DISCUSSION
The CAPER details how the City of Garden Grove (City) carried out the projects and activities identified in the previously approved FY 2021-22 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, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
During FY 2021-22, 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. The City assisted a total of 24,700 low-income individuals through various programs and services. Highlights of FY 2021-22 accomplishments include:
- Created and retained 36 jobs through job retention grants;
- Provided 321 home delivered and/or congregate meals to Garden Grove seniors;
- Provided rental assistance via the Valley View Senior Villas Program and the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rental Transition Program to 55 homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless households;
- Provided homeless services to 146 individuals;
- Assisted 6,695 low-income resident through infrastructure development;
- Assisted 19 low-income residents with Home Improvement Grants;
- Assisted 6,492 low-income resident with various public and community services; and
- Provided community outreach and education to nearly 8,500 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 Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) and Emergency Solutions Grant CARES Act (ESG-CV) expenditures and performance outcomes for completed projects are included in the FY 2021-22 CAPER. In total, the City expended an additional $2,665,889 in CDBG-CV and ESG-CV funding in FY 2021-22 to develop and expand programs in response to the Coronavirus. Please see below for the City’s CDBG-CV and ESG-CV accomplishments for FY 2021-22:
CDBG-CV Accomplishments
- Created and retained an additional 28 jobs through the JOBS 1st Program;
- Provided mental health and wellness services to 1,803 individuals through the Be-Well Mobile Response Unit; and
- Provided an additional 189 individuals with workforce development services through the Workforce Activation and Readiness Program and the IC Incubator Program.
ESG-CV Accomplishments
- Provided 356 homeless individuals with street outreach, homeless prevention, and emergency shelter services; and
- Provided 34 households (70 individuals) with rapid rehousing services.
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 August 26, 2022 and will conclude at the end of City Council’s September 27, 2022 meeting. A Special Meeting for the Neighborhood Improvement and Conservation Commission is scheduled on September 26, 2022, and any comments received from Commissioners and the public will be communicated at the City Council meeting. All public comments received are included in the final submission of the CAPER to HUD.