The Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia

Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report 2005-2006

Isaiah Hugley City Manager

Bob Poydasheff Mayor

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. II. III. INTRODUCTION SUMMARY OF RESOURCES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS... COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT...
A. B. C. D. E. F. ADMINISTRATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.. CODE ENFORCEMENT. HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION. REDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. 1. Acquisition 2. Relocation 3. Demolition 4. Disposition LEAD BASED PAINT NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS FAIR HOUSING REPORT AFFIRMATIVE MARKETING. PUBLIC SERVICES.. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.. PLANNING. SECTION 108.

3 3 7
7 7 7 8 8 8

G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. O. IV. V. VI.

9 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 13

EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT CONTINUUM OF CARE. HOME PROGRAM A. Homebuyer Assistance B. Home Owner Rehabilitation IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING.. SELF EVALUATION CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.

VII. VIII. IX.

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EXHIBITS: A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H.

Continuum of Care IDIS Information Program Income Drawdown HOME Program (By Activity) Form HUD-40107 (11/92) Form HUD-40107-A (12/94) Geographic Distribution Public Notice

COLUMBUS CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) FY 2005 2006 I. INTRODUCTION
The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) is a summary of the activities of the City of Columbus for FY 2005-06 towards the accomplishment of the goals/objectives outlined in its Consolidated Plan. The report shows how the City progressed toward the accomplishment of its five-year goals. The Federal resources provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) includes funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and the Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESGP). The report will also outline the various forms of leveraging that made our efforts more successful. II. SUMMARY OF RESOURCES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS The City had the following funds available to complete programs and projects in FY 2005-2006: Prior Years Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Un-liquidated Obligations and uncommitted funds: Program Income from Sale of Property Prior Years HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Un-liquidated Obligations and uncommitted funds: Prior Years Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG) Un-liquidated Obligations and uncommitted funds:

$5,567,454 $1,296,634

$2,328,917

$ 169,603

The overall goal of the Citys Consolidated Plan for Community Development, Housing, Homeless and Special Needs is to primarily serve very low, low and moderate income persons in the following areas: Provide decent housing Create a viable living environment Expand economic opportunities 3

The City used $3,458,119 of CDBG funds, $1,662,126 of HOME funds and $51,140 of ESG funds on various housing and non-housing community development programs, projects and activities in FY 2005-06. A. HOUSING ACTIVITIES This year the City of Columbus held its fourth Annual Housing Summit. The Housing Summit consisted of over 15 Agencies (Mortgage Lenders, Banks, Realtors, HUD, DCA, Non-Profit Organizations) that came together to inform the citizens of Columbus of various housing programs and opportunities for potential homebuyers. Potential homebuyers came out to get information about assistance and counseling programs that can lead to homeownership. The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Representatives and The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) were on hand to educate the community on various Federal/State Housing Programs and to discuss topics ranging from repairing a poor credit history to avoiding the trap of predatory lending. The Housing related expenditures are as follows:

ACTIVITY Housing Rehabilitation (CDBG) Housing Administration (HOME) Housing Owner Rehabilitation (HOME) Emergency Repairs for the Elderly and Handicapped Accessibility (CDBG) Project Care Homebuyers Assistance (HOME) American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) CHDO Activities (HOME) CHDO Operating (HOME) Homeless Resource Network Coordinator (CDBG) Homeless Shelter Activities (ESG)

EXPENDITURE $375,895 $124,106 $192,118 $ 64,000 $498,700 $ 90,900 $740,193 $ 6,042 $ 35,000 $ 51,140

B. NON-HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITES Non-housing Community Development activities for FY 06 included the rehabilitation of the Gallops Senior Center. The Bibb City Infrastructure improvements are ongoing with completion anticipated in FY 07. We continued to fund the Neighborhood Leadership Academy promoting education and pride in low-income neighborhoods. The Second Avenue Revitalization and the TSYS project were completed in FY06 with the submission of the Final Report from Southern Research and the cur ration of the artifacts. We continue to work with our stakeholders in the development of the Liberty District Master Plan and Design Standards. The plan and standards have been completed and now we begin the implementation process. A conceptual plan was developed, presented to City Council, and approved. The Flood Abatement/Streetscapes Project RFP was submitted. All bids came in over budget. The Revised Plan is to phase in the project over five years for funding purposes. The Rails to Trails project is back on the table with partial funding this year. 4

The City continues to partner through the Community Improvement Program and major projects that are funded through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). C. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS AND LEVERAGING ACCOMPLISHMENTS The City continues to partner with the non-profit developers in our community. The Housing Coalition continues to address issues pertaining to affordable housing as well as working toward the expansion of affordable housing. Through the sale of property to NeighborWorks Columbus, Inc., we have leveraged both federal and private funds to increase the number of affordable housing units in our community. We continue to work with our CHDO, Fourth Street Towers, Inc., to provide both land and funding resources to leverage private funding to increase the affordable housing stock. We continue to leverage CDBG funds with both City and SPLOST funding to address infrastructure and flood abatement projects. Through our partnership with the Housing Authority in their Hope VI project, the City foresees additional opportunities to leverage CDBG funds with private and federal funding for both affordable housing and commercial opportunities in the East Highlands Redevelopment Area. Columbus Area Habitat for Humanity (CAHFH) conducted a Collegiate Challenge in March where 175 students from 10 colleges 7 states went onto Winston Road, a low socioeconomic area, to build 8 homes over a one-week period. This event continues the bond of partnership formed under the Columbus Housing Coalition. Additional Habitat accomplishments as of June 30, 2006 are as follows: Number of houses built or under construction 24 Number of closings 20 Total number of mortgages serviced 209 Number of volunteers & volunteer hours 1,725 volunteers / 21,000 volunteer hours 15 Partner Families and Homeowners attended an 8-hour homebuyers workshop We received 65 applications for homes and 14 applicants were approved Habitat currently employees 6 fulltime staff members and 4 part-time employees Columbus Habitat began Renovation Station, a building material thrift store, to raise additional funds for home construction You will find narrative information regarding Columbus Area Habitat for Humanitys affiliate activities on their website at www.columbusareahabitat.com.. Columbus Housing Initiative, Inc. began doing business as NeighborWorks Columbus in April of 2005 as part of a national branding pilot program with Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, now NeighborWorks America. 5

Some of the accomplishments during FY 2005-2006 include: A Technical Assistance grant from the CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) Fund of the US Treasury Department. This grant was for software, training and marketing of the mortgage lending department. Received a Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Organized and participated in the 3rd annual NeighborWorks Week in Columbus. With approximately $12,000 in contributions and more than 100 volunteers, the week long celebration of affordable housing and community development touched the lives of dozens of families in the Beallwood area. Received a grant from the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley for the Home Save Individual Development Account (IDA) Program. Renewal of CHDO and FHA Mortgage Lending Status. Received $130,000 from NeighborWorks America to further capitalize the Revolving Loan Fund. Mortgage Lending Activity included 23 brokered loans for lender partners for a total volume of $2,308,825. From the Revolving Loan Fund, one owner occupied rehab loan was made for $8,775 and one second mortgage loan was made for $24,400. 19 new homes were constructed or rehabbed and 17 of these have been sold. There are currently 8 homes under construction. The one year impact of 27 new single family detached include: $1,581,417 in local income $175,500 in local taxes 46 local jobs Additional recurring impacts of constructing 27 new single family homes includes: About $489,861 in local income $46,170 in yearly local taxes and fees 19 local jobs

Additional Impacts include: Mortgage Lending Fees totaled $39,109 17 NeighborWorks Columbus homes were sold for a value of $1,330,500 Approximately 197 clients ended FY 05-06 in the program 166, or 84%, were African American 6, or 3%, were Hispanic 25, or 13%, were White 12 Orientations were held with approximately 900 enrolled 12 Homebuyer Education Workshops were held with approximately 182 in attendance 68 clients purchased homesrepresenting an investment of $6,902,509 in real estate and an approximate $46,054 in yearly tax and fee income 6

III. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) In FY 2005 06 the City of Columbus had a total CDBG budget of $5,567,454, of which it expended $3,458,119. The details of specific accomplishments are given below. A. Administration For FY 2005-06, the Budget for Administration was $462,709 of which $375,647 was expended. Administration includes such expenses as salaries, training, travel, telephone, supplies, and furniture and fixtures. This also included the programs share of operating costs that were reimbursed to the City. These costs include utilities, accounting services, etc. The cost allocation for FY 2005-06 was $43,213. B. Economic Development For Job Creation Creating employment opportunities for low and moderate income individuals is a primary goal within our Consolidated Plan. The various tools for economic development include the Enterprise Zone, the development efforts of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce as well as the Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan Program administered by Uptown Columbus, Inc. CDBG funds in the amount of $52,030 reimbursed the incurred expenses to administer this program on behalf of the City. The Columbus Consolidated Government does very little contracting for the construction of public facilities. The City has elected to use Federal funds for housing needs. Section 3 is encouraged within the HOME Program. The City does encourage and require the contractor for Demolition projects to hire neighborhood residents for the respective jobs if possible as well as retain the services of Female and Minority owned business. C. Code Enforcement The City continues to fund Code Enforcement as part of our CDBG Program. In FY 2005-06, $127,473 of CDBG funds were allocated to provide the services of inspectors in Low Moderate Income areas. The City of Columbus worked with the CDBG Program to address the issue of substandard housing. The City provided a significant portion of the funding required to demolish vacant substandard structures that were not in compliance with housing code standards. Of the funds expended, the City provided $40,548; CDBG provided $98,884. The tables below identifies the activity and level of accomplishment for the activity.

CITY WIDE SPOT CLEARANCE Code Violations/citations/notices Number of re-inspections Number of compliance by repair Number of voluntary demolitions Number of mandatory demolitions Number of pending demolitions remaining

237 750 110 79 115 254

HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT Total number of inspections Total number of sub-standard notices Total number re-inspections Total number of compliance

255 255 1,255 905

These activities were supported by Contractual Services covering asbestos abatement surveys in the amount of $7,318 from the Citys budget. D. Emergency Repairs and Handicapped Accessibility 1. The City of Columbus, Department of Community Reinvestment, spent $64,000 to address the issue of improving accessibility for elderly and disabled persons and emergency repairs through our Project Care Program for 12 individuals. Emergency repairs were initiated when we could not address the needs through our HOME Program. We also insured any projects undertaken with Federal Funds were in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). 2. The City collaborates with other agencies to include The Urban League of Greater Columbus, Habitat for Humanities, Columbus Housing Initiative, Fourth Street Towers Inc., House of Heros, and other City Departments to address underserved needs. E. Historic Preservation No Activity. F. Redevelopment Activities The Citys acquisition program under CDBG is declining. The capacity of our CHDO (Fourth Street Towers) has improved, organization of Neighborworks Columbus and partnering with Habitat for Humanity continue to enable the City to take the approach of providing infrastructure improvements and leave the acquisition of properties to the nonprofit housing developers.

ACQUISITIONS Total Parcels Purchased - CDBG: $47,000 Second Avenue 1

RELOCATIONS CDBG: South Lawyers Lane $2,008 1

Our relocation activities have declined due to the decline in the acquisition of properties. DISPOSITIONS Total Parcels Sold: 4 $110,000 Redevelopment Areas Beallwood 3 South Lawyers Lane 1

We have been extremely successful in marketing CDBG properties and now have a small inventory of properties. DEMOLITION Total Structures Demolished: 2 Redevelopment Areas Medical Center/Hope VI Project

$56,964 2

The City is extremely pro-active in its demolition activities. The Citys Purchasing Division is responsive to the needs and promptly places demolition, asbestos abatement Request for Proposals (RFPs) on the Councils Agenda. All structures have an asbestos survey prior to being placed on a demolition list. We understand the importance of removing the structure as quickly as possible. Acquisition and disposition redevelopment activities are supported by Contractual Services for appraisals, attorney fees, title insurance, pro-rated taxes, etc.

G. Lead Based Paint Our lead based paint program is currently being reevaluated with policies and procedures being developed. 9

H. Neighborhood Parks The City continues to improve its parks and recreation facilities. This year funds were expended in the amount of $118,721 to replace the roof of the Gallops Seniors Center. I. Fair Housing Report Fair Housing issues are addressed in detail in the HOME section. J. Affirmative Marketing Affirmative marketing issues are addressed in detail in the HOME section. K. Public Services 1. Neighborhood Leadership Academy The City expended $6,000 in FY 2005-06 to operate the Neighborhood Leadership Academy ONE TEAM ONE DREAM. This program continues to be one of the Columbus Consolidated Governments best outreach programs. The Program goes into neighborhoods and empowers the Citizens with the knowledge of City Government to enable them to take back their neighborhoods. The program allows citizens and government employees to interact with each other while assessing and addressing the needs. The number of low and low-moderate income persons served through our Leadership Academy in FY 2005-06 was 37. The program is coordinated through Keep Columbus Beautiful. 2. Homeless Resource Network Coordinator The allocation for FY 2005-06 was $35,000. The allocation pays the salary for the Director of the Homeless Resource Network. The Director is a full time position that works with the area homeless shelters in the coordination of the Citys response to the needs of the homeless and to serve as the lead agency in the development of the Citys Continuum of Care document. Approximately 1,222 individuals were served during this fiscal year by the Networks office. 3. Columbus Community Center The City funded the activities of a organization called the Columbus Community Center. This program provides after school activities for children pre-K through 5th Grade that primarily live in low to moderate income census tracts. The City provided $25,000 in funding for FY 2005-06. The funding provided the after school activities for approximately 75 children per day.

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L. Public Improvements No activity during FY 2005-06.

M. Infrastructure Improvements The Bibb City Storm Sewer System project consists of improving an antiquated storm water conveyance system while minimizing impacts to the local residents. Extensive use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and energy dissipation measures seeks to control erosion and prevent sediment deposits off site. Approximately 5,600 Linear Feet of reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) and 88 storm drain structures is included in this project. The RCP ranges in size from 15-inch diameter to 48inch diameter. The design includes 26,500 Square Feet of revetment-stabilized channel through Hemlock Park. It also includes installation of handicap access ramps, retaining walls, sidewalks and crosswalks to assist with pedestrian health and safety. After completion of the pipe installation, all streets affected will be resurfaced and restriped to match existing conditions. The project was let to construction in August of 2005 and construction began in November of the same year. As of August 1, 2006 the project is 79% complete and is expected to be 100% complete by the end of October, 2006.

N. Planning Columbus is pro-active in land use planning to prevent sprawl. In FY 05, the City adopted a Unified Development Ordinance to encompass several planning ordinances into one. The Citys Five-year Consolidated Plan has been completed with the help of a consulting firm. Community input will provide guidance on accomplishing the goals and objectives outlined in the Plan. O. Section 108 The City continues to repay the Section 108 Loan. During FY 2005-06, the City paid $1,334,813 from CDBG funds towards the balance of the loan. The purpose of the loan was to help revitalize the Uptown (Downtown area) through the development of a corporate campus for the headquarters of a major local employer.

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IV. EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM (ESGP) The Homeless Resource Network is the sub-recipient who administers the Emergency Shelter Grant Program. The total grant for FY 2005-06 was $80,057. Of those funds, $4,002 was allocated to the Homeless Resource Network to administer the program. The remainder was allocated to the various shelter providers on a reimbursement basis. The table below gives a summary of how those funds were allocated by recipient and their corresponding Match amounts.

Cash, In-Kind Service Match $50,000 $22,500 $300,000 $22,487 73,000 $469,987

Shelter Homeless Resource Network, Inc. House of T.I.M.E. Open Door Community House Salvation Army of Columbus Columbus Alliance for Battered Women d/b/a Hope Harbour Totals

ESG FY 200506 Funds ESG Grant Percentage Match Allocation $4,002 $19,544 $21,639 $19,542 $15,330 $80,057 1,249% 115% 1,386% 115% 476% 522%

The Homeless Resource Network is the Citys administrator of the ESG funds the City receives. The Network is the coordinating agency for our community in response to the needs of the homeless. The chart identifies the various agencies who receive funding through this program and the results of their leveraging efforts.

V. CONTINUUM OF CARE The Homeless Resource Network, Inc. is the coordinating agency for the City to compile the document known as the Continuum of Care. This document identifies the needs of our community as it relates to the homeless and persons living with AIDS/HIV and the services that are available to meet those needs. The document reports the success and failures in our efforts to address the gaps that result. The document outlines the process for accessing those services as well. See Exhibit A.

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VI. HOME PROGRAM The HOME Program continues to be the primary source of funding for our communitys efforts to address the housing needs. The HOME match for FY2006 was from bonds and UDAG funds. HOME funds were distributed in FY 2006 as follows: Homebuyer Assistance American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) Owner Rehabilitation HOME New Construction CHDO Operating CHDO Activities HOME Administration $498,700 $ 90,900 $192,118 $ 91,950 $ 6,042 $740,193 $124,106

A. Homebuyer Assistance The Homebuyer Assistance Program is structured to allow the Financial Institutions to work with the Homebuyers. This is being accomplished by having an Annual Certification/Re-Certification Briefing for any interested Financial Institutions that want to participate in the Homebuyer Assistance Program. These institutions must attend the Annual Certification to be recognized as a Certified Lender to participate in the Homebuyer Assistance Program. This approach has been quite successful. We assisted 82 households with down payment assistance under the Homebuyer Assistance Program, using $498,700 of HOME Funds. The City also assisted 10 households with downpayment assistance under the ADDI Program. B. Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance During FY 2006, we completed 6 Homeowner Rehabilitation Projects and spent approximately $192,118. We currently have 23 people on the waiting list. Our goal for the upcoming year is to complete 16 Homeowner Rehabilitation Projects. Some of these funds will come from previous years monies.

VII. IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING A. MINORITY OUTREACH The City continues to ensure that information on the Citys programs reaches the minority populations. The City held a Housing Summit for the Hispanic population to encourage that populations participation in our HOME programs. Other efforts include increasing the dissemination of information to various minority publications/media to increase awareness among minority populations. The City has purchased a page in the En Lance Spanish Yellow Pages. The page presents the various HOME programs to the Hispanic community.

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B. AFFIRMATIVE MARKETING To market and publicize various housing programs that are available to the public, the Department of Community Reinvestment hosts an Annual Housing Summit each summer during the month of June, which coincides with the Department of Housing and Urban Developments National Homeownership Month. The Housing Summit is free and open to the public. This is the chance for all housing agencies, non-profits, banks, lending institution, credit counseling agencies and realtors to let the public know what programs each agency has to offer that will assist and help the citizens become homeowners. Each agency has a booth where they present to the community various brochures (English and Spanish), handouts, on the spot pre-qualification for home loans, credit counseling and various classes on predatory lending, etc. The Housing Summit has been a great success and is highly publicized prior to the event. Each year the City of Columbus designates an area through its Community Improvement Program for clean up. During this time various departments within the City Government hold classes each week for the citizens of targeted communities to inform them of how City Government works and what programs are available within the City Government to assist them. Columbus Consolidated Government partners with the community and the agency Keep Columbus Beautiful to come together to address areas of concern that may need cleaning up or that have been neglected in the past. During this time, we address everything from City Code violations, to street repairs, abandoned car clean up, etc. The Fire Department performs fire and safety inspections for the homeowners and installs free smoke detectors. The Health Department speaks and gives important information on all of their services. The Muscogee County School Board is also on hand to give out vital information on Muscogee County Schools and what is required to register children for school. The Department of Code and Enforcement of Columbus Consolidated Government also refer homeowners to the Department of Community Reinvestments HOME Program if they notice code violations and repairs needed to the homes. If the homeowner qualifies, they can be assisted through the various HOME Programs. All printed materials designed to inform the public, owners, or potential tenants wishing to participate in the HOME Program will include a statement regarding the Columbus Consolidated Governments Affirmative Marketing Plan as well as the applicable fair housing laws. This information will be included in all media released and/or reports informing the public about the HOME Program. All newspaper and other media announcements, as well as any printed materials, will include the Equal Housing Opportunity logo, slogan or statement. The Columbus Consolidated Government also has a website (www.columbusga.org) where the public has access to all available programs and forms that the City has to offer. This website records approximately 36 hits per day from individuals seeking information pertaining to our programs. 14

VIII. SELF EVALUATION The City of Columbus is completing its fifth C.A.P.E.R. for the Fiveyear Consolidated Plan 2000 2005. The City has worked diligently towards its goal of serving primarily very low, low and moderate income persons by providing decent housing, helping to create a viable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities. The level of success of this goal would not have been achieved without our communitys emphasis on public/private partnerships. Our primary approach to the use of CDBG funds has been to focus on specific areas of the community we have identified as needing assistance. This approach helps us to direct limited funds in a way that will have the most impact in a given area. We will continue to apply this concept as we move into our Five-year Consolidated Plan for 2006 2011.

IX.

CITIZENS PARTICIPATION

In accordance with the Columbus Consolidated Governments Citizen Participation Plan, an announcement of the availability of a draft of the C.A.P.E.R. for review at various public library locations throughout the City and the announcement of the holding of a public hearing was published in the Columbus, Georgia Columbus Times Newspaper on August 31 and in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Newspaper on September 4, 2006 (see Exhibit H). The information of the availability of the draft and the date/time/place of the public hearing was announced on the Citys TV channel and on the Citys website. A copy of the CAPER was available on the Citys web site as well. There was only one person in attendance for the Public Hearing. Two individuals showed up after the Hearing had closed. Their questions were about the Section 108 Loan. No written or oral comments were received during the Public Comment period that ended September 22.

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