Essex County, NJ 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan 2020 One Year Action Plan CDBG – HOME – ESG Containing information of all programs and projects administered by: The Department of Economic Development, Training & Employment The Division of Housing & Community Development Joseph N. Di Vincenzo, Jr., County Executive Robert D. Jackson, County Administrator Anibal Ramos, Jr., Department Director George F. Serio, Jr., Division Director Sí necesitán ayúda entendiendo documento llamen (973) 655-0200 y pregunten por Elvin Pereira County of Essex New Jersey Joseph N. Di Vincenzo, Jr. Essex County Executive Robert D. Jackson Essex County Administrator Board of Chosen Freeholders Brendan W. Gill, President – Freeholder At-Large Wayne L. Richardson, Vice President – District 2 Rufus I. Johnson – Freeholder At-Large Romaine Graham – Freeholder At Large Patricia Sebold – Freeholder At-Large Robert Mercado – Freeholder, District 1 Tyshammie L Cooper– Freeholder, District 3 Leonard M. Luciano – Freeholder, District 4 Carlos M. Pomares – Freeholder, District 5 Deborah Davis Ford – Clerk of the Board Department of Economic Development Training & Employment Anibal Ramos, Jr., Department Director Division of Housing and Community Development George F. Serio, Jr, Division Director Table of Contents Executive Summary ES-05 Executive Summary........................................................................... The Process PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies.......................................................... PR-10 Consultation........................................................................................ PR-15 Citizen Participation.......................................................................... Needs Assessment NA-05 Overview............................................................................................ NA-10 Housing Needs Assessment............................................................ NA-15 Disproportionately Greater Need: Housing Problems……...... NA-20 Disproportionately Greater Need: Severe Housing Problems............................................................... NA-25 Disproportionately Greater Need: Housing Cost Burdens………………………………...……. NA-30 Disproportionately Greater Need: Discussion…….................... NA-35 Public Housing……………........................................................... NA-40 Homeless Needs Assessment…………....................................... NA-45 Non-Homeless Special Needs Assessment………..................... NA-50 Non-Housing Community Development Needs….................... Market Analysis MA-05 Overview……………..................................................................... MA-10 Number of Housing Units.............................................................. MA-15 Cost of Housing................................................................................ MA-20 Condition of Housing...................................................................... MA-25 Public and Assisted Housing.......................................................... MA-30 Homeless Facilities........................................................................... MA-35 Special Needs Facilities and Services............................................. MA-40 Barriers to Affordable Housing………........................................ MA-45 Non-Housing Community Development Assets........................ MA-50 Needs and Market Analysis Discussion........................................ Strategic Plan SP-05 Overview.............................................................................................. SP-10 Geographic Priorities......................................................................... SP-25 Priority Needs...................................................................................... SP-30 Influence of Market Conditions....................................................... SP-35 Anticipated Resources........................................................................ SP-40 Institutional Delivery Structure........................................................ SP-45 Goals..................................................................................................... SP-50 Public Housing Accessibility and Involvement............................. SP-55 Barriers to affordable housing.......................................................... SP-60 Homelessness Strategy....................................................................... SP-65 Lead based paint Hazards.................................................................. SP-70 Anti-Poverty Strategy......................................................................... SP-80 Monitoring........................................................................................... Annual Action Plan AP-15 Expected Resources........................................................................... AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives.......................................................... AP-35 Projects................................................................................................ AP-38 Project Summary................................................................................ AP-50 Geographic Distribution................................................................... AP-55 Affordable Housing........................................................................... AP-60 Public Housing................................................................................... AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities.............................. AP-75 Barriers to Affordable Housing....................................................... AP-85 Other Actions..................................................................................... AP-90 Program Specific Requirements...................................................... Executive Summary ES-05 Executive Summary – 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b) 1. Introduction 2. Summary of the objectives and outcomes identified in the Plan Needs Assessment Overview Essex County expects to receive approximately $5.4 million annually from HUD through the CDBG program, $1,200,000 through the HOME program and $460,000 through the ESG program over the next five years. These funds, along with any program income earned and prior year resources, will be used to leverage other public and private resources in the housing, public facilities, public services, and eliminating homelessness. At the time this plan was being finalized the COVID-19 pandemic was hitting the New York / New Jersey metropolitan area which will greatly impact the region. The significant public health crisis created by the virus will have unpredictable impacts on Essex County that will likely be felt for a long duration. The county will rely on further guidance from HUD with regard to utilizing CPD funding to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 3. Evaluation of past performance The Division of Housing & Community Development reviewed the goals and outcomes for the past several years. The results of the evaluation of several programs, guided the priorities and minor changes to existing programs funded with HUD programmatic funds. Quality affordable housing continues to be in short supply in Essex County. The County's increase in the subsidy available for low- income first time homebuyers in 2015 did not achieve the desired results in expanded homeownership. In the 2015 implemented plan, the County provided up to $50,000 dollars for down payment and closing costs through the HOME program. The County's projections for new homebuyer units through the program were not fully realized. The funds allocated for first time homebuyer activities were fully expended but over a longer time frame than expected. An analysis of the current ACS data indicates there is still a severe housing cost burden in the County's HOME Consortium. The Division therefore is recommending to maintain the subsidy amount of up to $50,000 to those low-income homebuyers that qualify. Consolidated Plan ESSEX COUNTY 1 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018) 4. Summary of citizen participation process and consultation process In accordance with the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 and the National Affordable Housing Act of 1992, the Division of Housing and Community Development considers the Citizen Participation component to be integral to the Consolidated Plan process. Although the County places particular emphasis on participation from residents of low and moderate-income areas, the programs and projects that are initiated as a result of the Consolidated Plan benefit all County residents. Therefore, all citizens are encouraged to participate in the development of the 5-year Consolidated Plan. Additionally, the County includes the Township of Bloomfield in this process because of their involvement in the HOME consortium. To meet these requirements, the Division of Housing and Community Development has prepared the following Citizen Participation Plan outlining the Division’s objectives and how they will be accomplished. I. Objective: To involve citizens and program beneficiaries in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan development process. ·Create a communication structure to understand constituent needs, develop a market analysis, and identify strategies. This can include public hearings, information published in newspapers and meetings in the community to offer citizens the opportunity to attend. Information is compiled and transferred to the appropriate Sub-Committee, to