DISCUSSION
The CAPER details how the City of Garden Grove (City) carried out the projects and activities identified in the previously approved FY 2022-23 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, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
During FY 2022-23, 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 22,748 low-income individuals through various programs and services. Highlights of FY 2022-23 accomplishments include:
- Created and retained 47 jobs through job retention grants;
- Provided 369 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 31 homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless households;
- Provided homeless services to 178 individuals;
- Assisted 3,050 low-income residents through infrastructure development;
- Assisted 18 low-income residents with Home Improvement Grants;
- Assisted 6,660 low-income residents with various public and community services; and
- Provided community outreach and education to 7,319 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) funding expenditures and performance outcomes for completed projects are included in the FY 2022-23 CAPER. In total, the City expended an additional $1,416,507 in CDBG-CV and ESG-CV funding in FY 2022-23 to develop and expand programs in response to the Coronavirus. Please see below for the City’s CDBG-CV and ESG-CV accomplishment for FY 2022-23:
CDBG-CV Accomplishments
- Provided mental health and wellness services to 4,509 individuals through the Be-Well Mobile Response Unit; and
- Provided an additional 30 individuals with workforce development services through the Workforce Activation and Readiness Program.
ESG-CV Accomplishments
- Provided 178 homeless individuals with street outreach, homeless prevention, and emergency shelter services;
- Provided 70 households (174 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 30 days. A public notice was published in English, Spanish and Vietnamese newspapers announcing the public comment period, which began on August 25, 2023 and will conclude at the end of City Council’s September 26, 2023 meeting. All public comments received are included in the final submission of the CAPER to HUD.