TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to submit a grant application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, through the Housing Related Parks Program, for the rehabilitation of 14th Street Park and Seaside Park, at an estimated total cost of $321,500. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
On November 7, 2006, California voters passed the Housing and Emergency Trust Fund Act of 2006 (Proposition 1C), to provide low cost housing for needy families, seniors, and military veterans, as well as shelters for battered women. Subsequent enabling legislation authorized $200 million in Proposition 1C grant funding for the Housing Related Parks Program (HRP Program), which is administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The HRP Program creates incentives and rewards local governments for building affordable housing with grant money to fund much needed parks in their communities. Grant awards are based on the number of bedrooms in newly constructed ownership and rental housing units that are made affordable to very low-income and low-income households. Applicants may be eligible for bonus funding for units developed as infill projects, for park projects that will serve disadvantaged communities, and for projects that are located within a short walking distance of the housing units that are being counted toward the grant award. Grant funds may be used for the creation, development, or rehabilitation of park and recreation facilities that meet these criteria.
On December 2, 2011, HCD released a Notice of Funding Availability for the HRP Program for its 2011 funding round, which provides grant funds based on the number of lower income housing units that began construction between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011.
The Long Beach Housing Development Company provided financial assistance to Meta Housing Corporation for the development of 200 affordable senior apartments at 200 E. Anaheim Street, and to Habitat for Humanity for the development of two single family homes at 1486 Henderson Avenue and 1495 Chestnut Avenue (Attachment), all of which are in Council District 1. Both of these projects began construction during the HRP Program's designated time period. The projects provide a total of 200 affordable units with 264 bedrooms, and, along with bonus points, enable the City of Long Beach (City) to apply for up to $321,500 in grant funds.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, with the assistance of the Department of Development Services, is proposing to apply for $321,500 in grant funding through the HRP Program for the rehabilitation of the turf and landscaping at 14th Street Park and the rehabilitation of park turf and the soccer field at Seaside Park.
In order to meet HCD's grant deadline of March 30, 2012, an unsigned grant application has been submitted to the State. HCD allows up to 30 days after March 30, 2012, to submit the required City Council Resolution and signed application.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on March 12, 2012, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on March 13, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 3, 2012, in order to submit the Resolution to the California Department of Housing and Community Development by their Resolution deadline.
FISCAL IMPACT
Grant funds will offset 100 percent of the direct project rehabilitation costs. The grant does not require matching funds or in-kind services. City staff time directly related to project management can be charged directly to the project; however, City overhead costs are not eligible for reimbursement. Should the grant application be selected for funding, a recommendation will be made to the City Council to accept the grant and appropriate the funding. There is no impact to jobs associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR HOUSING RELATED PARKS GRANT FUNDS.
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
AMY BODEK
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER