Executive Summary ap-05 Executive Summary 24 cfr 91. 200

AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities – 91.220(i)

Introduction

The City of Bowling Green works with its local homeless service providers to provide access and reach out to the homeless population.  The City will undertake partnerships to provide affordable home ownership, local housing organizations and homeless service providers will be engaged in the process to ensure that all segments of the population are provided the new housing opportunities, including homeless persons.

Describe the jurisdictions one-year goals and actions for reducing and ending homelessness including

Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs

Barren River Area Safe Space (BRASS) provides a shelter to victims of domestic violence and their families.  The Salvation Army provides a shelter to the homeless population and provides a food bank, clothing store and a kitchen to feed residents of the shelter.  Hotel Inc. operates a transitional housing program which is limited to one family based on the availability of the unit.  Hope House recently started a 12 month Program Living facility targeting homeless male adults struggling with substance abuse.  

Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons

The City partners with its homeless service providers to address emergency shelter and transitional housing needs.  The Homeless and Housing Coalition of South Central Kentucky partners with local churches for, ‘Room in the Inn’, a homeless shelter program provided during the coldest months of the year.  There is a need of additional transitional housing in the community.  A new 100-bed men’s additional recovery center provides 9 to 12 month transitional housing to men reentering society from incarceration.  Also targeting males reentering society from incarceration, Hope House Ministries’ 12 month Program Living Facility serves transitional housing in this capacity.

Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again

The City’s Housing Choice Voucher Program gives a preference to homeless persons that have spent the last 30-45 days homeless.  This provides an opportunity for families that are residing at the Salvation Army or domestic violence victims an opportunity to locate quality affordable housing.  As part of this preference, the City partners with Hotel Inc. and Lifeskills as approved homeless service organizations for client verification.  Hotel Inc.'s transitional housing program incorporates financial training and basic life skills training as part of their program.  The goal is to make the family independent at the conclusion of the program.  

Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs.

The City's Analysis to Impediments of Fair Housing Choice lists "Lack of Transition Services for Persons seeking Permanent Housing" as impediment #5.  The impediment describes the need for services to assist persons returning from correctional facilities and homeless persons.  The Analysis discusses the need to work with KY Probation and Parole to develop programs to assist formerly incarcerated individuals and work with service providers for expansion of transitional housing for homeless families. 

The City's Analysis to Impediments of Fair Housing Choice lists "Lack of Transition Services for Persons seeking Permanent Housing" as impediment #5.  The impediment describes the need for services to assist persons returning from correctional facilities and homeless persons.  The Analysis discusses the need to work with KY Probation and Parole to develop programs to assist formerly incarcerated individuals and work with service providers for expansion of transitional housing for homeless families. 

Several years ago the City partnered with Bellewood Presbyterian Homes for Children for the acquisition of two four-unit housing complexes to house youth that had aged out of foster care to receive quality housing and basic life skills training and financial literacy training. 

Through a 12 month life growth, transitional housing program, Hope House Ministries’ Program Living facility seeks to eliminate recidivism amongst males reentering society from incarceration.  Through this program men are be equipped with the educational/employment, psychological, and physical skills required for addiction recovery, obtaining permanent housing, and ultimately succeeding in society.

Furthermore a new addition recovery center in Bowling Green provides 9 – 12 month transitional housing to men exiting incarceration with a history of substance abuse.

Discussion

The City has offered assistance to Hope House Ministries and the men’s addition recovery center.  This addresses the “Lack of Transition Services for Persons seeking Permanent Housing” as listed above and will increase the availability of transitional housing for LMI individuals in Bowling Green.

AP-75 Barriers to affordable housing – 91.220(j)

Introduction:

The City of Bowling Green has limited number of policies that could affect the affordability of housing development and strives to ensure that its policies and regulations are not cost burdensome to affordable housing developers.

Actions it planned to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment

At this time there are no plans to remove or change any public policies related to affordable housing. 

Discussion:

The City already waives permit fees for nonprofits building single family homes.  This incentive assists organizations such as the Housing Authority or Habitat for Humanity in meeting their goals of affordable housing.

AP-85 Other Actions – 91.220(k)

Introduction:

The City continually works with its network of local service providers to identify underserved needs within the community and look for ways to make resources available to the underserved population.

Actions planned to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs

Several years ago the City hired an International Communities Liaison to improve the provision of services to the many different international communities within Bowling Green, especially those with limited English proficiency (LEP).  The City of Bowling Green’s International Communities Liaison is currently working with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce on a workforce program that links residents from the City’s International Community with industries filling job vacancies.  The City of Bowling Green makes the Annual Action Plan available to individuals with LEP according to the City’s LEP plan and to the City of Bowling Green International Communities Advisory Council who represents many of the individuals in the community with LEP.

Actions planned to foster and maintain affordable housing

As mentioned above, the City is undertaking a partnership to provide new affordable home ownership opportunities.  The endeavor will result in 22 families receiving new affordable housing opportunities over the next six years. Historically the City used CDBG funds as a resource to ensure that housing remains affordable.  In the past we have used CDBG funds to acquire property for affordable housing projects, infrastructure investment or renovation projects.  The resulting project creates affordable housing opportunities for residents of the community.  As stated above, the City will continue to provide vouchers under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program to foster affordable home ownership.  The City will continue to explore opportunities to partner with organizations for the creation of maintenance of affordable housing opportunities.

Actions planned to reduce lead-based paint hazards

If the City or its partner agencies rehab/renovate properties that were built before 1978 they will hire an assessor to complete an analysis of the presence of Lead Paint.  If Lead Paint is found then a professional contractor will abate the lead paint or safe work practices will be employed to ensure that no contamination of the property.

Actions planned to reduce the number of poverty-level families

The City is undertaking improvements in pedestrian facilities which includes new sidewalks, walking paths, and public transit facilities.  These improvements will link individuals to services and job opportunities.  The City also operates a Revolving Loan Fund where businesses that are creating new jobs can receive low interest loans.

Actions planned to develop institutional structure

The City continues to look for methods to improve its ability to effectively and efficiently manage the regulatory environment of CDBG funding.  Staff attends training to improve skills and understanding of the complexities of the CDBG program.   Every subrecipient agreement that the City completes receives at least one on site monitoring to review the program files and audit the performance of the program.  Desk audits are conducted with each draw submission to ensure the programs are progressing and regulations are being followed. 

Actions planned to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies

The City of Bowling Green works with a variety of service providers in the community to ensure services are coordinated.  City staff attends a variety of service trainings and meetings throughout the year to see what services are being provided in the community and look for ways to partner to expand services. 

Discussion:

During the Consolidated Planning process a need for better coordination between service providers was discussed several times.  United Way of Southern Kentucky recently started a 2-1-1 Center in Bowling Green which will be central point of contact and referral service for individuals seeking human services within the City.  Staff will continue to look for ways to better coordinate services between all agencies.  

Program Specific Requirements

AP-90 Program Specific Requirements – 91.220(l)(1,2,4)

Introduction:

Projects planned with all CDBG funds expected to be available during the year are identified in the Projects Table. The following identifies program income that is available for use that is included in projects to be carried out.

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

Reference 24 CFR 91.220(l)(1)

Projects planned with all CDBG funds expected to be available during the year are identified in the Projects Table. The following identifies program income that is available for use that is included in projects to be carried out.

1. The total amount of program income that will have been received before the start of the next program year and that has not yet been reprogrammed	0
2. The amount of proceeds from section 108 loan guarantees that will be used during the year to address the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the grantee's strategic plan.	0
3. The amount of surplus funds from urban renewal settlements	0
4. The amount of any grant funds returned to the line of credit for which the planned use has not been included in a prior statement or plan	0
5. The amount of income from float-funded activities	0
Total Program Income:	0

Other CDBG Requirements

1. The amount of urgent need activities	0

2. The estimated percentage of CDBG funds that will be used for activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income.Overall Benefit - A consecutive period of one, two or three years may be used to determine that a minimum overall benefit of 70% of CDBG funds is used to benefit persons of low and moderate income. Specify the years covered that include this Annual Action Plan.	100.00%

80% of the City's allocation of CDBG funds will be reserved for the Neighborhood Improvements Program in the Bowling Green Reinvestment Area, a HUD designated Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area.  The entire area is designated by HUD as LMI.  The remaining 20% will be used for Administrative and Fair Housing Education and Outreach.

Annual Action Plan

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OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 06/30/2018)