minfin 11-27-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

CDBG/ESG Allocations Discussion Planning Director Leininger reviewed the organizational structure of the Planning & Development Department as well as the core services and major initiatives for FY 2023. He explained that most of the CDBG and ESG allocations roll into programs within Community and Economic Development, but there are some dollars spread through Planning as well. He provided an overview of the Citizens Advisory Committee and its role in helping to determine CDGB and ESG allocations for each year. Dan Wyman (Development Officer) began by introducing the Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee, Maureen Dostal. He then went onto explain that as an entitlement community, Lakewood receives CDBG and ESG funds directly from the federal government. The CDBG funds are utilized to develop viable urban communities, provide decent affordable housing, facilitate a suitable living environment and expand economic opportunity. The expenditures must also principally benefit low to moderate income households. The ESG funds assist very low- income households experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness, by providing emergency shelter, housing stability case management services and emergency rent and utility assistance. Lakewood Community Services Center is the partner agency that helps to administer the ESG programs. The Department of Planning & Development anticipates that the City will receive about $1.85 million in CDBG funds and $165,000 in ESG funds for FY 2024, which is slightly less than what was received last year. Mr. Wyman said that citizen participation is a required component of both programs, and the Lakewood Citizens Advisory Committee serves to fill that function. The committee met four times over the fall to review funding requests submitted by City departments and non-profit agencies. He then reviewed a series of slides comparing the funding requests for FY 2024, with the recommended allocations for FY 2023 and FY 2024. He also explained that the public services agency funded activities cannot exceed 15 percent of the total CDBG allocation. In response to a question from Councilmember Kepple, Mr. Wyman explained that HUD uses a very complex formula to determine the annual allocations for each entitlement community. He said that the Cityis not providedaccess to the details behind the formula, thereforewe are not sure why our allocation is a little lower for FY 2024, but it is not something over which we have control. In response to another question from Councilmember Kepple, Mr. Wyman explained that for the ESG Allocations the recommendation is to shift the $20,000 from emergency shelter services to the Homeless Prevention Program since LCSC is moving buildings and has determined that the emergency shelter space is no longer feasible at their new location. Director Leininger further explained that once the renovations are done, LCSC will have housing space but it will be for low-income families and not an emergency shelter space, since they have seen a shift in the needs due to the success of their Homelessness Prevention Program. In response to a question from Councilmember Rader, Director Leininger went into more detail about the proposed $60,000 in funding for the Climate Action Plan Project. He said that there were two different projects proposed to the committee, the small engine buy-back program and 7