rd St NW 1 5th Ave N 2 Railroad 38th St N
10th St NW 5 3 2
4 34th St N 2 1 Airport Central Ave W 25th St N 9th St N 17 3 32nd St N
42nd St N 2 57thSt N
4 3 2nd Ave N 1 4 1st Ave N 2 Central Ave 2 6
46th St N 1st Ave S 11 2
24th St SW 20th St SW 1 4
58th 4 1 4
Su 2nd St S n River 16 1 1
21st St S Carol Dr 2 14th St S 5th Ave S 3 10 14thSt SW 8 9 15 7th Ave S 6th Ave S 36th St S 1 0.5 0.25 0 0.5 1
5 6th St SW 2 3 2 7 2 Scale of Miles 15th St S
3
10th Ave SW 50th St S
10th Ave S 29th St S
3
107 2 12th Ave S 9th St S 3 1
13th St S 13th Ave S
1 4 1
23rd St S 17th Ave S 15th Ave S 39th St S 51st St S 1
2 21st Ave S 2 24th Ave SW 22nd Ave S CASCADE Park Garden Rd COUNTY 5 6 26th Ave S 9 21
22 29th Ave S 23
3 33rd Ave S
26th St S The Area of Interest:
FloodRd
Fox Farm Rd City of Great Falls in Cascade County
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000, Tract and Block Group boundary lines; Housing and Urban Development, Low and Moderate Income data; Map created by the Census and Economic Information Center, 406-841-2740, [email protected]. GF_BlockGroups.mxd Jan 2004
APPENDIX B:
Great Falls Housing Survey Form August 2009 – November 2009
30
Great Falls Housing Survey Results August – November 2009 Note: Survey numbers may add up to more/or less than 100% because respondents answered or failed to answer specific questions.
Q1. During the last five years the fair housing situation in Great Falls has become: Mean: 1.8 Standard Deviation: 0.9 Responses Count Percent Better 35 50.7% Worse 14 20.3% No Change 20 29.0%
Q2. During the last five years have you experienced discrimination in housing? Mean: 1.9 Standard Deviation: 0.4 Responses Count Percent Yes 10 14.1% No 61 85.9%
Q3. Are you aware of anyone experiencing discrimination in obtaining housing in Great Falls during the past five years? Mean: 1.7 Standard Deviation: 0.5 Responses Count Percent Yes 22 31.0% No 49 69.0%
Q4. If you answered "Yes" to Question 2, which of the following was the reason for the discrimination? (check all that apply) Responses Count Percent Race 6 46.2% Religion 0 0.0% Marital Status 6 46.2% Age 6 46.2% Color 1 7.7% National Origin 0 0.0% Disability 6 46.2% Familial Status 7 53.8% Creed (Belief) 0 0.0% Sex 1 7.7%
Q5. If you answered "Yes" to Question 3, which of the following was the reason for the discrimination? (check all that apply) Responses Count Percent Race 11 50.0% Religion 0 0.0% Marital Status 6 27.3% Age 9 40.9% Color 2 9.1% National Origin 1 4.5% Disability 8 36.4% Familial Status 10 45.5% Creed (Belief) 0 0.0% Sex 1 4.5%
31 Q6. Are you aware of anyone experiencing the following in Great Falls during the past five years (Check all that apply) Responses Count Percent Housing Provider, lender or insurance agency refused to rent, sell or negotiate with persons 13 48.1% interested in housing. Housing provider falsely stated there was no housing available. 8 29.6% Observed discriminatory advertising. 2 7.4% Sellers/buyers/renters treated differently in terms or conditions of sale or rental of property. 12 44.4% Home mortgage denied because of discrimination. 1 3.7% Realty agents/brokers/lenders steer individuals to specific neighborhoods. 11 40.7% Housing provider refused to make reasonable accommodations for disabled tenant. 8 29.6% Specify other negative experiences. (Please specify and attache your comments) 3 11.1%
Q7. Are you aware of other actual/potential fair housing violations in Great Falls? Mean: 1.9 Standard Deviation: 0.3 Responses Count Percent Yes 5 7.2% No 64 92.8%
Q8. If yes, please list:
Need more wheelchair accessible homes and apartments. Also the rent has gone up but not peoples paychecks.
No place in the city limits anymore to enable people to own their own lot to get out from under poorly miss managed trailer courts in town
Almost universally, rental property is not adiquitely maintained so that safety is questionable and general rental and neighborhood environments deteriorate over time. People have been denied housing because of guide dogs or general service dogs.
I can't truly say I know first hand, but I have heard many stories and it shocks me.
One of our local appraisers deducted $9000 from a house in an area he did not like, although the buyers had lived in the house for 11 years and did like the area.
Licensed Realtor Landlord stating they would let someone out of a lease only if they would purchase a home with the Realtor Landlord as their representative.
Q9. What agency would you report housing discrimination to?: Responses Count Percent Montana Human Rights Bureau 12 17.6% City of Great Falls Fair Housing Specialist 40 58.8% Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity 26 38.2% Montana Fair Housing 23 33.8% Cascade County Law Clinic 1 1.5% Montana Legal Services 6 8.8% Other 0 0.0%
Q10. What actions should be undertaken in Great Falls to address discrimination in housing?
Let HUD know
Build more affordable wheelchair accessible homes and apts to rent. And put a cap on raising rents. Because peoples paychecks do not go up like the rent does.
unknown
32 Stop trying to turn our town into the haves and have nots.
Renters should be given a paper when they rent explaining what is discriminatation and what their rights are. By the same token, landllords could be protected by this also. This should be made avilable to all renters, not just big enterprizes.
There are good efforts to educate us "newcomers" as to landlord/tenant laws and regulations. Racial discrimination is still alive and well in Montana, but I hope it's getting better. I'm bothered that people with limited finances have so few options for nice, clean housing.
UNDER COVER INVESTIGATION OF THE OFFENDER SHOULD BE UNDER TAKEN.
Closer Monitoring of equal treatment amongst tenants and applicants at Buchanen Enterprises
Education for all involved. I Strict and continuous nforcement of fair housing requirements. Continuous inspection of fair housing compliance and of property maintanance.
They need to treat people the same whether they are rich or poor. They put poor people in a bad part of the neighborhood and if you have enough money you get to go the nicer neighborhoods.
Criminal action against the offender. Training and education for realtors, brokers, landlords...
continue with education
If I know I should report it to a Fair Housing Specialist.
Address the issue asap
I am not to sure what actions to take. I feel bad for the landlords because they probably feel obligated to rent to someone just to protect themselves from a lawsuit. At the same time the people I know are very good people but have been discriminated against, just because the landlord had a bad experience with a different renter.
Laws should be changed to address discrimination against disabilities and minorities.
N/A
more education to the public in general
education which is what is being done.
there is none to my knowledge
It shouldn't even be an issue.
Some discrimination takes place by pricing.
I believe our community has improved in this area with the Fair Housing Specialist, Neighbor Works and the real estate related professionals. The real barrier seems to be that tenants by law have to be made aware of lead based paint. I'm not sure the tenants are aware of their rights/responsibilities in regard to fair housing. Economic barriers continue to be a struggle in Cascade County. On a separate issue, is there a minimum standard for what a landlord is allowed to rent? A significant area of difficulty is the unlicensed landlord and the sellers out there who are uneducated as to what constitutes a fair housing violation.
Q11. Who should be responsible for taking actions as identified in question 8?
Its everybody's problem
unknown
The city should make available zoning to allow persons owning mobil homes in good repair to own lots.
Because renters are so unaware what can/should be done that someone needs to be their advocate. Landlords should have to 33 present all options in writing to the renter of what can happen. If in writing, both the renter and the landlord are aware of what can happen--makes them both accountable.
All of us.
Montana Fair Housing
I do not know
City of Great Falls. Rental ordinances need development and/or inforcement. General condition of rental property in Great Falls is very sub-standard and little attention seems devoted to this situation. The resulting degradation effects the entire community.
H.U.D Great Falls Housing
landlords themselves
The only way I can see anything being improved is through the "People's Voices". A nice happy medium would be for landlords and tenants to be able to sit down and try to get a good idea on both sides of it all.
Don't know.
montana fair housing
dept of housing and urban development fair housing and equal opportunity
The city housing department
The person who was violated and the observer in cooperation.
Anyone who is aware
Q12. Income levels of minority and female headed households. Mean: 2.8 Standard Deviation: 1.1 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 10 15.2% A minor barrier 14 21.2% A moderate barrier 19 28.8% A serious barrier 23 34.8%
Q13. Concentration of minority households in certain neighborhoods. Mean: 2.5 Standard Deviation: 1.2 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 18 28.6% A minor barrier 15 23.8% A moderate barrier 13 20.6% A serious barrier 17 27.0%
Q14. Lack of adequate zoning for manufactured homes. Mean: 2.5 Standard Deviation: 1.2 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 20 31.7% A minor barrier 10 15.9% A moderate barrier 16 25.4% A serious barrier 17 27.0%
34 Q15. Lack of local organization devoted to fair housing investigation and testing. Mean: 2.1 Standard Deviation: 1.1 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 23 39.0% A minor barrier 17 28.8% A moderate barrier 8 13.6% A serious barrier 11 18.6%
Q16. Residents are not familiar with their fair housing rights. Mean: 2.7 Standard Deviation: 1.2 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 15 22.7% A minor barrier 12 18.2% A moderate barrier 17 25.8% A serious barrier 22 33.3%
Q17. Landlords, property managers are not familiar with fair housing rights. Mean: 2.5 Standard Deviation: 1.1 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 17 25.4% A minor barrier 16 23.9% A moderate barrier 20 29.9% A serious barrier 14 20.9%
Q18. Lack of knowledge among Realtors regarding fair housing. Mean: 1.9 Standard Deviation: 0.9 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 26 40.0% A minor barrier 24 36.9% A moderate barrier 10 15.4% A serious barrier 5 7.7%
Q19. Lack of knowledge among bankers/lenders regarding fair housing. Mean: 1.8 Standard Deviation: 0.9 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 30 47.6% A minor barrier 18 28.6% A moderate barrier 12 19.0% A serious barrier 3 4.8%
Q20. Lack of knowledge among insurance industry representatives regarding fair housing. Mean: 1.9 Standard Deviation: 1.0 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 27 42.9% A minor barrier 21 33.3% A moderate barrier 10 15.9% A serious barrier 5 7.9%
35 Q21. Lack of mobile home courts that allow mobile homes over five years old. Mean: 2.7 Standard Deviation: 1.1 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 11 18.6% A minor barrier 11 18.6% A moderate barrier 21 35.6% A serious barrier 16 27.1%
Q22. There is no centralizated listing of rental property. Mean: 2.8 Standard Deviation: 1.1 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 11 17.7% A minor barrier 11 17.7% A moderate barrier 18 29.0% A serious barrier 22 35.5%
Q23. Quality of rental properties and housing stock is substandard. Mean: 2.9 Standard Deviation: 1.1 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 9 13.8% A minor barrier 15 23.1% A moderate barrier 15 23.1% A serious barrier 26 40.0%
Q24. Other barriers (please list and rate as above) Mean: 2.7 Standard Deviation: 1.3 Responses Count Percent Not a barrier 2 20.0% A minor barrier 3 30.0% A moderate barrier 1 10.0% A serious barrier 4 40.0%
Q25. Other Barriers
Barriers of Landlords: Having an employee of DPHHS sitting down with a tenant talking to a landlord asking to please rent to someone who they know has had problems but does not disclose fully. They tell you this is how they are going to pay and they will be good tenants. I would like to be contacted about this because I think it is wrong and the employee knows it is wrong and admitted it later. How many landlords have gotten taken by believing a "supposedly" good source and is this what our system does to "help" a problem situation?
Being charged more for rent than other tenants for a same square footage unit because you moved in last and all other units are paying the same. There are years separating their move in dates. Is this fair? I mean there is literally no major difference between these apartments.
I want to own my own lot for my well maintained mobile home and there is no where I can do that. I feel trapped around renters and low life and there is nothing I can do about it.
It's hard to find rentals that will allow pets and children. Also their is limited choices for those with physical disabilities. It would be nice if all homes built from now on were "visitable".
Absent or over-burdened landlords don't maintain their property or know what's going on there. (slumlords) 36
Painting all tenants with the same brush. One bad apple spoils the barrier
Expense of physically acceptable rental property as opposed to virtual slum housing. Rental standards really need improvement city wide and continuous inspection to be sure standards are upheld. Rental costs need to be reasonable according to size specifications and not inflated according to location, property condition or attempts to exclude tenants. i am having a hard time finding room mates and places to live that are affordable for me as a college student and a place that allows pets
I have found it is almost impossible to find housing or be approved of housing after having negative credit issues or filing bankruptcy. People with financial difficulties have just as much need as the next person for a roof over their heads and the heads of their children!
Housing is hard to find especially in a price range affordable to low to middle income with need of more than two bedrooms. Just lack of rentals!
Archetectural barriers
Since NHS has began building in what was earlier known as undesirable areas, in my opinion there really are no areas in which I would hesitate to live and, therefore, sell.
37
APPENDIX C:
Great Falls Subsidized Housing Statistics as of January 14, 2010
38 Appendix C: Subsidized Housing statistics as of January 14, 2010. The survey includes public housing operated by the Great Falls Housing Authority. Other properties are privately owned subsidized housing where the government provides subsidies directly to the owner who then applies the subsidies to the rent charged to low income tenants. Accessibility was based on units available for individuals who are mobility impaired. Various agencies have asked for an inventory of roll in showers. This survey did not focus on other supportive services. Only units that are subsidized (under contract) are counted. Subsidized Housing Statistics as of January 14, 2010 Name #Units (Occupied) Occupancy Rate Accessible Units / #filled by Mobility Impaired Autumn Run** 120 (115) 96% 52 / 2 Sandstone** 48 (41) 85% 16 / 2 Townsite Apts.** 20 (18) 90% 10 / 0 Holland Court ** 16 (16) 100% 8 / 3 Yeoman 30 (28) 93% 2 / 2 Russell 20 (0) 20 in rehab 0% 0 / 0 Sunrise 50 (49) 98% 3 / 3 Austin Hall 34 (33) 97% 5 / 5 *5 Area 22 (GFPHA) 200 (186) 93% 14 / 13 *14 Area 25 (GFPHA) 156 (148) 95% 0 / 0 Vista Villa 96 (92) 96% 0 / 0 Grandview 96 (89) 93% 0 / 0 Elmore Roberts 60 (57) 95% 3 / 2 *1 Park Manor 103 (96) 93% 0 / 0 Aspen Village 60 (60) 100% 8 / 2 *1 Elmwood 18 (18) 100% 2 / 1 Parkview 83 (83) 100% 0 / 0 Southwinds 23 (22) 96% 23 / 23 *23 Portage 47(44) 94% 47 / 8 *47 Meadow Lark 17 (17) 100% 17 / 17 *17 Eagles Manor 66(44) 67% 66 / 18 Broadview Manor 20(20) 100% 1 / 1 Centennial Village 48(44) 92% 0 / 0 Holiday West 12(12) 100% 0 / 0 Rainbow House 40(37) 93% 0 / 0 Sunshine Village 72(71) 99% 7 / 7 *7 Franklin School Apt. 38(28) 10 in rehab 100% 6 / 0 TOTALS: 1551(1456) (30 in rehab) 94% 290 109 *115 *Denotes units with roll in showers. (Note: Rehab units were subtracted from totals to use only livable units in calculations.) **Affordable housing (Restricted rents for income eligible individuals; Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers are allowed.
Section Eight Housing Choice Vouchers: Housing Choice Vouchers are managed by Opportunities, Inc. and the Great Falls Housing Authority. Project Based (Mod Rehab) are managed by Opportunities, Inc.. Opportunities, Inc. is funded through the Montana Department of Commerce who in turn contracts with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Great Falls Housing Authority is funded directly with Department of Housing and Urban Development. Number Vouchers Contracted Number Vouchers in Use Percentage in Use
Opportunities, Inc.* 465 465 100% Great Falls Housing authority 220 194 88%
TOTALS: 685 659 96%
*The State suspended 50 vouchers in September 2009.
Project Based (Mod Rehab): This program is managed by Opportunities, Inc.
#Units (Occupied) Occupancy Rate
146(146) 100%
40
APPENDIX F
GREAT FALLS AND CASCADE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY 2010 – 2020
Special Thanks to:
Cascade County City of Great Falls * First Interstate Bank * NeighborWorks Great Falls * Montana Department of Commerce - Census and Economic Information Center Great Falls Housing Authority Opportunities, Incorporated University of Great Falls Rural Dynamics A.W.A.R.E.
Great Falls/Cascade County Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy Final Report Table of Contents Page #
Executive Summary Introduction...... …....1 Community Profile...... 3 Demographic, Economic and Housing Profiles...... 4 Population and Demographic Profile ...... …………………………….….4 Economic Profile.…………………………………………………….…...11 Housing Supply and Conditions…………………………………………18 Housing Market and Trends……………………………………………..19 Survey Results…………………………………………………..………..20 Great Falls Area Agency and Organization Questionnaire……20 Great Falls/Cascade County Community Opinion Survey…….22 Purpose………………………………………………………22 Methods……………………………………………………...23 Opinion Survey Results……………… ……………………24 Conclusions ………………………………….……………...30 Great Falls Housing Needs Assessment ...... 31 Homeless Survey ………………………………………………………32 Focus Groups ...... …32 Past Housing Efforts...... 42 Most Pressing Housing Needs...... 43 Strategy for addressing Housing Needs...... 45 Housing Plan...... 50 Funding Sources...... 51 Appendix A...... Comprehensive Housing Plan Minutes Appendix B...... Respondents to Great Falls and Cascade County Agency and Organization Surveys Appendix C...... Comprehensive Survey Instrument and Tally of Responses Appendix D...... Housing Survey Instrument and Tally of Responses Appendix E ...... Great Falls Homeless Survey, January 29, 2009
GREAT FALLS AND CASCADE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY 2010 – 2020 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Following a citywide meeting of professionals and others interested in housing, a housing plan group was formed to focus on the development of a comprehensive housing affordability plan for Great Falls and Cascade County, with the goal of assisting local organizations and the city and the county to address the housing and community development needs into the next decade.
The housing plan group gathered information and data from four different surveys, fifteen focus groups, and town meetings in Belt and Cascade. The state Department of Commerce contributed a community profile. From the data gathered over a period of two years and five months, the housing plan group produced a summary of strategies to meet the greatest needs identified. The summary was presented to the full Great Falls/Cascade County Housing Planning Group on February 25, 2010. The full planning group adopted key strategies to meet housing needs. The strategies denoted in italics below and combined into seven priorities to meet unmet needs in our community were adopted for inclusion in the Great Falls/Cascade County Housing Plan 2010-2020:
Construct or rehabilitate buildings to create transition housing with support services for individuals and families who are homeless, teenagers, young parents, ex-felons or those who suffer from mental illness.
Address the need for affordable student/health worker rental housing in the medical-education district near university, college of technology, and hospital such as the newly constructed student housing at UGF. Pursue creative leasing options for existing housing.
Address the affordable housing needs of the community’s growing senior population
o Construct affordable, accessible rentals for seniors, such as the planned Accessible Space project.
o Expand the existing senior home improvement programs to reach more people.
o Increase the number of Medicaid waiver slots and find more assisted living facilities that will accept the waivers.
o Encourage combination facilities where in-home services can be provided to seniors.
Create middle income condominiums or townhomes in the downtown area as a key to downtown redevelopment. Utilize incentives to make renovation possible. Support historic building renovation.
Adopt affordable housing building codes to include universal accessibility and energy efficiency features. Expedite zoning approval in return for housing affordable or lower households.
Improve the quality of rental housing stock available to those receiving Housing Choice vouchers. Build or rehabilitate more rental housing stock to meet HQS standards and to be more energy efficient.
Preserve existing manufactured housing communities.
The Group emphasized that there are current housing activities identified in the study as needs and strategies that are already being handled well, these strategies need to be a part of the continuing plan and effort to address the need for safe, affordable housing in our community during the upcoming years:
Conduct Fair Market Rent Survey for Cascade County, eliminating sub-standard housing which reduces the average rents paid in the community, and reduce the time to provide HQS inspections and compliance.
Address the need for affordable rental housing near the hospital and medical services, such as the Great Falls Housing Authority accessible 4-plex project.
Establish a fund providing rent and utility deposits and addressing other barriers to accessing affordable housing.
Meet the continued need for decent, affordable homes for first-time homebuyers with new construction or renovation of homes.
Utilize additional funding sources to offer higher deferred mortgages with equity share subsidies to make owning decent, affordable homes a possibility for lower income first-time income homebuyers.
Construct new homes using the Mutual Self-Help model where families cooperatively build their own homes.
Use Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding to serve homebuyers below 50% AMI.
Create a rent-to-own program for credit-impaired, but stable, homebuyers.
Develop a workable Section 8 to Homeownership program.
Solicit donations of city or county-owned land for the creation of land trusts or other legal configurations to create permanently affordable homes
Explore the use of Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds to provide downtown housing.
Encourage local non-profit developers to use the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to augment affordable rental housing stock.
Fund a housing ombudsman to appeal rejected rental housing applications.
Continue to upgrade rental property using the CDBG Rental Improvement Fund zero interest loans.
GREAT FALLS/CASCADE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY MARCH 2010
INTRODUCTION
On September 28, 2007 a citywide meeting was called to host a facilitated discussion about the housing needs in the Great Falls area. The meeting was attended by 42 citizens representing a broad cross section of public and private interests in our community. Brainstorming produced a discussion of the many economic factors and community development needs that impact affordable housing for all citizens in Great Falls and Cascade County. A large working group with five sub-groups working on separate focus areas evolved from the gathering. One of the sub-groups focused on development of a housing plan with strategies to assure affordable housing needs in the Great Falls area will be met. (Please see Appendix A for the minutes of the meeting.)
Over the period of January 2008 to May 2009, the Great Falls/Cascade County Housing Planning Group undertook a combined Community Development Needs Assessment and Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy process with the housing plan subgroup at the helm. The combined approach was the first comprehensive development study completed in decades. The goal for the process was to create a plan for the area that would assist Great Falls and Cascade County housing, human services and community development organizations, as well as the city and the county, to more effectively utilize existing resources and compete for additional resources to address the housing and community development needs into the next decade.
To gather information, data and input, four types of surveys were conducted by the Housing plan sub-group : 1) Public agencies and non-profit organizations, business and trade groups were surveyed in February of 2008 to determine housing and community development needs and to inform the construction of an comprehensive needs assessment questionnaire. Twenty-three responses were received to the lengthy survey from agencies and 45 responses from organizations. 2) In June 2008, an extensive questionnaire was sent to 8,000 randomly selected households to assess community needs for housing, public facilities and services, education, and economic development. 1496 surveys were returned, making the survey not only statistically valid, but providing a wealth of information from our citizens. 3) In September, 2008, a one- page housing survey was sent to 1,400 low-income families and distributed through a number of social service agencies. A total of 612 lower income citizens responded to the survey. 4) In January of 2009, the City of great Falls conducted a survey in conjunction with the statewide homeless survey coordinated through the Montana Continuum of Care Coalition. The Great Falls Rescue Mission played a pivotal role in locating and surveying possible homeless people. The point-in-time count identified 193 homeless people (individuals and families) on the night of January 29, 2009, in Great Falls.
1
After the data and input from the four surveys conducted were compiled, a number of small focus groups with a wide array of housing specialists were conducted to determine the extent and character of the needs identified through the surveys. Interview focus groups were held with shelter care agencies, senior housing providers, realtors, lenders, housing agencies serving persons with disabilities, organizations operated subsidized housing, agencies working with teens, public schools and higher education, City of Great Falls code enforcement officials, economic development professionals, landlords and representatives of church groups and social service agencies.
Additionally, town meetings were held in Belt and Cascade as part of an effort to understand more directly the unique needs of smaller towns in Cascade County. The State Commerce Department provided our group with an updated Community Profile of Great Falls and Cascade County
Following the surveys and focus groups, the housing plan sub-group of the Planning Group worked to produce a summary of outstanding needs, and strategies to meet those needs to present to the Great Falls/Cascade County Housing Planning Group for discussion, prioritization, and adoption. On February 25, 2010, the full planning group adopted seven key needs and strategies to meet unmet housing needs for inclusion as priorities in the Great Falls/Cascade County Housing Plan 2010-2020:
Transition Housing with supervision and services as appropriate, serving homeless teens, teen parents, ex-felons, foster children aging out of the system and homeless men and families among others Student/Health worker rental housing in the medical-education district Create middle income housing options in the downtown area with emphasis on historic building renovation Ordinances that make the development of affordable housing more feasible and that increase the blight removal authority of the City of Great Falls and Cascade County and encourage universal accessibility and energy efficiency Safe, accessible, affordable senior housing options, including more Medicaid waivers used for in-home care options for renters as well as owners Improve quality of rental stock available to low income renters, focus available funding sources to upgrade current rental housing and preserve affordable rental housing Preservation and upgrading of existing manufactured housing communities
The Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy and Community Housing Plan will be presented for adoption by the City and County Commissions.
2
COMMUNITY PROFILE FOR CITY OF GREAT FALLS AND CASCADE COUNTY Prepared by Susan Ockert, Census and Economic Information Center, Montana Department of Commerce, August 4, 2008
Introduction This report provides data on the City of Great Falls and Cascade County. The first section describes the city and county from a historical perspective. Second, the Demographic section describes the population’s characteristics and growth. The Economic Section provides data on employment in the various industries. Lastly, the Housing Section uses survey data to illustrate the housing situation in the city and county.
Community Profile Lewis and Clark described the area where the Marias River flows into the Missouri River as “pleasantly beautiful” with “great falls”. This area was incorporated in 1888 as Great Falls in Cascade County. In 2008, 82,026 residents called Cascade County home with 72% of them living within the city limits of Great Falls. Between 2000 and 2008, the city population grew nearly 4.5%. Cascade County was designated a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in 1960; however the MSA is called Great Falls.1 Cascade County ranks 5th in the state in population and has grown only 2.1% since Census 2000. Montana’s population has increased 7.2% with Gallatin County the highest at 32.4% and Treasure County losing 26.0% of its residents. Cascade County’s economy is quite diversified with military, agriculture, energy, information, education and health care all important components. Columbia Grain International, Montana Malting Company, and Pasta Montana all use wheat and barley grown in the Golden Triangle. As the Electric City, energy is abundant in the area. Five dams are located in Cascade County plus one oil refinery. Wind mills are popping up in the county while a new transmission line called the Montana Alberta Tie Limited to Great Falls is proposed. The Great Falls Tribune has been a source of information since 1885 and currently serves nearly 70,000 readers daily in a 13-county region. Great Falls is host to the University of Great Falls, a private Catholic
1 The Metropolitan Statistical Area thus encompasses the entire county and not just within the city limits of Great Falls. Therefore any data related to Great Falls MSA is the entire county. 3
university, and MSU Great Falls College of Technology. Cascade County and surrounding residents have access to modern healthcare techniques. Benefis Healthcare employs over 1,000 workers while the Golden Triangle Community Mental Health Care facility has between 100 and 249 workers. Cascade County’s workforce is well educated. According to the 2006 – 2008 American Community Survey, a U.S. Census Bureau publication, 91% of Cascade County residents had graduated from high school while 23.2% had bachelor degrees or higher. Over 33% of the workforce are employed as managers or are in professional positions. Median household income in Cascade County in 2008 was $42,528, the 16th highest in the state. Unemployment in the county in November 2009 was 5.5%, below Montana’s average of 6.4%. The United States unemployment rate was 9.4% in this same month. Not only did Lewis and Clark find Great Falls magnificent, so do visitors. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center sits on the bluffs above the Missouri River and offers views similar to what Lewis and Clark encountered in the early 1800’s. Over 74,000 visitors enjoyed this view in 2005, according to the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana.
Demographic, Economic and Housing Profiles Demographic and economic trends for Cascade County are presented using data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Population projections from Woods and Poole Economics, Inc. are used. Population data is presented from 1978 to 2008 while most economic data covers the period between 2000 and 2008. (For some data sources, 2005 is the most current available.) Cascade County has seen its population decline 5.3% between 1978 and 2008. In 1978 Cascade County only trailed Yellowstone County in terms of population. In 1990, Missoula County surpassed Cascade County. Cascade County’s rank then fell to fourth when Flathead County surged ahead in 2005. One year later, Gallatin County’s population jumped over Cascade’s.
4
Cascade County Population 88,000 3.0% 86,000 TOTAL POPULATION 2.0% 84,000 1.0% 82,000 0.0% 80,000 -1.0%
ulation 78,000 -2.0% p Percent 76,000 -3.0% 74,000 PER CHANGE -4.0% Total Po 72,000 -5.0%
Cascade County’s population peaked at 86,600 in 1978. The City of Great Falls population followed a similar trend as the county. Figure 1 below compares the county and city’s population growth rates.
6.0% FIGURE 1: POPULATION 4.0% GROWTH RATES
2.0%
0.0%
‐2.0% 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
‐4.0% City of Great Falls ‐6.0% Cascade County
‐8.0% 5
As goes the county, so goes the city, in terms of population that is. When Cascade County’s population grew, so did the city’s, for the most part. Table 1 provides the population for the county and city.
Table 1: Population Growth Rates 1978 - 2008
City of Population Great Growth Cascade Population Year Falls Rate County Growth Rate 1978 60,438 86,600 1980 56,725 -6.1% 80,696 -6.8% 1982 57,143 0.7% 79,791 -1.1% 1984 58,769 2.8% 80,318 0.7% 1986 57,310 -2.5% 78,179 -2.7% 1988 58,280 1.7% 77,681 -0.6% 1990 55376 -5.0% 77,691 0.0% 1991 55867 0.9% 78,314 0.8% 1992 56458 1.1% 79,132 1.0% 1993 57212 1.3% 80,172 1.3% 1994 57864 1.1% 81,015 1.1% 1995 57799 -0.1% 80,819 -0.2% 1996 57881 0.1% 80,777 -0.1% 1997 56596 -2.2% 78,977 -2.2% 1998 56447 -0.3% 78,558 -0.5% 1999 56340 -0.2% 78,282 -0.4% 2000 56,690 0.6% 80,357 2.7% 2001 56,324 -0.6% 80,380 0.0% 2002 56,245 -0.1% 80,590 0.3% 2003 56,364 0.2% 81,059 0.6% 2004 56,486 0.2% 81,690 0.8% 2005 56,287 -0.4% 81,791 0.1% 2006 56,215 -0.1% 81,854 0.1% 2007 58,827 4.6% 81,784 -0.1% 2008 59,251 0.7% 82,026 0.3% Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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Dovetailing with Cascade County’s declining population is a falling birth rate. In 1980, nearly 19 children were born for every 1,000 residents. This rate fell to 12 in 2000, reflecting both the highest and lowest rates in the county between 1978 and 2008. The death rate, despite the population in general living longer, has increased.
1,800 FIGURE 2: CASCADE COUNTY 1,600 BIRTHS AND DEATHS 1,400 1,200 1,000 Births Deaths 800 600 400 200 0
The declining birth rate and rising death rate both reflect an aging population. As Figure 3 demonstrates, only 10% of the population in the county were age 65 and over in 1980. By 2008 that percent rose to 16%. The declining birth rate is also demonstrated by the reduction in the percentage of 0 – 19 year olds; 33% in 1980 and 27% in 2008.
FIGURE 3: CASCADE COUNTY AGE DISTRIBUTION
65+ 0 ‐ 65+ 0 ‐ 10% 1980 19 16% 2008 19 33% 27% 20 ‐ 20 ‐ 64 64 57% 57%
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A comparison of various demographic characteristics between the Cascade County and the City of Great Falls is found in table 2. The county is 80% urban while the city is nearly 100% urban. On a percentage basis, more females live in the city than the county. The older population (65 and over) and a large percent of Native Americans reside in the city.
Table 2: 2006-2008 Population and Household Characteristics Cascade County and City of Great Falls
Cascade City of Population Characteristics County Great Falls
Population 82,026 59,251
Urban 65,674 58,462 Percent of Total 80.1% 98.7% Rural 16,352 58 Gender
Female 41,746 30,531
Male 40,142 27,989 Percent Female 51.8% 52.2% Age < 20 22,040 15,292 Percent of Total 26.9% 26.1% 20-64 47,552 33,701 Percent of Total 58.1% 57.6% 65+ 12,296 9,527 Percent of Total 15.0% 16.3% Median Age 39.7 40.1
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Race
White 73,374 52,272 Percent of Total 89.6% 89.3%
Native American 3,142 2,544 Percent of Total 3.8% 4.3%
Other 5,372 3,704 Percent of Total 6.6% 6.3%
Household Characteristics
2006 - 2008 Households 32,482 24,015 2006 - 2008 Persons per Household 2.52 2.44
1 Person Households 9,124 7,545
2+ Person Households 23,358 16,470
Families 21,754 15,096
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Special needs households, those experiencing poverty and disability, are shown in Table 3 for Cascade County and Montana. From a poverty standpoint, Cascade County residents experience a lower poverty rate than the state. The percent of individuals below the federal poverty level is also lower in the county than the state. Just the opposite trend occurs for persons with disabilities, i.e., a larger percentage exists in the county than the state.
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Table 3: 2008 Special Needs Households - Cascade County and State of Montana
Cascade County Montana Characteristic Number Percent Number Percent
Elderly (65+) 12,296 15.0% 133,294 13.9%
In Poverty 10,881 13.7% 132,963 14.3%
Percent of population at or below federal poverty level Number Percent Number Percent 100% (2008) 10,881 13.7% 132,963 14.3% 150% (2008) 17,932 22.6% 222,331 23.9% 200% (2008) 26,770 33.7% 321,411 34.5%
Single Parent Households 4,178 18.9% 45,223 19.0%
Disability (2006) Persons 16+ with Go-outside- home/Self-Care Disabilities 7,125 12.2% 64,514 8.7% Disabled persons 5+ Sensory/Physical/Mental* 19,301 27.7% 202,954 23.3%
* Persons can have more than one disability
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates and American Community Survey
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Economic Employment Due to Cascade County’s location in the state, the county and especially the City of Great Falls is considered a trade center. Employment numbers reflect that status. Retail trade comprises around 15% of all private employment in 2008; however it is projected to grow to 27% by 2020. The Services sector, which encompasses education, health care, information technology, professional services, and consumer services was 33% in 1980 and has grown to 53% in 2008. Finance, insurance and real estate employment as a percentage of total employment, though, is expected to decline from 9% in 2008 to 5% in 2020. Figure 4 presents the breakdown of private employment in the county for 1980, 2008 and 2020.
FIGURE 4: EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY FOR CASCADE COUNTY
Agricultural Manufacturing services 1980 Mining 5% 1% 0% Construction Transportation 7% and public utilities Services 7% 33% Wholesale trade 10%
Retail trade 25%
Finance, insurance, and real estate 12%
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Agricultural services 2008 1% Mining Construction 0% 9% Manufacturing 4% Transportation 6% Wholesale Services trade 53% Retail trade 3% 15%
Finance, insurance, and real estate 9%
Agricultural services 2020 Manufacturing 2% 1% Mining Construction 7% Transportation 1% 3%
Wholesale trade Services 5% 49%
Retail trade 27%
Finance, insurance, and real estate 5%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and Woods and Poole Economics, Inc.
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Farm employment is predicted to rise between 1980 and 2020, bucking the national trend of declining farm employment. Military employment declined 25% between 1980 and 2008 but is expected to bounce back in 2020 with a 7% increase. See table 4.
Table 4: Population and Employment - Cascade County 1980 – 2020 Actual Projected Category 1980 1990 2000 2008 2010 2015 2020
Population 80,696 77,691 80,357 82,026 82,450 83,620 85,000 Total Employment 42,973 43,517 48,647 51,930 52,590 54,950 57,310
1980 1990 2000 2008 2010 2015 2020 Farm employment 1,039 1,036 1,296 1,250 1,280 1,310 1,330 Nonfarm employment 41,934 42,481 47,351 50,680 51,310 53,640 55,980 Private employment 31,377 32,058 38,046 33,743 38,961 41,239 43,516 Agricultural services 153 368 250 230 240 260 280 Mining 60 66 370 180 340 350 350 Construction 2,226 1,862 2,687 2,895 2,860 2,960 3,070 Manufacturing 1,661 1,246 1,439 1,524 1,110 1,110 1,109 Transportation 2,196 2,160 2,062 1,888 1,600 1,580 1,560 Wholesale trade 3,216 2,364 1,930 1,111 2,090 2,120 2,150 Retail trade 7,771 8,673 10,163 5,046 10,580 11,090 11,600
Finance, insurance, 3,794 3,126 4,089 2,980 1,831 1,979 2,127 and real estate Services 10,300 12,193 15,052 17,889 18,310 19,790 21,270 Government 10,557 10,423 9,305 9,510 9,270 9,620 9,700 Federal, civilian 1,773 1,780 1,531 1,620 1,510 1,470 1,420 Military 4,989 4,726 3,905 3,750 3,690 3,990 4,030 State and local 3,795 3,917 3,869 4,140 4,070 4,160 4,250
Source: Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce and Woods and Poole Economics, Inc.
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The top private employers in Cascade County are listed in Table 5. The companies are listed in alphabetical order with the size class provided.
Table 5: Largest Private Employers in Cascade County Top 20 Private Employers in Cascade County based on 2nd quarter 2008 data: Business Size Class* Albertson’s Food & Drug 7 Benefis Hospital 9 Centene Corporation 6 Center for Mental Health 6 D. A. Davidson & Co. 6 Easter Seals - Goodwill 7 Great Falls Clinic 8 Great Falls Tribune 6 Heritage Inn 6 Macaroni Grill/Chilis 7 McDonald’s 6 Missouri River Manor 6 National Electronics 8 Warranty North Central 6 Independent Living Park Place Health Care 6 Center Quality Life Concepts 6 Sletten Construction 6 Town Pump 6 University of Great Falls 6 Wal-Mart 8
Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Research and Analysis Bureau
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*Size Class Breakdown: Size Class 3 = 10-19 employees; Size Class 4 = 20-49 employees; Size Class 5 = 50-99 employees; Size Class 6 = 100-249 employees; Size Class 7 = 250-499 employees; Size Class 8 = 500-999 employees; Size Class 9 = 1,000 and over employees.
Cascade County’s annual unemployment rate, since 2000, has been lower than the state’s. See Figure 5.
Figure 5: Annual Unemployment Rate for Montana and Cascade County ANNUAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE:
6.0% 2000-2008
5.0%
4.0% MONTANA - -CASCADE COUNTY 3.0%
2.0%
1.0%
0.0% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry
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Income Per capita income in Cascade County as a percent of the state per capita income was over 100% between 1995 and 2008. However, the percentage is declining, from 108% in 1995 to 103% in 2007. Cascade County’s per capita income, when compared to the nation, has remained steady at 89%. Cascade County’s average wage per job as a percent of the state’s has also declined, but by two percentage points only (104 to 102). Nationally the percentage has declined from 77% in 1995 to 73% in 2008. Figure 5 depicts the above phenomenon. Pay for pharmacists increased 43% between 2000 and 2008, placing them fifth highest in 2000 and first in 2008. The top five highest paying jobs are listed in Table 6 along with the salary received by employees in the largest employers in the county.
Table 6: Personal Income and Wage Data Cascade County, Selected Years
Per capita personal income 1995 2000 2007 United States $ 23,076 $ 29,845 $ 38,615 Montana $ 18,349 $ 22,933 $ 33,225 Cascade $ 19,899 $ 24,539 $ 34,417 Per Capita % of Montana 108.4% 107.0% 103.6% Per Capita % of United States 86.2% 82.2% 89.1%
Average Wage Per Job 1995 2000 2008 United States 27,437 34,718 $ 45,716 Montana 20,283 24,084 $ 33,299 Cascade 21,020 24,657 $ 33,481 Average Wage % of Montana 103.6% 102.4% 100.5% Average Wage % United States 76.6% 71.0% 73.2%
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce
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Highest Paying Jobs (Annual) 2000 2008 Securities and Financial Agents $85,550 Pharmacists $87,743 Insurance Sales Agents $82,400 Chief Executives $92,044 Chief Executives $68,790 Financial Managers $86,398 Engineering Managers $65,710 Education Administrators $71,584 Pharmacists $61,550 Civil Engineers $70,497
Salary by Largest Employer: 2000 2007 Health Care $26,572 $ 34,883 Retail Trade $17,836 $ 22,559 Eating and Drinking Places $ 9,568 $ 11,846
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Malmstrom Air Force Base and Montana Air National Guard
The federal government is a major force in the Great Falls economy via Malmstrom Air Force Base, which controls 150 nuclear-tipped missiles in silos throughout nine central Montana counties. Malmstrom contributes $134.2 million a year in payroll and direct spending in the area, including construction. Add in the indirect impact of Malmstrom on area businesses, and the total rises to about $284 million. That means the base, just east of Great Falls at the end of 2nd Avenue North, accounts for 35 percent of the city’s economic base. There are about 3,363 military employees with some 5,000 dependents. MAFB also employs about 370 civilian workers, while 1,273 other people do at least some work involving Malmstrom under private contracts. The base also affects the economy in less obvious ways. Some 1,400 retired military people live in the Great Falls area, in part because of services available at the base. The 15,000
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people with at least some base connections make up more than 20 percent of Cascade County’s population. The base has about 1,400 housing units, and a continuing effort to replace or remodel outdated dormitory and family housing units is under way
The Montana Air National Guard, (MANG), with an annual economic impact of $36 million, is a significant presence in the Great Falls area. More than a thousand guardsmen, spending $26 million in full-time and part-time salaries, live and raise families and retire in our communities. With 350 full-time people who live in and around Great Falls, MANG is one of the largest employers in the city. The F-16s share the airport runways with commercial aircraft. The fire and rescue crews providing a 24-hour response are Montana Air National Guard firemen operating under a cooperative agreement with the Airport Authority.
HOUSING SUPPLY AND CONDITIONS
Since 2000, 727 new housing units have been built in the city of Great Falls. Over half of the housing units were single family homes.
Table 7: Housing Inventory City of Great Falls
2000 Authorized Housing Stock, Geography Units Construction Jan 1, 2008 % Change Single Family 16,450 381 16,831 2.3% Multifamily 7,441 51 7,492 0.7% Mobile Home 1,342 295 1,637 22.0% Boat, RV 20 N/A 20 0.0% Total 25,253 727 25,980 2.9% Population Change 56,690 2,137 58,827 3.8%
N/A Not Available
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000; Montana Department of Labor and Industry Building Permits
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As shown in table 7, the estimated growth in the housing stock for single-family units in Great Falls has not kept pace with the population growth. However, the addition of mobile or manufactured homes exceeded population growth, 22.0% to 3.8% respectively.
The Housing White Paper published by the Montana Department of Commerce in 2007 and updated in 2009, describe housing conditions in Cascade County. The median home cost in 2006 was $136,680; while the homes affordable to a median income family was $136,772, with a median income of $36,786. The affordability gap (difference between median house price and home affordable to a median income family) was expected to grow to $78,000 by the year 2020. For a single wage earner, the affordability gap in 2006 was $31,527. The percentage of a senior citizen on SSI to rent a 1 –bedroom apartment in 2006 was 45.9%, compared to an affordable percentage of 30%. Poor conditions homes were estimated at 8,353, of which 1,279 were multi- family rentals and 1,855 were manufactured homes.
In October of 2009, Great Falls was still enjoying a relatively stable real estate market, with the median home price of $160,000 or $87 per square foot. The median list price was slightly over last year at the same time. Days on the market was 64, seven percent longer than one year ago. Prices had been cut on 17% of the listing, but the percentage of price cuts was less than one year ago. (Zillow.com)
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Survey Results
Agency and Organization Questionnaire An on-line survey was sent to a large group of agencies and organizations, including local businesses in early May 2008, resulting in 68 responses. Some staff members from the same agencies completed the survey, so the number of agencies or organizations totaled 49.
The responses point out certain common themes related to housing and community development, particularly the quality of life challenges for persons who are lower-income or have special needs. Some excerpts from the survey responses follow and complete survey responses are available. The agency and organization survey was very helpful in structuring the comprehensive survey. Some excerpts from the survey follow
► A complete compilation of all responses is available at the City Planning and Community Development Office. . Great Falls Job Service Workforce Center There is a gap between people who have very limited income renting for almost nothing and a young working family who does not make enough to make a big rent payment but who makes to much to qualify for assistance.
St. Martin de Pores Mission – St. Jude Conference Rental housing is often very inadequate. This fact generates an increasing number of requests for aid with rent and utilities. The 2007 grant for utilities assistance ran out by the end of October, even before winter really set in. At times it was possible to give some help through cooperative arrangements with Opportunities, Inc; Salvation Army; St. Vincent de Paul Society; and/or local churches.
The Salvation Army More people needing housing. A number of older housed need to be condemed. They are a disgrace to even think of renting. insufficent insulation etc. Makes utilities higher, which makes people make a choice of paying Rent, Utilitie. buying food or getting prescriptions they need.
Easter Seals - Goodwill Finding affordable housing for clients that do not have Section 8 vouchers is very hard. Example: client with SSI renting apartment for 475.00 month which leaves very limited funding for other needs.
Mental Health Association of Great Falls We have had guest speakers come to our group and share the burden felt by people struggling to get assistance which then delays their ability to get housing.Former inmates who do not have family in the community have a large burden of trying to establish housing.
Great Falls Housing Authority
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Our section 8 voucher holders are having a very difficult time finding private housing to rent with their vouchers that is adequate and affordable.
Center for Mental Health A lot of our folks do live in sub-standard conditions and even worse, they may have a record because of desperate attempts to better their lives that results in them being black listed from even sub-standard housing. They do not have respect from landlords because they are viewed as undesirable tenants. We need more low income units to meet the needs of the seriously mentally ill. Expanded emergency housing for our homeless folks, in a setting that understands the needs of the population.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Many of our families-especially grandparents raising grandchildren live in substandard housing or simply housing that is too small. We have grandparents raising their 2 grandchildren living in a one bedroom apartment where the children sleep in the living room.
Life Way Pregnancy Services We have had numerous clients who have had to rent a motel or stay at Rescue Mission while waiting for housing to open up. Many of our clients have trouble coming up with the deposit monies needed to get into housing.
Young Parents’ Education Center Ideally there would be an adult supervised apartment complex that teen parents could rent their own apartment from with rules to follow. Right now if a teen parent needs to rent an apartment they have to drop out of school to work full time in order to afford rent. This creates long term poverty patterns due to lack of education.
YWCA Mercy Home We are also serving more victims that are not eligible for public housing until they pay a past due balance from a previous rental. This past due balance is often due to damages caused by an abusive partner which are not the fault of the victim, yet she and her children are being penalized.
Stockman Bank Many of the borrowers I interview are comfortable in the lower housing sector, $50,000 to $100,000. With their comfort level in this house payment range, the inventory of quality homes is sparce.
City of Great Falls – City Manager’s Office HOME and CDBG resouces available but limited to help low income. No resources for workforce housing, keeping housing affordable or to encourage landlords to take section 8 clients in market rate apartments.
►For a list of agencies and organizations that participated in answering the online questionnaire see Appendix B. 21
Great Falls/Cascade County Community Opinion Survey
The Great Falls Area Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy Work Group, composed of a broad cross-section of organizations whose primary concern is the promotion of quality, affordable housing for all citizens of Great Falls and Cascade County, conducted a community opinion survey mailed to 8000 households during late June and early July of 2008. The survey was designed to assess overall Community Development Needs of Great Falls and Cascade County.
Opinion Survey Purpose The purpose of the study is to determine the public perception of housing, public services, education, healthcare, recreation and social opportunities, and economic development within Cascade County and the City of Great Falls. The survey was designed to target a range of community issues. The study objectives are to:
1. identify specific housing affordability concerns and needs; 2. isolate specific housing conditions in the community; 3. determine the level of satisfaction with public services; 4. ascertain the public’s perception of the transportation infrastructure; 5. determine the level of satisfaction with the education system; 6. identify specific healthcare concerns and needs; 7. determine the level of with the existing health care services in the community; 8. determine the adequacy of the community’s recreational and social opportunities; 9. examine the employment capacity within the community; 10. identify the public’s perception of business recruitment, retention, and expansion; 11. examine the community financial needs; and 12. examine socio-demographic differences in public perception of housing, public services, education, healthcare, recreation, social opportunities, and economic development.
Ultimately, the results of the study will aid the City of Great Falls, and Cascade County, as well as other area agencies, and non-profit or for-profit organizations in:
1. evaluating current housing, public services, education, healthcare, recreation, social opportunities, and the economic development programs; 2. planning and developing new housing, public services, education, healthcare, recreation, social opportunities, and economic development programs; and 3. creating public education programs that may address the issues and concerns found herein.
This study, in addition to information gathered by the Work Group by means of other surveys, focus groups and public meetings, is intended to be utilized in creating a comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy and Housing Plan for Great Falls and Cascade County. 22
Opinion Survey Methods
Population The universe of interest consists of all residents in Cascade County, Montana. Based on the findings of the US Census Bureau there are approximately 32,225 households in the county.
Sample Size and Sampling The unit of analysis for the study is a household unit in Cascade County, Montana. With a population size of 32,225 households, the necessary sample size to achieve a 5% confidence interval at a 95% confidence level would be 384 households. To allow for a more complete sample of subset groups, 8,000 households were sampled, yielding 1496 completed surveys. A sample frame was generated by a postal service business that maintains a comprehensive database of residential addresses in Cascade County. Nonresidential addresses were eliminated and apartment unit addresses were compiled from multi- family dwellings to insure all households have equal probability of selection. A randomization technique was used to extract 8,000 households from the population. Surveys were distributed proportionately to households with zip codes outside of the Great Falls city limits. This technique provided a probability sample of households for Cascade County, MT.
Survey Instrument The survey instrument was developed by the Great Falls Area Housing Plan Work Group by modifying a model previously developed by a survey professional for another Montana community. The work group included individuals from the following entities: 1) the City of Great Falls’ Community Development department; 2) NeighborWorks Great Falls; 3) Rural Dynamics, Incorporated with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Montana; 4) First Interstate Bank; and 5) AWARE; 6) the Great Falls Ministerial Association and 7) the University of Great Falls. Instrument structure entailed the measurement of housing conditions, affordability, and needs; the use and need of public facilities and services; education system quality and assessment; health care quality and satisfaction; recreational and social opportunities and needs; and economic development perspectives (see Appendix C).
Survey Administration A mail survey was utilized versus other survey modes for the following reasons: 1) numerous households do not have hard-wire telephones due to the proliferation of cell phones; 2) households with more than one hard-wire telephone (i.e., home-occupation business, internet, teenager, etc.) would be over-sampled; 3) the survey instrument will be too long for telephone administration; and 4) the geographic area is too great for face-to-face interviews. The survey instrument was mailed to each of the selected households in the sample with a cover letter describing the study (see Appendix C) and its purpose, the first week of May 2008. The head of the household was instructed to complete the survey and return in the self-addressed, stamped envelope as provided. The respondent was given the option of taking the survey on-line and was provided the web link. In order to 23
increase the response rate, a drawing for one $300 prize, two $200 prizes, two $100 prizes, and two $50 prizes were offered as an incentive in order to increase the response rate for surveys received either by mail or on-line by July 9, 2008.
Data Analysis Descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions, counts, percentages, medians, and means were primarily used in analysis. In order to examine differences in distributions, bivariate, inferential statistical tests were used with a significance level set at p <= 0.05.
Opinion Survey Results
The Sample
By the end of September 2008, 1496 surveys were received with data entry complete. The goal of the sampling design was to achieve a representative sample of households for Cascade County. According to the US Census Bureau in the year 2000, there are 32,225 households in the county. One assumption is that the population of households tends to be fairly homogeneous. Secondly, no population subgroups were to be targeted in the study (e.g., urban, elderly, etc.). Based on these assumptions and the following formula it is possible determine the confidence level and confidence interval for the obtained sample size of 1496.
n = ((Z √PQ ) / C)2 where, Z = 1.96, for 95% confidence that a result lies within a given confidence level; P = the percentage about which a confidence interval is computed, expressed as a proportion; Q = 1 – P; C = the size of the confidence interval, expressed as a decimal; and n = sample size, 1496.
Assuming the worst-case scenario, n is largest when P = 0.5 and Q = 0.5. That is, the percentage split is unknown (e.g., 50% respondents answering a certain way with the remaining 50% responding the opposite). Thus, with the confidence level set at 95% and a sample size (n) of 1496, solving for C, it is found that the confidence interval is 0.025.
In conclusion, the accuracy level for a probability sample size of 1496, which is quite substantial, is the situation in which one is 95% certain that no estimated percentage or proportion is off by more than +/- 2.5%. Table 1 summarizes the sample and the comparisons to the population. Some differences between the sample and population may be addressed as follows: 1. the sample age is that of the head of household versus age of all county residents; 2. the respondents were more likely to be female head of households;
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3. income for the sample was measured as household income versus family income as measured by the US Census. Some households may contain more than one family; and 4. the percent owner-occupied perhaps indicates that owner-occupied households may be more committed to their community and were then more likely to respond.
Despite these differences the sample appears to be fairly representative of the population.
TABLE 1 Sample Summaries and Population Comparisons
Cascade Cascade Sample County: Sample County: Variable (n=1496) 2000 Variable (n=1496) 2000 Sex Children in Household Percent Male 35.2 49.5 Percent with Child under Age 26.5 28.9 18 Percent Female 60.2 50.5 Housing Occupancy Age Percent Owner-occupied 84.4 64.9 Median Age 54 36.7 Percent Renter-occupied 15.6 35.1
Educational Attainment Type of Housing Unit Percent Less than 12th, No 4.0 12.9 Percent Apartment 11.8 N/A Diploma Percent High School Graduate 25.5 33.3 Percent Condominium 3.0 N/A Percent Vocational Training 9.8 N/A Percent Mobile Home 10.0 N/A Percent Some College 22.8 32.3 Percent Single-family 75.1 N/A Percent Bachelor's Degree 20.4 14.8 Percent Graduate Degree 13.2 6.7 Average Household Size 2.36 2.41
Income Children in Household Median Family Income $45,000 $39,949 Percent with Child under Age 26.5 28.9 18
Not in Labor Force Percent Female Householder Percent not in Labor Force With Children 12.7 6.8 (i.e., retired, disabled, and 29 35 unemployed) Household Racial Composition Residential Area Percent White 96.0 90.7 Percent City of Great Falls 78.3 70.5 Percent Native American 1.6 4.2 Percent Other 2.4 5.1
Appendix C displays the survey instrument with the summative statistics for each question and sub-question. For nominal and ordinal measured questions, the counts and percentages, in parentheses, are displayed. Questions with continuously measured variables are summarized with medians and means as indicated.
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Data Analysis Housing Eighty-four percent of the respondents own their homes with 75.1% residing in single family residences. Most households contain 3 or more bedrooms (70.2%). Nearly 55% state that they spend less than 30% of their household income with 39% stating that between 30-50% is spent on housing. Over 76% state that the amount spent on housing is affordable. Although most state that their housing is affordable, 69.5% would apply for low-interest loans or grants to improve their home. Eighty-five percent state that their homes are not accessible to those with disabilities and furthermore over 50% believe more accessible housing is needed in the community. With regard to housing problems, air leaks around windows and doors (41.8%), sticking doors and windows (29%), inadequate insulation (25.2%), and cracked foundations (20.8%) are the top four housing problems. Twenty-two and 25% do not know if asbestos or lead-based paint, respectively, are problems in their homes and 31% don’t know if they have radon in their homes. Cascade County residents (62.3%) believe that more affordable rentals are needed. Nearly 60% believe that better quality rental homes are needed while 54.8% believe that more affordable apartments are needed. Regarding the perspective on the condition of housing in their neighborhoods, 88.8% believe that housing is average or above average in their neighborhoods. Twenty-one percent of the respondents feel that unsafe or unsanitary apartment complexes exist in their neighborhood and that these complexes have a negative impact (64.2%) on the neighborhood. Nearly 50% of the residents believe that the community needs additional housing for teen parents, homeless and victims of violence in the community. Regarding homes for purchase, 71.3% believe more homes costing less than $100,000 are needed and 53% noted that more homes between $100,000 and $120,000 were needed.. In addition, 68.6% believe more Habitat for Humanity homes are needed. Overwhelmingly, respondents believe the more elderly housing units are needed. Most respondents do not know if additional group homes are needed (i.e., ranging from 54.3% to 59.7%), but around a third said more group homes of various types were needed. Nearly 83% of the residents believe that vacant building, houses, and trailers need to be demolished in the city and county. Just under 50% of respondents felt that existing subdivisions should be zoned for manufactured housing and that some outlying areas should be annexed into the city. Concerning the use of tax revenues to support housing, 42% said the city and county should use local tax dollars to support affordable housing. Over 60% of the residents believe that: 1) grants and low-interest loans should support first-time homebuyers (61.3%); 2) state and federal funds should be used for affordable housing (69.5%); and 3) local funds and resources should be used to expand affordable housing (65.3%). Finally, over 87% do not have a problem making their monthly mortgage payments in the past year, leaving 13% who did have a problem.
In response to an open-ended question of “What do you feel is the areas’ biggest housing problem?’, the highest mentions were for poor quality housing (242 responses), lack of affordable housing (226), lack of low income housing (99), new homes too expensive (75) and rent too high (60).
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Renter-Occupied Housing The rental occupied population would be described as primarily residing in apartments (34.2%) and houses (32.9%) typically with 2 bedrooms. Over 57% of the renters spend 30-50% of their income on housing. Over 77% do not receive any rental assistance. Over 63% believe that their housing costs are affordable. (Of the renters 70.1% would like to participate in home buyer assistance. Whereas, 80% of the renters homes are not accessible, 58% believe there is a need for such housing. The most prominent housing problem for renters is air leaks around doors and windows (54.2%). Sticking doors and windows is next with 38.5% seeing this as problematic in their rental unit. Cracked foundations; and walls or ceilings with holes, falling plaster, peeling paint, stains, and mold and mildew are perceived problems both with 26.9% of the renters stating such. Renters demand more affordable rental houses (85.8%), better quality rentals (80.4%), more affordable apartments (77.3%), more rental houses (73.3%), and more rental houses that allow pets (69.9%). Over 84% of the renters believe that the housing in their neighborhood is average or above. Over 60% of the renters believe that additional housing is needed for the homeless/transitional, teen parents, and victims of violence. Overwhelmingly, renters believe that more homes costing less than $100,000 should be available (81.6%) in addition to Habitat for Humanity homes (75.4%). Like all residents, renters feel that dilapidated structures should be demolished (80.6%). Well over 70% of the renters feel there is a need for first-time home buyer’s funds, and the local, state, and federal funds should be used to expand and improve affordable housing. Statistically significant differences between owners and renters (X2: p < 0.05) are due to the disproportionate distribution between occupancy.
Public Facilities Seventy-eight percent of the housing units use city sewer with over 90% experiencing no problems with this service and 84.7% not needing repair or replacement. Over eighty-two percent of the housing units use city water with 68% not experiencing problems. Over 88% of the city water users do not need repair or replacement. Nearly 60% of the residents find both city and county roads in need of repairs. Over 50% feel that the street and roads are in need of traffic flow improvements. There are no perceived problems (65.6%) with the railroad crossings in the Great Falls area. Where 51.8% of the residents state there problems with traffic speeding in their neighborhood, 46.3% do not see a problem. Over 65% of the residents do not have a noise problem in their neighborhood, but 56% of those with a noise problem said it was caused by vehicles. 60% state that the curbs/gutters, sidewalks, and accessible curb cuts are fair to good in the neighborhood. Approximately 50% of the residents feel that plane and train transportations are inadequate within the state and out of the state. There is a fairly even distribution across the adequacy of the bus service in Great Falls (i.e., adequate [31.8%], not adequate [29.1%], and do not know [39.1%]). For those not feeling bus service is adequate, weekend operations are the desired implementation. Most respondents (97%) were not aware of the Northern Region transportation option. With regard to community satisfaction and public services and facilities, a need for more youth recreation tops the list at 41.2% with recycling and weed control following (36.9% and 37.1%, respectively). A need for information on public services is demanded
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(33.6%). In addition to a desire to stay informed, over 60% feel that non-cable television access should be provided for public meetings.
Education Over 67% of the Great Falls and Cascade County residents feel that the city and county districts are comparable to similar districts in Montana. In addition, 64.1% are satisfied with the safety of the schools in their community. With the exception of summer school opportunities, the proportion of residents who are satisfied with educational programs (i.e., vocational training, general education, college preparation, evening workshops, music, athletics, and adult basic education) exceeds those with no opinion on such programs. The proportion of those dissatisfied is far less (i.e., less than 14%). Significantly, over 92% of the residents believe that anti-drug education programs should be offered in the schools.
Health Care Overwhelmingly, over 82% of the residents in the city and county feel that a walk-in medical care facility is needed in the community. Regarding the need for additional medical specialists in the community, 44% believe there is a need while nearly 40% have no opinion on the matter. Examining the level of satisfaction with the various aspects of health care in the community, generally evinces a somewhat satisfied to very satisfied level across most health care services. Again, the most dissatisfaction is with an immediate walk-in care clinic (i.e., 20.2% are somewhat to very dissatisfied). For several health care services in the community a majority of residents do not have an opinion of the service. Such services are the Indian Family Health Clinic, mental health counseling, alcoholism treatment, drug addiction treatment, obstetrical care, nutrition counseling, women-infant-children programs, and home-based health care services. Looking at Native Americans only (n=23), over 65% of the Native American respondents are somewhat to very satisfied with the Indian Family Health Clinic while approximately 30% are unaware of the clinic. Seventy-eight percent of the residents believe an Ask a Nurse program would be a good addition to the community. Regarding health and dental services for low income residents in the community, respondents feel that are there are not adequate services (i.e., 45.9% and 49.3%, respectively). A majority of respondents rate themselves as healthier (45%) or similar (44.6%) as those of the same age. Over 75% do not have any physical, mental, or emotional problems and nearly 90% do not require the use of special, medical equipment (e.g., wheelchair, cane, bed, telephone, etc.). Medical specialists needed by respondents most often were cardio- vascular, ear-nose-throat, dermatology and general practice-primary care physicians. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance were carried by 21%, 2% and 65% of respondents, respectively; while 12% had no insurance. The number of hours of volunteer work varied from zero to 64 hours per month, with a mean of 13.64 and median of 8 hours per month.
Recreation and Social Opportunities Significantly, over 83% of the residents responding to the survey in the city and county find that their churches meet their needs. Of households with school age children, 64% eat dinner together at least 4 times in an average week. It appears as though city/county residents do not know of the recreational opportunities for various age 28
groups. Just over 32% feel that there are not adequate recreational opportunities for young adults. Yet over 45% feel that there adequate recreational opportunities for elementary age groups. Regarding recreational facilities, over 53% think that more or better quality public restrooms are needed. Generally, residents are quite satisfied with the community’s recreational facilities. Respondents have no opinion or are unaware of some the community’s recreational opportunities such as ice skating, basketball, equestrian trails, and folf. Residents are generally satisfied with the community’s art galleries, museums, historic centers, and symphony but do not have an opinion of dance and chorale opportunities. Over 20% of the residents think that additional opportunities are needed in movie and live theatre, community concerts, and cultural events, however, they are quite satisfied with the existing opportunities. Just under 35% of respondents felt there was not adequate recreational opportunities for persons with very low incomes; while 25% said there were not enough for persons with mental and physical disabilities or handicaps.
Economic Development Significantly, over 83% of those responding to the survey in the city and the county make more than 75% of their purchases in the Great Falls area. A vast majority of those residents feel that community should make more efforts to attract new large and small businesses (i.e., 80.2% and 87%, respectively). In addition, residents feel that efforts should be made to expand existing large and small businesses (i.e., 72.2% and 86%, respectively). Sixty-six percent of the respondents are employed or self- employed, with 79% of households with one or more employed member. The largest occupation category is ‘other’ for primary and secondary income earners. Only 19.6% of those employed are under-employed (20% professionals) with only 5.5% of those employed being employed outside of Cascade County. The top five employment sectors, which respondents would like developed or expanded are: 1) retail businesses (70%); 2) recreation industry (69%); 3) small home businesses (66.1%); 4) light manufacturing (65.4%); and 5) research/laboratories (64.3%). The top five financial services that respondents would like to see more available in the community are: 1) first-time home buyer opportunities (72%); 2) home improvement loans (71.1%); 3) student loans (65.9%); 4) down payment assistance (64.5%); and 5) affordable home subsidies (62.9%). Interestingly, four of the five of these financial service demands are housing related. Over 78% of the respondents are in favor of seeking state, and/or federal funds to develop and expand businesses and 72% are in favor of using local and county funds for the same purpose of creating job opportunities.
Demographic Differences It is not logical to examine differences between the various demographic variables and each of the questions in housing, public services, education, healthcare, recreation and social opportunities, and economic development. This is due to the statistically significant differences within the demographic variables. That is, a bivariate, inferential statistic (e.g., Chi-square) examining the distribution between race and, for example, the percentage of household income spent on housing, which would reveal significance could not be interpreted as contingency between the two variables because the significant difference in proportions within the racial categories. The same could be
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argued with housing occupancy, income (i.e., categorical), and the other demographic variables. In sum, the sample and the county population tends to be homogeneous.
Conclusions
The primary substantive conclusion from the survey and analysis may be that the residents of the City of Great Falls and Cascade County are generally content with their housing, public services, education, healthcare, recreation and social opportunities, and their jobs. The public feels that there is a need for additional, affordable housing. In particular, those residents who rent believe that there needs to be additional rental housing and housing, which is accessible for home ownership. In addition, they believe public funding (local, state and federal) should be allocated for affordable housing. They also believe that there is a housing need for those in the community that may be disadvantaged (e.g., homeless, teen parents, and victims of violence) or elderly.
Generally, residents are pleased with public services with the exception that particular attention should be given to streets and roads, and that some means be considered to augment air and train transportation. Regarding education the public is satisfied with the quality and safety of their schools. Overall the residents of the city and county are satisfied with the health care in their community. A large proportion of the general population is unaware of or not familiar with several health care programs (drug and alcohol treatment, mental health counseling, etc.). Many residents believe there is a need for additional programs such as a walk-in clinic, Ask-a-Nurse, and programs for those with low incomes and/or a lack of health insurance. Whereas some of the city/county residents believe that additional or better quality recreational and social opportunities are needed such as bike paths, indoor swimming, natural area, and public restrooms, most are satisfied. Many express the need for enhancement in the community’s movie theatre(s), live theatre, community concerts, and cultural events. By and large, residents believe that concerted efforts should be taken to attract and support businesses, which will ultimately create more jobs in the community. Finally, community residents state that financial services targeting home ownership should be more available from local sources.
►See the survey instrument and tally of the Great Falls/ Cascade County Community Opinion survey under Appendix C.
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GREAT FALLS AREA HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT
In September, 2008, a one-page housing survey was sent to 1,400 low-income families living in public housing, receiving Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers or receiving funds through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Also surveys were distributed through a number of social service agencies that serve lower income persons. The survey was distributed as a back up to the Opinion Survey in case lower income families were not adequately reached with the Opinion Survey. While this survey is not statistically valid it is informative. A total of 612 lower income citizens responded to the survey.
This survey targeted to lower income residents indicated that the majority of respondents found their housing to be adequate except for having problems common with older homes and apartment buildings such as poor insulation and leaky windows. Access to medical and financial services was reported to be needed. Over 80% of the respondents said that they have adequate transportation means. The survey found that the respondents live primarily in 2-4 bedroom rental apartments, with a lower number owning their home (24.3%). Examining the income scale, this discretionary income- level explains the high proportion of rental occupancy. The family size for the respondents is between one and two children. It may then be argued that there is a need for more 2-4 bedroom housing units, and the need for additional services to these families within the lower income brackets.
While over 62% of the respondents utilize a personal vehicle for transportation, the remaining 37% rely on other modes of transportation. For the most part, respondents feel that transportation is needed to access medical and financial services and child care in the community. Over 96% earn a monthly income, yet over 60% are not employed. 58.8% of the respondents earn between $501 and $1,200 per month.
As would be expected of this particular population, 62% rent their home. Over 43% reside in an apartment, with 16.1% in a mobile home and 34.4% in a single-family dwelling. Nearly 30% have been residing in their current homes for the last 1 to 3 years with over 67% not receiving any rental assistance (note: home owners responded, no assistance). Of those receiving rental assistance, over 50% receive Section 8 assistance. Over 92% feel that there should be more opportunities for home-ownership with approximately 71% expressing an interest in such opportunities. Over one-quarter of the respondents spend less than $39/month on heat and electricity for their homes with a majority (67.2%) having gas as their heating source. Fifty-eight percent do not receive LIEAP assistance. The top four housing problems (i.e., exceeding 30%), for the respondents, are: 1) a lack of insulation; 2) air leaks; 3) sticking door and windows; 4) and wall and ceiling problems. Sixty-eight percent believe their housing condition is fair to good. Sixty percent find the amount of living space to be adequate to roomy.
►See the Great Falls Area Housing Needs Assessment survey form and tally under Appendix D.
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HOMELESS SURVEY
The most recent point in time count of the homeless population in Great Falls was conducted in January 2010. Data from the 2009 survey is included in this study because the 2010 analysis of the data is not yet available. The survey has been conducted since 1999 and is undertaken to obtain an encompassing view of the homeless population in Montana. It is difficult to compare survey findings between years as the format of the survey has changed over the years. If the definition of homeless used includes people who are “doubled up” the number of homeless people in Great Falls for 2009 was 193, a number slightly down from previous years. Fourteen organizations were involved in conducting the survey.
There were 113 homeless surveys completed. Of these, 47 were completed by case managers on behalf of clients, 46 were completed by interviewers, and 20 were filled out by the homeless person. Twenty-nine percent of those surveyed were with children or other family members. Of those responding to the survey 77 were males and 36 were females. Forty-six were staying with family or a friend and 48 were staying at the Rescue Mission. Twenty-five percent of respondents had a part or full time job, 21% were receiving Social Security, and 42% had no income at all. Thirty percent of those surveyed were receiving food stamps. Twenty-five percent of these homeless persons have lived in the Great Falls area for 20 or more years, 38% have lived here for more than 10 years, and 56% have lived in the area more than 5 years. Twenty-seven percent of these homeless respondents have been hospitalized for a mental health condition.
►See the Great Falls Area Homeless Survey form and tally under Appendix E.
FOCUS GROUPS FINDINGS
Having accumulated a wealth of statistical data and citizen input regarding Community Development Needs from the surveys, the Housing plan sub-group decided it was necessary to put a face on the data. From October 16, 2008 – April 2, 2009 small focus groups were held weekly. Participants included: shelter care agencies, senior housing providers, realtors, lenders, housing agencies serving persons with disabilities, organizations operating subsidized housing, agencies working with teens, public schools and higher education, City of Great Falls code enforcement officials, economic development professionals, landlords and representatives of church groups and social service agencies. Town meetings were held in Belt on May 14, 2009 and in Cascade on June 25, 2009. Summarized notes from each group are show below
Shelter Care: Great Falls Receiving Home, Great Falls Rescue Mission and Mercy Home
Discussion: The Great Falls Receiving Home has 14 shelter beds for children removed from their homes. The children are transitioned into foster care. The Mercy Home provides 8 rooms for abused spouses and children. The Rescue Mission has room for 80 homeless people with
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50% being men and 50% being women and children who stay at the Haven of Hope across the street from the Mission. A major concern was housing affordability, in view of low paying jobs and high housing prices and rents. Low- income rentals have long waiting lists, which results in longer stays in shelter care. Poor credit histories and past debts to low-income rental housing agencies make it difficult to qualify for housing. Especially in abusive situations, this problem can be compouned by abuse victim still being married to debtor. Housing plans for moving out of shelter care increase the success rate of independent housing four times over. More education is needed on loan programs available and how to buy house. People are sometimes too slow to come to the mission, moving from friend to friend to car; go into debt, then end up at the mission.
Needs: 1) 8 – 12 individual apartments for transitional housing from 6 months to 1 -2 years, to get families stabilized and pay off their debts and warrants, preferably close to the Rescue Mission and Haven of Hope, 2) transitional housing for battered spouses that is safe and longer term then shelter care at the Mercy Home, 3) first month’s rent and utility deposit, 4) a housing ombudsman for debt and damage claims to appeal unreasonable damage claims from prior rental units and arrest warrants for things as minor which eliminate eligibility for subsidized housing, 5) more single family and multi-family homes which can be rented with a Section 8 housing voucher, 6) health inspections for questionable rentals, 7) more quality low income housing options in general, 8) specialized supportive housing for those with mental illness and other disabilities.
Senior Housing: Aging Services, Eagle’s Manor
Discussion: There are 80 Medicaid Waiver slots administered by the Area VIII Agency on Aging. An additional 180 Medicaid Waivers are administered by Easter Seals for this area. There is an overabundance of pricier assisted living and memory care units with 26 providers.
Needs: 1) more assisted living homes that are affordable for persons with Medicaid waivers; 2) a combination facility where home services can be provided to seniors; 3) more Medicaid waivers to keep seniors in assisted living instead of skilled care facilities; 4) a tax credit project with rents affordable for 50% area median income earners; 5) more HUD 202 rental projects that generally serve extremely low income seniors by providing extended project based rental assistance, 6) one-bedroom homes in safe neighborhoods for seniors who wish to sell their homes, 7) lobby Congress to change law or HUD to change policy to allow Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to be used in senior rental housing where meals are provided like Eagles Manor.
Lenders: First Interstate; Mountain West; Wells Fargo; Stockman
Discussion: Property appreciation is outstripping wage growth, such that even a $40,000 deferred mortgage subsidy is not enough, customers can afford $60 -- $65,000 mortgage, but can’t find a home in their price range. The mortgage market has vastly changed, with lower loan to value and higher down payments required, 30% down for investment rental properties, maximum of 4 loans per person to spread risk, pressure on rental market due to foreclosures, prices are softening and homes are selling slower. Borrowers with construction loans need good credit, good income and cash reserves to cover overages. Market changes have added fees for lower credit scores, loans are harder to get, mortgage insurance is more expensive. 33
Needs: 1) Townhomes or condos (condos have financing struggles), 2) higher deferred mortgages subsidies, 3) higher down payment assistance programs for families between 80 – 120% of area median income, 4) home improvement financing for seniors, 5) loan programs for hard-to-finance loans, 6) proactive lead paint remediation program to make homes easier to sell
Realtors; Northwest Realty Group
Discussion: Good rentals are in short supply, as are homes for sale in the $125,000 -- $130,000 bracket. Market has lots of people who want to buy, including widows and widowers on fixed incomes; families who need 3+ bedrooms, small families and singles who need 1- 2 bedrooms, and persons with disabilities who need accessible features. Families are stretched – they work their entire lives but cannot buy a house. RD loans help people get into homes outside the city, but have an interest recapture feature that takes away equity. Land is scarce in the city limits; much of Great Falls is built on Bentonite clay which expands and shrinks ruining foundations and causing cracking – homebuyers need to beware; Sun Prairie has water problems, outside the city, the lots are bigger and more expensive. Foreclosures listing prices are set by owner, usually held for 3 months, then reduced, but some companies won’t deal on prices. No particular neighborhood has a lot of foreclosures.
Needs: 1) offer more Individual Development Accounts, 2) maintain NeighborWorks ability to help with the 3.5% down payment required by FHA, 3) produce more housing priced in the $125,000 to $130,000 bracket.
Subsidized rentals: Great Falls Housing Authority, Opportunity, Inc. Independent Living Services:
Discussion: The Great Falls Housing Authority has 490 public housing units and 16 HOME grant units. There are also 152 Mod rehab units in Great Falls. They are HUD subsidized and must be affordable to those at or below 80% AMI. HUD fair market rents are too low. Section 8 waiting list is 600 plus; but vouchers cannot be used in many cases because decent rentals cannot be found. Vouchers are double issued to two families at the same time. Waiting list for public housing is 6 months for 1 -2 bed units; 3-4 months for 3 and 4 bed units and a year or more for 1 bedroom units. Public Housing vacancy rate is 3%, they receive 100 applications per month; but only 15-20 units turn over. Some owners would like to improve rental property, but subject to City regulations must bring everything up to code once they start renovations. Sixty homeless high school students have been identified recently. They are not eligible for the Housing Authority or Section 8 if under 18 and not emancipated.
Needs: 1) Senior housing with elevator access; 2) more 1 bedroom and 4 bedroom homes, 3) Reassessment of HUD fair market rates to be based on quality average rents, for homes that can pass the Housing Quality Standards
Teens and teen parents: Kairos Youth Services and Young Parents Education Center
Discussion: Kairos Youth Services operates three group homes for youth - one with 8 beds for short and long term housing for boys, one with 8 beds for short and long term housing for girls, 34
and one with six beds providing therapeutic services for youth. Kairos used to have 32 beds. They now have 22 beds total. Foster care can be used as an alternative for group homes. Youth services are state budget driven. There is a lack of foster homes due to low rates. Youth have to be under the custodial care of DPHHS to have housing and food provided.
Public housing and many private parties will no longer rent to teen parents because of the vagueness in Montana law concerning disaffirming contracts by persons under 18. Some landlords will rent to teen under 18 with special circumstances, but these are not subsidized, so teens pay full rent, which can cause school problems because of their work hours. Services are a big part of the picture, so even with facilities; it would be hard to get staffing costs covered.
There are currently 9 chronically homeless students (by HUD definition) attending the Alternative High School, 5 chronically homeless students at Great Falls High School and 2 chronically homeless students at CMR. An estimated10-15% of the alternative high school population is probably floating from home to home.
Needs: 1) funds for deposits, 2) teen crisis stabilization facility, 3) supportive housing for teens graduating from foster care, 4) supportive housing for teens parents, 5) more use of CDBG to improve current specialized housing, 6) items 2 through 5 need funding to provide services as well funding to construct or purchase and rehab appropriate facilities.
Housing for individuals with disabilities; AWARE, Center for Mental Health, Quality Life Concepts
Discussion: There are a variety of populations with disabilities. Quality Life Concepts operates 15 group homes for individuals with developmentally disabled persons. The group homes need to be occupied at capacity housing six clients to cash flow. Currently less than half of the Quality Life Concepts group homes meet accessibility requirements. Homes on one level in a safe neighborhood are needed. There is an ongoing effort to make the existing homes accessible, but funds are need.
The Center for Mental Health operates four group homes in Great Falls with each serving eight mentally disabled clients. Only one of these four group homes is laid out on one level and accessible to physically disabled clients. Some clients must go to nursing homes when they “age out” of the group homes.
AWARE operates two adolescent group homes and a rehabilitation group home for adult mental health clients. Accessible rentals are very difficult to find. Families with a member having disabilities need accessible housing.
Needs: 1) immediate need for 5 or 6 group homes on one level in safe neighborhoods, adaptable to specific needs, 2) all new homes and rentals built to minimum visit ability standards 3) supportive housing with services for severely disabled mentally ill, developmentally disabled and those with brain trauma, 4) current group homes need to be adapted to meet needs of aging clients 5) funding needs to be restored for mental health outreach manager position so clients may receive help in finding rental housing 6) housing for mentally ill homeless persons who are not allowed to stay at the Rescue Mission, 7) more flexibility in use of emergency funds 35
including creation of a flexible to stand as a guarantee for first and last month’s rent which can be paid down by client, 8) City should continue accessible curb cut program to enable elderly to stay in neighborhoods as they become more fragile or disabled, 9) identify various levels of accessible housing in the city and establish electronic network to report vacancy to clients and providers looking for accessible housing.
Schools: Longfellow, Head Start
Discussion: One in eight (14%) of the students attending Longfellow Elementary School are part of a homeless family. Some of these families have lost housing due to violating rules of Public Housing and they cannot get back in. Native families are evicted for moving family member in to their housing. Longfellow is the school attended by the homeless children living at Haven of Hope. Although OPI normally would not provide busing for these students, the neighborhood they would have to walk through is unsafe, so a bus is provided.
Longfellow attendance is 320 students, up 100 students in the past seven years. Native Americans make up 60% of the population. The families are mobile; 52% of students are new this year. 90-95% of the students receive free/reduced lunch. Longfellow has morning 7 AM drop off program and after school program until 6:30 PM. Food and snacks are provided. Children do not have to spend as much time being unsupervised.
Most Head Start families are renters. Many of these families live with relatives or friends or in shelters. Homeless families and children in foster care are moved to top of the Head Start waiting list. Only families with poverty level incomes are eligible for Head Start with a 10% income exception. Head Start undertakes home visits as part of its program. Teachers often see bad (sub- standard) housing conditions during these visits. There is a huge interest in acquiring safe and sanitary housing that is affordable. Teen moms often have a very hard time finding affordable housing.
Needs: 1) raise City rental standards, 2) provide a facility with a structured living environment for teen moms, 3) provide advocacy for low income families to get housing.
Code Enforcement, City Building Code, City Code Enforcement, Fair Housing
Discussion: The City Building Inspector’s Office is responsible for enforcing the International Building Code, overseeing regulation of abatements, condemnations and asbestos inspections. At times state codes override International Building Code. The codes are in place to protect the safety of citizens. Building inspections are mostly permit driven. The inspector must be invited into property by owner, owner’s agent or a tenant. When invited in to a property, all that the inspector sees is legally documented. There are some items of work that can be done to rehabilitate property that do not require a permit, such as finish work like painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and counter tops, or fencing not over 6 feet high, or water tanks not over 5,000 gallons. A license is required to do plumbing and electrical work on a property. In years past prior to construction boom in 2007, staff had more time to be able to inspect sub-standard properties, to vacate them and condemn them.
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The City Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for enforcing regulations regarding private property issues including: abandoned vehicles, dilapidated fences & houses, garbage, junk vehicles, rubbish, trash, overgrown vegetation, etc. The enforcement process is driven by citizen complaints. The complaint may be made anonymously. A letter is written to property owner detailing items out of compliance with city regulations. Most owners respond to the process. A few do not respond or are repeatedly out of compliance. Repeat offenders are legally prosecuted, but it often takes a long time to get to court because of limited legal and court staffing. Cases are often dismissed.
The Fair Housing Specialist provides outreach and education in Federal Fair Housing Law and Montana State landlord and tenant law, as well as human right law. The specialist presents one on one education seminars to landlords, property managers, realtors, tenants of the Housing Authority, and non-profit organization clients. Landlord and tenant complaints are directed to the Fair Housing Specialist who provides mediation and conflict resolution for the situations. We have some outstanding landlords in area. Quality properties are 100% filled. We can get rid of the bad rental properties by offering more affordable quality rentals. We need a commitment to eliminate sub-standard properties. There are numerous new landlords who have acquired one house. We need to educate those landlords regarding the Fair Housing and Tenant and Landlord laws.
Needs: 1) Additional part time city judge, 2) firmer enforcement of city private property regulations by court, 3) more city staff emphasis on inspecting sub-standard housing (quality of housing), 4) increase recycling of construction waste, 5) citizen education regarding licensing requirements for construction work, 6) keep city commissioners informed regarding ongoing need to vacate and condemn some properties 7) encourage energy efficient and LEED certified building, 8) continue process of educating landlord and tenants regarding Fair Housing Law.
Large Employers, NEW, Benefis Health System
Discussion: A list of available rentals is faxed to Benefis every week. It is a real challenge to find rentals that will accept pets. It is difficult to find temporary housing for visiting physicians. Benefis owns some properties near the hospital to provide temporary housing. The hospital has troubles filling professional positions because our housing market is higher cost than markets from which they tend to draw professionals. Lower paid positions at hospital already live here so they have housing.
NEW has employees who live in town and out of town. Landlords have taken advantage of some of those who rent. Some of those who rent need to be educated about how to be a good responsible tenant. Some employees have a hard time getting to work because the buses do not run at night or on the weekends. Good affordable housing in the downtown area would benefit these employees. Affordable rental properties for larger families are hard to find. NEW has hosted First-time Homebuyer classes for employees. Considerable interest was shown by employees. NEW has set up an IDA for employees with a 5 to 1 match for a housing purchase down payment.
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Needs: 1) a renter responsibility and rights course, 2) rental properties for larger families, 3) rental properties with outside common areas for gardening or recreating, 4) City bus services on weekends and at night, 5) good quality, affordable down town housing.
Military, Malmstrom Air Force Base
Discussion: There currently are 1178 housing units on Malmstrom Air Force Base, with 922 being occupied. The rest are held vacant to be replaced with new units. Base housing staff detailed their efforts to find affordable housing for military families, especially those displaced with the construction of replacements homes at MAFB. It is difficult to find rentals that allow pets and that are in the better sections of town. Some sections of town, such as the lower south and north side, are not considered safe for military personnel.
The lowest ranking military members receive a $733 stipend monthly to cover housing, with higher ranking officers receiving up to $1400 per month. Great Falls landlords are very astute about the military rental subsidies and raise the rents of “better” rental properties to coincide with the stipend. The military presence affects the Great Falls rental market often determining the going rate for decent properties and forcing lower income renters into the many rentals having unattractive to substandard conditions. Still according to the base housing staff, “good quality housing is lacking out in the Great Falls community even for the level of affordability lower ranking military have”. The personnel prefer to live on base. It is generally 98% occupied. Base housing would probably rent for $2,000/month in the city market.
The Base also has dormitory style housing for younger single personnel. The dorms are said to be some of the best in the air force. This base has the youngest population in the agency. As a rule, they are not interested in buying a house. The Air Force keeps a list of open rental properties in the community. Currently, there are 105 properties on the list; half of them have been found to be basically not livable. The policy is not to steer personnel away from housing. The housing staff is constantly getting complaints about what is available to rent.
Needs: 1) better quality rental housing that is affordable for lower ranking military members; 2) completion of the base housing replacement projects; 3) rental housing that allow pets; and 4) better education concerning the improvements in the neighborhoods that may not be considered safe by the military.
Higher Education
Discussion: Locating affordable housing for students is more difficult because tax credit projects cannot be built for student renters. Some students cannot come to school in Great Falls because of a lack of affordable housing, especially students at the College of Technology (COT). The University of Great Falls (UGF) is building new student housing because College Villa is completely full. A four-plex with three bedrooms in each apartment is planned. UGF stated they need modern dorms, with separate living areas from the kitchen that would be attractive to students. The College of Technology Construction Trades Program is interested in building a NeighborWorks home if construction financing and a lot are available.
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Needs: 1) Decent, affordable rental apartments in the higher education area near COT and UGF. 2) Construction financing and lots for construction of a student-built home using COT students. 3) A day care facility is needed on the COT campus in general, but especially for single parent families 4) A plea was made to keep access to the river open as development occurs.
Landlord Associations and Property Management
Discussion: Landlords need continual education on fair housing and assistance in improving the quality of their rentals. NeighborWorks Great Falls (NWGF) should be careful not to build in areas where there are high density rentals, as it increases the complaints that landlords get from the residents of the new homes. However, it does improve the neighborhoods when NWGF builds new homes. Some less expensive rentals will always be necessary for low income people who cannot qualify for rental assistance or who choose not to apply for rental assistance. Some people cannot qualify for assistance or public housing because of a prior repair bill or some other past transgression. Trailer parks often fill a need for low income unsubsidized housing, but the homeowners are very vulnerable to bad conditions and park closure due to redevelopment. Renters often pay a great deal for utilities, up to 50% of their rent. High utility costs result from lack of energy conservation measures in the rental properties. Replacing boilers, windows, insulating doors, etc are expensive and landlords need to share that cost with the renters or get some assistance in raising the capital. The City Rental Improvement Fund has been a good source of capital providing 0% CDBG loans to landlords to make improvements to rental properties in return for keeping rents affordable for lower income tenants.
Needs: 1) Amnesty program to allow families to overcome the offense that eliminated future application for publicly subsidized housing 2) Continuation of education to landlords and property managers regarding fair housing regulations 3) Support NWGF work in assisting the homeowners in manufactured housing communities to purchase and operate the park as a limited equity cooperative 4) Need capital funds to allow landlords to complete energy saving upgrades to their properties without having to raise the rent substantially.
Economic Development
Discussion: Great Falls has reasonable housing prices compared to the rest of Montana and the nation, but it also suffers from low incomes, so there is an affordability gap. If half of the economic development projects on the drawing board take off, prices could increase more rapidly than wages, increasing the affordability gap and causing Great Falls to lose its status as an attractive expansion or relocation area due to the reasonable housing prices. Great Falls needs to have continual development of affordable homes; right now a lot of the reasonably priced homes are older stock and need a lot of work. It is hard to find safe and decent rental housing if your income is too high for subsidized rentals and too low to afford good rental property. Great Falls needs to diversify its economy, attract capital to create an industrial base which will create higher wage jobs for residents.
Needs: 1) An affordable housing ordinance that allows smaller lots sizes and other density incentives to reduce the cost of construction; which are only available if the home is to be affordable to a family or individual at or below 120% of area median income 2) Create an
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industrial park to attract businesses that will fully utilize the work force skill available in Great Falls and provide higher paying jobs.
Ministerial Association
Discussion: Many churches are helping with foreclosure prevention and rental assistance. Primarily, the people asking for help from the churches want rental assistance. Most churches have a board that deliberates on requests for help. Churches buy gift cards for food for people in need. Help is needed with medicine. The Churches try to work cooperatively with each other and with Opportunities Incorporated in order to make sure that families are not gaming the system of assistance. The churches always have more requests than they can fulfill. They have seen an increase since the economy started to nosedive.
Needs: 1) Continuation of the cooperation between the churches and the social services agencies to stretch the limited emergency funding as far as possible.
Belt Horizons Project participants
Discussion: Lack of land outside of the flood plain limits new building. The Rocky Mountain elevator area could provide land if the elevator was torn down. The school owns some land they may consider for housing. Foreclosures are not a problem, the homes have been purchased and renovated. A number of lower-income families have moved to Belt because rents are lower. About half of the school staff commutes from Great Falls.
Needs: 1) Single family quality rentals are needed, 2) rent to own program for families with credit problems, 3) Homes affordable for purchase by young families,
City of Cascade Cascade Planning Board members:
Discussion: Retired seniors on fixed incomes cannot afford labor for home repairs. An f abandoned elevator located on BNSF right-of-way needs to be removed, as it is a safety hazard. Houses are available to rent or buy – the overpriced ones sit on the market for a while. School enrollment is stable. Outfitters are buying homes in Cascade for summer fishing – they only occupy them a few months a year. Cascade has passed a nuisance ordinance and instituted a cleanup program in Cascade. The planning board is newly formed.
Needs: 1) Home improvement program for retired seniors on fixed incomes.
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Past Housing Efforts:
Past community development efforts specific to housing issues completed with the community include:
Great Falls Growth Policy Housing Element adopted in 2005 which recommended the following goals for the community housing supply. 1. To provide a diverse supply of safe and affordable housing for residents of all ages, needs, and income levels, including single-family homes, apartments, mobile/manufactured homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, emergency shelters, and other types of housing. 2. To encourage more affordable housing by making it easier and/or less expensive to build new housing through the use of innovative land use regulations, development standards, and building code requirements. 3. To maintain the area’s existing housing stock in a safe and sanitary condition. 4. To encourage and support homeownership. 5. To conserve and enhance the character, quality, and livability of the community by preserving and improving distinctive neighborhoods that offer diverse housing opportunities.
The Community Development Department Consolidated Plan adopted in 2005 and 2010 with Annual Action Plans adopted yearly.
The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing adopted in 2010 and updated annually
NeighborWorks Great Falls, formerly Neighborhood Housing Services of Great Falls. approaching its 25th anniversary with 260 homes for LMI First-time Homebuyers rehabilitated or newly constructed.
NeighborWorks has constructed 46 Mutual Self-Help homes and has 10 under construction and 10 planned for 2010-11.
Great Falls Land Development Code and Zoning Regulations, updated in 2007
Two Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) HUD 811 projects, One ASI HUD 202 project constructed
City CDBG Deferred Payment Revolving Loan Program to bring homes of LMI owners up to code including energy efficiencies. (181 during the past decade.)
City Rental Improvement Revolving Loan Program to bring homes of LMI renters up to code including energy efficiencies. (138 units during the past decade)
Great Falls Housing Authority’s continuing substantial renovation of HA properties including: 200 of the units at Parkdale, all 50 units of the Sunrise development, all 30 units of Yeoman Tynes development, and all twenty units of the Russell project.
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Opportunities, Inc 14 unit complex of affordable Housing at Kennedy Apartments
Habitat for Humanity homes 22 houses completed to date with more being planned
Eagles Manor 123 units of affordable senior housing upgraded and held affordable until 2015.
Montana Institute of Family Living, project based rental assistance housing for the elderly and disabled with 103 units, has undertaken upgrades to locks, common spaces and tenant rooms.
Quality Life Concepts group homes for developmentally disabled persons have been upgraded to meet the needs of clients aging in place, including tract lifting systems with corresponding bathtubs.
Cascade County has worked with NeighborWorks Great Falls using State of Montana HOME funds to provide home improvement loans, remove blight and construct 4 new homes in Black Eagle. The Cascade County Commission is working with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency to select the area around the former Anaconda smelter as a designated clean-up site. Cascade County has been instrumental in the construction of 56 owner-built homes under the NeighborWorks Mutual Self-Help Program funded in part by USDA Rural Development.
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Most Pressing Housing Community Development Needs gathered from surveys and focus groups:
1) Fair Market Rent too low: The Great Falls Housing Authority and Opportunities, Inc, both reported that Section 8 participants are having difficulties finding homes or apartments that would accept the Section 8 vouchers. The primary problem was that Section 8 Fair Market Rents are below the city market rents and in a strong rental market, landlords will rent to the open market for higher rents. A second problem was that the landlord would have to hold the rental open until the Housing Quality Standards inspection was completed and compliance with HQS requirements achieved, meaning that rental income was lost during the transition. This waiting, coupled with lower than market rent, makes landlords reluctant to accept Section 8 rentals.
2) Transition apartments for individuals and families ready to leave shelter care are lacking. Homeless families are now primarily housed in the Haven of Hope or the Mercy Home, while single males are housed at the Rescue Mission. These organizations have identified a need for transition apartments, where families can live independently, but with support services until they are ready to move to fully independent status.
3) Supervised affordable housing for young parents is needed. Public housing and many private parties will no longer rent to teen parents because of the vagueness in Montana law concerning disaffirming contracts by persons under 18. Young parents are often unable to go to school, hold down a job to earn a living and care for a child.
4) Decent, safe one and two bedroom apartments are needed near the medical center, College of Technology and University of Great Falls. Students and persons needing or providing medical services have a very hard time finding affordable housing in those areas. Vacancies are immediately filled. Housing with less than a one year lease is needed for summer students and transitioning medical professionals.
5) More units of affordable accessible rental housing for seniors are needed in Great Falls. During the past decade a significant number of project based affordable housing units in Great Falls have come out of contractual agreement with HUD to remain affordable. This fact coupled with an ever increasing number of seniors, many of whom have low incomes is creating an increased demand for one and two bedroom affordable senior rental units.
6) Funds for rent and utility deposits, as well as other barriers, keep individuals and families in shelter housing longer than necessary. A deposit fund is needed to allow faster transition to independent living. This fund would also be helpful in integrating former offenders into the community after their release. 43
7) Decent, affordable homes for first-time homebuyers continue to be needed in the Great Falls Community. The average cost of safe and sanitary single family residences continues to be beyond the means of low to moderate families.
8) Land donations are needed to permanently create housing that is affordable in the form of Land Trusts.
9) Downtown redevelopment hinges on the need for middle income housing stock in the heart of the Great falls Downtown area.
10) An expedited zoning process or special zoning ordinance is needed to encourage affordable housing.
11) The Great Falls area needs local non-profit developers to utilize the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to augment affordable rental housing stock in the Community especially units affordable to households or individuals at 50% AMI.
12) The need for deferred loans for single family home improvement by lower income homeowners continues.
13) Additional Medicaid waivers are needed for the growing number of disabled and elderly living in our community. More housing providing assisted living units that will accept the waivers is needed.
14) Facilities are needed that combine affordable senior housing and the use of in- home services. This is a lower cost alternative than assisted living or a nursing home, and is similar to allowing seniors to stay in their single family homes while receiving in-home care.
15) A housing ombudsman is needed to help renters to negotiate rental application rejections.
16) A better quality of rental housing stock available to those receiving Housing Choice vouchers is needed.
17) Preservation and upgrading of existing manufactured housing communities is needed to preserve housing for lower income families.
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STRATEGIES TO MEET GREAT FALLS/CASCADE COUNTY HOUSING NEEDS 2010 – 2020
1) a Conduct a Fair Market Rent Survey for Cascade County taking into account the sub-standard housing that often serves lower income households and brings rental cost averages down. Such housing should not be included in the Market Rent survey.
1) b Network to reduce the time necessary to provide HQS inspections and compliance.
2) Construct or rehabilitate existing buildings to create transition housing with support services for individuals and families. Homeless families are now primarily housed in the Haven of Hope or the Mercy Home, while single males are housed at the Rescue Mission. These organizations have identified a need for transition apartments, where families or individuals can live independently, but with support services until they are ready to move to a fully independent status.
3) Form a partnership between the School District, Young Parents Education Center, Kairos and other interested organizations to apply for grants to build or rehabilitate existing space to create a supervised transitional living center for young parents and homeless youth.
4) a To address the need for affordable rental housing near the hospital and medical services, the Great Falls Housing Authority will build four two- bedroom four-plexes having a total of 16 new housing units. The Great Falls Housing Authority has been awarded HOME funds from the City of Great Falls and from the State of Montana to construct two of accessible four-plexes in the Sand Hills area of the Medical District. The target market for the four-plexes is senior couples who need two bedrooms due to medical conditions. Future plans call for construction of an additional two four-plexes as funding becomes available.
4) b The University of Great Falls has constructed new housing for 32 students and is seeking funding for housing for an additional 36 student on campus in the form of apartment complexes.
4) c Undertake creative leasing options for existing housing such as the University of Great Falls or Benefis Hospital leasing an entire apartment building for students or medical personnel to sub-lease.
5) Accessible Space Incorporated has applied for HUD 202 funds and HOME funds to build a new 30 unit affordable rental project for seniors. The development will have project based rent subsidies to help very low
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income seniors pay their rent. The building will be design to be accessible for seniors.
6) Community organization networking is necessary to apply for grant funds to establish and operate a fund providing rent and utility deposits or to address other barriers to accessing affordable housing. Lack of funds for rent and utility deposits, as well as other barriers, are keeping individuals and families in shelter housing longer than necessary contributing to the shelters being overfull.
7) a To address the continued need for decent, affordable homes for first-time homebuyers in the Great Falls Community construction or renovation of 8 – 10 homes per year in transition neighborhoods with appraised values of $135,000 and below will be undertaken by NeighborWorks. These homes will be sold to families or individuals below 80% of area median income. The City of Great Falls will provided HOME and CDBG funding for the homes. HOME funds are also used for deferred down payment mortgages to bridge the affordability gap between the first mortgage amount for which the borrower qualifies and the price of the home. The homes are usually built in target neighborhoods and have the added benefit of improving the property values in the neighborhood and the ripple effect of improvements to other homes.
7) b Higher deferred mortgage subsidies using the Self-Help Opportunity Program and HOME funds will make owning decent, affordable homes a possibility for lower income first-time income homebuyers. Using a program called Self-Help Light, NeighborWorks can provide deferred mortgage funding in addition to the HOME funding from the City of Great Falls. This allows the homes to be purchased by lower-income families between 50 and 70% AMI. The deferred mortgages are at zero interest with no payments until the homes are sold or the first mortgage is repaid. A share of the equity from the sale is recaptured and used to replenish the deferred mortgage pool.
7) c Ten new homes per year will be constructed by LMI households under the Mutual Self-Help (MSH) model. The Mutual Self-Help model requires owner sweat equity of 1200 – 1300 hours, about 65% of the labor in construction a home. The sweat equity becomes owner equity when the loan on the home is closed, with past MSH builders gaining equity of $15,000 to $25,000. NeighborWorks is working with the Moose Club in Black Eagle on the purchase of 10 acres for development of additional Mutual Self-Help lots.
7) d Great Falls and Cascade County have an opportunity to use special stimulus funding, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, to purchase and renovate foreclosed homes. At least 25% of the homes must be sold to households having incomes at or below 50% AMI. The remaining 46
homes will be sold to households having incomes up to 120% AMI. The funding is time-constrained, so speed is essential to maximizing the funds coming to Great Falls and Cascade County. Program income resulting from will remain in the community to help low income first-time homebuyer in the future.
7) e Create a rent-to-own program for credit-impaired, but worthy, borrowers as an important tool for homeownership. Poverty creates a situation where a small event can create future credit problems, because available income allows for no unexpected events. For example, a bill for a car repair required to continue working can cause missed utility bills or rent payments, causing shutoffs or eviction. Many families, that would like to own a home, have past credit problems (often in the distant past), which prevent them from qualifying for a mortgage loan. These families, with credit counseling and Individual Development Account opportunities, can clean up their credit and move into homeownership, if they are able to participate in a rent-to-own program where they are stable and contribute a part of their rent each month toward a down payment on the home.
7) f Continue to develop a workable Section 8 to Homeownership program.
7) g Creation of resident limited equity cooperatives (Resident Owned Communities) to purchase and operate manufactured housing communities. Once the cooperative owns and operates the manufactured housing community, the homeowners are safe from displacement, dramatic rent increases, and deferred maintenance and have an incentive to improve their homes and the community. Additionally, they are able to get long term leases which qualify their homes for real estate financing.
8) Solicit donations of city or county-owned land for creation of land trusts or other legal configurations to create permanently affordable homes. A law passed in the 2009 Montana legislature clarified the ability of city and counties to donate land for housing that is permanently affordable. The donation of land near city services would save approximately $7,500 per lot in land costs.
9) a Creation of middle income condominiums or townhomes in the downtown area will be supported. Housing is a key to downtown redevelopment. Twenty-four condominium units are now under construction at sale prices from $133,000 to $299,000. Considerations that would make downtown housing development more feasible would be special long-term rates at the parking garages and tax incentives for buyers which provide a tax break for the first several years. Historic preservation of buildings renovated should be supported.
9) b Use of Neighborhood Stabilization Program Income funds to provide downtown housing. 47
10) Work toward the adoption of affordable housing zoning ordinances and the enforcement of upgraded building codes for energy conservation and accessibility by the City of Great Falls and Cascade County. Currently, in order to build homes on small lots, a special process of zoning variance has to be undertaken which is often a four month process. This process needs to be expedited. An affordable housing ordinance would allow for quick approval of the proposed lot replat, in exchange for homes that are affordable to families or individuals under 80% of AMI. Additionally, universal accessibility and Energy Star certifications need to be encouraged.
11) Local non-profit developers from the Great Falls area will be encouraged to utilize the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to augment affordable rental housing stock in the community especially units affordable to households or individuals with incomes at 50% AMI or lower. The Franklin School renovation project is the first tax credit project awarded in Cascade County for more than a decade. Cascade County suffers from an incorrect conclusion by the Board of Housing that since for-profit tax credit projects targeted for households at 60%AMI in Great Falls have vacancies, there is no need for more tax credit projects here. However, the population that really needs the subsidy provided by the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC) consists of those having a household income at or below 50% AMI. This population could use Housing Choice Vouchers in conjunction with Tax credit subsidized properties developed by a non-profit General Partner to be affordable to those at 50% of AMI. These households are unable to afford rents at LIHTC properties renting at 60% of AMI which therefore remain vacant.
12) Expansion of homeowner improvement programs to reach more people. Both the City of Great Falls and NeighborWorks have home improvement loan programs for seniors and other homeowners. Expansion of these programs to serve more homeowners will result in improved living conditions and better looking neighborhoods and communities.
13) Work to acquire an increased number of Medicaid waiver slots for the Great Falls area and find more assisted living facilities that will accept the waivers. Most of the assisted living homes in Great Falls, due to financial considerations, limit the number of occupants on Medicaid waivers.
14) Coordinate with rental property owners and service providers to allow the provision of in-home services to senior renters. Aging services has pointed out a need for housing and services in the same facility. This concept emulates the concept of in-home services, with seniors staying in their single family homes.
15) Find funding for a housing ombudsman to appeal rejected applications. 48
Housing counseling is now available in the form of homeownership and foreclosure counseling, but there is a need for rental counseling, especially a housing ombudsman to negotiate rental application rejections, similar to the way a foreclosure counselor negotiates with a lender for better terms.
16) a Upgrade rental housing stock available to those receiving Housing Choice vouchers and other low to moderate income renters. Build or rehabilitate more single family and multi-family housing that will accept Section 8 vouchers including Section 8 to Homeownership program. Section 8 vouchers are double-issued today, meaning that two families are issued the voucher at the same time due to the scarcity of safe and sanitary homes available to use the vouchers. Through a combination of construction and landlord education, Cascade County can have more Section 8 homes available.
16) b The City will continue to upgrade rental property using its CDBG Rental Improvement Fund zero interest loans. The units are made available and affordable to LMI tenants some of whom have Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
17) Preserve and upgrade existing manufactured housing communities possibly utilizing the Resident Owned Community (ROC) model.
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THE CITY OF GREAT FALLS AND CASCADE COUNTY HOUSING PLAN 2010-2020
From the data gathered over a period of almost 2 ½ years, the housing plan sub-group produced a summary of strategies to meet the greatest needs identified. The summary was presented to the full Great Falls/Cascade County Housing Planning Group on February 25, 2010. (See the minutes of the meeting in Appendix A.) The full planning group adopted key strategies to meet housing needs. The Group emphasized that there are current housing activities identified in the study as needs and strategies that are already being handled well, these strategies need to be a part of the continuing effort to address the need for safe, affordable housing in our community during the upcoming years. The strategies denoted below were adopted for inclusion in the Great Falls/Cascade County Housing Plan 2010-2020 as priorities to meet unmet needs in our community:
Construct or rehabilitate buildings to create transitional housing with support services, for individuals and families that are homeless, teenagers, young parents, ex-felons and those suffering from mental illness.
Address the need for affordable student/health worker rental housing in the medical-education district near university, college of technology, and hospital such as the newly constructed student housing at UGF or pursue creative leasing options for existing housing.
Create middle income condominiums or townhomes in the downtown area as a key to downtown redevelopment. Utilize incentives to make renovation possible. Support historic building renovation.
Adopt ordinances that make the development of affordable housing more feasible and that increase the blight removal authority of the City of Great Falls and Cascade County. Adopt codes that include universal accessibility and energy efficiency features. Expedite zoning approval in return for providing housing affordable for lower income households
Safe, accessible, affordable senior housing, including more Medicaid waivers for nursing home care and in-home care options for renters as well as owners
Improve the quality of rental housing stock available to lower income renters including those receiving Housing Choice vouchers. Build or rehabilitate more rental housing stock to meet HQS standards and to be more energy efficient. Focus available funding sources to upgrade current rental housing and preserve affordable rental housing.
Preservation and upgrading of existing manufactured housing communities possibly utilizing a Resident Owned Community (ROC) model.
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FUNDING SOURCES
This list of funding sources is by no means all inclusive. Each program listed is followed by a brief summary. Program policies may change annually, including application deadlines, matching fund requirements, and maximum funding limits.
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) The CDBG Program is a federally funded program designed to help communities with their greatest community development needs. All projects must benefit low and moderate income households. The CDBG Program was established by the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The program is divided into two categories at the federal level. The “Entitlement Program” provides funds to communities with 50,000 or larger populations. The City of Great Falls receives CDBG funding through the Entitlement Program. The City CDBG Program funds housing, public facilities, public service and economic development projects. The “State Program” in Montana is administered by the Montana Department of Commerce. The program also provides funding for housing, public facilities, public service and economic development projects.
The grant competitions for housing are conducted in the winter for the State and the City of Great Falls Eligible activities under the CDBG housing program are housing rehabilitation and new construction of permanent residential units, site improvements on public or non-profit owned land to be used for new housing, and conversion of existing structures.
State CDBG Program City CDBG Program 301 S. Park Ave. 2 Park Drive S. Helena, MT 59620-0523 Great Falls, MT 841-2791 455-8407
HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) This federally funded program was established under the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. It provides funding to states, local governments, and Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) for the purpose of developing affordable housing for persons of low and very low incomes. The program is divided into two categories at the federal level. The “Entitlement Program” provides funds to communities with 50,000 or larger populations. The City of Great Falls receives HOME funding through the Entitlement Program. The Montana “State Program” is administered by the Montana Department of Commerce. Funds are awarded to incorporated cities, towns, counties, and Montana-certified CHDOs.
The HOME program provides funding for a wide variety of housing related activities. Eligible HOME activities include: rehabilitation; conversion; new construction; tenant- based rental assistance; acquisition of property (first-time home buyers, rental housing or transitional housing); selective eligible activities (such as acquisition of land, site improvements and demolition); relocated assistance; and other activities related to the development and maintenance of non-luxury housing. 51
State HOME Program City HOME Program P.O. Box 200545 P.O. Box 5021 Helena, MT 59620-0545 Great Falls, MT 59403-5021 841-2820 455-8407
Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle supports affordable housing and economic development initiatives in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands through the following bank-sponsored programs.
The AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM (AHP) provides subsidy to help member financial institutions support affordable housing, both rental and homeownership, for families and individuals earning up to 80 percent of area median income.
HOME$TART PROGRAM grants are used by member financial institutions to match the funds of first-time homebuyers earning up to 80 percent of area median income. HOME$TART PLUS is open to first-time homebuyers receiving public housing assistance, including tribally designated housing authorities.
The COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (CIP) provides member financial institutions with reduced-rate, long-term advances to fund affordable housing for households earning up to 115 percent of area median income, or economic development initiatives that benefit households with annual incomes of up to 100 percent of area median income in urban areas and 115 percent of area median income in rural areas.
CIP PLUS offers reduced-rate advances for the purpose of refinancing adjustable rate mortgages, originated between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2007, into fixed- rate mortgages. Mortgages must support a household’s primary residence, and members must hold the mortgage in portfolio.
The ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND (EDF) is a companion program to the CIP and provides financial institutions with reduced-rate, long-term advances to fund loans that support commercial, industrial, manufacturing, social service, public facility, or public infrastructure projects. AHP Applications Jennifer Ernst Steve Johnson Vice President / Community Investment Officer Community Investment Program [email protected] [email protected] phone: 206.340.8737 phone: 206.340.8738
USDA Rural Development (USDA RD) Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) The objective of the HPG program is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing to low and very low income households in rural areas. Rural areas are defined as places with populations under 10,000 persons. Some communities with populations between 52
10,000 and 20,000 may qualify if located outside Metropolitan Standard Areas, depending on local mortgage credit conditions.
This program provides grant funds to public body to repair and rehabilitate rental and owner-occupied housing. Eligible activities also include interest reduction payments to eligible homeowners. Communities may compete for these funds. The maximum grant amount is $90,000, with no more than 20% allowed for administrative activities. The application deadline is published annually, and is usually in March - May. Grant awards are generally made in July. For further information, contact USDA Rural Development, 727-7580
USDA RD 504 Rural Housing Loans and Grants These funds are awarded to rural homeowners who are without sufficient income to make repairs or improvements to their dwellings in order to make it safe and sanitary. The owner of the units must apply directly to the district RECDS office. Grants of not more than $5,000 may be made to elderly low income homeowners who show no repayment capacity. Non-elderly applicants are only eligible for loans. The limit for loans is $15,000, with a maximum term of repayment of 20 tears at a 1% interest rate. For further information, contact USDA Rural Development, 727-7580.
USDA RD 515 Rural Rental Housing Loans This program finances the construction or purchase of apartments, duplexes and multi- unit dwellings to provide housing for low to moderate income persons. Congregate and group housing loans are also available through this program. Loans can be made to individuals, public agencies, cooperatives, profit and non-profit organizations. Except for public agencies, applicants must be unable to provide moderate-cost rental units with other financing. Loans are repayable in up to 50 years with interest reductions in some cases. Contact USDA Rural Development, 727-7580 for further information.
USDA RD 502 Home ownerships Loans This program provides financing for low and moderate income individuals to purchase, build, improve, repair or rehabilitate existing homes or to construct a new home. The applicant’s home must be in a rural area. Individuals must be unable to obtain a loan from other sources on terms and conditions that they can reasonably be expected to pay. The applicant must have sufficient income to pay house payments and other housing-related costs. The repayment period is 33 years. The house must be modest in size, design, and costs. For further information, contact USDA Rural Development, 727-7580
US Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD provides direct funding for construction of affordable housing seniors and persons with disabilities. Applications are competitive. For more information, visit HUD.gov
The Montana Board of Housing (MBOH) The MBOH is the administrative agency of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program in the state of Montana. The Low Income Housing Tax Credit was established
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by Congress in the Tax Reform Act of 1986. It is intended to provided for the retention, rehabilitation and construction of rental housing for low income individuals and families.
Additionally, MBOH provides policy direction to the agency staff, authorizes bond issues, approves development financing and evaluates Board Housing Programs including: the Single Family Program, Recycled Single Family Program, Multifamily Loan Programs, Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program and the Reverse Annuity Mortgage (RAM) Program. MBOH P.O. Box 200528 Helena, MT 59620-0528 841-2840 Opportunities, Inc Opportunities, Inc, the community action agency serving Cascade County, offers many programs for low income persons. In particular, they offer a weatherization program that helps to improve heating efficiency of homes. Eligibility is based on income. Weatherization items include installation of storm windows and insulation of homes. Owners must apply to this program directly.
Opportunities, Inc 905 1st Avenue North Great Falls, MT 59401 761-0310 NeighborWorks Great Falls NeighborWorks Great Falls provides down payment loans, home improvement loans and foreclosure prevention loans. Eligibility is based on income. For home improvement and foreclosure prevention loans, owners apply directly at NeighborWorks. For down payment loans, apply for a first mortgage at a local lender and inquire of the lender about NeighborWorks down payment loans.
NeighborWorks Great Falls 509 1st Avenue South Great Falls, MT 59401 761-5861
NeighborWorks Montana NeighborWorks Montana provides acquisition, development and acquisition financing to non-profit developers of affordable rental housing. Non-profit developers should request information from NeighborWorks directly.
NeighborWorks Montana 509 1st Avenue South Great Falls, MT 59401 458-8704
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APPENDIX A
GREAT FALLS COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PLAN MEETING Civic Center – Gibson Room September 28, 2007
To start out the day, Sheila Rice, Brett Doney, Chris Imhoff and Maria Valandra detailed the need for a comprehensive housing plan to meet the needs of all Great Falls residents. The plan should be inclusive: rental, ownership, special needs, seniors, and others should be included. Great Falls has a economic development advantage with the relative low costs of housing; we want to improve wages but not lose our housing cost advantage, so we need to plan how to provide housing at affordable prices for all groups.
Notes from the brainstorming sections are at the bottom. The Moving Forward task groups shown below will be meeting between now and the next meeting to determine their part in the plan.
MOVING FORWARD – TRADE SCHOOLS GROUP 13 VOTES Members: Joe Boyle [email protected]; Al Ekblad aflciogfls@unions- america.com; [email protected]; Shannon McDonald [email protected]; Bridget Schermele [email protected]; Ellen Sievert [email protected]; Amy Vansickle [email protected] Chair – Al Ekblad
Develop workforce to provide trade skills long term Expand HS and VoTech training programs to meet labor needs Use COT students in construction to build houses Require training as a component for all public construction projects Trade schools – builds houses – higher wagers – growth – brings people back Trade schools Higher workers comp – more worker training creates a better qualified workforce and lower work comp rates then higher wages Get school district, COT, unions, business and industry to set a unified agenda for workforce development Increase opportunities for better paying jobs Train/education construction and rehab workers Provide grant funds for land for trade schools and houses Use foreclosed/run down properties as training areas for trades
MOVING FORWARD – CREATE INCENTIVES AND FIND FUNDING GROUP 13 VOTES Members: Spencer Woith [email protected]; Joe O’Leary [email protected]; Julie Topel-Evans [email protected]; Lyle Konkol
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[email protected]; Terry Youngworth, [email protected]; Susie David [email protected] Chair – Lyle Konkol
Have City provide tax incentive or development incentive for affordable housing development City to waive fees if affordable housing criteria is met, including # of units, cost of units and density criteria Ways to provide safe decent housing: put inmates to work, alternative – modular and manufactured housing, panelized homes. More and more section 8s going away will impact other housing Pass the Housing Montana Legislation Some type of tax break or reduction of infrastructure fees to build homes that are considered affordable, density bonus, subsidize worker wages Get funding from commissioners, legislatures, and casinos or lottery Increase or change housing voucher rate – useless because renters have had places destroyed or not enough money paid Create incentives to stimulate downtown upper story housing development Provide grant funds for land for trade schools and houses Include affordable housing as use of TIF money Make sure HUD certificates are fully funded Increase availability and amount of down payment assistance programs Incentive program for both builder and buyer to utilize existing buildings downtown Good budgeting – use funds wisely Create partnership with non-profit groups and government
MOVING FORWARD – REHAB DOWNTOWN GROUP 6 VOTES Members: Karen Nebel [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Marianne Sepich [email protected]; Margo Minster [email protected] Chair Karen Nebel
Provide grants and subsidized/guaranteed loans for downtown development Develop downtown with planned land use around city Revitalize downtown – so much space to develop into housing, becoming a cool community will help our image problem and recruit more workforce and retain the workforce we have Rehab downtown – either renovate or rebuild Get a plan for developing GF downtown – upper story buildings for moderate income households
MOVING FORWARD – CREATE A HOUSING PLAN GROUP 4 VOTES Members: Adam Gill [email protected]; Sheila Rice [email protected]; Pastor Phil Caldwell [email protected]; Michael O’Neil [email protected]; Chris Imhoff [email protected] Chair – Sheila Rice
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Fix infrastructure to include offering opportunities to stop brain drain. Have to bring technical higher paying jobs Good wages = better housing = better opportunities Form a plan – research successful plans that other communities have used and work from there Survey to identify precise needs Get a plan and followthrough Create resident-owned manufactured housing communities Planning urgent – density, traffic, where to grow Followup city wide panel with small groups to create 5 year plan Involve churches Large number of agencies and programs represented here and I have no understanding of them. Gaining a clear perspective would be very impactful Lack of being informed Finding ways to inform the community Inform the youth community – April – National Teach Children to Save; October, National Credit Day; Pulse Great Falls Group Get over the image problem Create a welcoming community where everyone has a home Build energy efficiency into every home Build universal accessibility into every new unit
MOVING FORWARD – LAND GROUP 7 VOTES Members: Karen Nebel [email protected]; Shannon McDonald [email protected]; Al Henry [email protected] Chair – Al Henry
Facilitate infill process and advantages Purchase land for future development – short term Initiate a land trust program Identify state, city and county land that could be used for development Community land trusts – city or county donates or leases land or lots for development of single family homes to ensure permanent affordability Secure affordable land site now – land trusts Purchase land now for future use
CAN’T COMMIT BUT KEEP IN THE LOOP [email protected] Barbara Murfield [email protected] Bill [email protected] Becky Fisher or Gary Owens United Way of Cascade County [email protected]
WHAT’S BEEN DONE 2 bedroom total housing costs $600 under HUD NeighborWorks in 2007 – 24 affordable units; 18 new and 6 renovations City building permits: 3
Jan to Aug 2007: 152 single families permits; $24.3 million; average price $230,000 2006: 192 single family permits, $28 million Infill project on 7th Ave N 24 -28 units in $160,000 range 2007 average sales price all homes $164,000 Housing authority has 500 units plus 206 section 8 vouchers Opp Inc has 425 vouchers in GF areas Habitat building 3 houses per year State income tax deduction for mortgage interest is $125 million per year – taxpayer subsidy of higher income housing 1,576 total subsidized units in GF, including section 8. 16-20 group homes Agape youth residences Rescue Mission and Haven of Hope Domestic violence shelter Community is integrated – housing for 18 to 80 plus Disabled, seniors, renters, homeowners. 8 – 11 housing for disabled – 2 units with 14 each
STRENGTHS – DIAMONDS NeighborWorks Housing stock vs population Outlying commute areas Short wait for getting into subsidized or affordable housing Generally affordable Location – airport and air quality Good schools, low crime rates Transit system Reverse mortgage through MBOH Agape house for 18 – 21 years old Self-help homes – USDA Habitat for Humanity Mercy Home MAFB housing Base hotel for newcomers Financing options – banks and credit unions
THREATS – SPADES Low wages Aging workforce/lack of workforce Low self esteem/image problem NIMBY problem/stop growth Deteriorating housing stock/poor quality Subprime lending Taxes
OPPORTUNTIIES -- HEARTS
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Aging demographics – create new housing choices and positive community flow Space Land cost still low Vacant downtown buildings Nonprofits NeighborWorks – national resources, financial and technical Tap unutilized workforces – MSU, apprenticeships Agency interaction – retain and develop further The bubble – to our advantage Interest rates are good Tribal Federal $$ -- opening other housing and economic development Trades education in GF to add to workforce before it becomes a crisis GF history of trades industry inherited Utilize the energy of the youth – high school house Wages of trades good Educate public about being “Bozemanized” Talent within agencies
WEAKNESSES – CLUBS Funding – no federal, state, city or county funding for housing Lower wages – trained No housing plan High work compensation rates for construction Informing young community Lack of county involvement Lack of incentives Lack of permanent affordability Risk High poverty area No middle ground – very high incomes and very low incomes.
The next full group meeting will be on Friday, November 30 at a site to be announced. Moving Forward Group chairs – please have a meeting in the next two weeks to start your section of the comprehensive housing plan.
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GREAT FALLS COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PLAN MEETING Civic Center – Gibson Room November 30, 2007
Present: Adam Gill Al Henry Bill Holliday Chris Imhoff Tom Kotynski Barbara Murfield Shelia Rice Marianne Sepich Dona Stebbins Les Stevenson Spencer Woith Terry Youngworth Jerome Patton Maria Valandra
Task Groups Reports:
Trade School Group – Tom Kotyniski reported on the Trade School Group - See attachment Al Ekblad is to contact people in the group to let them know where this group is going and what their options are. Create Incentive and Funding Group – Lyle Konkol reported that they will look at the Missoula model that used the concept to work with various partners to reduce costs to build affordable housing. Rehab Downtown Group – Karen Nebel was not present so Jerome Patton gave a report on the Imagine Downtown group and their progress . The Johnson Hotel Building – the commercial tenants do not want the top space to be turned into residential because of the noise levels during business hours. . Focus of the group is to create resources and BID’s that could help people get a successful project going. . Property west of Perkins – moving on developing into small apartments . The Great Falls Business Improvement District has new website that identifies properties downtown that are available and lists grants available. Create a Housing Plan Group – Adam Gill reported that the group is working on three surveys Agency Survey – This survey will go to various organizations including realtors, lenders, non-profit agencies, etc. It will go out by e-mail using survey monkey and is expected to be released in the middle of January Community Survey - This survey will be developed based on the responses of the Agency Survey. We plan on mailing out 9000 survey’s to random addresses by late February. Gap Survey – This survey will be handed out by organizations to their clients ie Opportunity Inc. would give the survey to clients that come into their office. 6
The results of these surveys will be to compile a Comprehensive Housing affordability strategy which would formulate a housing plan. We will have hard and electronic copies. All the groups will have input into housing plan.
Land Group – Al Henry reported they have not met as a group but have done some research on community land trusts – see attachment He also reported that Neighborworks has had positive conversation with county commissioners on community land trusts. They are working in Sun Prairie to acquire property and decommission substandard trailers and they are working with Rural Development for direct loan on new mobile homes ($2,000 per trailer to get rid of the old trailers) . Land for future development – there is land available but it’s the development costs that keep people from developing affordable housing.
Group Thoughts:
. What are the rental issues in Great Falls? – All tax credit projects in Great Falls are private and are at 60% which doesn’t allow HUD certificates to be used They are seeing issues with out of state property managers not paying attention to their property and so there are properties that are not rented out. Great Falls does not have experienced property managers. 8,000 rental units in low income areas – 1/3 are substandard Should we add a rental committee to this group? The group felt we should and Terry Youngworth has agreed to head up this group. Sheila will send out an email inviting people to join this groupl.
. Who Is Missing from our group? County Commissioners – Al Henry will Contact Planning Board – Al Henry will contact Realtors – Sheila Rice will contact City Planning – Dona Stebbins will contact
Sheila reported that 1 year ago MEDA formed a Housing Work Group o People couldn’t grow business o No houses to be purchased or rentals available o They came up with an option list . Create State Housing Funds . Look at subdivision and zoning laws to see if they encourage good land use . Manufacturing housing
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Governor went to Department of Commerce and said he wants a solution to promote economic development and housing. A Housing Coordinating Team was formed to look into this issue.
The Housing Montana Fund Group during the last legislative session tried to get money put into a fund. This didn’t pas but they are still working on a strategy and have decided to make housing a campaign issue.
Next Steps: . Maria will contact the Trades Group chair to ask him to let his group know the decision of dismantling and give them their options to join other groups. – Tom will stay on as liaison and report to us what the newly formed Workforce Group is doing. . Sheila will contact the Rehab Group and Jerome has agreed to be apart of this group. . Terry has volunteered to head up the Rental Group . There was discussion about defining our Vision – The Comprehensive Plan group will take the lead to put a draft together for the entire group to review and give feedback. . Adam Gill has agreed to work on putting our information on various websites
Next Meeting: . January 25, 2008 8:30am – 10:30 am Civic Center – Gibson Room (Chris Imhoff- will you please reserve the room for next month)
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GREAT FALLS COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PLAN MEETING NeighborWorks Great Falls February 25, 2010
Present were: Lee Houle, Great Falls Public Schools; Chris Christiaens, Opening Doors; Terry Youngworth, City of Great Falls and Great Falls Housing Authority; Gary Owen, United Way; Brian Rogers; Sheila Rice, NeighborWorks; Chris Imhoff, City of Great Falls; John Rosenbaum, Rosenbaum Builders and NeighborWorks; Jim Weber, Great Falls Housing Authority and NeighborWorks; Suzie David, USDA Rural Development; Rita Beck, Young Parents Center; Sharon Virgin, Great Falls Association of Realtors; Bobbie Gilstrap, Teacher’s Federal Credit Union; Maria Valandra, First Interstate Bank; and Katie Riley, Cascade County Health Department.
Maria Valandra reviewed the community needs assessment process of the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy, including the orchestration of four different surveys, 15 focus groups and numerous meetings with the Task Force. Sheila Rice explained the proposed strategies to address housing related needs gleaned from the study process. Chris Imhoff detailed unmet needs and strategies that had risen to the top as candidates for inclusion in the Great Falls/Cascade County Housing Plan 2010-2020. It was emphasized that there are current housing activities identified in the study as needs and strategies that are already being handled well, these strategies need to be a part of the continuing effort to address the need for safe, affordable housing in our community during the upcoming years.
The unmet needs and strategies proposed for inclusion in the City of Great Falls and Cascade Country Housing Plan for 2010-2020 follow: Transition Housing with supervision and services as appropriate, serving homeless teens, teen parents, ex-felons, foster children aging out of the system and homeless men and families among others. Student/Health worker rental housing in the medical-education district Downtown housing for a variety of income levels, emphasis on historic building renovation Ordinances that make the development of affordable housing more feasible and that increase the blight removal authority of the City of Great Falls and Cascade County. Safe, accessible, affordable senior housing, including more Medicaid waivers for nursing home care and in-home care options for renters as well as owners Quality affordable rental housing, focus available funding sources to upgrade current rental housing and preserve affordable rental housing Preservation and upgrading of existing manufactured housing communities
Those present at the meeting voted to support the inclusion of the above stated unmet needs and strategies as priorities in the Housing Plan and added the following comments and suggestions:
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Legislative changes may be needed to address some of the strategies Great Falls needs to access the continuum of care for homeless individuals and families Continue the First-time homeownership program to allow families to build assets and gain wealth Don’t forget low-hanging fruit such as creating more rapid inspection and repair of homes that are available to Section 8 rental assistance Revise community profile to reflect information from MAFB income levels Determine a housing vision for Great Falls 5 years maybe ambitious, depending on the start date Is there “one” thing that has the largest impact?
Next Steps The committee will meet on March 25th at 8:30 am. Discussion will include a list of what’s been done so far. Sheila will take the responsibility of reporting on this meeting and developing talking points for the group and an executive summary of the report. Notes from this meeting will be mailed to all participants. The document will be available on-line for everyone. Once the report is finalized, meetings will be held with the City of Great Falls staff and Commission and the County staff and commissions to ask their approval of the plan. The Vision Expo will be invited us to create a poster board for the Expo in April.
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APPENDIX B
Respondents to Great Falls and Cascade County Agency and Organization Surveys
Housing agencies: Accessible Space, Inc. Neighbor Housing Services, Inc. aka NeighborWorks Great Falls (2) Eagles Manor Retirement Community (2) Great Falls Housing Authority Malmstrom Air Force Base Housing Office
Housing businesses: 909 Apartments American Realty Group (2) Big Sky Realty of Montana (2) Century 21 McDonald Realty Coldwell Banker/The Falls Real Estate Dahlquist Realtors ERA American Horizon Realtors Faith Realty First American Title Company First Interstate BancSystem Great Falls Realty (2) Heritage Property Brokerage McDonald Realty Montana Realty Re/Max of Great Falls Russell Country Realty Stockman Bank (2) Wells Fargo Bank
Government agencies: Cascade County Office of Public Assistance Adult Protective Services Cascade County Area VIII Agency on Aging Cascade County Foster Grandparent Program Cascade County Commission City of Great Falls City Manager City of Great Falls Community Development Department (2) City of Great Falls Planning Department Great Falls Job Service Workforce Center Great Falls Public School District-Paris Gibson Learning Center Neighborhood Council Whittier Elementary School
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Non-profit agencies: Benefis Healthcare-Behavior Health Services Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Falls Camp File USA North Central Montana Council Center for Mental Health (4) Easter Seals-Goodwill Industries Get Fit Great Falls Great Falls Children’s Receiving Home Great Falls Rescue Mission Hands, Inc. Kairos Youth Services, Inc. Life Way Pregnancy Services Mental Health Association of Great Falls North Central Montana RSVP Opportunities, Inc. Paris Gibson Square Quality Life Concepts Rural Dynamics, Inc./Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Montana (2) Salvation Army St. Martin de Porres Mission-St. Jude Conference Voices of Hope Young Parents Education Center YWCA Mercy Home
Miscellaneous: National Electronics Warranty Eklund Enterprises
► A complete compilation of all responses is available at the City Community Development Office.
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APPENDIX C GREAT FALLS/ CASCADE COUNTY COMMUNITY OPINION SURVEY Conducted by the Great Falls Area Housing Plan Work Group June 2008 For each question, please circle the answer that is most correct.
HOUSING 1. Do you own or rent your home? a. Own 1253 (84.4%) b. Rent 231 (15.6%)
2. If you rent your home, do you receive HUD project based rental assistance, Housing Choice Voucher assistance or other rental assistance? a. Yes 61 (5.2%) b. No 1105 (94.2%) c. No, but I am or someone in my household is on a waiting list to receive assistance 7 (.6%)
3. What type of housing do you live in? a. House 1118 (75.1%) b. Apartment 104 (7%) c. Condominium 45 (3.0%) d. Duplex/Multiplex 71 (4.8%) e. Mobile/Manufactured Home 149 (10.0%) f. Hotel/Motel 0 (0%) g. Have No Permanent Residence 1 (.1%)
4. How many bedrooms does your home have? a. studio 15 (1%) b. 1 bedroom 80 (5.4%) c. 2 bedrooms 347 (23.4%) d. 3 bedrooms 571 (38.4%) e. 4 bedrooms 341 (22.9%) f. more than 4 bedrooms 132 (8.9%)
5. What percentage of your total household income do you spend on housing? a. Less than 30% 807 (54.9%) b. 30% to 50% 573 (39.0%) c. more than 50% 91 (6.2%)
6. Do you consider this amount affordable? a. Yes 1116 (76.1%) b. No, I pay more than what is affordable 329 (22.4%) c. No, I pay less than what I consider to be affordable 22 (1.5%)
7. If funds were available for home buyer assistance (down payment assistance, interest buy downs, closing costs, etc.) would you participate? a. Yes 725 (49.7%) b. No 733 (50.3%)
8. If you own your house and you were eligible for low-interest loans or grants to improve your home, would you apply? a. Yes, I would consider applying 1012 (69.5%) b. No, I would not apply 444 (30.5%)
9. If a person who uses special equipment, such as a wheelchair, came to visit you, could he/she get into get into your house without being carried up stairs or over other obstacles? a. Yes 221 (14.9%) b. No 1262 (85.1%)
10. Do you feel the Great Falls area needs more housing that is adequate for persons who are physically or mentally disabled? a. Yes 755 (50.8%) b. No 98 (6.6%) c. Don’t know 632 (42.6%)
1 11. Does your home have any of the following housing problems? MARK YOUR ANSWERS WITH AN (X).
b. No a. Yes b. No c. Don’t a. Yes c. Don’t know know 203 1149 97 58 1031 366 A. Inadequate I. Lead based paint 79.3% 6.7% 4.0% 70.9% 25.2% plumbing/leaking pipes 14% 57 1066 324 161 1072 219 B. Asbestos J. Unsafe wiring or electrical 3.9% 73.7% 22.4% 11.1% 73.8% 15.1% outlets 367 907 180 610 753 98 C. Inadequate insulation K. Air leaks around windows 25.2% 62.4% 12.4% 41.8% 51.5% 6.7% & doors 192 1137 120 304 985 172 D. Need furnace L. Cracked foundations 13.3% 78.5% 8.3% 20.8% 67.4% 11.8% repair/replacement 202 1155 101 422 970 65 E. Roof leaks, sags, missing M. Sticking doors and 13.9% 79.2% 6.9% 29.0% 66.6% 4.5% shingles windows 47 1327 81 N. Walls or ceilings with holes, falling 221 1162 73 F. Soot, smoke from heater, 3.2% 91.2% 5.6% plaster, peeling paint, stains, 15.2% 79.8% 5.0% fireplace, or kitchen stove mildew, mold 32 1313 108 71 1320 64 G. Fumes from furnace/ O. Missing window panes 2.2% 90.4% 7.4% 4.9% 90.7% 4.4% water heater
36 967 450 166 1186 102 H. Radon P. Cracked siding 2.5% 66.5% 31.0% 11.4% 81.6% 7.0%
12. Which of the following additional rental properties does the Great Falls/Cascade County need? MARK YOUR ANSWERS WITH AN (X).
c. Don’t c. Don’t a. Yes b. No a. Yes b. No Know Know 662 102 675 302 349 782 A. Rental houses G. Mobile home spaces 46.0% 7.1% 46.9% 21.1% 24.4% 54.5% 499 195 737 567 133 734 B. Apartments H. Quality downtown 34.9% 13.6% 51.5% 39.5% 9.3% 51.2% units 669 169 614 I. One bedroom 393 161 882 C. Low-income units 46.1% 11.6% 42.3% apartments 27.4% 11.2% 61.4% 868 49 535 J. Rental housing that 709 157 584 D. Better quality rentals 59.8% 3.4% 36.8% allows pets 48.9% 10.8% 40.3% 903 54 492 314 181 936 E. More affordable rental K. Studio apartments 62.3% 3.7% 34.0% 21.9% 12.6% 65.4% houses 793 84 571 647 51 735 F. More affordable L. Accessible rentals 54.8% 5.8% 39.4% 45.2% 3.6% 51.3% apartments
13. In your opinion, is the condition of the housing in your neighborhood at, above or below average? a. Above 483 (32.7%) b. Below 166 (11.2%) c. Average 830 (56.1%)
14. A. Do you feel there are apartment complexes in your neighborhood that are unsafe or unsanitary? a. Yes 315 (21.6%) b. No 1144 (78.4%) B. If yes, does this situation have a negative impact on your neighborhood? a. Yes 290 (64.2%) b. No 162 (35.8%)
2 15. Do you feel the Great Falls area needs more shelter space for homeless and transitional families and individuals? a. Yes 721 (48.8%) b. No 174 (11.8%) c. Don’t know 582 (39.4%)
16. Do you feel the Great Falls area needs more permanent housing opportunities for teen parents who are pursuing an education and caring for children? a. Yes 722 (48.8%) b. No 154 (10.4%) c. Don’t know 602 (40.7%)
17. Do you feel the Great Falls area needs more permanent housing opportunities for victims of violence who are trying to begin a new life? a. Yes 731 (49.3%) b. No 99 (6.7%) c. Don’t know 652 (44.0%)
18. Does the Great Falls area need more of the following housing units available to purchase? MARK YOUR ANSWERS WITH AN (X).
a. Yes b. No c. a. Yes b. c. Don’t Don’t Know No Know F. NeighborWorks A. Homes priced under $100,000 1051 111 312 335 454 660 homes 71.3% 7.5% 21.2% 23.1% 31.3% 45.5%
B. Homes priced $100,000 to 775 236 445 G. Condos/ 311 465 676 $120,000 53.2% 16.2% 30.6% Townhouses 21.4% 32.0% 46.6%
C. Homes priced $120,000 to 544 376 527 H. Mobile home 108 202 1137 $150,000 37.2% 26.3% 36.5% spaces 7.5% 14.0% 78.6%
D. Homes priced over $250,000 49 880 517 I. Land Trust 84 110 1170 3.4% 60.9% 35.8% homes 6.2% 8.1% 85.8% 1003 68 392 78 99 1114 E. Habitat for Humanity homes J. Other 68.6% 4.6% 26.8% 6.0% 7.7% 86.3%
19. Do you feel Great Falls/Cascade County needs more of the following elderly housing units? MARK YOUR ANSWERS WITH AN (X). c. c. a. Yes b. No Don’t a. Yes b. No Don’t Know Know C. Personal care facility with A. Elderly 856 85 540 971 75 432 private apartments, common apartments 57.8% 5.7% 36.5% 65.7% 5.1% 29.2% meals & other living assistance
B. Low-income 906 87 484 D. More nursing home space 569 170 720 elderly housing 61.3% 5.9% 32.8% 39.0% 11.5% 49.3%
20. Do you feel the Great Falls area needs more of the following group homes? MARK YOUR ANSWERS WITH AN (X). c. c. b. No Don’t b. No Don’t a. Yes Know a. Yes Know D. Youth foster care A. Mentally disabled 461 135 879 516 126 832 31.3% 9.2% 59.6% 35.0% 8.5% 56.4%
B. Developmentally disabled 580 94 800 E. Runaway youth 481 112 878 39.3% 6.4% 54.3% 32.7% 7.6% 59.7%
C. Adult foster care 489 124 861 F. At risk youth 538 112 818
3 33.2% 8.4% 58.4% 36.6% 7.6% 55.7% 21. Do you think there is a need to demolish some vacant, deteriorating buildings, houses and trailers in Great Falls/ Cascade County? a. Yes 1216 (82.8%) b. No 69 (4.7%) c. Don’t know 183 (12.5%)
22. Should some existing subdivisions be zoned for manufactured housing? a. Yes 722 (48.8%) b. No 154 (10.4%) c. Don’t know 602 (40.7%)
23. Do you feel that some outlying areas should be annexed into the City of Great Falls? a. Yes 685 (46.7%) b. No 270 (18.4%) c. Don’t know 511 (34.9%)
24. Should the City and County use local tax dollars to support affordable housing? a. Yes 608 (41.5%) b. No 483 (33.0%) c. Don’t know 374 (25.5%)
25. Does your community have a need for grants and low-interest loans to support First-time Homebuyers? a. Yes 898 (61.3%) b. No 132 (9.0%) c. Don’t know 435 (29.7%)
26. Would you support seeking state or federal funds to make improvements to, or to expand affordable housing opportunities in the Great Falls/ Cascade County? a. Yes 1015 (69.5%) b. No 166 (11.4%) c. Don’t know 279 (19.1%)
27. Would you support use of local funds or resources (equipment, manpower) to make improvements to, or expand affordable housing opportunities in the Great Falls area? a. Yes 951 (65.3%) b. No 206 (14.1%) c. Don’t know 300 (20.6%)
28. If you are a homeowner, have you had problems making your mortgage payment during the past year? a. Yes 177 (12.7%) b. No 1214 (87.3%)
29. What do you feel is the area’s biggest housing problem? ►► summary of responses available at the city Community Development Department
PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
30. What form of sewage disposal does your home or apartment have? a. City sewer 1140 (78.4%) b. Septic tank 250 (17.2%) c. Community sewer 59 (4.1%) d. Cesspool 6 (.4%)
31. Do you have problems with the sewer system to your home? a. Yes 123 (8.4%) b. No 1336 (91.6%)
32. Have you had to repair or replace your sewer disposal system? a. Yes 173 (11.9%) b. No 1233 (84.7%) c. No, but the service needs to be replaced or repaired 50 (3.4%)
33. What is your home’s source of water? a. City water 1201 (82.2%) b. Well 174 (12.5%) c. Other 71 (5.1%)
34. What problems do you have with water supply to your home? a. Pressure 255 (17.5%) b. Taste 185 (12.7%) c. Clarity 25 (1.7%) d. There are no problems with my water
4 990 (68.0%) 35. If you are on City water, have you had to repair or replace the water service from the street to your home? a. Yes 89 (6.7%) b. No 1181 (88.7%) c. No, but the service needs to be replaced or repaired 61 (4.6%)
36. Are Great Falls streets repaired and maintained adequately? a. Yes 483 (33.0%) b. Need improvement 864 (59.0%) c. Don’t know 118 (8.1%)
37. Are other Cascade County streets and roads repaired and maintained adequately? a. Yes 249 (17.0%) b. Need improvement 878 (59.8%) c. Don’t know 342 (23.3%)
38. Are the streets and roads in the Great Falls area adequate to carry the traffic flow? a. Yes 572 (39.0%) b. Need improvement 770 (52.5%) c. Don’t know 125 (8.5%)
39. Are the interstates from Great Falls to other major cities in Montana such as Helena, Butte, and Shelby adequate to carry the traffic flow? a. Yes 1220 (82.8%) b. Need improvement 148 (10.0%) c. Don’t know 106 (7.2%)
40. Are the state highways from Great Falls to other major cities in Montana such as Billings, Missoula, and Havre adequate to carry the traffic flow? a. Yes 690 (47.0%) b. Need improvement 640 (43.6%) c. Don’t know 139 (9.5%)
41. Is the railroad crossing situation in the Great Falls area adequate? a. Yes 963 (65.6%) b. Needs improvement 239 (16.3%) c. Don’t know 266 (18.1%)
42. Do you have a problem with traffic speeding through your neighborhood? a. Yes 761 (51.8%) b. No 680 (46.3%) c. Don’t know 27 (1.8%)
43. A. Do you have a noise problem in your neighborhood? a. Yes 510 (34.8%) b. No 954 (65.2%) B. If yes, what kind(s) of noise is/are a problem? a. vehicles 286 (56.0%) b. trains 106 (20.8%) c. airplanes 84 (16.5%) d. public events 54 (10.6%) e. other 224 (43.9%) [includes multiple responses from 510 “yes” respondents]
44. Are curbs, gutters, and sidewalks in your neighborhood adequate? A. curbs and gutters are: a. good 673 (46.0%) b. fair 344 (23.5%) c. poor 91 (6.2%) d. there are none 354 (24.2%) B. sidewalks are: a. good 555 (38.1%) b. fair 371 (25.5%) c. poor 105 (7.2%) d. there are none 424 (29.1%) C. Accessible curb cuts are: a. good 534 (36.8%) b. fair 300 (20.7%) c. poor 123 (8.5%) d. there are none 494 (34.0%)
45. Do you think Great Falls air transportation is adequate? A. within the state a. Yes 324 (22.1%) b. No 692 (47.2%) c. Don’t know 449 (30.6%) B. out of state a. Yes 421 (29.2%) b. No 675 (46.8%) c. Don’t know 346 (24.0%)
46. Do you think Great Falls train transportation is adequate? A. within the state a. Yes 132 (9.0%) b. No 778 (53.3%) c. Don’t know 556 (37.9%)
5 B. out of state a. Yes 141 (9.8%) b. No 691 (48.0%) c. Don’t know 607 (42.2%)
47. Is there a need for public transportation connecting Cascade County communities? a. Yes 635 (43.2%) b. No 240 (16.3%) c. Don’t know 594 (40.4%)
48. Do you think the Shuttle Service connecting Great Falls to the Northern Regional Communities is adequate? a. Yes 126 (8.6%) b. No 317 (21.7%) c. Don’t know 1020 (69.7%)
49. A. Do you feel bus service in Great Falls is adequate? a. Yes 465(31.8%) b. No 425 (29.1%) c. Don’t know 571 (39.1%) B. If no, what changes need to be implemented? a. bus operates on weekends 347 (81.6%) b. bus operates evenings 224 (52.7%) c. route changes 133 (31.2%) d. safety issues 22 (5.2%) [includes multiple responses from 425 no respondents]
50. For each of the services or facilities listed please indicate if you are satisfied, think more is needed, and/or think the quality needs to be improved: MARK YOUR ANSWERS WITH AN (X)
a. b. c. d. a. b c. d. Need Need Don’t Satis- Need Don’t Satis Need More Better Know fied More Better Know fied Quality Quality A. Utilities (gas, 1114 93 113 111 P. Senior Center & 571 251 73 561 propane, electricity) 78.4% 6.4% 7.6% 7.6% senior services 39.2% 17.2% 5.1% 38.5% 1142 89 135 97 1110 114 19 218 B. Telephone Q. Fire protection 78.1% 6.1% 9.2% 6.6% 76.0% 7.8% 1.3% 14.9% 969 301 95 93 R. Parking 967 252 171 143 C. Street lighting 66.5% 20.6% 6.5% 6.4% facilities 66.6% 16.0% 4.3% 13.1% 1217 76 66 97 890 234 166 138 D. Trash collection S. Sidewalks 83.6% 5.2% 4.5% 6.7% 61.2% 17.3% 11.7% 9.8% 819 396 158 89 697 428 58 272 E. Snow removal T. Bike paths 56.0% 27.1% 10.8% 6.1% 47.9% 29.4% 4.0% 18.7% F. Disabled and 484 375 104 500 U. Storm water 854 207 158 235 handicap access & 33.1% 25.6% 7.1% 34.2% drainage, curbs, 58.7% 14.2% 10.9% 16.2% facilities and gutters 1152 80 40 191 691 289 123 355 G. Public library V. Dust control 78.7% 5.5% 2.7% 13.1% 47.4% 19.8% 8.4% 24.4% 1170 42 58 194 509 542 183 227 H. Civic center W. Weed control 79.9% 2.9% 4.0% 13.2% 34.8% 37.1% 12.5% 15.6% 675 540 89 160 652 408 206 192 I. Recycling X. Animal control 46.1% 36.9% 6.1% 10.9% 44.7% 28.0% 14.1% 13.2% 1021 69 44 330 401 598 101 353 J. Ambulance Y. Youth recreation 69.7% 4.7% 3.0% 22.5% 27.6% 41.2% 7.0% 24.2% K. Basic needs assis- 606 361 92 405 Z. Family assistance 358 405 79 620 tance (food, shelter, 41.4% 24.7% 6.3% 27.6% (parent training, 24.5% 27.7% 5.4% 42.4% medical care, aging services, transportation) counseling) L. Daycare services, 396 307 59 702 AA. Crisis services 369 355 91 645 after school and 27.0% 21.0% 4.0% 48.0% (victim’s assistance, 25.3% 24.3% 6.2% 44.2% drug/ alcohol treatment, summer child care foster care, mental services health treatment) M. Pre-school 455 242 48 717 BB. Information 390 490 86 491 facilities 31.1% 16.6% 3.3% 49.0% about services 26.8% 33.6% 5.9% 33.7% 919 268 98 178 510 378 80 490 N. Police protection CC. Bus services 62.8% 18.3% 6.7% 12.2% 35.0% 25.9% 5.5% 33.6%
6 856 87 41 480 330 396 66 663 O. Emergency hot line DD. Homeless shelter 58.5% 5.9% 2.8% 32.8% 22.7% 27.2% 4.5% 45.6%
51. Does your community need access to non-cable public (PBS) television? a. Yes 443 (34.0%) b. No 222 (17.1%) c. Don’t know 634(48.9%)
52. Should the Great Falls area have non-cable access to the channel that broadcasts public meetings like the City Commission meeting? a. Yes 884 (60.4%) b. No 189 (12.9%) c. Don’t know 390 (26.7%)
53. What is the single most important thing your neighborhood needs? ►► responses are available at the City Planning and Community Development Offices EDUCATION
54. Do the Great Falls and other Cascade County public school districts offer a quality education program comparable to other public schools of similar size in Montana? a. Yes 980 (67.1%) b. No 80 (5.5%) c. Don’t know 401 (27.4%)
55. Are you satisfied with the safety of the schools in your community? a. Yes 942 (64.1%) b. No 158 (10.7%) c. No opinion 370 (25.2%)
56. Are you satisfied with the quality of the following educational programs in your community’s public schools? MARK YOUR ANSWER WITH AN (X).
a. b. No c. a. b. No c.
Yes No Yes No Opinion Opinion 780 164 521 801 183 480 A. Vocational training 53.2% 11.2% 35.6% E. Music 54.7% 12.5% 32.8% 783 157 527 716 144 602 B. General education 53.4% 10.7% 35.9% F. Athletics 49.0% 9.8% 41.2% 998 118 348 G. Adult basic 649 199 615 C. College preparation 68.2% 8.1% 23.7% education 44.4% 13.6% 42.0% D. Evening 892 94 479 H. Summer school 527 292 643 workshops, 60.9% 6.4% 32.7% opportunities 36.0% 20.0% 44.0%
57. A. Do you think that Anti-Drug Education should be taught in the schools? a. Yes 1346 (92.1%) b. No 52 (3.6%) c. Don’t Know 63 (4.3%) B. If yes, at what Primary (K-6) a. Yes 1160 (86.2%) b. No 186 (13.8%) grade levels? Middle School (7&8) a. Yes 1259 (93.5%) b. No 87(6.5%) High School (9-12) a. Yes 1167 (86.7%) b. No 179 (13.3%)
HEALTH CARE
58. Do you feel the Great Falls area needs a 24 hour/7 day per week walk-in medical care facility other than the hospital emergency room? a. Yes 1210 (82.5%) b. No 256 (17.5%) 59. A. Does the Great Falls area needs more medical specialists? a. Yes 647 (44.0%) b. No 241 (16.4%) c. Don’t know 582 (39.6%)
7 B. If yes, what specialty? ►►See attached summary of responses.
60. How satisfied are you with each of the following aspects of health care in your community? For each of the services listed please indicate if you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, indifferent, somewhat dissatisfied, very dissatisfied, or do not know: MARK YOUR ANSWERS WITH AN (X)
a. b. c. d. e. f. Very Somewhat Indifferent Somewhat Very Do Not Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Know A. Local hospital 543 531 76 151 69 82 37.4% 36.6% 5.2% 10.4% 4.8% 5.6% B. Emergency room 467 495 79 165 105 142 32.1% 34.1% 5.4% 11.4% 7.2% 9.8% 526 445 103 143 116 120 C. Great Falls Clinic 36.2% 30.6% 7.1% 9.8% 8.0% 8.3% D. Indian Family Health Clinic 60 61 72 24 15 1214 4.1% 4.2% 5.0% 1.7% 1.0% 84.0% 537 549 98 137 42 93 E. Physicians 36.9% 37.7% 6.7% 9.4% 2.9% 6.4% 639 402 108 107 69 127 F. Dentists 44.0% 27.7% 7.4% 7.4% 4.8% 8.7% 867 367 87 31 9 93 G. Pharmacy services 59.6% 25.2% 6.1% 2.1% .6% 6.4% 177 162 102 82 45 885 H. Mental health counseling 12.2% 11.1% 7.1% 5.6% 3.1% 60.9% 124 148 112 54 42 973 I. Alcoholism treatment 8.5% 10.2% 7.7% 3.7% 2.9% 67.0% 116 146 98 63 56 972 J. Drug addiction treatment 8.0% 10.1% 6.7% 4.3% 3.9% 67.0% 573 186 71 23 16 586 K. Hospice care 39.4% 12.8% 4.8% 1.6% 1.1% 40.3% 385 216 80 33 11 725 L. Obstetrical care 26.6% 14.9% 5.4% 2.3% .8% 50.0% 231 193 116 66 27 820 M. Nutrition counseling 15.9% 13.3% 8.0% 4.5% 1.9% 56.4% 511 317 95 28 19 481 N. Physical therapy 35.2% 21.8% 6.5% 1.9% 1.4% 33.2% O. Community health services 290 287 109 78 32 655 20.0% 19.8% 7.5% 5.4% 2.2% 45.1% P. Women, infant, children (WIC) 261 195 98 32 21 845 programs 18.0% 13.4% 6.8% 2.2% 1.4% 58.2% Q. Nursing homes 180 289 121 172 89 601 12.4% 19.9% 8.3% 11.9% 6.1% 41.4% 315 510 100 189 105 234 R. Immediate walk-in care clinic 21.7% 35.1% 6.9% 13.0% 7.2% 16.1% 398 378 103 75 41 457 S. Emergency medical technicians 27.4% 26.0% 7.1% 5.2% 2.8% 31.5% T. Home-based health care services 200 210 103 62 26 848 13.8% 14.5% 7.1% 4.3% 1.8% 58.5%
61. Would the Ask a Nurse program where you could call for medical advice be a good addition to the Great Falls area? a. Yes 1128 (78.4%) b. No 78 (5.4%) c. Don’t know 232 (16.1%)
62. Do you feel adequate health services are available in the Great Falls area for persons
8 with very low incomes who may not possess any health insurance? a. Yes 216 (15.0%) b. No 661 (45.9%) c. Don’t know 562 (39.1%) 63. Do you feel adequate dental services are available in the Great Falls area for persons with very low incomes who may not possess any health insurance? a. Yes 143 (9.8%) b. No 721 (49.3%) c. Don’t know 598 (40.9%)
64. How would you rate your health compared to others who are your age? a. Better 660 (44.8%) b. Same 654 (44.6%) c. Worse 152 (10.4%) 65. Are you limited in any way because of physical, mental, or emotional problems? a. Yes 356 (24.3%) b. No 1111 (75.7%)
66. Do you now have any health problem that requires you to use special equipment, such as a cane, a wheelchair, a special bed, or a special telephone? a. Yes 152 (10.4%) b. No 1313 (89.6%)
67. Do you carry any of the following insurance? a. Medicare 309 (21.1%) b. Medicaid 26 (1.8%) c. Private Insurance 952 (65.2%) d. No Insurance 174 (11.9%)
68. How many hours per month do you perform volunteer activities? ______hours ►►See attached summary of responses. Mean =13.64 Median =8.00
RECREATION AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
69. Do the churches in your community meet your needs? a. Yes 1230 (86.3%) b. No 196 (13.7%)
70. If you have school age children living at home, how often during the average week do you eat dinner together? a. Never 97 (16.0%) b. 1-3 times 122 (20.1%) c. 4-6 times 177 (29.2%) d. Always 211 (34.7%)
71. Do you feel adequate recreational activity opportunities are available in the area for: A. persons with very low incomes? a. Yes 392 (26.9%) b. No 505 (34.6%) c. Don’t know 561 (38.5%) B. persons who are physically and mentally disabled or handicapped? a. Yes 214 (14.7%) b. No 360 (24.8%) c. Don’t know 877 (60.5%)
72. Are the community’s existing recreational opportunities adequate for the following age groups? MARK YOUR ANSWER WITH AN (X).
a. Yes b. No c. a. Yes b. No c. Don’t Don’t Know Know A. Pre-school 530 183 742 D. Young adults 423 474 555 36.4% 12.6% 51.0% 29.1% 32.6% 38.2% 661 223 573 619 331 505 B. Elementary 45.4% 15.3% 39.3% E. Middle age 42.5% 22.7% 34.8% 488 398 564 536 287 626 C. High school 33.7% 27.4% 38.9% F. Senior Citizens 37.0% 19.8% 43.2%
9
73. For each of these recreational facilities and opportunities in Great Falls and Cascade County indicate if you think they are very good, good, more is needed, and/or you think their quality needs to be improved:
MARK YOUR ANSWER WITH AN (X) a. b. c. d. e. a. b. c. d. e.
Very Good Need Need Don’t Very Good Need Need Don’t Good More Better know Good More Better know Quality Quality A. Montana Expo Park 259 706 114 222 142 Q. Public 71 326 604 175 267 17.9% 48.9% 7.9% 15.5% 9.8% restrooms 4.9% 22.6% 41.8% 11.7% 18.5% B. Broadwater Bay 238 678 99 74 353 R. Basketball 114 380 203 44 702 16.5% 47.0% 6.9% 5.1% 24.5% courts 8.0% 26.3% 14.1% 3.0% 48.6% C. Civic Center 352 736 65 57 233 367 568 281 26 202 S. Walking paths convention center 24.5% 50.9% 4.6% 3.9% 16.1% 25.4% 39.4% 19.4% 1.8% 14.03 % 730 486 62 18 152 264 622 51 28 480 D. River's Edge Trail 50.4% 33.5% 4.3% 1.3% 10.5% T. Baseball fields 18.3% 43.1% 3.5% 1.9% 33.2%
139 332 369 53 551 410 505 46 8 476 E. Camping sites 9.7% 22.9% 25.6% 3.7% 38.1% U. Soccer fields 28.3% 34.9% 3.2% 0.6% 33.0%
114 413 1391 101 675 261 511 88 16 570 F. Tennis courts 7.9% 28.7% 9.6% 7.1% 46.7% V. Football fields 18.0% 35.3% 6.1% 1.2% 39.4%
317 578 48 30 473 296 537 159 20 434 G. Golf courses 21.9% 40.0% 3.3% 2.1% 32.7% W. Health clubs 20.5% 37.1% 11.0% 1.4% 30.0%
94 253 326 55 718 258 571 204 56 354 H. Ice skating rinks 6.5% 17.5% 22.5% 3.8% 49.7% X. Playgrounds 17.9% 39.6% 14.1% 3.9% 24.5% 175 278 45 22 921 Y. Equestrian 61 121 149 10 1104 I. Gore Hill Ice Arena 12.1% 19.3% 3.1% 1.6% 63.9% trails 4.2% 8.4% 10.3% 0.7% 76.4% J. Centene Baseball 407 541 17 30 452 132 321 132 111 747 Z. Auto racing Field 28.1% 37.4% 1.2% 2.1% 31.2% 9.2% 22.2% 9.1% 7.7% 51.8% K. Community parks 468 643 106 67 162 AA. Folf 70 154 1026 19 1093 32.4% 44.5% 7.3% 4.6% 11.2% 4.9% 10.7% 7.1% 1.3% 76.0% 328 440 340 32 306 BB. Fishing 197 439 332 30 449 L. Bike paths 22.7% 30.4% 23.5% 2.2% 21.2% access 13.6% 30.3% 23.1% 2.0% 31.0% M. Outdoor swimming 303 552 225 55 313 117 356 212 26 733 CC. Marinas pools 20.9% 38.1% 15.6% 3.8% 21.6% 8.1% 24.7% 14.6% 1.8% 50.8% N. Indoor swimming 194 439 361 71 380 135 381 230 32 666 DD. RV parks pools 13.4% 30.4% 24.9% 4.9% 26.4% 9.3% 26.4% 15.9% 2.2% 46.2% 264 445 351 34 350 EE. Picnic areas 207 543 333 50 312 O. Quiet natural sites 18.4% 30.8% 24.3% 2.3% 24.2% 14.3% 37.6% 22.1% 3.4% 21.6% 222 536 78 50 560 FF. Hunting 135 278 306 35 690 P. Rodeo facilities 15.3% 37.1% 5.6% 3.4% 38.6% access 9.3% 19.2% 21.2% 2.5% 47.8%
74. For each of these Opportunities for Art and Entertainment in Great Falls and Cascade
10 County indicate if you think they are very good, good, more is needed, and/or you think their quality needs to be improved:
MARK YOUR ANSWER WITH AN (X)
a. b. c. d. e. a. b. c. d. e.
Very Good Need Need Don’t Very Good Need Need Don’t Good More Better know Good More Better know Quality Quality
A. Movie 206 543 376 164 159 F. Art galleries 344 675 135 18 276 theatre 14.2% 37.5% 26.0% 11.3% 11.0% 23.8% 46.6% 9.3% 1.2% 19.1%
B. Live theatre 121 420 417 39 452 G. Museums 415 669 159 20 186 8.4% 29.0% 28.7% 2.7% 31.2% 28.6% 46.2% 11.0% 1.4% 12.8%
C. Community 254 558 334 32 271 H. Historic 379 673 151 19 228 concerts 17.5% 38.5% 23.1% 2.2% 18.7% centers 26.1% 46.5% 10.4% 1.3% 15.7%
D. Cultural 206 496 359 26 362 I. Symphony 360 547 105 7 428 events 14.2% 34.2% 24.8% 1.8% 25.0% 24.8% 37.8% 7.3% 0.5% 29.6%
E. Dance 95 357 338 29 628 J. Chorale 216 446 117 7 632 6.5% 24.7% 23.4% 2.0% 43.4% 15.0% 30.4% 8.0% 0.5% 46.0%
Economic Development
75. What percentage of your family purchases are made in the Great Falls area? a. less than 50% 29 (2.0%) b. 50-75% 207 (14.2%) c. More than 75% 1222 (83.8%)
76. Do you feel our community needs to make more efforts to attract new large businesses and industry? a. Yes 1164 (80.2%) b. No 181 (12.5%) c. Don’t know 106 (7.3%)
77. Do you feel our community needs to make more efforts to attract new small businesses? a. Yes 1267 (87.0%) b. No 93 (6.4%) c. Don’t know 96 (6.6%)
78. Do you feel we need to make a greater effort to support the expansion of existing large businesses and industry? a. Yes 1046 (72.2%) b. No 198 (13.7%) c. Don’t know 204 (14.1%)
79. Do you feel we need to make a greater effort to support the expansion of existing small businesses? a. Yes 1248 (86.0%) b. No 78 (5.4%) c. Don’t know 126 (8.7%)
80. What is the current employment status of the head of your household? a. Employed 807 (56.4%) b. Unemployed 335 (23.4%) c. Student 7 (0.5%) d. Homemaker 85 (5.9%) e. Self-employed 137 (9.6%) f. Part-time 59 (4.1%)
81. What is the occupation of the head of your household? a. Medical 104 (7.5%) b. Retail 103 (7.4%) c. Industry 39 (2.8%) d. Professional 191 (13.8%) e. Technical 62 (4.5%) f. Agricultural 33 (2.4%) g. Government 85 (6.1%) h. Military 66 (4.8%) i. Education 84 (6.1%) j. Service sector 103 (7.4%) k. Other 517 (37.3%) 82. What is the occupation of the second primary income earner (if there is one) in your household?
11 a. Medical 102 (13.3) b. Retail 55 (7.2%) c. Industry 13 (1.7%) d. Professional 126 (16.4%) e. Technical 15 (2.0%) f. Agricultural 4 (0.5%) g. Government 31 (4.0%) h. Military 14 (1.8%) i. Education 92 (12.0%) j. Service sector 71 (9.3%) k. Other 244 (31.8%)
83. How many members of your household are employed? a. 0 294 (21.2%) b. 1 470 (33.9%) b. 2 520 (37.5%) c. 3 71 (5.1%) d. 4 or more 33 (2.4%)
84. A. Are you or any household member under-employed (not working as much as you would like, or at a position for which you are over qualified? a. Yes 274 (19.6%) b. No 1126 (80.4%)
B. If so, what is the area of under-employed’s expertise? a. Medical 17 (6.2%) b. Retail 22 (8.1%) c. Industry 5 (1.8%) d. Professional 54 (19.8%) e. Technical 14 (5.1%) f. Agricultural 3 (1.1%) g. Government 5 (1.8%) h. Military 3 (1.1%) i. Education 13 (4.8%) j. Service sector 24 (8.8%) k. Other 113 (41.4%)
85. A. Are you or any of your household members employed outside of Cascade County? a. Yes 78 (5.5%) b. No 1341 (94.5%)
B. If so, what is the area of occupation held? a. Medical 9 (10.3%) b. Retail 4 (4.6%) c. Industry 4 (4.6%) d. Professional 13 (14.9%) e. Technical 3 (3.4%) f. Agricultural 3 (3.4%) g. Government 6 (6.9%) h. Military 0 i. Education 6 (6.9%) j. Service sector 3 (3.4%) k. Other 36 (41.4%)
86. Would you like to see the following employment opportunities developed or expanded in Cascade County? MARK YOUR ANSWER WITH AN (X).
c. c. a. b. Don’t a. b. Don’t Yes No Know Yes No Know 692 154 579 873 98 458 A. Agricultural related 48.6% 10.8% 40.6% K. Communications industry 61.1% 6.8% 32.1% 846 192 386 611 310 508 B. Medical related 59.2% 13.7% 27.1% L. Heavy manufacturing 42.8% 21.7% 35.5% 811 181 437 509 233 683 C. Tourism/hospitality industry 56.8% 12.7% 30.6% M. Import/export brokers 35.7% 16.4% 47.9% 937 82 413 985 102 340 D. Light manufacturing 65.4% 5.8% 28.8% N. Recreation industry 69.1% 7.1% 23.8% 917 101 409 O. Transportation/ 891 100 435 E. Research/laboratories 64.2% 7.1% 28.7% distribution 62.5% 7.0% 30.5% 858 144 422 904 98 425 F. Service business 60.3% 10.1% 29.6% P. Wholesale 63.3% 6.9% 29.8% 663 294 466 941 85 398 G. Military related 46.6% 20.7% 32.7% Q. Small home businesses 66.1% 6.0% 27.9% 768 166 491 1000 95 333 H. Food processing 53.9% 11.6% 34.5% R. Retail businesses 70.0% 6.7% 23.3% 294 568 558 729 228 469 I. Mining 20.7% 40.0% 39.3% S. Government related 51.1% 16.0% 32.9% 905 131 394 723 153 549 J. Construction 63.3% 9.2% 27.5% T. NASA related 50.8% 10.7% 38.5 %
12 87. Which financial services should be more available from local sources? MARK YOUR ANSWER WITH AN (X).
c. c. a. b. No Don’t a. b. Don’t Yes know Yes No know 1033 63 339 945 106 384 A. First time home buyer G. Student loans 72.0% 4.4% 23.6% 65.9% 7.3% 26.8% opportunities 1019 83 331 698 207 529 B. Home improvement loans H. Rent subsidies 71.1% 5.8% 23.1% 48.7% 14.4% 36.9% 811 82 538 I. Sewer connection 622 132 677 C. Business loans/operating capital 56.7% 5.7% 37.6% loans 43.5% 9.2% 47.3% D. Business loans/capital 771 82 574 839 144 443 J. Mortgage loans equipment 54.0% 5.7% 40.3% 58.8% 10.1% 31.1% 903 113 420 K. Down payment 893 134 406 E. Affordable home subsidies 62.9% 7.9% 29.2% assistance 62.3% 9.4% 28.3% 923 130 379 L. Interest subsidy 519 146 761 F. Down payment assistance 64.4% 9.1% 26.5% write-down 36.4% 10.2% 53.4%
88. Would you be in favor of seeking state or federal funds to develop or expand businesses, creating job opportunities for the Great Falls Area? a. Yes 1139 (78.6%) b. No 128 (8.8%) c. Don’t know 183(12.6%)
89. Would you support using county or local funds or resources (equipment, manpower) to develop or expand businesses, creating job opportunities in Great Falls or on a county-wide basis? a. Yes 1038 (71.7%) b. No 174 (12.0%) c. Don’t know 236 (16.4%)
GENERAL INFORMATION
►The survey is almost over. We have a few questions that are needed to help analyze the survey data. Again, we assure you that all information will be anonymous and strictly confidential.
90. What was your household’s approximate gross annual income for 2007? ►►See attached summary of responses. 91. In which range was your household’s total gross income in 2007? a. Under $10,400 99 (7.0%) b. $10,401 - $15,600 97 (6.9%) c. $15,601 - $20,550 68 (4.8%) d. $20,551 - $27,560 162 (11.5%) e. $27,561 - $34,250 121 (8.6%) f. $34,251 - $47,348 199 (14.1%) g. $47,349 - $54,800 150 (10.7%) h. $54,801 - $75,000 240 (17.0%) i. $75,001 - $95,000 108 (7.7%) j. $95,001 - $120,000 89 (6.3%) k. $120,001 - $145,000 25 (1.8%) l. $145,001 - $175,000 24 (1.7%) m. $175,001 - $200,000 5 (0.4%) n. $200,001 - $250,000 6 (0.4%) o. $250,001 - $300,000 7 (0.5%) p. over $300,000 8 (0.6%)
92. Do you live inside or outside the City of Great Falls limits? a. inside 1135 (78.3%)
13 b. outside 315 (21.7%)
93. What is your five digit zip code? ►►See attached summary of responses. 94. If you live in the immediate Great Falls area circle the letter of the area which best describes where you live:
A. Northside between Park Drive and 15th Street I. Northside east of 25th Street 67 (4.7%) 147 (10.3%)
B. Northside between 15 and 25th Street J. Malmstrom Air Force Base 73 (5.1%) 16 (1.1%)
C. Southside between 2nd Street and 15th Street K. Southside between 15 and 25th Street & Central and & Central and 10th Av So 10th Av So 70 (4.9%) 63 (4.4%)
D. Southside east of 25th Street between Central L. South of 10th Avenue South between the river and and 10th Avenue South 26th Street 133 (9.3%) 106 (7.4%)
E. South of 10th Avenue South & east of 26th Street M. Northwest side between Central Ave and NW Bypass 79 (5.5%) 45 (3.1%)
F. Riverview or Valley View area N. Black Eagle 179 (12.5%) 17 (1.2%)
G. Southwest side between Central Ave and the O. Southwest side south of the Sun River Sun River 58 (4.0%) 93 (6.5%)
H. Rural Great Falls, outside of city limits P. Rural Great Falls, outside of city limits but I have a 133 (9.3%) Great Falls address 154 (10.7%)
95. How long have you lived in Cascade County? Mean = 29.88 Median = 28.00 ►►See attached summary of responses.
96. What is your gender? a. Female 900 (63.1%) b. Male 526 (36.9%)
97. How old are you? Mean = 54.56 Median = 54.00 ►►See attached summary of responses.
98. What is your marital status? a. Single 176 (12.3%) b. Married 885 (61.8%) c. Divorced 178 (12.4%) d. Widow/Widower 141 (9.8%) e. Living Together 52 (3.6%)
99. What is the highest level of education completed by respondent? a. Less than 9 years 28 (2.0%) b. 9-11 years 32 (2.2%) c. High School 382 (26.7%) d. 1-3 years college 341 (23.8%) e. Vocational Training 147 (10.3%) f. Bachelor’s Degree 305 (21.3%) g. Graduate Degree 197 (13.7%)
100. Has your household a single-parent head of household? a. Yes 232 (16.3%) b. No 1192 (83.7%)
101. How many members does your household have? Mean = 2.36 Median = 2.00 ►►See attached summary of responses.
14
102. Including yourself, how many persons in your household are in each of the following age groups? a. 0-6 164 (7.3%) b. 7-14 205 (9.1%) c. 15-18 158 (7.0%) d. 19-24 124 (5.5%) e. 25-34 208 (9.2%) f. 35-44 240 (10.6%) g. 45-60 576 (25.5%) h. 61-72 324 (14.3%) i. 73-84 207(9.2%) j. 85+ 52 (2.3%) OR a. 0-6 Mean = 1.40 Median = 1.00 b. 7-14 Mean = 1.38 Median = 1.00 c. 15-18 Mean = 1.20 Median = 1.00 d. 19-24 Mean = 1.34 Median = 1.00 e. 25-34 Mean = 1.43 Median = 1.00 f. 35-44 Mean = 1.41 Median = 1.00 g. 45-60 Mean = 1.48 Median = 1.00 h. 61-72 Mean = 1.41 Median = 1.00 i. 73-84 Mean = 1.41 Median = 1.00 j. 85+ Mean = 1.15 Median = 1.00 103. Please check the Race groups that are part of your household. a. Caucasian 1372 (96.0%) b. African American 4 (0.3%) c. Native American 23 (1.6%) d. Asian 1 (0.1%) e. Pacific Islander 0 f. Other 29 (2.0%)
104. Please check the correct statement: The members of your household are: a. Hispanic or Latino 8 (0.6%) b. Not Hispanic or Latino 1412 (99.4%)
Thank you for the major effort you have made to answer this very lengthy survey. Please be sure to fill out your name, address, and phone number on the enclosed blue raffle ticket and mail it back along with your fully completed survey in the enclosed envelope. Survey answers will remain anonymous. If you complete the survey on-line, you will be directed to a separate raffle ticket page. A drawing for (1) $300 prize , (2) $200 prizes, (2) $100 prizes and (2) $50 prizes will be held on July 17 at noon at the NeighborWorks Homeownership Education Center in appreciation for those who have given the Housing Plan Work Group a helping hand by completing this important survey.
►►RETURN THE SURVEY AFTER ANSWERING ALL QUESTIONS OR COMPLETE IT ON-LINE BY JULY 9 TO QUALIFY FOR THE DRAWING
15 29. What do you feel is the area’s biggest housing problem? None 310 Poor Quality Housing 242 Lack of Affordable Housing 226 Lack of Low Income Housing 99 New Homes Too Expensive 75 Rent Too High 60 Housing Cost High Than Wages 37 More Low Income For Elderly/Disabled 36 Buildings Too Old 28 High Taxes 20 Maintenance Costs 19 Hard For First Time Home Buyers 19 Utilities Cost 18 Lack of Middle Class Housing 15 Drugs 13 Housing for People with Pets 13 Crime 13 Debt Caused by Housing Costs 12 Water/Ground Water Issues 9 Lack Of Mobile Homes 8 Lack Of Good Planning/Zoning 7 Downtown Great Falls 7 Too Much Government Control 5 Laziness/Greed 5 Lack of Rental Units 5 Parkdale 4 Roads 4 High Cost of Other Items (food, etc.) 4 Discrimination 3 Intersections 3 Lack Of Energy Efficient Homes 3 Too Much Low Income Housing 3 Mortgage Companies 2 Lack of Manufactured Homes 2 Lack of Financial Education 2 Landlords Don’t Take HUD/Section 8 2 “Out-of-Staters” Driving Up Prices 2 Lack of Public Transportation 1 Forest Fires 1 Lack of City Growth 1 Loss of Youth Out-of-State 1 Too Many Mobile Homes 1 Too Close To River 1 Community Development Groups 1 Fireworks 1 Land Availability 1 Total 1348 59. B What medical specialists does Great Falls need? (575 responses with multiple specialties specified)
Specialty # of Specialty # of responses responses cardio‐vascular 168 pain management 3 ear, nose, throat 101 medical technicians 3 dermatology 89 adolescent psychiatry 2 all 84 Physician for special needs 2 general practitioner/primary 42 children care physician audiologist 2 Cancer/oncology 28 epilepsy 2 allergies 26 physicians accepting Medicaid 2 psychiatry/mental health 21 VA Hospital 2 eye care/ophthalmologist 17 rheumatologist 1 gastroenterology 15 emergency dentist 1 OBGYN 13 eating disorders 1 neurosurgeon 12 anesthesiologist 1 child psychiatry 12 multiple sclerosis 1 aging/gerontology 11 pediatric orthopedics 1 plastic surgeon 10 ADHD 1 internal medicine 10 feet 1 pulmonary 10 chiropractic 1 kidney/urologist 10 naturopathic medicine 1 general pediatric 9 Fetal alcohol syndrome 1 dentist 8 orthodontist 1 endocrinologist 7 fertility 1 diabetes 7 spinal 1 orthopedics 6 migraine headache 1 arthritis 6 child development 1 surgeons 5 pediatric cardiology 1 none 5 ER physician 1 unknown 5 neuropsychology 1 pediatric dentist 4 pediatric internal medicine 1 Medicaid dentist 4 pediatric dentist 4 pediatric oncologist 3 Medicaid dentist 4 back 3 pediatric oncologist 3 bones 3 trauma 1 asthma 3 Health Wellness Center 1
68. How many hours per month do you perform volunteer activities?
Average (for number responses): 6.5 hours
Total hours (using high range): 8,454
Hours # of responses Hours # of responses 0 673 1‐2 7 1 23 1‐5 1 2 50 2‐4 1 3 27 2‐10 1 4 59 3‐4 1 5 58 3‐5 2 6 29 4‐5 4 7 5 4‐6 3 8 53 4‐8 1 9 3 4‐12 1 10 84 5‐6 2 11 2 5‐10 5 12 16 6‐8 3 13 1 6‐10 2 14 1 8‐10 2 15 21 8‐15 2 16 4 10‐12 1 18 1 10‐15 4 19 1 10‐16 1 20 48 10‐20 2 24 4 1‐4 1 25 11 2‐3 1 26 1 4‐10 2 30 13 6‐12 1 32 3 0‐8 1 35 1 15‐20 2 40 15 18‐20 1 48 1 20‐25 1 50 7 20‐30 1 60 3 24‐30 1 64 1 30‐40 1 30‐50 1 32‐36 1 40‐80 1 80‐100 1 unknown 18 varies 9
90. What was your household’s approximate gross income for 2007?
Income # of responses Income # of responses
$ 1,000 1 $ 44,000 5 $ 2,000 1 $ 45,000 33 $ 3,000 3 $ 46,000 2 $ 5,000 4 $ 47,000 4 $ 6,000 2 $ 48,000 14 $ 7,000 5 $ 49,000 2 $ 8,000 7 $ 50,000 47 $ 9,000 6 $ 51,000 2 $ 10,000 10 $ 52,000 17 $ 11,000 9 $ 53,000 5 $ 12,000 19 $ 54,000 3 $ 13,000 8 $ 55,000 18 $ 14,000 13 $ 56,000 6 $ 15,000 15 $ 57,000 3 $ 16,000 7 $ 58,000 2 $ 17,000 5 $ 59,000 5 $ 18,000 10 $ 60,000 62 $ 19,000 7 $ 61,000 2 $ 20,000 33 $ 62,000 4 $ 21,000 9 $ 63,000 3 $ 22,000 8 $ 65,000 22 $ 23,000 6 $ 67,000 2 $ 24,000 18 $ 68,000 7 $ 25,000 44 $ 69,000 3 $ 26,000 12 $ 70,000 28 $ 27,000 11 $ 71,000 1 $ 28,000 9 $ 72,000 3 $ 29,000 4 $ 73,000 1 $ 30,000 50 $ 74,000 2 $ 31,000 2 $ 75,000 28 $ 32,000 19 $ 76,000 1 $ 33,000 3 $ 77,000 1 $ 34,000 7 $ 79,000 1 $ 35,000 29 $ 80,000 30 $ 36,000 8 $ 82,000 2 $ 37,000 3 $ 85,000 6 $ 38,000 10 $ 87,000 1 $ 39,000 5 $ 88,000 1 $ 40,000 57 $ 89,000 1 $ 41,000 3 $ 90,000 20 $ 42,000 10 $ 93,000 1 $ 43,000 7 $ 94,000 1
90. Continued
Income # of responses $ 95,000 4 $ 96,000 3 $ 97,000 3 $ 98,000 2 $ 99,000 2 $ 100,000 37 $ 102,000 3 $105,000 2 $ 106,000 1 $ 110,000 12 $ 115,000 3 $ 118,000 1 $ 120,000 6 $ 122,000 3 $ 125,000 3 $ 127,000 1 $ 130,000 3 $ 140,000 5 $ 145,000 1 $ 150,000 12 $ 155,000 1 $ 160,000 2 $ 168,000 1 $ 170,000 3 $ 180,000 1 $ 190,000 1 $ 200,000 3 $ 220,000 1 $ 250,000 2 $ 300,000 2 $ 400,000 2 $ 800,000 1 $ 1,000,000 4 93. What is your five digit zip code?
Zip Code # of responses
59041 1 59045 1 59276 1 59401 226 59403 8 59404 473 59405 543 59406 3 59407 1 59412 26 59414 14 59421 19 59440 1 59443 7 59463 2 59465 3 59472 6 59477 3 59483 8 59485 8 59487 19 59494 4 59495 1 unknown 2 Total responses 1380
95. How long have you lived in Cascade County?
Most frequent: 30 years (53 responses), 50 (51 responses), 20 years (50 responses) Average: 30.0
Years # of Years # of Years # of responses responses responses 59 9 0 1 26 24 60 24 1 23 27 8 61 7 1.5 5 28 15 62 5 2 39 29 10 62.5 1 2.5 1 30 53 63 7 3 28 31 11 64 7 3.5 3 32 15 65 8 4 22 33 14 66 4 4.5 1 34 15 67 4 5 26 35 34 68 2 5.5 2 36 16 69 9 6 20 37 12 70 9 6.5 5 38 27 71 1 38.5 1 7 22 72 3 39 8 7.5 1 73 2 40 48 8 19 74 5 41 10 8.5 1 75 1 42 11 9 10 76 2 43 12 10 45 77 3 44 11 11 12 78 4 45 20 12 19 80 6 46 12 13 18 81 3 14 30 47 10 82 5 15 37 48 17 83 3 16 12 49 5 84 2 17 17 50 51 86 1 18 13 51 8 87 1 19 10 52 10 88 2 20 50 53 15 89 1 21 20 54 4 90 1 22 14 55 10 92 1 23 19 56 8 24 11 57 10 25 41 58 7
97. How old are you?
Age # of responses Age # of responses 19 2 58 27 20 5 59 34 21 5 60 41 22 4 61 24 23 7 62 22 24 7 63 17 25 16 64 23 26 8 65 25 27 10 66 20 28 16 67 22 29 17 68 21 30 20 69 16 31 13 70 30 32 18 71 18 33 24 72 22 34 11 73 17 35 11 74 14 36 12 75 18 37 18 76 15 38 14 77 18 39 10 78 20 40 23 79 16 41 18 80 20 42 23 81 17 43 23 82 20 44 24 83 9 45 22 84 5 46 27 85 6 47 33 86 4 48 42 87 5 49 23 88 9 50 52 89 4 51 31 90 6 52 41 91 2 53 31 92 2 54 20 93 1 55 25 94 1 56 30 98 1 57 31 unknown 14 101. How many members does your household have?
Number of members # of responses
0 1 1 335 2 589 3 174 4 179 5 48 6 19 7 4 8 3 9 1 11 1 47 1 82 1 Total responses 1356
APPENDIX D
GREAT FALLS AREA HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT Conducted by the Great Falls Area Housing Plan Work Group September 2008
Please help us to identify housing needs in our community by taking a few minutes to complete this survey. The survey results will give us direction in setting goals and developing strategies to address the area’s greatest housing needs. If you received this survey by mail, please return the completed survey in the postage paid envelope provided, to NeighborWorks Great Falls by October 6. If you are filling this survey out at a service agency, just leave it there with staff and we will pick it up. Thank you very much for your effort and time.
1. Have you filled out this survey before? a. Yes 0 (0%) b. No 612 (100%)
2. Do you live in Cascade County? a. Yes 588 (96.1%) b. No 7 (1.1%)
3. Do you live inside the Great Falls city limits? a. Yes 516 (87.8%) b. No 72 (12.2%)
4. What is your primary source of transportation? a. Car 380 (62.8%) b. Bus 36 (6.0%) c. Taxi 6 (1.0%) d. Bike 17 (2.8%) e. Walk 41 (6.8%) f. Friend 32 (5.3%) g. Case manager 10 (1.6%) h. Multi- modal 83 (13.7%)
5. Do you: a. Own your home 147 (24.3%) b. Rent your home 375 (61.9%) c. Stay with friends/family 45 (7.3%) d. Other: unspecified 34 (5.6%) Other: Mercy Home 3 (0.5%) Other: Pre-release 1 (0.2%) Other: YWCA 1 (0.2%)
6. How long have you lived in your present home? a. 0-6 months 85 (13.9%) b. 6 months–1 year 79 (13.0%) c. 1-3 years 179 (29.3%) d. 4-7 years 111 (18.2%) e. 8-15 years 66 (10.8%) f. Longer than 15 years 90 (14.8%)
7. How much is your monthly rent or house payment?
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MO RENT RESPONSES MO RENT RESPONSES MO RENT RESPONSES MO RENT RESPONSES MO RENT RESPONSES 0 61 173 1 280 2 365 2 570 2 3 1 175 3 282 1 368 1 575 3 9 2 178 1 292 1 370 1 585 1 12 1 180 3 299 1 373 1 591 1 20 1 181 6 300 20 375 4 595 2 25 2 182 1 301 1 378 1 600 17 25 1 183 2 307 1 387 2 604 1 27 1 185 1 310 2 390 1 612 1 30 1 186 1 315 2 395 1 625 1 37 1 187 3 317 1 396 1 631 1 40 12 189 1 245 1 397 1 635 1 45 1 193 1 248 1 399 1 640 1 54 1 194 3 250 12 400 18 650 7 55 1 195 2 251 1 410 4 664 1 60 1 196 1 253 1 417 1 666 1 62 1 200 7 255 1 420 2 675 2 73 1 201 1 255 1 425 11 700 5 84 1 210 1 256 1 427 1 704 1 87 1 211 5 260 4 430 3 720 1 89 1 215 6 265 3 438 1 750 4 91 1 219 1 266 1 440 1 755 1 96 1 220 2 267 1 440 1 776 1 98 1 221 1 270 1 442 1 781 1 100 3 223 1 275 3 447 1 786 1 101 1 224 2 276 2 449 1 800 4 109 1 225 10 279 1 450 18 801 1 120 2 226 1 280 2 450 1 805 1 125 2 228 1 282 1 452 1 820 1 127 2 229 1 292 1 455 4 835 1 128 1 230 2 299 1 459 1 840 1 129 1 235 1 300 20 460 1 850 1 130 1 239 1 301 1 463 1 854 1 140 1 240 3 307 1 465 1 868 1 141 1 242 1 310 2 475 8 900 2 143 1 245 1 315 2 479 1 950 1 145 1 248 1 317 1 480 2 975 1 146 2 250 12 320 3 485 1 980 1 147 1 251 1 325 9 490 1 987 1 148 1 253 1 327 1 495 1 1000 2 149 2 255 1 330 2 500 11 1043 1 150 3 255 1 335 2 520 1 1084 1 155 1 256 1 337 1 525 9 1188 1 158 1 260 4 345 1 528 1 1300 1 159 1 265 3 346 2 529 1 homeless 1 160 2 266 1 347 2 530 1 no answer 43 161 1 267 1 350 22 540 2 variable 4 163 2 270 2 355 1 545 2 165 1 275 3 360 2 549 1 166 1 276 2 362 1 550 13 170 2 279 1 3642 3 555 1
8. Do you currently have rental assistance? a. Yes 196 (32.6%) b. No 406 (67.4%)
9. If answer to #8 is yes, what kind of rental assistance do you have? a. Section 8 113 (53.6%) b. Public Housing Assistance 83 (39.3%) c. Shelter + Care 1 (0.5%) d. Other: unspecified 12 (5.7%) Other: Pre-release 2 (0.9%)
10. How much do you currently pay for heat and electricity in your highest cost month? a. $0-39 142 (27.0%) b. $40-60 41 (7.3%) c. $61-90 48 (8.5%) d. $91-120 83 (14.7%) e. $121-160 85 (15.1%) f. $161- 200 54 (9.6%) g. $201-250 55 (9.8%) h. $251-300 27 (4.8%) i. More than $300 19 (3.4%)
11. Please identify the main heating source for your home: a. Electric 134 (23.1%) b. Gas 389 (67.2%) c. Oil 3 (0.5%) d. Coal 0 e. Wood 2 (0.3%) f. Propane 10 (1.7%) Multi-heating sources 41 (7.2%)
12. What is your household’s current monthly income? a. Less than $100 43 (7.3%) b. $100-200 11(1.9%) c. $201-350 25 (4.2%) d. $351-500 45 (7.6%) e. $501- 650 107 (18.1%) f. $651-800 71 (12.0%) g. $801- 1000 93 (15.8%) h. $1001-1200 76 (12.9%) i. $1201- 1400 38 (6.4%) j. $1401- 1650 23 (3.9%) k. $1651- 1850 14 (2.4%) l. $1851- 2150 18 (3.1%) m. $2151-2350 7 (1.2%) n. $2351-2600 8 (1.4%) o. $2601-3000 4 (0.7%) p. More than $3000 per month 7 (1.2%)
13. Do you use LIEAP? a. Yes 249 (42.0%) b. No 344 (58.0%)
14. Are you currently employed? a. Yes 235 (39.8%) b. No 356 (60.2)
15. How many persons in your household are 19 years old or older? a. 1 335 (57.7%) b. 2 197 (33.9%) c. 3 23 (4.0%) d. 4 9 (1.5%) e. 5 13 (2.2%) f. More than 5 4 (6.9%)
16. How many persons in your household are children (0-18 yrs.)? a. 1 120 (41.5%) b. 2 84 (29.1%) c. 3 49 (16.9%) d. 4 24 (8.3%) e. 5 8 (2.8%) f. More than 5 4 (1.4%)
17. How old are you? a. 18-23 54 (8.9%) b. 24-30 76 (12.6%) c. 31-44 151 (25.0%) d. 45-60 190 (31.4%) e. 61-72 78 (12.9%) f. 73-85 47 (7.8%) g. over 85 9 (1.5%)
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18. Please identify the type of housing you live in: a. Apartment 261 (43.4%) b. Single family house 207 (34.4%) c. Mobile home 97 (16.1%) d. Hotel/Motel 3 (0.5%) e. Shelter 8 (1.3%) f. Rented room 15 (2.5%) h. No permanent residence 10 (1.8%)
19. Does your home have any of the following housing problems?
MARK YOUR ANSWERS WITH AN (X).
a. b. No c. don’t a. b. No c. don’t Yes know Yes know
A. Inadequate plumbing/leaking pipes 111 381 59 I. Lead based paint 30 349 167 20.1% 69.1% 10.7% 5.5% 63.9% 30.6%
B. Asbestos 359 153 J. Unsafe wiring or electrical outlets 358 88 26 104 4.8% 66.7% 28.4% 65.1% 16.0% 18.9%
C. Inadequate insulation 165 K. Air leaks around windows & doors 312 224 29 299 85 30.1% 15.4% 55.2% 39.6% 5.2% 54.5%
D. Need furnace repair/replacement 407 L. Cracked foundations 137 321 92 68 67 12.5% 75.1% 12.4% 24.9% 58.3% 16.8%
E. Roof leaks, sags, missing shingles 393 M. Sticking doors and windows 210 313 30 107 46 19.6% 72.0% 8.4% 38.0% 56.6% 5.4%
F. Soot, smoke from heater, fireplace, N. Walls or ceilings with holes, falling 34 462 42 172 352 28 or kitchen stove plaster, peeling paint, stains, mildew, 6.3% 85.9% 7.8% mold 31.2% 63.8% 5.0%
G. Fumes from furnace/ water heater 22 471 44 O. Broken or missing window panes 99 432 19 4.1% 87.7% 8.2% 18.0% 78.5% 3.5%
H. Radon 7 346 180 P. Cracked siding 80 406 58 1.3% 64.9% 33.8% 14.7% 74.6% 10.7%
20. Please rate the physical condition of your housing: a. Terrible 16 (2.7%) b. Poor 74 (12.5%) c. Fair 178 (30.1%) d. Good 225 (38.0%) e. Very Good 99 (16.7%)
21. How many bedrooms does your home have: a. 0 0 b. 1 20 (3.4%) c. 2 132 (22.1%) d. 3 237 (39.7%) e. 4 139 (23.3%) 4
f. 5 or more 69 (11.5%)
22. Please rate the adequacy of space in your home: a. Cramped 58 (9.8%) b. Tight but livable 179 (30.2%) c. Adequate 252 (42.6%) d. Roomy 103 (17.4%)
23. Please describe access to services from your home.
MARK YOUR ANSWERS WITH AN (X).
a. Services are b. It is a reasonable c. Transportation is walk to services necessary to reach nearby services
A. Grocery store 203 (34.9%) 93 (16.0%) 286 (49.1%)
B. Laundromat 197 (38.7%) 79 (15.5%) 233 (45.8%)
C. Medical care 107 (18.7%) 50 (8.8%) 414 (72.5%)
D. Schools 170 (35.4%) 106 (22.1%) 204 (42.5%)
E. Child care 111 (27.9%) 61 (15.3%) 226 (56.8%)
F. Bus route 294 (55.6%) 133 (25.1%) 102 (19.3%)
G. Financial services 98 (18.8%) 85 (16.3%) 337 (64.9%)
24. Which kind or kinds of new rental low-income housing are most needed in our area:
Studio apartments 6 1.1% Single family homes 111 20.4% 1-bedroom apartments 52 9.6% Handicap accessible rentals 21 10.3% 2-bedroom apartments 49 9.0% Apartments for seniors 31 5.7% 3-4 bedroom apartments 56 10.3% Both 3-4 bed apartments and single 38 7.0% family homes Assisted living facilities 9 1.7% Both handicap accessible rentals and 9 1.7% apartments for seniors Transitional living facilities 0 0 Multiple responses all other 161 29.7%
25. Are more opportunities needed to help low-income families become home owners? a. Yes 533 (92.1%) b. No 46 (7.9%)
26. Would you be interested in such an opportunity? a. Yes 412 (70.8%) b. No 170 (29.2%) 5
27. Do you have adequate transportation to services and schools? a. Yes 483 (82.6%) b. No 102 (17.4%)
28. Do you feel housing for persons with special needs is lacking in our area? a. Yes 410 (73.3%) b. No 149 (26.7%) 29. Have you experienced foreclosure in the past two years? a. Yes 19 (3.2%) b. No 576 (96.8%)
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Montana Homeless Survey, January 29, 2009 Results for District 5 – Great Falls
129 survey forms completed 16 determined to be not homeless (did not include in tally)
80 Alone 18 Single parent with children 5 With spouse or partner and children 2 With spouse or partner but no children 8 With other 80 Family members
193 Total homeless people based on local findings
The following information is summarized from the 113 survey forms which were completed by/for homeless people. Demographics are available for only the 113 people who responded to the questionnaire, not for all people who are with the homeless person who was interviewed. Percentages on the following tally will not always equal 100%. Some of the 113 respondents did not answer all questions. Some questions allow for multiple responses. Additionally, allowing for rounding influences % total.
1. This form is being filled out by: Responses: Count Percent Self 20 18 Interviewer 46 41 Case manager on behalf of a client 47 41
2. Have you filled out a similar survey in the past week? Responses: Count Percent Yes 0 0 No 113 100
3. Location (list of 12 districts): All Great Falls (5)
4. Where are you sleeping or where did you sleep on the night of Thursday, January 29? Responses: Count Percent Outside 4 3 Emergency shelter 28 25 Name of facility GF Rescue Mission - 21 GF Rescue Mission Haven of Hope - 7 Domestic violence shelter (Mercy Home) - 0 Transitional housing for homeless persons 20 18 Name of facility GF Rescue Mission - 20 Gateway Grace Home - 0 Gateway Blue Thunder Lodge- 0 Psychiatric facility 0 0 Substance abuse treatment facility 1 1 Hospital 0 0 Prison/jail 2 2 Domestic violence shelter 0 0 With relative or friend 46 41
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Rental housing, own apartment or house 0 0 Motel/hotel 8 7 Youth foster care home 0 0 Other: church, Set Free, 2 left blank 4 3
5. Where have you stayed in the last 30 days? Responses: Count Percent Outside 7 6 Emergency shelter 24 21 Transitional housing for homeless persons 16 14 Psychiatric facility 1 1 Substance abuse treatment facility 1 1 Hospital 0 0 Prison/jail 3 3 Domestic violence shelter 0 0 With relative or friend 52 46 Rental housing, own apartment or house 6 5 Motel/hotel 10 9 Youth foster care home 0 0 Other: church, left blank 2 2
6. Gender: Responses: Count Percent Male 77 68 Female 36 32
7. Ethnicity/Race Responses: Count Percent White 89 79 Hispanic or Latino 2 2 American Indian/Alaskan Native 14 12 Black/African American 4 3 Asian 2 2 Other: Polynesian, left blank 2 2
8. Have you serve in the military? Responses: Count Percent Yes 14 12 No 93 82
9. What was the last grade in school that you completed? Responses: Count Percent Less than 9th grade 11 10 9—12th, no diploma 25 22 High school graduate or GED 36 32 Some college, no degree 24 21 Associates degree 2 2 Bachelors degree 3 3 Graduate or professional degree 1 1
10. Are you alone or with family?
2
Responses: Count Percent Single parent with children 18 16 With spouse or partner AND children 5 4 Alone 80 71 With spouse or partner but NO children 2 2 Other: mother (2), family (3), sister & niece, ex-spouse with children, left blank 8 7
11. Are you or anyone else with you pregnant? Responses: Count Percent Yes 1 1 No 112 99
12. Your age: age 16-79 reported
16 – 1 31 – 2 46 – 24 61 - 2 17 – 1 32 – 4 47 – 2 62 - 2 18 – 2 33 – 2 48 - 1 63 - 1 19 – 4 34 – 3 49 – 1 64 - 1 20 – 0 35 – 3 50 – 2 65 - 1 21 – 3 36 - 1 51 - 3 68 - 2 22 – 1 37 - 1 52 - 3 71 - 1 23 - 2 38 - 1 53 – 7 79 -1 24 - 3 39 - 2 54 - 2 25 - 2 40 – 1 55 - 1 26 - 1 41 - 0 56 - 2 27 - 6 42 - 2 57 - 1 28 – 3 43 - 1 58 - 1 29 - 4 44 - 4 59 - 3 30 – 1 45 - 4 60 - 2
13. If with family member, please provide their ages (do not enter your age again) Ages <1-82 reported.
< 1 yr - 2 1 - 4 11 - 3 21 – 1 38 - 2 2 - 3 12 - 2 22 – 0 42 - 2 3 - 6 13 - 3 23 – 0 48 - 2 4 - 11 14 - 0 24 – 1 49 - 1 5 - 7 15 - 1 25 – 4 50 - 1 6 - 2 16 - 2 26 – 2 53 - 1 7 – 3 17 - 2 27 – 1 57 - 1 8 - 1 18 – 0 28 – 1 82 -1 9 - 0 19 – 2 32 - 1 10 - 2 20 – 0 34 – 1
14. If any of the above are school aged children, are they in school now? Responses: Count Percent Yes 15 13 No 6 5
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15. How long has it been since you had a place you considered home or a permanent place to live? Responses Count Percent 1 week or less 3 3 More than 1 week 6 5 More than 1 month 18 16 More than 3 months 19 17 More than 6 months 12 11 More than 1 year 21 18 More than 2 years 34 30
16. Why did you leave your last place of residence? (check all that apply) Responses: Count Percent Rent problems 16 14 Evicted but for other than rent problems 15 13 Conflict with family or friends 26 23 Overcrowding 2 2 Domestic violence 4 3 Lost job or no job 20 18 Went to prison or jail 4 3 Went into the hospital 5 4 Aged out of foster care 0 0 Housing condemned 1 1 Fire 0 0 Other: 29 26 Other: wanted apartment, separated from wife, traveling (2), never had 1, moved to be with children & grandchildren, lost children, living with parents, get closer to parents in nursing home, on probation, treatment, moved (6), quit job, hurt in car wreck, divorce, had no place to begin with, friend died, stayed with friend, looking for spiritual help, career pursuit, housework, death in family, left blank (2)
17. Have you been without a permanent place to live before? Responses: Count Percent No 55 49 Yes, if yes, how many times in last 3 years? 59 52
Once 12 Twice 14 3 times 7 4 or more times 22
18. Where was your last residence? Great Falls – 68 Other Montana cities - (Lewistown (2), Fairfield, Conrad, Havre, Billings (2), Ulm, Ronan, Helena, Scobey, Manhattan, Browning, Townsend, Kalispell, MT (2); CA; WA; IL; WY; FL; AZ; Auburn WA; Seattle WA; Tacoma WA; Spokane WA; Priest ID; Phoenix AZ; Lincoln NB; El Paso TX; Rockaway Beach NY;
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19. How long have you been in this community? Responses: Count Percent Less than 1 week 1 1 1 week to 1 month 2 2 More than 1 month 6 5 More than 4 months 18 16 More than 1 year 6 5 More than 2 years 15 13 More than 5 years 20 18 More than 10 years 15 13 More than 20 years 28 25
20. Do you have any income (check all that apply)? Responses: Count Percent None 47 42 Part-time job 14 12 Full-time job 15 13 TANF cash assistance 4 3 Unemployment 0 0 Supplemental Security, SSI, SSDI 24 21 Disability 4 3 Veterans benefits 2 2 Child Support 2 2 Other: roll-over IRA acct; spot jobs; left blank 3 3
21. Do you receive SNAPS (food stamps)? Responses: Count Percent Yes 35 31 No 74 66
22. Have you been hospitalized for a mental health issue? Responses: Count Percent Yes 30 27 No 81 72
23. Have you ever been in a hospital, detox or rehab center for a substance abuse issue? Responses: Count Percent Yes 21 19 No 89 79
24. Do you feel you need help with a substance abuse issue now? Responses: Count Percent Yes 17 15 No 91 81
25. Are you receiving substance abuse services now? Responses: Count Percent Yes 13 12 No 96 85
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26. Do you feel you have a health condition that limits your ability to work, get around, care for yourself or otherwise take care of your needs? Responses: Count Percent Yes 40 35 No 70 62
27. Have you ever been told that you have HIV or AIDS? Responses: Count Percent No 110 97 Yes 2 2
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APPENDIX G U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 4/30/2011)
Table 1A Homeless and Special Needs Populations
Continuum of Care: Housing Gap Analysis Chart Current Under Unmet Need/ Inventory Development Gap
Individuals
Example Emergency Shelter 100 40 26 Emergency Shelter 107 20 Beds Transitional Housing 18 16 Permanent Supportive Housing 32 Total 157 36
Persons in Families With Children Emergency Shelter 79 20 Beds Transitional Housing 8 Permanent Supportive Housing Total 79 28
Continuum of Care: Homeless Population and Subpopulations Chart
Part 1: Homeless Population Sheltered Unsheltered Total Emergency Transitional Number of Families with Children (Family 7 0 16 23 Households): 1. Number of Persons in Families with 14 21 34 69 Children 2. Number of Single Individuals and Persons 21 20 49 90 in Households without children (Add Lines Numbered 1 & 2 Total 35 41 83 159 Persons) Part 2: Homeless Subpopulations Sheltered Unsheltered Total
a. Chronically Homeless 22 b. Seriously Mentally Ill 16 c. Chronic Substance Abuse 17 d. Veterans 14 e. Persons with HIV/AIDS 2 f. Victims of Domestic Violence 0 g. Unaccompanied Youth (Under 18) 0
Housing Gap Analysis Chart: Emergency Shelter Individual beds include 71 for men at Rescue Mission, 22 at Kairos Youth Center, and 14 at Children’s receiving Home. Transitional Individual beds includes18 at Center West (for Mental Health). Permanent Supportive Housing beds includes 32 at Center for Mental Health Group homes. Emergency Shelter beds for persons with children includes 59 at Haven of Hope and 20 at the Mercy Home.
Data for Continuum of Care from Montana Homeless Survey, City of Great Falls raw data. U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 4/30/2011) Table 1B Special Needs (Non-Homeless) Populations
Priority Dollars to SPECIAL NEEDS Need Level Unmet Address Multi-Year Annual SUBPOPULATIONS High, Medium, Need Unmet Goals Goals Low, Need No Such Need Elderly H Services :1879 $197,227 3 facilities Services: 289 persons Services :1880 people 4 facilities persons Frail Elderly H Housing :30 $365,000 1 facility 30 people 30 seniors Severe Mental Illness H 3 group homes $150,000 Upgrade 3 group 1 group home 24 persons homes Developmentally Disabled M 2 group homes $113,179 Upgrade 2group Service: 16 persons homes, Service:16 persons Physically Disabled H 2 facilities, $1,162,623 Upgrade street ADA street Service:880 persons, ramps for ADA, ramps, 1 street ramps, parks – replace playground ADA ADA playgrounds, equipment, public playground , Public buildings facilities, total 26 1 public activities. Service: facility ADA Easter seals clients Persons w/ Alcohol/Other Drug M 1 facility $300,000 Transition housing Addictions for 8 clients Persons w/HIV/AIDS L Victims of Domestic Violence M 1 facility $300,000 Transition housing for 8 clients Abused Children and Youth M Service: 1339 $32,239 1339 children Service:250 children children
TOTAL $2,620,268
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 4/30/2011)
Table 1C Summary of Specific Objectives
Grantee Name: Availability/Accessibility of Decent Housing (DH-1) Specific Objective Source of Year Performance Expected Actual Percent Funds Indicators Number Number Completed DH Build or rehab transitional CDBG 2010 Number of % 1.1 housing with supportive 2011 persons assisted % services for homeless, 2012 with improved % homeless youth, young 2013 access to housing 8 % parents, homeless families, 2014 8 % victims of abuse & others MULTI-YEAR GOAL 16 % Affordability of Decent Housing (DH-2) DH New construction of HOME 2010 Low income % 2.1 housing for frail elderly CDBG 2011 households 30 % very low and low income 2012 assisted with % renters 2013 accessible % 2014 affordable % housing MULTI-YEAR GOAL 30 % Sustainability of Decent Housing (DH-3) DH 2010 % 3.1 2011 % 2012 % 2013 % 2014 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL % Availability/Accessibility of Suitable Living Environment (SL-1) SL Public Facilities ADA CDBG 2010 Number of 6 % 1.1 improvements for 2011 persons assisted 0 % physically disabled 2012 where activity is 6 % 2013 used to meet 6 % 2014 improved quality 6 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL 24 % Availability/Accessibility of Suitable Living Environment (SL-2) SL Public Services for seniors, CDBG 2010 Number of 1354 % 1.1 handicap persons, abused 2011 persons assisted 1115 % and neglected children 2012 with new access 1115 % 2013 or improved 1115 % 2014 access to services 1115 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL 5,814 % Sustainability of Suitable Living Environment (SL-3) SL ADA Street handicap CDBG 2010 Number of 652 % 3.1 ramps 2011 persons assisted 0 % 2012 where activity 1060 % 2013 used to meet a 1060 % 2014 quality standard 1060 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL 3,882 %
Table 1C Summary of Specific Objectives
Grantee Name:
Availability/Accessibility of Economic Opportunity (EO-1) Specific Objective Source of Year Performance Expected Actual Percent Funds Indicators Number Number Completed EO 2005 % 1.1 2006 % 2007 % 2008 % 2009 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL % Affordability of Economic Opportunity (EO-2) EO 2005 % 2.1 2006 % 2007 % 2008 % 2009 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL % Sustainability of Economic Opportunity (EO-3) EO 2005 % 3.1 2006 % 2007 % 2008 % 2009 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL % Neighborhood Revitalization (NR-1) NR 2005 % 1.1 2006 % 2007 % 2008 % 2009 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL % Other (O-1) O 2005 % 1.1 2006 % 2007 % 2008 % 2009 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL % Other (O-2) O 2005 % 2.1 2006 % 2007 % 2008 % 2009 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL %
Table 2A Priority Housing Needs/Investment Plan Table
PRIORITY HOUSING NEEDS Priority Unmet Need (households) 0-30% H Small Related 31-50% H 51-80% M 0-30% L Large Related 31-50% L 51-80% L Renter 0-30% H Elderly 31-50% H 51-80% M 0-30% All Other 31-50% 51-80% 0-30% L Small Related 31-50% H 51-80% H 0-30% L Large Related 31-50% L Owner 51-80% L 0-30% L Elderly 31-50% M 51-80% M 0-30% All Other 31-50% 51-80% Elderly 0-80% H Frail Elderly 0-80% H
Severe Mental Illness 0-80% H
Non-Homeless Physical Disability 0-80% H Special Needs Developmental Disability 0-80% M Alcohol/Drug Abuse 0-80% M HIV/AIDS 0-80% L Victims of Domestic Violence 0-80% M
Table 2A Priority Housing Needs/Investment Plan Goals
Priority Need 5-Yr. Yr. 1 Yr. 2 Yr. 3 Yr. 4 Yr. 5 Goal Goal Goal Goal Goal Goal Plan/Act Plan/Act Plan/Act Plan/Act Plan/Act Plan/Act Renters 0 - 30 of MFI 20 units 20 31 - 50% of MFI 80 16 16 16 16 16 51 - 80% of MFI 200 40 40 40 40 40 Owners 0 - 30 of MFI 3 homes 1 1 1 31 - 50 of MFI 23 4 4 4 5 5 51 - 80% of MFI 78 14 16 16 16 16 Homeless* Individuals 8 units *** 8 Families 8 units** 8 Non-Homeless Special Needs Elderly 5 units 1 1 2 1 Frail Elderly 30 units 30 Severe Mental Illness 3group 1 1 1 homes Physical Disability Developmental Disability 2 group 1 homes Alcohol/Drug Abuse 1 facility 1 transitional housing HIV/AIDS Victims of Domestic Violence 1 facility** 1 transitional housing Total ****Total Section 215 215 Renter 215 Owner * Homeless individuals and families assisted with transitional and permanent housing ** Planning transitional housing with support services for homeless female head of household and female victim of Domestic Violence families *** Planning transitional housing with support services for homeless youth and very young parents. ****HOME and CDBG funding will be used to accomplish these activities. HOME funded activities will have 100% LMI benefit. Table 2A Priority Housing Activities
Priority Need 5-Yr. Yr. 1 Yr. 2 Yr. 3 Yr. 4 Yr. 5 Goal Goal Goal Goal Goal Goal Plan/Act Plan/Act Plan/Act Plan/Act Plan/Act Plan/Act CDBG Acquisition of existing rental units 0 Production of new rental units 30 30 Rehabilitation of existing rental units 140 7 53 30 30 20 Rental assistance 0 Acquisition of existing owner units 13 2 3 2 3 3 Production of new owner units 15 3 3 3 3 3 Rehabilitation of existing owner units 52 15 15 6 11 5 Homeownership assistance 15 3 3 3 3 3 HOME Acquisition of existing rental units 0 Production of new rental units 34 Rehabilitation of existing rental units 0 Rental assistance 0 Acquisition of existing owner units 0 Production of new owner units 24 4 5 5 5 5 Rehabilitation of existing owner units 25 5 5 5 5 5 Homeownership assistance 46 9 8 12 9 8 HOPWA Rental assistance Short term rent/mortgage utility payments Facility based housing development Facility based housing operations Supportive services Other NSP 15 10 4 1 First-time Homebuyer education 1550 310 310 310 310 310 150 33 29 30 28 30
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 4/30/2011) Table 2B Priority Community Development Needs Priority Unmet Dollars to 5 Yr Annual Percent Priority Need Need Level Priority Address Goal Goal Goal Need Need Plan/Act Plan/Act Completed Acquisition of Real Property L Disposition L Clearance and Demolition L Clearance of Contaminated Sites L Code Enforcement L Public Facility (General) H 13 $498,277 12 2 Senior Centers H 4 $53,227 3 Handicapped Centers H 3 $112,800 3 Homeless Facilities L Youth Centers H 7 $345,341 5 1 Neighborhood Facilities M 5 $295,101 5 1 Child Care Centers L Health Facilities L Mental Health Facilities M 4 $226,169 3 1 Parks and/or Recreation Facilities H 13 $449,968 13 4 Parking Facilities L Tree Planting L Fire Stations/Equipment L Abused/Neglected Children Facilities L Asbestos Removal L Non-Residential Historic Preservation L Other Public Facility Needs Infrastructure (General) Water/Sewer Improvements H 2 $392,000 2 1 Street Improvements H 9,026 $699,300 8,686 652 Sidewalks H 6,299 $250,000 6,299 652 Solid Waste Disposal Improvements L Flood Drainage Improvements L Other Infrastructure L Public Services (General) M 16,035 $137,778 16,035 2,656 Senior Services H 1,371 $144,000 1,371 289 Handicapped Services M 872 $113,179 872 815 Legal Services L 600 $13,610 0 Youth Services H 934 $184,366 934 70 Child Care Services H 1,163 $259,875 1,163 353 Transportation Services L Substance Abuse Services L Employment/Training Services L Health Services L Lead Hazard Screening L Crime Awareness M 6,458 $62,500 6,458 Fair Housing Activities L Specialist funded with admin. funds Tenant Landlord Counseling L Abused/Neglected Children Services H 1,139 $32,329 1,139 250 Economic Development (General) L C/I Land Acquisition/Disposition L C/I Infrastructure Development L C/I Building Acq/Const/Rehab L Other C/I L ED Assistance to For-Profit H 40 jobs $278,000 40 jobs 5 jobs ED Technical Assistance L Micro-enterprise Assistance L Other L
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 And Urban Development (Exp. 4/30/2011)
Table 2C Summary of Specific Objectives
Grantee Name: City of Great Falls, Montana Availability/Accessibility of Decent Housing (DH-1) Specific Objective Source of Year Performance Expected Actual Percent Funds Indicators Number Number Completed DH L/M Income Housing; CDBG 2010 Number of 300 0 % 1.1 Homeownership 2011 persons receiving 300 0% Assistance (non direct) 2012 Assistance (non 300 0% 2013 direct) 300 0% 2014 300 0% MULTI-YEAR GOAL 1550 0% Affordability of Decent Housing (DH-2) DH L/M Income Housing; CDBG 2010 Number of L/M 33 0% 1.1 Rehabilitation 2011 households 29 0% Administration Services 2012 Assisted (non 30 0% 2013 direct) 28 0 % 2014 30 0% MULTI-YEAR GOAL 150 0% Affordability of Decent Housing (DH-2) DH L/M Income Housing; CDBG 2010 Affordable 8 0 % 2.1 new construction single HOME 2011 housing units 33 0% family homeownership 2012 constructed – 5 0% and multi-family rental 2013 L/M households 5 0% 2014 assisted 5 0% MULTI-YEAR GOAL 56 0% Affordability of Decent Housing (DH-2) DH L/M Income Housing; CDBG 2010 Affordable 25 0% 2.1 rehabilitation single HOME 2011 housing units 71 0% family and multifamily 2012 rehabilitated – 39 0% homeownership and 2013 L/M households 44 0% rental 2014 assisted 34 0% MULTI-YEAR GOAL 213 0% Affordability of Decent Housing (DH-2) DH L/M Income Housing; 2010 Affordable 9 0% 2.1 Homeownership 2011 homeownership 11 0% Assistance (direct) 2012 housing units 18 0% 2013 purchased - L/M 12 0% 2014 households 11 0% assisted MULTI-YEAR GOAL 61 0% Sustainability of Decent Housing (DH-3) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 MULTI-YEAR GOAL
Availability/Accessibility of Suitable Living Environment (SL-1)
SL Public Facilities: General, CDBG 2010 Number of 8 0 % 1.1 Handicapped Centers, 2011 persons assisted 1 0 % Youth Centers, Park/ 2012 where activity 11 0 % Recreation Facilities, 2013 used to meet a 9 0% Water and Sewer systems 2014 quality standard 9 0% improvements or improved quality for a public facility. MULTI-YEAR GOAL 38 0% Availability/Accessibility of Suitable Living Environment (SL-1) SL Public Services: General, CDBG 2010 Number of 8,248 0% 1.1 seniors, handicapped, 2011 people assisted 8,110 0% legal, youth, child care, 2012 with new or 8,860 0% substance abuse, 2013 improved access 8,400 0% abused/neglected children, 2014 to a service 8,200 0% crime awareness MULTI-YEAR GOAL 41,818 0% Affordability of Suitable Living Environment (SL-2) SL 2010 % 2.1 2011 % 2012 % 2013 % 2014 %
MULTI-YEAR GOAL %
Sustainability of Suitable Living Environment (SL-3) SL Spot Slum and Blight 2010 Improvements for 0 0 % 3.1 2011 historic 1 0% 2012 preservation of 1 0% 2013 blighted or decayed 0 0% public facilities 2014 1 0% MULTI-YEAR GOAL 3 0% Availability/Accessibility of Economic Opportunity (EO-1) Specific Objective Source of Year Performance Expected Actual Percent Funds Indicators Number Number Completed EO L/M Income Jobs CDBG 2010 Rehabilitation or % 1.1 2011 construction of 6 FT jobs 0% 2012 non-residential 0% 2013 property to create 0% 2014 jobs 6 FT jobs 0% MULTI-YEAR GOAL 12 FT 0% jobs Affordability of Economic Opportunity (EO-1) EO L/M CDBG 2010 Assistance to for 5 FT jobs 0% 2.1 2011 profit 5 FT jobs 0% 2012 5 FT jobs 0% 2013 5 FT jobs 0% 2014 5 FT jobs 0% MULTI-YEAR GOAL 25 FT 0% jobs
Sustainability of Economic Opportunity (EO-3) EO 2010 % 3.1 2011 % 2012 % 2013 % 2014 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL % Neighborhood Revitalization (NR-1) NR 2010 % 1.1 2011 % 2012 % 2013 % 2014 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL % Other (O-1) O 2010 % 1.1 2011 % 2012 % 2013 % 2014 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL % Other (O-2) O 2010 % 2.1 2011 % 2012 % 2013 % 2014 % MULTI-YEAR GOAL %
APPENDIX H 2010/2011 Table 3A Summary of Specific Annual Objectives
Object Specific Objectives Sources of Performance Expected Actual Outcome/ # Funds* Indicators Number Objective** Number Rental Housing Objectives 14 City of GF CD Rental Improvement $160,000 7 40 rental units DH-2 Loan Program CDBG program income 12, 14 City of GF CD Rehabilitation Specialist $63,948 7, 9 40 rental units DH-2 CDBG 12 ASI New construction elderly $350,000 7 30 rental units DH-2 accessible HOME Owner Housing Objectives 12, NHS (NeighborWorks Great Falls) $150,000 8 9 housing DH-2 14 Revolving Loan Fund: acquisition, new CDBG units construction, rehabilitation of home for sale to LMI 12, 14 NHS (NeighborWorks Great Falls) OIP, $111,300 8 4 housing DH-2 new construction and down payment HOME units assistance 03 MT Homeownership Network, form $60,000 1 34 housing ROC, upgrade water & sewer CDBG units 14 City of GF CD Deferred Payment Loan $50,000 9 7 low income DH-2 Program CDBG homeowners $210,000 CDBG program income 14 City of GF CD Water/ Sewer Loan $10,000 9 6 low income DH-2 Program CDBG homeowners program income 12 City of GF CD Rehabilitation Specialist $61,755 7, 9 10 housing DH-2 14 CDBG units 03 Habitat for Humanity $19,500 1 3 low income DH-2 CDBG households Homeless Objectives 05 YPEC emergency housing scholarship $20,000 2 1-5 low SL-1 CDBG income households Special Needs Objectives 03 Center for Mental Health $6,176 15 8 disabled SL-1 CDBG persons See other projects funded under Public Services & Public Facilities Objectives Object Specific Objectives Sources of Performance Expected Actual Outcome/ # Funds* Indicators Number Objective** Number Community Development Objectives
Infrastructure Objectives 03 Habitat for Humanity $19,500 1 3 low income SL-1 CDBG households 03 City of GF Public Works sidewalk $47,000 1 3,987 people SL-1 replacement CDBG
03 City of GF Public Works handicap $46,715 1 652 persons SL-1 ramps CDBG
Public Facilities Objectives 03 4 projects addressing handicap $101,738 1 10,827 SL-1 accessibility in public buildings, parks CDBG physically and playgrounds disabled persons 03 2 projects to improve buildings which $115,073 1 13,200 persons SL-1 house non-profit human service agencies CDBG
03 Great Falls Morony Natatorium $21,500 1 600 physically SL-3 Spot Slum and Blight CDBG disabled persons Public Services Objectives 05 4 projects to provide scholarships for $87,200 2 343 children SL-1 children’s programs through non-profit from low human service agencies income families 05 4 projects to purchase items for non- $39,500 2 4010 persons SL-1 profit human service agencies
Economic Development Objectives 18 Great Falls Development Authority $50,000 15 5 FTE jobs for EO-1 low income persons Other Objectives
* All sources of funds are CDBG funds unless otherwise noted. ** Outcome/Objective Codes
Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability Decent Housing DH-1 DH-2 DH-3 Suitable Living Environment SL-1 SL-2 SL-3 Economic Opportunity EO-1 EO-2 EO-3
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide construction and rehabilitation assistance for very low to moderate income homeowners and landlords with very low to moderate income renters to upgrade the City housing stock to provide and sustain safe, affordable housing. Provide decent affordable housing opportunities for very low and low income renters, particularly the elderly and/or disabled
Project Title: Great Falls City Community Development Rehabilitation Specialist
Description: Provide rehab counseling, loan processing, inspections and construction monitoring for all CDBG-funded revolving loan housing programs for low income people. Programs include Deferred Payment, Rental Improvement, Water/Sewer Fund and Historic Preservation.
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: City wide, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $63,948 5 & 6 (12, 14) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME 14H 570.202 HOPWA Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Total Formula 10 570.208(a)(3) Prior Year Funds Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Assisted Housing (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/03/2011 PHA 07/01/2010 Other Funding: Performance Indicator Annual Units CDBG program income $230,500 7 & 9 16 housing & 40 rental units Home/property owner Local ID Units Upon Completion contribution $100,000 Total $394,448
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide construction and rehabilitation assistance for very low to moderate income homeowners and landlords with very low to moderate income renters to upgrade the City housing stock to provide and sustain safe, affordable housing.
Project Title: Great Falls City Community Development Deferred Payment Loan Program
Description: Funds to expand zero-interest loan program which provides assistance to low income homeowners to rehab their homes to provide substantial code upgrades, including electrical, plumbing, egress windows, energy efficiency, windows, roofs and foundations.
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: City wide, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $50,000 5 (14) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME 14H 570.202 HOPWA Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Total Formula 10 570.208(a)(3) Prior Year Funds Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Assisted Housing (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/03/2011 PHA 07/01/2010 Other Funding: Performance Indicator Annual Units CDBG program income $210,000 7 & 9 7 Home/property owner Local ID Units Upon Completion contribution $15,000 Total $275,000
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide construction and rehabilitation assistance for very low to moderate income homeowners and landlords with very low to moderate income renters to upgrade the City housing stock to provide and sustain safe, affordable housing.
Project Title: Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. – CDBG
Description: Revolving loan fund to provide down payment assistance, new construction, purchase and rehabilitation of houses and other activities addressing neighborhood revitalization activities. Program income will be revolved back into loan fund and used to continue the revolving loan fund program.
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: CBDO-designated neighborhoods, Great Falls, Montana.
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $150,000 4 & 5 (12, 14) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME $111,300 12 & 14A 570.201(m) CDBG program income $450,000 Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Other Funding: 10 570.208(a)(3) MBOH 1st mortgage $675,000 Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) CF SHOP $185,215 (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 Family contribution $4,500 07/01/2010 NWGF $180,000 Performance Indicator Annual Units Total $1,756,015 8 9 housing units Local ID Units Upon Completion
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide funding for projects which will create decent paying jobs with benefits for persons from low to moderate income households.
Project Title: Great Falls Development Authority
Description: Expand revolving loan fund to provide gap financing to existing and start-up businesses to create new jobs for person from low to moderate income households
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: 300 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID Local ID Units Upon Completion 7 (18) HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation 18A 570.203(b) Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective CDBG $50,000 Low/mod jobs 570.208(a)(4)(1) ESG Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) HOME (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/03/2011 PHA 07/01/2010 Other Funding: Performance Indicator Annual Units Bank financing $62,500 15 5 full-time jobs Borrower $12,500 Total $125,000
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Boys & Girls Club of Cascade County - Building
Description: Purchase and install energy efficient roof top heating system (with cooling available but not installed) in building which houses programs to serve at-risk youth.
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
st Location/Target Area: 600 1 Avenue Southwest, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 1 (03) CDBG $82,673 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 03D 570.201(c) HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 11 570.208(a)(2) Total Formula Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing 07/01/2010 PHA Performance Indicator Annual Units Other Funding: 1 1,900 children from LI HH Agency match $4,850 Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $87,523
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Center for Mental Health
Description: Renovations at Langel House, a group home for adults with severely disabling mental illness; renovations to include replacing exterior soffit, fascia, metal gutters and downspouts
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
nd Location/Target Area: 1109 2 Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 1 (03) CDBG $6,176 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 14A 570.202 HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 10 570.208(a)(3) Total Formula Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/11 Assisted Housing 07/01/10 PHA Performance Indicator Annual Units Other Funding: 1 8 disabled adult residents Agency match $25,461 Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $31,637
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Children’s Museum of Montana
Description: Renovate interior exhibit room to create handicap accessible restroom, community meeting room, storage area and kitchen area (stage 1)
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: 22 Railroad Square, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $39,250 1 (03) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME 03 570.201(c) HOPWA Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Total Formula 11 570.208(a)(2) Prior Year Funds Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Assisted Housing 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 PHA Performance Indicator Annual Units Other Funding: 1 5,327 physically disabled In-kind donations $40,923 Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $80,173
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Great Falls City Park & Recreation Department—Eagle Falls Golf Course
Description: Renovation to provide handicap accessible restroom in club house at Eagle Falls Golf Course, a public golf course
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
th Location/Target Area: 25 Street North and River Drive, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 1 (03) CDBG $7,500 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 03F 570.201(c) HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 11 570.208(a)(2) Total Formula Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing 07/01/2010 PHA Performance Indicator Annual Units Other Funding: 1 5,327 physically disabled people In-kind Labor $7,065 Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $14,565
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Great Falls City Park & Recreation Department—Morony Natatorium
Description: Replace tile flooring in locker rooms and abate asbestos hazard in basement of public indoor pool facility
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
th Location/Target Area: 111 12 Street North, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 1 (03) CDBG $21,500 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 03F 570.201(c) HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 11 570.208(a)(2) Total Formula Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA 1 600 physically disabled people Other Funding: Local ID Units Upon Completion P&R in-kind match $1,500 Total $23,000
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Great Falls City Public Works Department—Handicap Ramps
Description: Install handicap ramps (curb cuts) to provide handicap accessibility
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
th th nd Location/Target Area: 7 Avenue North from 9 Street to 22 Street and other areas at request of disabled citizens, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 1 (03) CDBG $46,715 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 03K 570.201(c) HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 01 570.208(a)(1) Total Formula Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA 1 652 physically disabled people Other Funding: Local ID Units Upon Completion PW Support Funds $30,000 Total $76,715
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Great Falls City Public Works Department—Sidewalk Replacement
Description: Grant program to provide assistance to low income homeowners to remove and replace hazardous sidewalks
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
nd th st Location/Target Area: Census Tract 7 and 8 (2 Street South to 15 Street South between 1 Avenue South and 10th Avenue South) and other areas at request of low income homeowners, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 1 (03) CDBG $47,000 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 03L 570.202 HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 01 570.208(a)(3) Total Formula Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA 1 3,987 people Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $47,000
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Great Falls Community Food Bank
Description: Upgrade to provide handicap accessible restrooms as part of an overall renovation project at Community Food Bank building
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
th Location/Target Area: 1620 12 Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $38,038 1 (03) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME 03F 570.201(c) HOPWA Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Total Formula 11 570.208(a)(2) Prior Year Funds Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Assisted Housing 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 PHA Performance Indicator Annual Units Other Funding: 1 200 frail elderly/disabled people Private Donations $3,500 Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $41,538
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Habitat for Humanity
Description: Install sewer and water lines, excavate for foundations and install sidewalks and parking pads at sites where single family homes will be constructed for low income people
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
th th th Location/Target Area: 616 5 Avenue South, 1235 8 Avenue Northwest, 707 7 Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 1 (03) CDBG $19,500 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 05R 570.204 HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 04 570.208(a)(3) Total Formula Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA 1 3 very low/low income HH Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $19,500
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Montana Homeownership Network
Description: Upgrade sewer and water lines for Resident Owned Community at a mobile/manufactured home park
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: 3012 Lower River Road, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $60,000 1 (03) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME 03J 570.201(c) HOPWA Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Total Formula 01 570.208(a)(2) Prior Year Funds Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Assisted Housing 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 PHA Performance Indicator Annual Units Other Funding: 1 34 low income homeowners Members $2,880 Local ID Units Upon Completion MCDC $2,000
Total $64,880
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: St. Vincent dePaul
Description: Replace HVAC system at Angel Store, a building which houses free supplies and services for low to moderate income people
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: 500 Central Avenue West, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 1 (03) CDBG $32,400 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 03 570.201(c) HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 11 570.208(a)(2) Total Formula Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA 1 11,300 VLI to LI people Other Funding: Local ID Units Upon Completion Agency $3,600 Total $36,000
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide public facility and infrastructure assistance including ADA handicap accessibility and energy efficiency improvements to provide a suitable living environment
Project Title: Whittier PTA
Description: Purchase and install final phase of handicap accessible playground equipment
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
th Location/Target Area: 305 8 Street North, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $11,000 1 (03) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME 03F 570.201(c) HOPWA Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Total Formula 11 570.208(a)(2) Prior Year Funds Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Assisted Housing 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 PHA Performance Indicator Annual Units Other Funding: 1 300 children from LI HH Agency $9,750 Local ID Units Upon Completion School district labor $26,750 Total $47,500
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons
Project Title: Area VIII Agency on Aging
Description: Purchase food for Meals on Wheels, a home delivery meal program for seniors who are handicapped or unable to prepare meals
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: City wide, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 3 (05)
HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation CDBG $25,000 05A 570.201(e) ESG Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOME 01 570.208(a)(2) Other Funding (agency Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) not project): (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 DPHHS State Grant $145,672 07/01/2010 Local Match $76,200 Performance Indicator Annual Units Cash-State $40,000 2 289 elderly people United Way $33,800 Local ID Units Upon Completion Medicaid Reimburse $18,000 Donations $145,000 Total $483,472
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide support to public service agencies operating program that benefit income persons
Project Title: Boys & Girls Club of Cascade County - Scholarships
Description: Recreational/educational scholarships for summer program for children from low income families
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
th th Location/Target Area: 1722 Chowen Springs Loop, 305 8 Street North & 1100 6 Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID HOME 3 (05) HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation Other Funding: $19,600 05D 570.201(e) Program Fees $16,500 Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective 21st Century $6,000 01 570.208(a)(2) Gerhart Foundation $16,000 Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) ARRA funds $15,000 (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 United Way $5,100 07/01/2010 Donations $3,000 Performance Indicator Annual Units Summer Food Program $16,000 2 70 children from LMI HH Total $131,820 Local ID Units Upon Completion
CDBG $34,620 ESG
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons
Project Title: CASA-CAN Children’s Advocate Network
Description: Purchase computer and volunteer training materials and provide continuing education and training conference expenses to expand volunteer program which provides advocates for abused and neglected children in the legal system
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
nd Location/Target Area: 415 2 Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 3 (05) CDBG $4,600 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation 05N 570.201(e) ESG Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOME 01 570.208(a)(2) HOPWA Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Total Formula (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 Prior Year Funds 07/01/2010 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA 2 250 children from LMI HH Other Funding: Local ID Units Upon Completion VOCA & other grants $8,400 Total $13,000
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons
Project Title: Family Connections
Description: Child care scholarships for children from low income families
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
nd Location/Target Area: 202 2 Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 3 (05) CDBG $15,000 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation 05L 570.201(e) ESG Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOME 01 570.208(a)(2) HOPWA Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Total Formula (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 Prior Year Funds 07/01/2010 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA 2 24 people from LMI HH Other Funding: Local ID Units Upon Completion Agency match $700 Total $15,700
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons
Project Title: Great Falls City Park & Recreation Department—Community Recreation Center Scholarships
Description: Scholarships for children from low income families to attend after school child care program, summer camp programs and lifeguard certification programs
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
nd th Location/Target Area: 801 2 Avenue North & 111 12 Street North, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 3 (05) CDBG $7,900 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 05D & O5L 570.201(e) HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 01 570.208(a)(2) Total Formula Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing 07/01/2010 PHA Performance Indicator Annual Units Other Funding: 2 16 children from LI HH Program Fees $16,875 Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $24,775
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons
Project Title: HANDS, Inc.
Description: Child care scholarships for children from low income families
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: Program offered at all Great Falls elementary schools, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $29,680 3 (05) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME 05L 570.201(e) HOPWA Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Total Formula 01 570.208(a)(2) Prior Year Funds Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Assisted Housing (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 PHA 07/01/2010 Other Funding: Performance Indicator Annual Units AAUW Funds $2,000 2 233 children from LI HH Private Donations $300 Local ID Units Upon Completion Registration Fees $15,000 District In-Kind $27,000 Total $73,980
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons
Project Title: Paris Gibson Square
Description: Purchase class supplies, curriculum materials and instructional training to provide art classes for people with physical disabilities
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
st Location/Target Area: 1400 1 Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 3 (05) CDBG $3,500 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 05 570.201(e) HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA 01 570.208(a)(2) Total Formula Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/11 Assisted Housing 07/01/10 PHA Performance Indicator Annual Units Other Funding: 2 815 phy disabled/elderly people Private grant $7,889 Local ID Units Upon Completion Agency In-kind $23,758 Total $35,147
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons
Project Title: Rural Dynamics, Inc.
Description: Purchase 10 laptop computers for Tax Help Montana program to provide assistance with income tax returns of primarily low to moderate income people
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: 2022 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 3 (05) CDBG $6,400 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation 05 570.201(e) ESG Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOME 01 570.208(a)(2) HOPWA Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Total Formula (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/11 Prior Year Funds 07/01/10 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA 2 2,656 adults Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $6,400
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide support to public service agencies operating programs that benefit low income persons
Project Title: Young Parents Education Center
Description: Day care scholarships and emergency housing scholarships for low income teen or young adult parents completing high school or GED programs
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: 2400 Central Avenue, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID 7 CDBG $20,000 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 05L 570.201(e) HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA Total Formula 01 570.208(a)(2) Prior Year Funds Start Date Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Assisted Housing (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2011 PHA 07/01/2010 Other Funding: Performance Indicator Annual Units Food program $5,500 2 40 LI parents & 40 infants GF School District $13,296 Local ID Units Upon Completion Child Care Block Grant $54,000 United Way $36,600 Total $129,396
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs.
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Administer the City’s CDBG and HOME programs within the federal guidelines, regulations and requirements to ensure continued funding. Activities work toward meeting all identified priority needs.
Project Title: Community Development Block Grant Program Administration
Description: General oversight, promotion, financial accountability, monitoring, reporting and coordination of the CDBG program, including activities to further fair housing and the Continuum of Care for Homelessness
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: Citywide, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $195,600 HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 21A 570.206 HOME Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA Total Formula Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA
Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $195,600
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide construction and rehabilitation assistance for very low to moderate income homeowners and landlords with very low to moderate income renters to upgrade the City housing stock to provide and sustain safe, affordable housing. Provide decent affordable housing opportunities for very low and low income renters, particularly the elderly and/or disabled
Project Title: Accessible Space, Inc.
Description: New construction of a 30 unit apartment complex to serve seniors and/or frail elderly
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: 1700 Division Road, Great Falls, Montana.
Objective Number Project ID CDBG 5 & 6 (12, 14) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME $350,000 12 & 14A 570.201(m) Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Other Funding: 10 570.208(a)(3) HUD $3,094,300 Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) HUD 202 $250,000 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 FHLB Seattle $145,000 Performance Indicator Annual Units Other $596,914 8 30 rental units Total $4,436,214 Local ID Units Upon Completion
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Provide direct First-time Homebuyer assistance for low to moderate income families. Provide construction and rehabilitation assistance for very low to moderate income homeowners and landlords with very low to moderate income renters to upgrade the City housing stock to provide and sustain safe, affordable housing.
Project Title: Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. – HOME
Description: Owners in Partnership Program XVIII for new construction or rehabilitation of single family homes affordable to low income families and down payment and closing cost assistance for low income first time home buyers.
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: Citywide, Great Falls, Montana.
Objective Number Project ID CDBG $150,000 4 & 5 (12, 14) ESG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation HOME $111,300 12 & 14A 570.201(m) HOME program income $70,000 Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective Other Funding: 10 570.208(a)(3) MBOH 1st mortgage $675,000 Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) CF SHOP $185,215 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 Family contribution $4,500 Performance Indicator Annual Units NWGF $180,000 8 4 housing units Total $1,376,015 Local ID Units Upon Completion
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs
U.S. Department of Housing OMB Approval No. 2506-0117 and Urban Development (Exp. 8/31/2008)
Table 3C Consolidated Plan Listing of Projects
Jurisdiction’s Name: City of Great Falls
Priority Need: Administer the City’s CDBG and HOME programs within the federal guidelines, regulations and requirements to ensure continued funding. Activities work toward meeting all identified priority needs.
Project Title: Home Investment Partnership Program Administration
Description: General oversight, promotion, financial accountability, monitoring, reporting and coordination of the HOME program
Objective category: Suitable Living Environment Decent Housing Economic Opportunity Outcome category: Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability
Location/Target Area: Citywide, Great Falls, Montana
Objective Number Project ID CDBG HUD Matrix Code CDBG Citation ESG 21A 570.206 HOME $43,801 Type of Recipient CDBG National Objective HOPWA Total Formula Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Completion Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Prior Year Funds 07/01/2010 06/30/2011 Assisted Housing Performance Indicator Annual Units PHA
Local ID Units Upon Completion Total $43,801
The primary purpose of the project is to help: the Homeless Persons with HIV/AIDS Persons with Disabilities Public Housing Needs .
2010/2011 USE OF FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
Affordable Housing
Requested Recommended
GREAT FALLS CITY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – $63,948 $63,948 REHABILITATION SPECIALIST Provision of rehab counseling, loan processing, inspections and construction monitoring for all CDBG-funded City revolving loan housing programs for low income people
CITY OF GREAT FALLS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – $100,000 $50,000 DEFERRED PAYMENT LOAN PROGRAM Funds to expand zero-interest loan program which provides assistance to low income homeowners to rehab their homes to provide substantial code upgrades, including electrical, plumbing, egress windows, energy efficiency, windows, roofs and foundations
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES, INC. $150,000 $150,000 Revolving loan fund to provide down payment assistance, new construction, purchase and rehabilitation of houses and other activities addressing neighborhood revitalization activities in their CBDO-designated neighborhoods
Economic Development
GREAT FALLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY $50,000 $50,000 Expand revolving loan fund to provide gap financing to existing and start-up businesses to create new jobs for persons from low/ moderate income households, agency located at 300 Central Avenue
Public Facility Improvements
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CASCADE COUNTY $82,673 $82,673 Purchase and install energy efficient roof top heating system (with cooling available but not installed) in building located at 600 1st Avenue Southwest which has programs to serve at-risk youth
CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH $49,212 $6,176 Renovations at Langel House, a group home for adults with severely disabling mental illness, located at 1109 2nd Avenue North; renovations to include replacing soffits, fascia, gutter, downspouts; attic insulation; exterior siding and windows Fund exterior soffit, fascia, metal gutter and downspout replacement
Requested Recommended
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MONTANA $100,900 $39,250 Renovate interior exhibit room to create community meeting room and two handicap accessible restrooms in museum located at 22 Railroad Square; renovations to include installing new HVAC, plumbing, electrical, flooring, walls, signage and equipment Fund renovations to include handicap accessible meeting room, bathroom, storage area & kitchen area (stage 1)
GREAT FALLS CITY PARK & RECREATION—EAGLE FALLS $42,350 $7,500 GOLF COURSE Purchase adaptive golf cart and renovate to provide handicap accessible restrooms in club house and on public golf course at Eagle Falls Golf Course located at 25th Street North Fund club house handicap accessible restrooms
GREAT FALLS CITY PARK & RECREATION—GIBSON PARK $20,000 $0 PHASE II Second phase of installing handicap accessible sidewalks in community park located at Park Drive and 4th Street North, sidewalks to extend from Gibson Park Flower Garden to Vinegar Jones Historic Cabin and from Flower Garden to Park Drive
GREAT FALLS CITY PARK & RECREATION—MORONY $238,455 $21,500 NATATORIUM Replace existing boiler with energy efficient boiler system in newly constructed outbuilding, replace tile flooring in locker rooms and abate asbestos hazards in basement at public pool facility located at 111 12th Street North Fund tile flooring and asbestos abatement
GREAT FALLS CITY PARK & RECREATION—PINSKI PARK $35,500 $0 PARK Purchase and install handicap accessible play structure and borders for play area at park located at 46th Street and 6th Avenue South
GREAT FALLS CITY PUBLIC WORKS—HANDICAP RAMPS $75,000 $46,715 Install handicap ramps (curb cuts) to provide handicap accessibility on 7th Avenue North from 9th Street to 22nd Street and other areas at request of disabled citizens
GREAT FALLS CITY PUBLIC WORKS— $50,000 $47,000 SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT Grant program to provide assistance to low income homeowners to remove and replace hazardous sidewalks in Census Tract 7 and 8 (2nd Street South to 15th Street South between 1st Avenue South and 10th Avenue South) and other areas at request of low income homeowners
Requested Recommended
GREAT FALLS COMMUNITY FOOD BANK $38,038 $38,038 Upgrade to provide handicap accessible public restrooms at the facility located at 1620 12th Avenue North, project is part of an overall renovation project
GREAT FALLS SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER $60,000 $0 Replace roof of facility located at 1004 Central Avenue which houses programs to serve the elderly See Montana Homeownership Network project
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY $22,480 $19,500 Install sewer and water lines, excavate for foundation and install sidewalks and parking pads at 616 5th Avenue South and 1235 8th Avenue Northwest; install sidewalk and parking pad at 707 7th Avenue South Fund 616 5th Avenue South & 1235 8th Avenue Northwest
MONTANA HOMEOWNERSHIP NETWORK $116,000 $60,000 Upgrade water and sewer lines for Resident Owned Community at mobile/manufactured home park located at 3012 Lower River Road Funding contingent on obtaining other identified funding; if project does not occur full amount to go to Senior Citizens Center for roof replacement
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL $46,435 $32,400 Renovate Angel Store, a building located at 500 Central Avenue West, which houses free supplies and services for low to moderate income people; renovations to include replacing HVAC systems, store front windows and ballast and lighting system Fund HVAC, with any remaining funds used for windows or lighting
WHITTIER PTA $17,000 $11,000 Purchase and install final phase of handicap accessible playground equipment at east playground of Whittier Elementary School located at 305 8th Street North
Public Service Activities
AREA VIII AGENCY ON AGING $25,000 $25,000 Purchase food for Meals on Wheels, a citywide home delivery meal program for seniors who are handicapped or unable to prepare meals
Requested Recommended
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CASCADE COUNTY $34,620 $34,620 Recreational/educational scholarships for summer program for children from low income families; programs at Great Falls Housing Authority (1722 Chowen Springs Loop), Whittier School (305 8th Street North) and Longfellow School (1100 6th Avenue South)
CASA-CAN CHILDREN’S ADVOCATE NETWORK $6,100 $4,600 Purchase computer and volunteer training materials and provide continuing education and training conference expenses to expand volunteer program located at 415 2nd Avenue North which provides advocates for abused and neglected children in the legal system Fund training materials, continuing education & conference training expenses
FAMILY CONNECTIONS $15,000 $15,000 Provide child care scholarships for low to moderate income families; program administered through agency located at 202 2nd Avenue South
GREAT FALLS CITY MANSFIELD CENTER $8,760 $0 Purchase and install transmitters and supply receivers to provide assisted listening system for handicap accessibility at Mansfield Center theater located at 2 Park Drive South
GREAT FALLS CITY PARK & RECREATION— $7,900 $7,900 COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER Provide scholarships for low income children for after school child care program, summer camp programs and lifeguard certification; programs offered at community center located at 801 2nd Avenue North and Morony Natatorium located at 111 12th Street North
HANDS, INC. $30,000 $29,680 Provide child care scholarships for children from low income families; program offered at all Great Falls elementary schools
PARIS GIBSON SQUARE $5,796 $3,500 Purchase class supplies, curriculum materials and instructional training to provide art classes for people with physical disabilities at museum located at 1400 1st Avenue North Fund supplies and materials
RURAL DYNAMICS, INC. $13,035 $6,400 Purchase 10 laptop computers for Tax Help Montana program to provide assistance with income tax returns of primarily low to moderate income people, agency located at 2022 Central Avenue
Requested Recommended
YOUNG PARENTS EDUCATION CENTER $20,000 $20,000 Provide day care scholarships and emergency housing scholarships for very low to low income teen or young adult parents completing high school or GED programs; programs located at alternative high school at 2400 Central Avenue
Administration
CDBG PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION $195,600 $195,600 General oversight, promotion, financial accountability, monitoring, reporting, and coordination of the CDBG program including activities to further fair housing and the Continuum of Care for Homelessness
TOTAL CDBG FUNDING REQUESTED $1,719,802 TOTAL CDBG FUNDING RECOMMENDATION $1,068,000 TOTAL ANTICIPATED CDBG GRANT $1,007,629 TOTAL CDBG FUNDING AVAILABLE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS $60,371 TOTAL AVAILABLE CDBG GRANT FUNDS $1,068,000
2010/2011 USE OF FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Requested Recommended
ACCESSIBLE SPACE, INC. $350,000 $350,000 New construction of a 30 unit apartment complex (including one unit for on-site caretaker) to serve seniors and/or frail elderly to be located at 1700 Division Road
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES, INC. $400,000 $111,300 Owners in Partnership XVIII—construct and rehabilitate single family houses and provide down payment and closing cost assistance for low income home buyers on citywide basis
HOME PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION $45,700 $43,801 General oversight, management, promotion, financial accountability, monitoring, and coordination of the HOME program
TOTAL HOME FUNDING REQUESTED $795,700 TOTAL HOME FUNDING RECOMMENDATION $505,101 TOTAL ANTICIPATED HOME GRANT $438,016 TOTAL HOME FUNDING AVAILABLE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS $67,085 TOTAL AVAILABLE HOME FUNDS $505,101
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN For the City of Great Falls Neighborhood Stabilization Program With Sub-recipient: Neighborhood Housing Services of Great Falls
I. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
The City of Great Falls (the City) is an incorporated city with a City Manager form of government. The following persons will have lead responsibility for administering the City's FY 09 Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) project related to the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed properties to be occupied by low, moderate and middle income persons, as identified in NSP Contract MT-NSP-HR09-01
Greg Doyen, as the City Manager, will have responsibility for all official contacts with the Montana Department of Commerce (MDOC) and the ultimate responsibility for the management of project activities and expenditure of NSP funds. The approval of all contracts will be the responsibility of the City Manager. The City manager may delegate management responsibility to the Program Oversight Manager.
Melissa Kinzler, Assistant Director of Fiscal Services, will be responsible for management of, and accounting for, the NSP funds. The sub-recipients will be responsible for management of, and record keeping for, the NSP funds and all other funds involved in the financing of the elements of this project.
Chris Imhoff, Director of the City CDBG and HOME Programs, will be designated as Program Oversight Manager and be responsible for overall project management and reporting and for assuring compliance with the NSP-approved scope of work for the project, with duties listed in the NSP contract and in the NSP Manual for compliance with applicable federal and State requirements. The Program Oversight Manager will serve as the City's liaison with MDOC for the project.
Melanie Lattin, City Grants Assistant, will serve as the Environmental review officer for the NSP projects.
The City Attorney, as the City's legal counsel, will review and advise the Commission and Manager regarding any proposed contractual agreements associated with the NSP project and will provide any other legal guidance as requested.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Great Falls (NHS), as Project Manager, will be responsible for construction-related activities including selection of homes, scope of work, preparation of bids, selection of contractors and oversight of the work, construction inspections, construction compliance, scheduling and assisting with draw down requests in close coordination with the City of Great Falls Program Oversight Manager. Furthermore NHS will be responsible for selling homes to low income households and handling loan processing and management.
The Program Oversight Manager and respective Project Managers will attend the required MDOC NSP Project Administration Workshop.
II. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
A. The Program Oversight Manager will be responsible for: Page 2
1. Being familiar with the current CDBG/ SP Grant Administration Manual and its requirements and for assuring compliance with the NSP contract and with NSP policies for project activities and administration.
2. Preparing the environmental review to assure full compliance with the National and Montana Environmental Policy Acts, completion of the statutory checklist, and any other applicable environmental requirements will be carried out by the Grants Assistant. Her duties will also include: securing State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) clearance for housing demolition activities either by district designation or by the review of individual housing units, preparing any legal notices required to be published for the environmental review process and conducting any required public hearings or informational meetings.
3. Assuring compliance with applicable civil rights requirements, including presentation of equal employment opportunity resolutions and fair housing resolutions which have been adopted by the city, and an ADA-related inventory/assessment of public facilities (and an ADA Transition Plan) that is required by NSP.
4. Attending City Commission meetings to provide project status reports when requested and representing the NSP project at any other public meetings, as deemed necessary by the City Manager.
5. Preparing a request for release of funds to MDOC.
6. Developing a contract with MDOC and assisting the City with all requirements related to effective project start-up and implementation.
7. With the assistance of the Project Manager, preparing the NSP Requests for Payment and Status of Funds Report (“drawdown requests”) to be submitted to MDOC/NSP. All drawdown requests will be signed by two of the three following persons: Assistant City Manager, Director Community Development Department, and Program Oversight Manager.
8. Establishing and maintaining complete and accurate project files and preparing all documentation needed, the Quarterly Project Update Reports (Exhibit 4-N) required by NSP, and reports incidental to administration of the grant such as Progress Reports (Exhibit 4-F) that are required with each request for a drawdown of NSP funds.
9. Preparing the final financial reports and other reports needed for project closeout.
B. The Project Manager will be responsible for:
1. Being familiar with the current CDBG/NSP Grant Administration Manual and its requirements and for assuring compliance with the NSP contract and with NSP policies for project activities and administration.
Page 3
2. Reviewing all proposed project expenditures or requests for payment to ensure their propriety and to ensure proper allocation of expenditures to the NSP contract budget.
3. In cooperation with the Program Oversight Manager, processing payment requests and preparing drawdown requests to MDOC (including the Request for Payment, the Status of Funds Report and the Project Progress Report that are required with each drawdown request, as identified in Chapter 4 of the CDBG Manual).
4. Monitoring contractor(s)' compliance with applicable requirements.
5. Assuring compliance with HUD Section 8 Quality Assurance Standards when applicable to housing rehabilitation activities.
6. Developing and administering a mechanism for compliance with HUD lead-based paint requirements and safe lead-based paint working conditions, where applicable.
7. Supervising the delivery of the housing rehabilitation portion of this project as related to the purchase and rehabilitation of foreclosed properties to be occupied by low, moderate and middle income persons -- i.e., supervising and managing NSP financial assistance to households having an income at or below 50% LMI: a) Operating the Homeownership Center, staffed to provide homebuyer education, individual homeownership planning, down payment loans, and post-purchase assistance. b) Performing public information activities including preparation of newspaper advertisements and articles regarding the project, posters and radio notices. c) Negotiating with private lenders and public agencies to stimulate additional affordable housing investment in the project area. d) Coordinating services with other agencies (such as utility companies, Opportunities, Incorporated, Senior Citizens Center and the Area Agency on Aging, the City-County Health Department, Habitat for Humanity and the County Office of Public Assistance) to achieve maximum impact upon the housing needs of low, moderate, and middle income households in the project area. e) Conducting informational meetings for contractors and preparing lists of eligible contractors; and f) Ensuring that proper inspections are performed, required permits, including zoning, are obtained, and lien waivers signed.
C. Neighborhood Housing Services will be responsible for documentation and record keeping:
1. NHS shall maintain client data containing client ethnicity and demonstrating client eligibility for services provided. The NHS agrees to provide the City with all non- duplicated information required. This report is due quarterly throughout the NSP contract unless otherwise specified by the City.
2. NHS understands that client information collected under this contract is private and the use or disclosure of such information, when not directly connected with the administration of the City’s or NHS's responsibilities with respect to services provided under this contract, is prohibited. Page 4
3. NHS shall maintain real property inventory records which clearly identify properties purchased, improved or sold. Properties retained shall continue to meet eligibility criteria and shall conform with the "changes in use" restrictions specified in 24 CFR Parts 570.503(b)(8), as applicable.
4. All NHS records with respect to any matters covered by this Agreement shall be made available to the City and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development hereinafter referred to as HUD, at any time during normal business hours, as often as the City or HUD deems necessary, to audit, examine, and make excerpts or transcripts of all relevant data. Any deficiencies noted in audit reports must be fully cleared by NHS within 30 days after receipt by the NHS. Failure of NHS to comply with the above audit requirements will constitute a violation of this contract and may result in the withholding of future payments.
5. NHS shall maintain project files for each house newly constructed or rehabilitated, including: (a) acquisition documentation including buy-sell agreement, appraisal, closing papers, voluntary sale agreement and deed of trust; (b) sub-contractor selection criteria, copy of contract between NHS and contractor(s), documentation for all necessary licenses and permits, site visit/inspection reports (including final inspection), change orders, and approved contractor invoices for payment (with NHS sign-off); and (c) the assistance agreement between the property purchaser and NHS (along with repayment/recapture provisions), documentation of liens and any other forms of security.
6. NHS will maintain appropriate information regarding those persons displaced or temporarily relocated (per requirements of HUD Handbook 1378, Chapter 6).
7. NHS will maintain these and other program and financial records in accordance with the general requirements for record-keeping in this Agreement.
D. Neighborhood Housing Services will carry out the activities under this management Plan in compliance with all Federal laws and regulations as described in 24 CFR 570 Subpart K. (1) 570.600, General; (2) 570.601, Public Law 88-352 and Public Law 90-284; affirmatively furthering fair housing; Executive Order 11063; 99 (3) 570.602, Section 109 of the Act; (4) 570.603, Labor Standards; (5) 570.604, Environmental Standards; (6) 570.605, National Flood Insurance Program; (7) 570.606, Displacement, Relocation, Acquisition, and Replacement of Housing; (8) 570.607, Employment and Contracting Opportunities; (9) 570.608, Lead-Based Paint; (10) 570.609, Use of Debarred, Suspended or Ineligible Contractors or Subrecipients; (11) 570.610, Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles; (12) 570.611, Conflict of Interest; (13) 570.612, Executive Order 12372; and (14) 570.613, Eligibility Restrictions for Certain Resident Aliens.
Page 5
III. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
A. The Assistant Director of Fiscal Services will be responsible for:
1. Based on claims and supporting documents approved by the project manager and provided to the oversight manager, the city Accounts Payable will issue warrants to pay for NSP project expenses from the existing City HUD account. NSP draws from the state will only be based upon reimbursement for NSP expenses already paid by the city.
2. Entering all project transactions into the City's existing accounting system (BARS).
3. Insuring proper annual audit of NSP funds.
4. With the assistance of the Oversight Manager, preparing the final city financial accounting reports for the use of the NSP grant.
B. The Program Oversight Manager will review all proposed expenditures of NSP funds and will prepare drawdown requests, which will be signed by the officials cited above. All disbursements will be handled in accordance with the City's established procedures for reviewing claims.
C. Financial record keeping will be done in conformance with the recommendations described in Chapter 4 of the Montana CDBG/NSP Grants Administration Manual. The original financial documents (claims with attached supporting material) will be retained in the City's offices. Loan documents will be maintained in the Neighborhood Housing Service’s offices.
1. NHS affirms that 95 percent of all expenditures of NSP funds (including program income) for City of Great Falls Phase I activities will benefit households having incomes at or below 50% AMI as defined by HUD. The Grantee further agrees that all NSP expenditures (including program income) will be expended for activities that will meet at least one of the NSP national objectives.
a. The City will monitor the NHS's NSP expenditures and has the discretion to discontinue payments and/or cancel further grant activities if the NHS fails to comply with this percentage of benefit.
b. The City may (at its discretion) demand repayment by NHS for all NSP funds expended on projects that were originally categorized by NHS as benefiting lower income households but subsequently failed to meet the required qualifications. This payback must come from non-NSP funds.
2. NHS shall comply with the requirements and standards of OMB Circular No. A-122, "Cost Principles for Non Profit Organizations" as applicable, and with the following Attachments to OMB Circular No. A-110:
a. "Cash Depositories", except for paragraph 4 concerning deposit insurance; b. "Bonding and Insurance"; Page 6
c. "Retention and Custodial Requirements for Records" d. "Standards for Financial Management Systems"; e. "Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance," Paragraph 2; f. "Property Management Standards"; g. "Procurement Standards".
D. Hourly time sheets will be maintained by the Project Manager to document all time worked on the NSP project for NSP administrative costs.
E. Program Income
1. The City's housing and neighborhood revitalization project will generate some NSP “Program Income” from loan repayments and the sale of the sites of unsafe, abandoned property acquired and demolished through the NSP project. Any Program Income received from these sources will be deposited in the Neighborhood Housing Services fund for NSP Program Income. Any Program Income received prior to project closeout will be used to assist additional LMI households with housing rehabilitation needs. The use of Program Income received after project closeout will be limited to those activities eligible under the NSP program and will be determined by the Program Oversight Manager and Neighborhood Housing Services.
2. Program Income Activities
a. NHS agrees that all provisions of this Agreement shall apply to all activities which are undertaken with NSP generated program income.
b. NHS hereby agrees that only the following activities will be undertaken with NSP program income during the period of this agreement: (i) homebuyer DPA and mortgage buy down loans (ii) rehabilitation of NHS-owned foreclosed properties (iii) rehabilitation service (iv) acquisition of foreclosed properties (v) administration
3. Recording Program Income NHS agrees that the receipt and expenditure of program income as defined in 24 CFR 570.500(a) shall be recorded as part of the financial transactions of this grant.
4. Disposition of Program Income by the Grantee The City and NHS hereby agree that all program income as noted in 1 above is to be retained by the NHS under the following conditions:
a. Program income in the form of repayments to, or interest earned on, a revolving fund as described in 24 CFR 570.500(b) shall be: 1) disbursed from the fund before additional cash drawdowns are requested from the City for the same activity;
Page 7
2) placed in an interest-bearing account with any interest earned by these funds while on deposit in the account to be remitted to the U.S. Treasury annually. b. All other program income shall be disbursed for other eligible NSP activities before additional cash drawdowns are requested from the City. c. Program income on hand at the time of grant closeout shall continue to be subject to all eligibility requirements in this Agreement until it is expended. d. Unless otherwise provided in any grant closeout agreement, and subject to all requirements of this Agreement, income received after closeout shall not be governed by the provisions of this part, except that, if at the time of closeout the recipient has another ongoing NSP grant received directly from HUD, funds received after closeout shall be treated as program income of the ongoing grant programs. e. If the recipient does not have another ongoing grant received directly from HUD at the time of closeout, income received after closeout from the disposition of real property or from loans outstanding at the time of closeout shall not be governed by the
provisions of this part, except that such income shall be used for activities that meet one of the national objectives detailed in 24 CFR 570.208 and shall meet all eligibility requirements. f. The City hereby authorizes NHS the right to sell loans to NHS's secondary market--namely Neighborhood Housing Services of America. These proceeds are also considered program income and NHS must follow all applicable guidelines regarding these funds.
APPENDIX J City of Great Falls, Montana 2010/2011 Annual Action Plan Planned Project Results Outcomes and Performance Expected Activity Objectives* Indicators Number Description DH-2 # of units brought from 6 housing units City of GF Community substandard to standard Development Water/Sewer condition Program: city wide no-interest # of units occupied by elderly loan program for homeowners to (9-Owner occupied units construct or replace water and rehabilitated or improved) sewer lines DH-2 # of units brought from 7 housing units City of GF Community substandard to standard Development Deferred Payment condition Program: city wide no-interest # of units occupied by elderly loan program for homeowners to # of units brought into address substandard conditions compliance with lead safe housing rule (9-Owner occupied units rehabilitated or improved) DH-2 # of affordable units 40 rental units City of GF Community #of units brought from Development Rental substandard to standard Improvement Loan Program: city condition wide no-interest loan program for # of units brought into property owners to make code- compliance with lead safe related repairs to rental property housing rule (7-Rental units rehabilitated) DH-2 # of affordable units 16 housing units City of GF Community #of units brought from 40 rental units Development Rehabilitation substandard to standard Specialist: provide rehab condition (same as noted in counseling, loan processing, # of units occupied by elderly above 3programs) inspections and construction # of units brought into monitoring for all CDBG-funded compliance with lead safe revolving loan housing programs housing rule for low income people (7-Rental units rehabilitated) (9-Owner occupied units rehabilitated or improved) DH-2 # of affordable units 9 housing units Neighborhood Housing Services # qualified as Energy Star (NeighborWorks Great Falls): # of households previously affordable housing activities living in subsidized housing (CDBG) # of units brought into compliance with lead safe housing rule (8-Homeownership units constructed, acquired, or acquired with rehabilitation) DH-2, SL-1 # of affordable units 34 housing units Montana Homeownership # of households previously network : ROC affordable living in subsidized housing housing activities sewer & water # of units brought into (CDBG) compliance with lead safe housing rule (9-Owner occupied units rehabilitated or improved Outcomes and Performance Expected Activity Objectives Indicators Number Description
DH-2 # of affordable units 4 housing units Neighborhood Housing Services # qualified as Energy Star (NeighborWorks Great Falls): # of households previously OIP & down payment assistance living in subsidized housing (HOME) # of units brought into compliance with lead safe housing rule (8-Homeownership units constructed, acquired, or acquired with rehabilitation) DH-2 # of affordable units 30 rental units Accessible Space, Inc. will build a # of units occupied by elderly new HUD 202, 30 unit apartment # qualified as Energy Star complex to serve seniors and/or frail elderly DH-2 # of affordable units 3 households Habitat for Humanity: water and # of households previously sewer lines, foundation living in subsidized housing excavation, sidewalks and parking (8-Homeownership units pads (CDBG) constructed, acquired, or acquired with rehabilitation)
EO-1 # of jobs 5 jobs GF Development Authority: # of jobs having employer- expand revolving loan fund to sponsored health care provide gap financing to create (15-Jobs created) new jobs for persons from LMI households (CDBG)
SL-1 # of persons assisted where 8 disabled persons Center for Mental Health: replace activity used to meet a quality exterior soffit, fascia, metal standard or measurably gutters and downspouts in improved quality transitional living facility for (1-Public facilities activity) people with severely disabling mental illness (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted where 1,900 LMI children Boys & Girls Club: purchase and activity used to meet a quality install energy efficient roof top standard or measurably heating system in building which improved quality houses program to serve at –risk (1-Public facilities activity) youth (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted with 5,327 physically Children’s Museum of Montana improved access to a facility disabled people renovate upstairs to include ADA (1-Public facility activities) accessible meeting room and bathroom (CDBG) 5,327 physically GF City Park & Recreation Dept- SL-1 # of persons assisted with disabled people Eagle Falls Golf Course: provide improved cases to a facility ADA bathroom in club house (1-Public facility activities) (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted with 5,327 physically GF City Park & Recreation Dept- improved access to a facility disabled people Morony Natatorium; replace (1-Public facility activities) locker room flooring and abate asbestos hazard in basement (CDBG)
Outcomes and Performance Expected Activity Objectives Indicators Number Description
# of persons assisted where 3,987 people GF City Public Works Dept- SL-1 activity used to meet a quality sidewalk replacement for low standard or measurably income homeowners in targeted improved quality LMI census tracts/block groups (1-Public facilities activity) (CDBG)
SL-1 # of persons assisted where 652 physically GF City Public Works Dept- activity used to meet a quality disabled people handicap ramps standard or measurably (CDBG) improved quality (1-Public facility activities) SL-1 # of persons assisted with 200 frail/elderly Great Falls Community Food improved access to a facility persons Bank: provide ADA bathroom (1-Public facility activities) (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted where 11,300 people St. Vincent De Paul Angel Store: activity used to meet a quality replace HVAC, store front standard or measurably windows, and ballast and lighting improved quality at building which houses free (1-Public facility activities) supplies and services for very low to low income persons (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted where 300 disabled Whittier PTA: handicap activity used to meet a quality children/children accessible playground equipment standard or measurably from low income (CDBG) improved quality households (1-Public facilities activity)
SL-1 # of persons assisted with 289 elderly & Area VIII Aging on Aging: home new access to a service handicapped persons delivery meal program for elderly (2-Public service activities) (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted with 70 children from Boys & Girls Club: recreational/ new access to a service LMI households educational scholarships for (2-Public service activities) children from low income families (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted with 250 children from CASA-CAN: computer, camera, improved access to a service LMI households training manuals, speaker fees, (2-Public service activities) conference expenses for volunteer program for advocates for abused and neglected children in the legal system (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted with 24 children from low Family Connections: child care new access to a service income households scholarships for low income (2-Public service activities) families (CDBG) GF City Park & Recreation Dept- SL-1 # of persons assisted with 16 children from Community Recreation Center: new access to a service low income scholarships for lifeguard (2-Public service activities) households certification program, after school child care & summer camp program for low income children (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted with 233 children from HANDS, Inc.: child care new access to a service low income families scholarships for children from low (2-Public service activities) income families (CDBG)
Outcomes and Performance Expected Activity Objectives Indicators Number Description
SL-1 # of persons assisted with 815 physically Paris Gibson Square: purchase new access to a service disabled / elderly class supplies, curriculum (2-Public service activities) people materials and instructional training to provide art classes for people with physical disabilities (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted with 2,656 primarily LMI Rural Dynamics, Inc. : purchase new access to a service adults lap top computers for Tax Help (2-Public service activities) Montana to provide assistance with income tax returns of primarily LMI persons. (CDBG) SL-1 # of persons assisted with 80 persons (40 Young Parents Education Center: new access to a service infants & 40 adults) emergency housing and day care (2-Public service activities) from low income scholarships for low income households teen/young adult parents completing high school
*Use one of 9 outcome/objective categories Availability/Accessibility Affordability Sustainability Decent Housing DH-1 DH-2 DH-3 Suitable Living Environment SL-1 SL-2 SL-3 Economic Opportunity EO-1 EO-2 EO-3
APPENDIX K OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02
*1. Type of Submission: *2. Type of Application * If Revision, select appropriate letter(s) Preapplication New
Application Continuation *Other (Specify)
Changed/Corrected Application Revision
3. Date Received : 4. Applicant Identifier:
5a. Federal Entity Identifier: *5b. Federal Award Identifier: B-10-MC-30-0002
State Use Only:
6. Date Received by State: 7. State Application Identifier:
8. APPLICANT INFORMATION:
*a. Legal Name: City of Great Falls
*b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): *c. Organizational DUNS: 81-6001269 060267093 d. Address:
*Street 1: #2 Park Drive
Street 2:
*City: Great Falls
County: Cascade
*State: Montana
Province:
*Country: USA
*Zip / Postal Code 59403-5021 e. Organizational Unit:
Department Name: Division Name: Planning & Community Development CDBG/HOME
f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application:
Prefix: Mr. *First Name: Michael
Middle Name:
*Last Name: Haynes
Suffix:
Title: Director
Organizational Affiliation:
*Telephone Number: 406.455.8433 Fax Number: 406.454.3181
*Email: [email protected]
OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02
*9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type: C. City or Township Government
Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type:
Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type:
*Other (Specify)
*10 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:
14-218
CFDA Title: Community Development Block Grant
*12 Funding Opportunity Number:
*Title:
13. Competition Identification Number:
Title:
14. Areas Affected by Project (Cities, Counties, States, etc.):
City of Great Falls
*15. Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project:
City of Great Falls 2010--2015 Consolidated Plan, including 2010/2011 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan and certifications for a participating jurisdiction
OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02
16. Congressional Districts Of: *a. Applicant: 36th *b. Program/Project: 36th
17. Proposed Project: *a. Start Date: 07/01/10 *b. End Date: 06/30/11
18. Estimated Funding ($):
*a. Federal $1,007,629 *b. Applicant
*c. State
*d. Local
*e. Other *f. Program Income $692,500 *g. TOTAL $1,700,129
*19. Is Application Subject to Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process? a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review. c. Program is not covered by E. O. 12372
*20. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If “Yes”, provide explanation.) Yes No
21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U. S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001) ** I AGREE ** The list of certifications and assurances, or an internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency specific instructions
Authorized Representative:
Prefix: Mr. *First Name: Gregory Middle Name: *Last Name: Doyon Suffix:
*Title: City manager
*Telephone Number: 406.455.8450 Fax Number: 406.454.3131
* Email: [email protected]
*Signature of Authorized Representative: *Date Signed: April 27, 2010
Authorized for Local Reproduction Standard Form 424 (Revised 10/2005) Prescribed by OMB Circular A-102
OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02
*Applicant Federal Debt Delinquency Explanation The following should contain an explanation if the Applicant organization is delinquent of any Federal Debt.
OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02
*1. Type of Submission: *2. Type of Application * If Revision, select appropriate letter(s) Preapplication New
Application Continuation *Other (Specify)
Changed/Corrected Application Revision
3. Date Received : 4. Applicant Identifier:
5a. Federal Entity Identifier: *5b. Federal Award Identifier: M-10-MC-30-0218
State Use Only:
6. Date Received by State: 7. State Application Identifier:
8. APPLICANT INFORMATION:
*a. Legal Name: City of Great Falls
*b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): *c. Organizational DUNS: 81-6001269 060267093 d. Address:
*Street 1: #2 Park Drive
Street 2:
*City: Great Falls
County:
*State: MT
Province:
*Country: USA
*Zip / Postal Code 59403-5021 e. Organizational Unit:
Department Name: Division Name: Planning & Community Development CDBG/HOME
f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application:
Prefix: Mr. *First Name: Michael
Middle Name:
*Last Name: Haynes
Suffix:
Title: Director
Organizational Affiliation:
*Telephone Number: 406.455.84133 Fax Number: 406.454.3181
*Email: [email protected]
OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02
*9. Type of Applicant 1: Select Applicant Type: C. City or Township Government
Type of Applicant 2: Select Applicant Type:
Type of Applicant 3: Select Applicant Type:
*Other (Specify)
*10 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:
14-239
CFDA Title: HOME Investment Partnership Program
*12 Funding Opportunity Number:
*Title:
13. Competition Identification Number:
Title:
14. Areas Affected by Project (Cities, Counties, States, etc.):
City of Great Falls
*15. Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project:
City of Great Falls 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan, including 2010/2011 HOME Investment Partnership Program Annual Action Plan and certifications for a participating jurisdiction
OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02
16. Congressional Districts Of: *a. Applicant: 36th *b. Program/Project: 36th
17. Proposed Project: *a. Start Date: 07/01/10 *b. End Date: 06/30/11
18. Estimated Funding ($):
*a. Federal $438,016 *b. Applicant
*c. State
*d. Local
*e. Other *f. Program Income $70,000 *g. TOTAL $508,016
*19. Is Application Subject to Review By State Under Executive Order 12372 Process? a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review on b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review. c. Program is not covered by E. O. 12372
*20. Is the Applicant Delinquent On Any Federal Debt? (If “Yes”, provide explanation.) Yes No
21. *By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications** and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances** and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U. S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001) ** I AGREE ** The list of certifications and assurances, or an internet site where you may obtain this list, is contained in the announcement or agency specific instructions
Authorized Representative:
Prefix: Mr. *First Name: Gregory Middle Name: *Last Name: Doyon Suffix:
*Title: City manager
*Telephone Number: 406.455.8450 Fax Number: 406.454.3181
* Email: [email protected]
*Signature of Authorized Representative: *Date Signed: April 27, 2010
Authorized for Local Reproduction Standard Form 424 (Revised 10/2005) Prescribed by OMB Circular A-102
OMB Number: 4040-0004 Expiration Date: 01/31/2009
Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 Version 02
*Applicant Federal Debt Delinquency Explanation The following should contain an explanation if the Applicant organization is delinquent of any Federal Debt.
APPENDIX L
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications Many elements of this document may be completed electronically, however a signature must be manually applied and the document must be submitted in paper form to the Field Office.
This certification does not apply. This certification is applicable.
NON-STATE GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATIONS
In accordance with the applicable statutes and the regulations governing the consolidated plan regulations, the jurisdiction certifies that:
Affirmatively Further Fair Housing -- The jurisdiction will affirmatively further fair housing, which means it will conduct an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice within the jurisdiction, take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified through that analysis, and maintain records reflecting that analysis and actions in this regard.
Anti-displacement and Relocation Plan -- It will comply with the acquisition and relocation requirements of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, and implementing regulations at 49 CFR 24; and it has in effect and is following a residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan required under section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, in connection with any activity assisted with funding under the CDBG or HOME programs.
Drug Free Workplace -- It will or will continue to provide a drug-free workplace by: 1. Publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the grantee's workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violation of such prohibition; 2. Establishing an ongoing drug-free awareness program to inform employees about – a. The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace; b. The grantee's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace; c. Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs; and d. The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace; 3. Making it a requirement that each employee to be engaged in the performance of the grant be given a copy of the statement required by paragraph 1; 4. Notifying the employee in the statement required by paragraph 1 that, as a condition of employment under the grant, the employee will – a. Abide by the terms of the statement; and b. Notify the employer in writing of his or her conviction for a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days after such conviction; 5. Notifying the agency in writing, within ten calendar days after receiving notice under subparagraph 4(b) from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction. Employers of convicted employees must provide notice, including position title, to every grant officer or other designee on whose grant activity the convicted employee was working, unless the Federal agency has designated a central point for the receipt of such notices. Notice shall include the identification number(s) of each affected grant; 6. Taking one of the following actions, within 30 calendar days of receiving notice under subparagraph 4(b), with respect to any employee who is so convicted – a. Taking appropriate personnel action against such an employee, up to and including termination, consistent with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; or b. Requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a Federal, State, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency; 7. Making a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 1 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
Anti-Lobbying -- To the best of the jurisdiction's knowledge and belief: No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of it, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement; If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, it will complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions; and It will require that the language of paragraph 1 and 2 of this anti-lobbying certification be included in the award documents for all subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.
Authority of Jurisdiction -- The consolidated plan is authorized under State and local law (as applicable) and the jurisdiction possesses the legal authority to carry out the programs for which it is seeking funding, in accordance with applicable HUD regulations.
Consistency with plan -- The housing activities to be undertaken with CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA funds are consistent with the strategic plan.
Section 3 -- It will comply with section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, and implementing regulations at 24 CFR Part 135.
April 27, 2010
Signature/Authorized Official Date
Gregory Doyon
Name
City Manager
Title
P.O. Box 5021
Address
Great Falls, MT 59403-5021
City/State/Zip
406.455.8450
Telephone Number
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 2 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
This certification does not apply. This certification is applicable.
Specific CDBG Certifications
The Entitlement Community certifies that:
Citizen Participation -- It is in full compliance and following a detailed citizen participation plan that satisfies the requirements of 24 CFR 91.105.
Community Development Plan -- Its consolidated housing and community development plan identifies community development and housing needs and specifies both short-term and long-term community development objectives that provide decent housing, expand economic opportunities primarily for persons of low and moderate income. (See CFR 24 570.2 and CFR 24 part 570)
Following a Plan -- It is following a current consolidated plan (or Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy) that has been approved by HUD.
Use of Funds -- It has complied with the following criteria:
Maximum Feasible Priority - With respect to activities expected to be assisted with CDBG funds, it certifies that it has developed its Action Plan so as to give maximum feasible priority to activities which benefit low and moderate income families or aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight. The Action Plan may also include activities which the grantee certifies are designed to meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community, and other financial resources are not available);
Overall Benefit - The aggregate use of CDBG funds including section 108 guaranteed loans during program year(s) 2010, 2015, 2 , (a period specified by the grantee consisting of one, two, or three specific consecutive program years), shall principally benefit persons of low and moderate income in a manner that ensures that at least 70 percent of the amount is expended for activities that benefit such persons during the designated period;
Special Assessments - It will not attempt to recover any capital costs of public improvements assisted with CDBG funds including Section 108 loan guaranteed funds by assessing any amount against properties owned and occupied by persons of low and moderate income, including any fee charged or assessment made as a condition of obtaining access to such public improvements.
However, if CDBG funds are used to pay the proportion of a fee or assessment that relates to the capital costs of public improvements (assisted in part with CDBG funds) financed from other revenue sources, an assessment or charge may be made against the property with respect to the public improvements financed by a source other than CDBG funds.
The jurisdiction will not attempt to recover any capital costs of public improvements assisted with CDBG funds, including Section 108, unless CDBG funds are used to pay the proportion of fee or assessment attributable to the capital costs of public improvements financed from other revenue sources. In this case, an assessment or charge may be made against the property with respect to the public improvements financed by a source other than CDBG funds. Also, in the case of properties owned and occupied by moderate-income (not low-income) families, an assessment or charge may be made against the property for public improvements financed by a source other than CDBG funds if the jurisdiction certifies that it lacks CDBG funds to cover the assessment.
Excessive Force -- It has adopted and is enforcing:
A policy prohibiting the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies within its jurisdiction against any individuals engaged in non-violent civil rights demonstrations; and
A policy of enforcing applicable State and local laws against physically barring entrance to or exit from a facility or location which is the subject of such non-violent civil rights demonstrations within its jurisdiction;
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 3 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
Compliance With Anti-discrimination laws -- The grant will be conducted and administered in conformity with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 USC 2000d), the Fair Housing Act (42 USC 3601-3619), and implementing regulations.
Lead-Based Paint -- Its activities concerning lead-based paint will comply with the requirements of part 35, subparts A, B, J, K and R, of title 24;
Compliance with Laws -- It will comply with applicable laws.
April 27, 2010
Signature/Authorized Official Date
Gregory Doyon
Name
City Manager
Title
P.O. Box 5021
Address
Great Falls, MT 59403-5021
City/State/Zip
406.455.8450
Telephone Number
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 4 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
This certification does not apply. This certification is applicable.
OPTIONAL CERTIFICATION CDBG
Submit the following certification only when one or more of the activities in the action plan are designed to meet other community development needs having a particular urgency as specified in 24 CFR 570.208(c):
The grantee hereby certifies that the Annual Plan includes one or more specifically identified CDBG-assisted activities, which are designed to meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and other financial resources are not available to meet such needs.
Signature/Authorized Official Date
Name
Title
Address
City/State/Zip
Telephone Number
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 5 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
This certification does not apply. This certification is applicable.
Specific HOME Certifications
The HOME participating jurisdiction certifies that:
Tenant Based Rental Assistance -- If the participating jurisdiction intends to provide tenant-based rental assistance:
The use of HOME funds for tenant-based rental assistance is an essential element of the participating jurisdiction's consolidated plan for expanding the supply, affordability, and availability of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
Eligible Activities and Costs -- it is using and will use HOME funds for eligible activities and costs, as described in 24 CFR § 92.205 through 92.209 and that it is not using and will not use HOME funds for prohibited activities, as described in § 92.214.
Appropriate Financial Assistance -- before committing any funds to a project, it will evaluate the project in accordance with the guidelines that it adopts for this purpose and will not invest any more HOME funds in combination with other Federal assistance than is necessary to provide affordable housing;
April 27, 2010
Signature/Authorized Official Date
Gregory Doyon
Name
City Manager
Title
P.O. Box 5021
Address
Great Falls, MT 59403-5021
City/State/Zip
406.455.8450
Telephone Number
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 6 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
This certification does not apply. This certification is applicable.
HOPWA Certifications
The HOPWA grantee certifies that:
Activities -- Activities funded under the program will meet urgent needs that are not being met by available public and private sources.
Building -- Any building or structure assisted under that program shall be operated for the purpose specified in the plan:
1. For at least 10 years in the case of assistance involving new construction, substantial rehabilitation, or acquisition of a facility,
2. For at least 3 years in the case of assistance involving non-substantial rehabilitation or repair of a building or structure.
Signature/Authorized Official Date
Name
Title
Address
City/State/Zip
Telephone Number
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 7 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
This certification does not apply. This certification is applicable.
ESG Certifications
I, , Chief Executive Officer of Error! Not a valid link., certify that the local government will ensure the provision of the matching supplemental funds required by the regulation at 24 CFR 576.51. I have attached to this certification a description of the sources and amounts of such supplemental funds.
I further certify that the local government will comply with:
1. The requirements of 24 CFR 576.53 concerning the continued use of buildings for which Emergency Shelter Grants are used for rehabilitation or conversion of buildings for use as emergency shelters for the homeless; or when funds are used solely for operating costs or essential services.
2. The building standards requirement of 24 CFR 576.55.
3. The requirements of 24 CFR 576.56, concerning assurances on services and other assistance to the homeless.
4. The requirements of 24 CFR 576.57, other appropriate provisions of 24 CFR Part 576, and other applicable federal laws concerning nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.
5. The requirements of 24 CFR 576.59(b) concerning the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970.
6. The requirement of 24 CFR 576.59 concerning minimizing the displacement of persons as a result of a project assisted with these funds.
7. The requirements of 24 CFR Part 24 concerning the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988.
8. The requirements of 24 CFR 576.56(a) and 576.65(b) that grantees develop and implement procedures to ensure the confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual provided family violence prevention or treatment services under any project assisted with ESG funds and that the address or location of any family violence shelter project will not be made public, except with written authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of such shelter.
9. The requirement that recipients involve themselves, to the maximum extent practicable and where appropriate, homeless individuals and families in policymaking, renovating, maintaining, and operating facilities assisted under the ESG program, and in providing services for occupants of these facilities as provided by 24 CFR 76.56.
10. The requirements of 24 CFR 576.57(e) dealing with the provisions of, and regulations and procedures applicable with respect to the environmental review responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and related
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 8 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
authorities as specified in 24 CFR Part 58.
11. The requirements of 24 CFR 576.21(a)(4) providing that the funding of homeless prevention activities for families that have received eviction notices or notices of termination of utility services will meet the requirements that: (A) the inability of the family to make the required payments must be the result of a sudden reduction in income; (B) the assistance must be necessary to avoid eviction of the family or termination of the services to the family; (C) there must be a reasonable prospect that the family will be able to resume payments within a reasonable period of time; and (D) the assistance must not supplant funding for preexisting homeless prevention activities from any other source.
12. The new requirement of the McKinney-Vento Act (42 USC 11362) to develop and implement, to the maximum extent practicable and where appropriate, policies and protocols for the discharge of persons from publicly funded institutions or systems of care (such as health care facilities, foster care or other youth facilities, or correction programs and institutions) in order to prevent such discharge from immediately resulting in homelessness for such persons. I further understand that state and local governments are primarily responsible for the care of these individuals, and that ESG funds are not to be used to assist such persons in place of state and local resources.
13. HUD’s standards for participation in a local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and the collection and reporting of client-level information.
I further certify that the submission of a completed and approved Consolidated Plan with its certifications, which act as the application for an Emergency Shelter Grant, is authorized under state and/or local law, and that the local government possesses legal authority to carry out grant activities in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Signature/Authorized Official Date
Name
Title
Address
City/State/Zip
Telephone Number
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 9 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
This certification does not apply. This certification is applicable.
APPENDIX TO CERTIFICATIONS
Instructions Concerning Lobbying and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements
Lobbying Certification This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.
Drug-Free Workplace Certification 1. By signing and/or submitting this application or grant agreement, the grantee is providing the certification. The certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance is placed when the agency awards the grant. If it is later determined that the grantee knowingly rendered a false certification, or otherwise violates the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act, HUD, in addition to any other remedies available to the Federal Government, may take action authorized under the Drug-Free Workplace Act. Workplaces under grants, for grantees other than individuals, need not be identified on the certification. If known, they may be identified in the grant application. If the grantee does not identify the workplaces at the time of application, or upon award, if there is no application, the grantee must keep the identity of the workplace(s) on file in its office and make the information available for Federal inspection. Failure to identify all known workplaces constitutes a violation of the grantee's drug-free workplace requirements. Workplace identifications must include the actual address of buildings (or parts of buildings) or other sites where work under the grant takes place. Categorical descriptions may be used (e.g., all vehicles of a mass transit authority or State highway department while in operation, State employees in each local unemployment office, performers in concert halls or radio stations). If the workplace identified to the agency changes during the performance of the grant, the grantee shall inform the agency of the change(s), if it previously identified the workplaces in question (see paragraph three). 2. The grantee may insert in the space provided below the site(s) for the performance of work done in connection with the specific grant: Place of Performance (Street address, city, county, state, zip code) Check if there are workplaces on file that are not identified here. The certification with regard to the drug-free workplace is required by 24 CFR part 21.
Place Name Street City County State Zip Civic Center #2 Park Drive Great Falls Cascade MT 59401
Definitions of terms in the Nonprocurement Suspension and Debarment common rule and Drug-Free Workplace common rule apply to this certification. Grantees' attention is called, in particular, to the following definitions from these rules: "Controlled substance" means a controlled substance in Schedules I through V of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) and as further defined by regulation (21 CFR 1308.11 through 1308.15); "Conviction" means a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body charged with the responsibility to determine violations of the Federal or State criminal drug statutes; "Criminal drug statute" means a Federal or non-Federal criminal statute involving the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, use, or possession of any controlled substance; "Employee" means the employee of a grantee directly engaged in the performance of work under a grant, including:
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 10 Version 1.3 Jurisdiction
a. All "direct charge" employees; b. all "indirect charge" employees unless their impact or involvement is insignificant to the performance of the grant; and c. temporary personnel and consultants who are directly engaged in the performance of work under the grant and who are on the grantee's payroll. This definition does not include workers not on the payroll of the grantee (e.g., volunteers, even if used to meet a matching requirement; consultants or independent contractors not on the grantee's payroll; or employees of subrecipients or subcontractors in covered workplaces).
Note that by signing these certifications, certain documents must completed, in use, and on file for verification. These documents include:
1. Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing 2. Citizen Participation Plan 3. Anti-displacement and Relocation Plan
April 27, 2010
Signature/Authorized Official Date
Gregory Doyon
Name
City Manager
Title
P.O. Box 5021
Address
Great Falls, MT 59403-5021
City/State/Zip
406.455.8450
Telephone Number
CPMP Non-State Grantee Certifications 11 Version 1.3