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community impact program. Lakewood receives its federal funds by formula and has received CDBG <br />funding over the last 25 years. The formula for receipt is based on population, poverty rate, age, and <br />condition of the city’s housing stock. The population threshold for CDBG funding is 50,000, and <br />Lakewood has hovered just above this number for a long time. Even if Lakewood’s population were to <br />dip below 50,000, it would still be eligible to receive CDBG funding due to precedent that has been set <br />regarding long time recipient cities continuing to receive funding despite population loss. The CDBG <br />program’s primary objective is to provide affordable housing and expand economic opportunity. 70% of <br />CDBG funds must be spent on impacting moderateto low income households. Traditionally, funding in <br />Lakewood has been for affordable housing, park improvements, and street repairs in low income areas. <br />The storefront renovation programhas also received CDBG funding over the years, however the only <br />th <br />storefronts eligible are along Madison, Detroit, and W. 117St. The city has received $825,000 in ESG <br />funding over the last 9 years. ESG funds’ purpose are for individuals who are eminently at risk of losing <br />their housing and the Lakewood Community Services Center is the sole recipient of those funds in <br />Lakewood. The funding goes toward short-term cash assistance for rent or utilities and the department <br />projects LCSC will receive about $150,000 in ESG funds in 2020.The city anticipates receiving $1.9 <br />millionin CDBG funding in 2020.The city also expects to receive $175,000 in 2020 from the Northeast <br />Ohio Housing Consortium, which is a federal housing partnership set up between Euclid, Lakewood, <br />Parma, and Cleveland Heights. This program provides down paymentassistance for first time home <br />buyers. <br />City Planner Milius indicated that there are 15 CDBG low to moderate income areas in Lakewood. Some <br />of the projects targeted for CDBG funding are the purchase of land required for the expansion of Fire <br />Station #2, asbestos abatement in Cove Church ($75k), Clifton-Prado Park improvements ($25k), <br />Kauffman Park improvements ($50k), Madison baseball field lighting improvements ($60k), and the <br />redesign of Detroit from Sloane to Graber ($100k). Councilmembers expressed a desire to have input on <br />park design.Concerns were raised over whether there were enough streets that need to be repaved in <br />CDBG areas. Mr. Wyman asserted that there is enough deterioration to keep an active repaving program <br />and that funds can be used to replace water mains as well. <br />Lakewood Alive <br />Executive Director Ian Andrews & Housing & Internal Operations Director Allison Urbanek <br />Ian Andrews and Allison Urbanek of Lakewood Alive lead a presentation regarding their non-profit <br />organization’s efforts and mission. Lakewood Alive is 15 years old and has a mission to foster and sustain <br />vibrant neighborhoods in Lakewood. Their focus is largely on housing outreach and maintaining strong <br />commercial corridors. Lakewood Alive assists 13-14 residents a year with code compliance issues and its <br />paint program. The organization also runs about 50 volunteer projects between April and October on an <br />annual basis. It receives funding from First Federal Lakewood and the Lakewood Pride Fund, which was <br />started in 2014 to raise funds for a loan guarantee program. Lakewood Alive also runs tool rental <br />programs and completes aging in place assessments for permanently disabled individuals or for seniors <br />aged 62 or older.Aging in place assessments involve installing grab bars, providing better light, reducing <br />trip hazards, and providing smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. In 2019, the organization served 5252 non- <br />duplicative clients, 84% of which are low to moderate income. 51% of these clients are also the single <br />female head of household.Lakewood Alive had 1,554 interactions with clients and Mr. Andrews and <br />Mrs. Urbanek provided examples of their projects and recent efforts of the organization.The organization <br />collectively brings out 50,000 people per year to their events. Lakewood Aliveoversees the Downtown <br />Lakewood Business Alliance and serves as a fiscal agent for the West End Lakewood Business <br />Association. <br /> <br />