The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires a public hearing be conducted prior to the approval of the Annual Action Plan to receive and utilize HUD grants.  The City must submit an Annual Action Plan to HUD forty-five (45) days prior to the start of the fiscal year, or by May 15, 2024. Each year’s Action Plan must address the Priority Objectives adopted by the City Council on June 23, 2020 for the 5-Year Consolidated Plan for the use of HUD Funds. The draft Action Plan is available on the City’s webpage for public review until April 9, 2024, at ggcity.org/neighborhood-improvement/reports.

HUD has not announced the City’s FY 2024-25 grant allocations yet, and the budgets and projections in the draft Action Plan are subject to change once the allocations are announced. City Staff will use the budget breakdown that is provided in Appendix D of the draft Action Plan to adjust the funding levels for each program.

Approximately $2.75 million in HUD funds will be available during FY 2024-25, inclusive of approximately $15,526 of carryover funds, as depicted below:

Program and funding recommendations for FY 2024-25 are based on HUD's priority objectives as well as input received during the preparation of the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan.

During FY 2024-25, HUD funds will address a wide range of Garden Grove housing and community development needs, which include the following:

Public Services:  Funding in the CDBG public service category is strictly limited by HUD regulatory formula to 15% of the total allocation, or $277,603 for FY 2024-25.

• Special Resource Team – Fund at $110,000 to assist 200 homeless individuals with essential services and referrals to emergency shelter.
• Senior Center Services – Fund at $147,603 to assist 300 seniors.
•  Meals on Wheels Program – Fund at $20,000 to assist 190 individuals.

Public Facilities and Infrastructure:  Approximately $800,000 in CDBG funds is recommended for the Monroe Street Rehabilitation Project and is projected to assist approximately 2,335 individuals.

Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation:  Approximately $135,000 in CDBG funds will be allocated to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County to complete 20 owner-occupied rehabilitation projects for single-family homeowners in Garden Grove.

Economic Development:  Approximately $250,000 in CDBG funds are recommended for economic development activities. The recommended funding for the Boost Program is $100,000, and Upwards, the operator of the Boost Program, is anticipated to assist 12 childcare agencies in Garden Grove build their capacity and expand operations.

Additionally, City staff is working to develop a business assistance program in FY 2024-25 that is focused on providing technical assistance and capital funding to eligible Garden Grove businesses. The City is allocating $150,000 to this pilot program and City Staff will undergo a procurement process to select a qualified agency. It is anticipated that this program will be operational in fall 2024.

Affordable Housing:  The City recommends allocating $250,000 in HOME funds to continue tenant-based rental assistance for the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rental Transition (HEART) Program administered by Interval House.

Emergency Solutions Grant:  City Staff conducted an Emergency Solutions Grant Request for Proposals in January 2024 to solicit proposals from qualified homeless service providers for this coming fiscal year (FY 24/25). Below are the proposed funding levels and projections for each eligible activity:

• Street Outreach - Fund Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) at $50,000 to assist 40 homeless individuals with essential services.

• Emergency Shelter – Fund Interval House and Illumination Foundation a combined $51,000 to assist 30 homeless individuals with shelter and essential services.
• Rapid Rehousing - Fund VOALA $31,485 to assist 4 homeless households with rental assistance and essential services.
• Homeless Prevention - Fund Mercy House $35,000 to assist 24 individuals who are at-risk of homelessness with rental assistance and essential services.
• Homeless Management Information System - Fund 211 Orange County $5,094 to manage the County’s Coordinated Entry System and Homeless Management Information System.

Administration:  Approximately $456,596 in CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds is recommended for staff and material costs for program management, project development and monitoring, public communication, HUD reporting, and financial administration.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

All HUD citizen participation requirements have been met. Public notices regarding the draft Action Plan, including an invitation to share comments at this public hearing, were published on February 23, 2024 in local English, Spanish, and Vietnamese language newspapers.

The proposed FY 2024-25 Action Plan will allow the City to access $2.75 million in new entitlement grants from HUD and an estimated $15,526 in unexpended prior year funds. The allocation of HUD funds effectively leverages competitive grants and the City’s General Fund.  Funds will be included as part of the budget for FY 2024-25.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Hold a public hearing to accept comments;

• Direct staff to submit the FY 2024-25 Action Plan to HUD for approval.
• Authorize the City Manager to execute agreements, and make modifications as appropriate thereto, on behalf of the City.