Executive Summary
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Executive Summary ES‐05 Executive Summary ‐ 91.200(c), 91.220(b) 1. Introduction The City of Schenectady, as a participating jurisdiction, receives an annual allocation of funding through the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the Federal HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and the Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG). Allocations and the use of these funds are predicated on the following National Objectives: To benefit low‐ and moderate‐income persons. To aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight. To meet community development needs having a particular urgency. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program targets activities that assist persons who fall into the low to moderate‐income levels, as determined in relation to each specific locality’s area median income. CDBG funding supports communities by funding activities that provide: decent housing; a suitable living environment; and expanded economic opportunities. The purpose of the Federal HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) is to expand the supply of affordable housing for low and very low‐income families and individuals. Localities can use HOME funds for the following: acquisition of property; construction of new housing for rent or home ownership; rehabilitation of rental or owner‐occupied housing; demolition of dilapidated housing on sites for HOME‐assisted development; and improvement of sites for HOME‐assisted development. The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program provides funding to participating localities for assistance to homeless persons with basic shelter and essential supportive services. ESG funds are available for: rehabilitation or remodeling of a building used as a new shelter; operations and maintenance of a facility; essential supportive services (i.e., case management, physical and mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, childcare, etc.); homelessness prevention activities; and grant administration. This document serves as the Consolidated Plan for the City of Schenectady for the period of 2015 – 2019, and documents the proposed strategic uses for allocated CDBG, HOME, and ESG funding. The Plan reviews existing conditions in the areas of housing, economic development, public facilities and Consolidated Plan SCHENECTADY 1 OMB Control No: 2506‐0117 (exp. 07/31/2015) public services to consider trends and factors impacting these areas of community development. The Plan will also serve to assess the impact of past CDBG and HOME activities funded through the HUD entitlement program, and identify new programmatic goals that will drive future investments. 2. Summary of the objectives and outcomes identified in the Plan The 2015‐2019 , 5‐Year Consolidated Plan reflects the City of Schenectady’s development of a results‐ oriented system of program investment by using an “outcome funding” model. This model establishes a framework of outcome statements and investor target areas to guide the investment of Consolidated Plan funds. The following overarching outcome will direct resource allocation: The City of Schenectady's neighborhoods are thriving; vibrant communities where residents and businesses are afforded viable opportunities to improve their quality of life. Goals and related Objectives identified in the Consolidated Plan Needs Assessment include: 1) Goal: Meet the essential needs for food, shelter, and safety for every individual in the City of Schenectady. Objectives: • Programs addressing the needs of homeless persons, including: prevention, rapid re‐housing, supportive or permanent housing, support services, and community engagement; • Programs which assist youth, including: prevention of violence, criminal or delinquent behavior, prevention of homelessness, recreational youth programs, and related capital investments; • Programs which increase food security; and • Programs that promote safe neighborhoods, including community policing and/or support programs. 2) Goal: Expand economic and employment opportunities and increase physical and economic mobility for individuals in the City of Schenectady. Objectives: • Programs which provide direct loans and/or technical assistance to businesses to create jobs; • Programs which promote the development of new business and/or the expansion of existing business; • Programs which provide adult education, job readiness, job training, job placement and/or workplace advancement; • Programs which provide employment for low to moderate‐income youth; and • Programs which provide free or affordable childcare and free or subsidized easily‐accessible transportation for employment opportunities. 3) Goal: Improve and expand affordable housing options in the City of Schenectady. Objectives: • Programs which increase the total supply of affordable rental and homeowner units; Consolidated Plan SCHENECTADY 2 OMB Control No: 2506‐0117 (exp. 07/31/2015) • Programs which sustain the existing housing stock through rehabilitation and necessary improvements; • Programs which target code enforcement activities in coordination with housing rehabilitation to provide homeowners with options for achieving code compliance; • Programs which reduce and/or mitigate barriers to new and continued homeownership including housing outreach, counseling, technical assistance, and innovative programs promoting homeownership; and • Programs which rehabilitate/remove uninhabitable vacant units. 4) Goal: Strengthen the neighborhoods in the City of Schenectady. Objectives: • Programs which demolish and/or cleanup foreclosed, abandoned and/or vacant properties; • Programs that promote neighborhood and local small business development; • Programs that redevelop and/or promote or assist the redevelopment of vacant, abandoned and underutilized properties; • Programs that provide street paving, road, curb and sidewalk repair, installation and/or improvement; and • Programs that provide capital repairs, new construction or facility improvements that reduce operational costs, increase accessibility, provide safety, and promote self‐sufficiency. Priority is given to projects/programs directly addressing recommendations of the “Schenectady 2020 Comprehensive Plan’s Neighborhood Action Plans”, available electronically at www.cityofschenectady.com; and in print at City Hall, Department of Development, and the Schenectady County Public Library. 3. Evaluation of past performance The City has met its targets for the past five years and has had favorable reviews from HUD. 4. Summary of citizen participation process and consultation process The Department of Development conducted outreach and consultation with citizens, neighborhood groups, nonprofits, and governmental agencies to determine community needs and establish Plan priorities. In accordance with the City’s approved Citizen Participation Plan, outreach consisted of meetings with neighborhood residents and consultations with professionals and practitioners in fields related to community development. Public Input meetings were held at the following dates/times/locations: 2/7/15, 10:00am, State Street Presbyterian Church, 5 Catherine Street, Schenectady, NY 2/11/15, 6:00pm, Bridge Street Christian Church, 735 Crane Street, Schenectady, NY Consolidated Plan SCHENECTADY 3 OMB Control No: 2506‐0117 (exp. 07/31/2015) Criteria for selecting meeting places included convenience and accessibility. Meetings were advertised in accordance with the Citizen Participation Plan. 5. Summary of public comments Public comments received during the process centered primarily on the following high priority community needs: Youth programming Sidewalk and street repair, safety enhancements to school areas Hunger and food assistance Increased policing Homeownership/mixed income housing Increased accessibility for residents with disabilities Workforce development and training Literacy Community programming to combat poverty Documentation of public comments is attached. 6. Summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons for not accepting them All comments were accepted and considered in the preparation of this Consolidated Plan. 7. Summary The City of Schenectady utilized a process of combined outreach with key community stakeholders and public participation meetings to gather input for the development of the 5 year Consolidated Plan and the 2015 Action Plan. Public and service provider input is instrumental in developing Plan goals and objectives and proposed funding allocations Consolidated Plan SCHENECTADY 4 OMB Control No: 2506‐0117 (exp. 07/31/2015) The Process PR‐05 Lead & Responsible Agencies ‐ 91.200(b) 1. Describe agency/entity responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant program and funding source The following are the agencies/entities responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant program and funding source. Agency Role Name Department/Agency CDBG Administrator SCHENECTADY Department of Development HOME Administrator SCHENECTADY Department of Development ESG Administrator SCHENECTADY Department of Development Table 1 – Responsible Agencies Narrative The City of Schenectady has delegated primary responsibility for administration of the HOME Investment Partnership and Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Programs to the Department of Development, under the oversight of the City’s Director of Development. Department of Development staff provides technical assistance to organizations that seek to develop