Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY PLANNING, HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

DESCRIPTION OF FY 2004 RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS

Housing Development: $72,600 to Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) for staff and related program delivery costs to develop small multi-family housing projects (25-75 units) for low and moderate income households. Additional funds for acquisition and rehabilitation could be requested from CDBG, the state, AHIF and/or private lenders when a project has established feasibility.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 70 units of mixed income housing.

Housing Development: $179,500 to AHC, Inc. for staff and related program delivery costs to develop large multi-family housing projects (100+ units) for low and moderate income households.  Funding for acquisition and rehabilitation could be requested from CDBG, the state, AHIF and/or private lenders when a project has established feasibility.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 120 units of mixed income housing.

Christmas in April: $24,000 to the Robert Pierre Johnson Housing Corporation (RPJ) for staff and related costs to organize a one-day blitz, using donated labor and materials, to repair houses occupied by low and moderate income persons who are elderly or have disabilities.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 20 properties repaired.

Hearts and Hammers Program:  $9,000 to RPJ for staff costs (10 hrs/week) for management of a year-round home repair program serving low and moderate income persons who are elderly or have disabilities.  This program addresses problems that cannot wait until the Christmas in April program.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 12 properties repaired.

Home Improvement Program (HIP):  $120,000 [$65,000 plus $55,000 reallocated from Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP)] to AHC, Inc. to provide to low and moderate income homeowners financial and technical assistance to rehabilitate their homes, with priority given to homes in Neighborhood Strategy Areas (NSAs).  AHC leverages these funds with state funds, bank financing, owners' contributions and sweat equity.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 20 owner-occupied deteriorated homes brought up to code.

Moderate Income Home Ownership Program (MIHOP): No FY 2004 funding is needed for AHC to continue to acquire and rehabilitate deteriorated houses in NSAs and High View Park (a former NSA) and sell them to low and moderate income families. Program will utilize carryover funds and program income.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 3 deteriorated homes in NSAs rehabilitated and sold to first-time buyers.

Barrier Removal Program:  $10,000 to AHC for accessibility improvement loans for owner-occupied and rented dwellings.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 10 properties improved to meet needs of occupants with physical disabilities.

Program Delivery Costs: $190,000 to AHC, Inc. to be leveraged with $69,500 of non-County funds.  EXPECTED OUTCOME:  Effective and efficient management of above programs plus resale of 4 Arlington Oaks properties, and 15 families provided default counseling services.

Rehab and Development:  $55,000 ($40,000 plus $15,000 revolving fund) for County Real Estate Development Group for staff and for pre-development project costs to rehabilitate privately owned rental units for low and moderate income persons.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: Preservation of 360 affordable housing units, by leveraging local and private funds.

Housing Program Delivery: $10,000 to Housing and Community Development Division for program delivery costs.

Achieve Your Dream:  $39,000 for Arlington Home Ownership Made Easier, Inc. (AHOME) to conduct outreach and provide workshops to eligible prospective home buyers to promote home ownership for low and moderate income and minority households.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: One-on-one counseling and educational workshops resulting in 40-50 families becoming first-time homebuyers.

Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program (MIPAP): $126,000 ($72,000 plus $54,000 reallocated MIPAP funds) to AHC, Inc. for staff costs for deferred payment second trusts to assist income-eligible households to become first-time homeowners.  EXPECTED OUTCOME:20 income-eligible households become first-time homebuyers.

Home Ownership Program:  $74,300 for County staff and related costs to coordinate County home ownership efforts by providing program planning and management, information and referral, public education and outreach.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: Increase of first-time homebuyers in programs provided by nonprofit and for-profit agencies.

Housing Counselor: $30,000 to Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) for part time counselor to assist low-income households facing eviction or seeking housing.   EXPECTED OUTCOME:120 households  provided counseling and financial assistanceto avoid eviction or find permanent housing.

Adopt-A-Family/Lifeworks Programs:  $27,300 to Arlington/Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless to provide case management and employment services to families leaving Sullivan House shelter and moving into independent housing.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 14 families transition to independent living and employment from Sullivan House shelter.

Small Business Assistance:  $50,000 to the Business Development Assistance Group (BDAG) for counseling on business creation, retention and expansion County-wide, with special emphasis in Nauck, Buckingham, and Columbia Heights West NSAs. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: 7 businesses assisted to get started and 4 businesses assisted to expand; 10  jobs created.

Micro-enterprise Loan Program:  $62,000 to Ethiopian Community Development Council for staff costs to operate micro-loan program and funds to replenish the revolving loan loss reserve.  Rent subsidy program has adequate funds to continue as revolving fund. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: 12 loans for business/micro-enterprises; 6 jobs created; 6 jobs retained; 4 businesses enabled to locate in Arlington.

Get CET for Self Sufficiency:  $22,000for Center For Employment Training (CET)for heating and air conditioning skills training costs for 4 Arlington NSA residents, including allowance for travel to Alexandria.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 4 NSA residents complete heating and air conditioning training and obtain employment in the field.

Shirlington Employment and Education Center (SEEC):  $52,000 for SEEC staff and program support to continue employment services to day laborers congregating on South Four Mile Run Drive. EXPECTED OUTCOME: 85 day laborers find jobs and 6 are placed in permanent employment each month.

NSA Employment and Training: $107,000 to Arlington Employment Center (AEC)/County Department of Human Services continue employment and support services to residents of the four NSAs.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 63 NSA residents gain new or improved employment through occupational skills training, work experience and/or English-as-a-Second-Language training.

Computer Training Program:  $30,000 to Arlington Community Action Program (ACAP) to train low and moderate income residents in word processing and computer skills in afternoon and evening classes. EXPECTED OUTCOME: 90 individuals trained in computer skills to secure full time employment or to improve current employment.

NSA Clean-up Program: $6,000 (reallocated funds) to County Office of Neighborhood Services for NSA events to improve neighborhood appearance and increase neighborhood pride.  EXPECTED OUTCOME:  2 - 3 events held.

NSA Code/Counseling Program: $133,700 for the County's NSA Outreach Team providing housing inspections, counseling and technical assistance to residents of NSAs to care for and improve their homes and neighborhood conditions.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: Systematic and spot inspection of properties and initiation of necessary code enforcement activities to maintain the quality of life in Nauck, Buckingham, Arna Valley and Columbia Heights West NSAs. Improved housing and neighborhood conditions in the NSAs.

NSA Small Grants Program:  $18,000 (reallocated funds), $4,500 per NSA, to County Office Of Neighborhood Services (ONS) for a set-aside fund to respond to neighborhood needs recommended in NSA Revitalization Plans.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 3-5 small grants for each NSA (total of at least 15).

Immigration Legal Services:  $15,000 (reallocated) to Just Neighbors Ministry for on-site legal clinics in NSAs to help immigrants apply for and receive work authorization and to obtain assistance with domestic violence issues. EXPECTED OUTCOME: 75 low income residents of NSAs secure work authorization; 15 immigrants dealing with domestic violence adjust immigration status.

Gunston TREK:. $14,000 for County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources (PRCR) staff to provide a 12 month program of recreational and educational activities aimed at teens in Arna Valley.  EXPECTED OUTCOME:  85 youth between the ages of 11-16 make positive choices by participating in educational, recreational and team building activities.

Nauck Youth and Teens:  $14,000 to Community Association Of Resources, Education, Enrichment, And Economics, Inc. (CARE) for programs in Nauck NSA, including summer reading program and year round activities to increase the self-esteem, life skills, and awareness of community resources of 10 to 14 year-olds.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: No pregnancies, improved life skills, and improved reading skills among 90 program participants.

Strengthening Families:  $9,400 to Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HACAN) for a parenting program at Arlington Mill Community Center for low income Hispanic parents in Columbia Heights West and Arna Valley.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 42 parents learn parenting skills and abuse prevented for 30 children.

Community Bicycle Shop:  $17,000 to the County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources to continue a bicycle repair shop where NSA teenagers learn bike repair and maintenance while participating in career and personal development activities. EXPECTED OUTCOME: 12 NSA teens learn bike repair and basic business skills, demonstrate improved social behavior, and improve academic performance.

Teen Internship Program:  $5,000 to Greenbrier Learning Center to hire teen interns and train them to work with younger children.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 5 teens trained to work with young children as recreation counselors.

REACH Senior Adult Program: $20,000 to County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources for staff support for senior adult program (REACH) in Columbia Heights West at Arlington Mill.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 66 seniors increase knowledge and skills in English language and citizenship; 67 seniors increase understanding of appropriate health related behaviors and knowledge of health issues related to aging.

Lubber Run Summer Fun:  $5,000 (reallocated) to the County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources for field trips for low income Buckingham elementary and middle school youth during summer programs at Lubber Run Recreation Center.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: 60 low income Buckingham NSA youth will participate in all activities, including field trips, during Summer Fun/Junior Jam camp sessions.

Buckingham Youth Brigade: $15,000 for Gates of Arlington Tenants Association (GATA) to continue a program to encourage civic involvement and develop leadership among youth and their families in the Buckingham NSA. EXPECTED OUTCOME: 15-20 youth trained to access community services and educational resources, make positive decisions and develop interpersonal and cultural competency.  A limited number receive work experience through PRCR summer Recreation Aide jobs and other employment and volunteer opportunities.

NSA Program Implementation:   $10,000 to County Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development for program delivery costs.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: Neighborhood improvement as measured by specific outcomes listed in Plan documents and against 5-year benchmarks.

General Administration and Planning:  $712,400 for County Housing and Community Development Division/Office Of Neighborhood Services staff to: a) administer the Citizen Participation Plan for the CDBG Program, including staffing CDCAC; b) conduct special outreach to low and moderate income and multi-cultural communities (e.g., Hispanic and Vietnamese); c) manage the CDBG program in accord with the priorities detailed in the Consolidated Plan; d) implement overall CDBG program planning and development; d) conduct planning, implementation and evaluation for the four NSAs (Nauck, Columbia Heights West, Arna Valley and Buckingham); and e) monitor program performance and assess program effectiveness in producing desired outcomes.  EXPECTED OUTCOME: Program administered effectively, with improved efficiency and within the rules and regulations.

PROPOSALS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CDBG FUNDING IN FY 2004

Resident Services: AHC, Inc. will receive $15,000 from County General Fund to deliver on-site programs for children and families at affordable housing developments.

Hispanic Community Development: The Ibero-American Chamber of Commerce requested $84,900 to provide financial literacy, tenant-landlord information, and ongoing support for housing issues.

Road to Independence: The Boat People SOS, Inc. requested $56,300 to provide financial literacy and housing counseling to Vietnamese immigrants.

Nauck Economic Development: Bonder and Amanda Johnson Community Development Corporation requested $100,000 to develop a youth entrepreneurship program in collaboration with ACAP's business incubator project in the Nauck commercial area. 

Shirlington Road Revitalization Organization:Bonder and Amanda Johnson Community Development Corporation requested $30,000 to develop and provide support for an organization to represent businesses and property owners in the commercial area of Nauck NSA.

Buckingham Commercial Improvement:  $31,000 was requested to complete Phase 4 of the façade improvement program in Buckingham NSA commercial area.

Video Project: Bonder and Amanda Johnson Community Development Corporation requested $13,700 to involve teens in the production of 3 videos relating to the history of the Nauck neighborhood and its churches. 

Nauck Neighborhood Network: CARE, Inc. requested $22,000 to organize and provide administrative support for an organization representing a variety of service providers, stakeholders and groups involved in the Nauck NSA.

Whitefield Commons Community Center: WHDC requested $50,000 for staff costs to manage the outreach center serving Knightsbridge and Whitefield Commons apartments and Buckingham NSA residents.

Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: Arlington Public Schools requested $6,000 continued funding for workshops for parents to learn how to communicate with their children about issues related to teen sexuality.

Family Health and Wellness: PRCR requested $17,500 for exercise and nutrition instructors, supplies and wellness workshops to be offered at Lubber Run Center for Buckingham NSA families.

After School Youth Investment: PRCR requested $14,400 to hire and train two teens to assist with the after school program offered at Lubber Run Center serving low income families.

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH

RECOMMENDED FY 2004 CDBG PROGRAM AND BUDGET

($105,800 PLUS $27,100 reallocated funds)

Housing Development: $23,500 to Falls Church Housing Corporation for program delivery costs of affordable housing program.

Program Administration: $10,500 to Arlington County for CDBG program administration and oversight costs.

Program Administration: $10,500 to City of Falls Church Housing and Human Services Division for program administration including program management, monitoring and assessment, environmental review and technical assistance to sub-recipients.

Services to Empower People: $15,750 toCity of Falls Church Housing and Human Services Division for a bilingual outreach worker to provide housing counseling, educational programs, and referrals for limited English speaking and disabled low and moderate income residents.

Small Business Assistance Program: $20,000 to Business Development Assistance Group (BDAG) to create, retain, and expand small businesses within Falls Church.

Program Delivery: $25,550 toCity of Falls Church Housing and Human Services Division forHOME-funded tenant-based rental assistance program.

Rehabilitation Coordinator and Rehab Loans/Grants:  $27,100 (reallocated) to City of Falls Church Housing and Human Services Division for staff and funds to bring properties into compliance with state and local codes.