Title I of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 requires jurisdictions that receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to assess the activities implemented during its previous program year through an annual CAPER.

The CAPER details how the City of Garden Grove (City) carried out the projects and activities identified in the previously approved FY 2019-20 Annual Action Plan (AAP).

The CAPER provides narrative descriptions and financial information on specific activities, and evaluates the City’s progress toward the priority objectives addressing housing and community needs as outlined in the 5-Year Consolidated Plan. The reporting period for the CAPER is from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. During FY 2019-20, the City utilized Federal funding to expand or preserve affordable housing opportunities, improve low-income neighborhoods through public infrastructure improvements, and assist special needs groups such as senior citizens, homeless and those who are at-risk of becoming homeless.  Highlights of FY 2019-20 accomplishments include:

• Assisted a total of 16,687 low-income individuals through various programs and services;
• Assisted 232 households with fair housing services;
• Provided 61,110 home delivered and/or congregate meals to Garden Grove seniors;
• Provided rental assistance via the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rental Transition Program to 48 homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless households;
• Assisted 13 low-income seniors with Home Improvement Grants; Provided homeless services to 361 individuals;
• Provided community outreach and education to nearly 7,500 individuals.

The FY 2019-20 AAP was amended to include Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding that was awarded to the City by HUD in April 2020. The CARES Act expenditures and projected performance outcomes are included in the FY 2019-20 CAPER, but accomplishments for the CARES Act funding will not be reported to HUD until the activities are completed or the June 30, 2022 expenditure deadline is reached. The accomplishments shown in the FY 2019-20 CAPER reflect the activities funded through the City's entitlement grant allocations for FY 2019-20.

Per the HUD approved Citizen Participation Plan, the City is required to make the CAPER available to the public for review and comment for a minimum of 15 days.  A public notice was published in English, Spanish and Vietnamese newspapers announcing the public comment period, which began on November 20, 2020, and will conclude at the end of tonight’s Public Hearing. The Neighborhood Improvement and Conservation Commission's public hearing and acceptance of public comments scheduled on December 7, 2020, and all public comments received are included in the final submission of the CAPER to HUD.

The City annually receives approximately $3 million in CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds from HUD. The CAPER process allows the City to report out on expenditures and accomplishments achieved during the prior fiscal year, as well as to ensure future funding of programs and services for our low/moderate-income residents.

It is recommended that City Council:

• Conduct a public hearing; 
• Accept the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report; and

• Direct the transmission of the report to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.