Public Hearing Notices

The City of Moorhead has prepared a draft version of the 2016 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.  The draft priorities established within the plan result from citizen participation in the development of the 2015-2019 5-Year Plan and an August 31, 2015 community meeting.  Tools included a community survey, consultations with area agencies identifying assets and needs, and analysis of Census and other statistical data.  Investment priorities established within the proposed plan are affordable rental and owner housing opportunities, home rehabilitation including energy efficiency improvements, transportation opportunities to address homelessness prevention, and opportunities for children and youth.  The City’s priorities include:

Affordable housing:  Rehabilitate or construct 15 units for rental housing, 50 units for homeownership, and an additional 5 units for homeownership specifically through partnership with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.  Support local agencies seeking to reduce the housing cost burden of low-income households through certificate and voucher programs.

Homelessness:  Support the continuation and expansion of emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing available to homeless persons in the community.  Partner with other funding agencies to update the Wilder Research analysis of homelessness in the Fargo-Moorhead community every three years.  Support initiatives, provide certificates of consistency for funding applications, and offer technical support to service providers expanding homeless prevention services and coordinated assessment.    

Special needs populations:  Support initiatives of service providers to expand services, outreach, and assessment for special needs populations through technical support, certificates of consistency for funding applications, and other means.  Rehabilitate 10 affordable homes through the construction of accessibility ramps for households that have a disabled household member.  Provide temporary and portable accessibility ramps to 10 households that have a disabled household member. 

Non-housing community development needs: 

• Partner to provide consumer financial education for 1,300 first time homebuyers and 2,500 renter households.
• Partner to address the needs of children and youth in low to moderate income neighborhoods by providing positive recreational and developmental opportunities. 
• Partner to provide transportation to homeless and extremely low individuals to access employment and training opportunities. 

2016 Action Plan Summary

During the 2016 program year, the City of Moorhead estimates the following resources to be available:

• $211,065 – 2016 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation from HUD
• $150,000 – 2016 Program Income
• $161,822 – Unbudgeted 2015 program income & unspent funds from 2015 activities

Other leverage resources are anticipated during 2016 to address needs identified within the Consolidated Plan from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, West Central Initiative, United Way, and others. 

Activity	Description	Budget
Homeowner Rehabilitation: (10-13 loans including emergency loans)	City-wide rehabilitation loan program assisting owner-occupants of single family homes whose income falls below 80% of area median income. Funds are provided on a loan basis up to $20,000 provided sufficient home equity exists. No interest accrues on the loan and the entire principal balance must be repaid upon sale, title transfer or owner vacancy of the property. Applications from interested individuals are accepted by the City on a first come, first served basis with priority for life safety emergency loans. The program is administered by the City of Moorhead. Any additional 2015 carry over funds available as of 3/31/2016 will be used for additional rehab projects. Eligible activity in accordance with CFR Part 570.202(a)(1). National Objective: Activity benefiting low and moderate income persons.	$369,674
Public Services Eligible activities in accordance with CFR Part 570.201(e).  National Objective: Activity benefiting low and moderate income persons.	Recreation Program –Romkey: Recreation activity programming, meal program and/or activities for youth in low income neighborhoods conducted by Moorhead Parks & Recreation at 900 19th St. S. Participating youth range in age from 3-17 years; the predominant age of participants is under 12 years. ($15,000) Homebuyer Education: Educational program to inform consumers on what they can afford in a home, how to qualify for a mortgage, and how to be a responsible homeowner. This is a metropolitan area wide program offered by Village Family Service Center. At least 51% of clients served by the City’s resources will be low to moderate income persons. The program is approved by Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to qualify for first-time homebuyer assistance programs. ($10,200 – $600 Program Administration/$9,600 Contract Amount) Tenant Education: Educational program to inform tenants of their rights and responsibilities, helping them to develop a positive rental history. At least 51% of clients served by the City’s resources will be low to moderate income persons. ($9,800 – $200 Program Administration/$9,600 Contract Amount) Opportunities Under Transit [“OUT”] Transportation Initiative: Discounted bus pass voucher program for persons who are homeless or extremely low income (less than 30% median income) to provide transportation to and from employment or job training. The program can be accessed for monthly bus passes up to two times per year per participant. The program will be administered by Metro Area Transit. ($1,000)	$36,000
Property Acquisition/Demolition	To be used in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity or other qualified agencies for acquisition and/or site preparation for affordable housing development for homebuyers or for blight removal. Eligible activity in accordance with CFR Part 570.201(a). National Objective: Activity benefiting low and moderate income persons.	$25,000
Program Administration	Staff support for the planning, implementation, reporting, and monitoring of CDBG resources.	$68,213
Human Rights Commission	Eleven member citizen board appointed to address human rights issues. Activities funded include staff services and may also include public notices of community meetings on human rights and fair housing, training for Commission members, information distribution, and other efforts to educate and inform the community on human rights and fair housing issues.	$1,000
Wilder Study	Homelessness “point-in-time” survey of Fargo-Moorhead homeless population.	$3,000
Unprogrammed Funds	Funds held in contingency for issues which may arise during the program year.	$20,000

Participants in all Public Service activities are income certified.  Single family housing rehabilitation programs are offered City-wide; however, units are certified to meet HUD requirements.  Additional program income will be applied to Homeowner Rehabilitation.  For a map of CDBG target neighborhoods for any activity, please contact the Planning and Neighborhood Services Department.

The draft plan is available here. 

Comments and suggestions from the public are encouraged through a public comment period and/or at the public hearing (schedule below).  Comments are also accepted online.  In advance of the public hearing, alternative formats of this information or accommodation for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency will be made upon request (10 hours notice is required).  To make arrangements for services, call 218-299-5434; for TDD/Relay service dial 711.

30-Day Public Comment period: October 8 through November 6, 2015

Send written comments or phone:
City of Moorhead Planning and Neighborhood Services
Attn. CD Program Administrator
PO Box 779
Moorhead MN 56561
218.299.5434

Public Hearing:
Monday, October 26, 2015 - 5:45 p.m.
First Floor City Council Chambers
500 Center Avenue, Moorhead MN 56560

Final Council Consideration:
Monday, November 9, 2015

Published in the FM Extra on October 8, 2015