City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2004 06 22

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Task 5. Consolidated Plan developed by key interests, meeting needs of local governments and suitable for application to US Department of Housing and Urban Development April - September 2005 Cooperatively drafted by staff and Contractor, with data provided by local governments and Needs Assessment. Public Participation required. Estimated Cost: Largely in -kind, plus $12,000 - $15,000 services Projected Funding: Housing Authorities, CDBG, State Housing Division and other local government partners; private donations Boulder and Broomfield Counties have reached the threshold combined population of 300,000 to request designation by HUD as a Participating Jurisdiction for direct receipt of federal HOME and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds *. Currently only the Cities of Boulder and Longmont are entitlement recipients and all other jurisdictions compete for these funds through the Colorado Division of Housing. Although the state has been an effective and supportive partner, the added layer of government adds time and uncertainty to projects and requires Boulder and Broomfield applicants to adhere to State priorities and procedures. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development requires Participating Jurisdictions to develop a Consolidated Plan that sets goals and articulates the local strategy for housing and related community development programs tied to federal funds. The overall Consolidated Plan is typically a three to five year statement of overall strategy, with annual plans submitted in conjunction with specific funding allocations. During the previous four tasks of the Affordable Housing Initiative, the local governments will discuss feasibility and implications of Boulder /Broomfield applying to be a Participating Jurisdiction for HOME funds. While each jurisdiction could retain its program autonomy, a Consolidated Plan would reflect consensus goals and strategies for the county overall and would entail a single grant application each year on behalf of all. In order to qualify, the Cities of Boulder and Longmont would have to participate and merge their; current entitlement status into the county -wide process. This task is listed here in recognition that it is likely to be a topic of dialogue in the next year, and would be an extension of the Affordable Housing Initiative if local governments choose to pursue it. If a single Consolidated Plan is developed, the application to HUD for designation would likely be submitted for the March 2006 cycle. *HOME is the $2 billion federal block grant program to build, purchase, and /or rehab affordable housing for low income households to own or rent, and to provide tenant - based assistance as well.