City of Lawrence CDBG/HOME Programs Grant Application Revised 12/2020

City of Lawrence CDBG/HOME Programs Grant Application

Revised 12/2020 Organization Name:

Mailing Address:

Agency Address (if different than above):

DUNS Number:

Contact Name: Phone:

Contact Title:

Email:

Organization Mission Statement:

Proposed Program or Activity Name:

Proposed Program Address:

Brief summary of Proposed Program or Activity:

Funding Requested: $

Request is: % of project budget and % of organization budget Which National Objective will be met? (Page 3 above)

Which Local Priority will be met? (Page 8 above)

Certification:

“I certify that I have reviewed this application and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information provided is true and correct. I also certify that I am officially authorized to represent the submitting organization by its governing board in the filing of this application.”

Signature: Date:

Print Name and Title:

FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF USE ONLY

Date Received: Application : Complete  Incomplete 

Received by:

Method Received: Mail  Hand Delivery  Electronic 

Website:

10

City of Lawrence Planning and Development Services / Tenants to Homeowners PO Box 708 (City of Lawrence)

030692461

Danelle Walters 785-832-3018

Community Development Manager

[email protected] www.lawrenceks.org

City of Lawrence Mission Statement - We create a community where all enjoy life and feel at home.

First Time Homebuyer Program

Various addresses within the Lawrence city limits

Program provides needed financial assistance in down payment and closing costs for qualified homebuyers.

100,000

100 14

Benefiting Low- and Moderate income (LMI) Persons Project meets each Key Outcome

02/01/2021

Danelle Walters, Community Development Manager

City of Lawrence CDBG/HOME Programs Grant Application

Revised 12/2020

I. Narrative

Please use attachments to answer the following questions in the order presented. If you are requesting funds for more than one program or activity, please address the following questions for each one. Limit your total response to four pages, using standard one-inch margins, single-spacing and 12-point font.

1. What is the situation, problem or opportunity this grant will address?

Lawrence neighborhoods are involved in an ongoing struggle to retain owner-occupants. According to the 2019 American Community Survey five- year estimates, only 44.9% of occupied housing units were owner- occupied. Maintaining a balance of renter and owner-occupied housing in neighborhoods is essential to their health and vitality and it is becoming increasingly challenging as the demand for rental units near the University of Kansas grows. Additionally, the high costs associated with entering into, and maintaining, home ownership in these neighborhoods can be a barrier and a challenge for people with low-moderate income. This problem is widely recognized and routinely discussed by neighborhood groups and city advisory boards.

Community Development programs, including the partnership with the Lawrence Community Land and Housing Trust, currently provide the broadest and most comprehensive methods of increasing and/or sustaining owner-occupancy rates. The data suggest that the balance is fragile, and the Department feels that a greater investment must be made in order to continue to work toward a healthier balance of owner versus renter- occupied units. As a result, the shifting of resources from this growing problem will cause a further loss of owner-occupied units in the Lawrence community.

2. How will this grant support the mission of the organization?

The First Time Homebuyer Program, which is administered in partnership

with Tenants to Homeowners and the Lawrence Community Land and

Housing Trust, offers low-moderate income people an opportunity for

homeownership. The program provides needed assistance for down

payment and closing costs for qualifying individuals. With the Land Trust

model subsidies are retained and ensure that affordable housing stock

remains affordable far into the future. This program accomplishes

affordable housing goals as well as neighborhood revitalization goals.

City of Lawrence CDBG/HOME Programs Grant Application

Revised 12/2020

This grant will provide for permanent affordability of the homebuyer units with the City/LCHT partnership. Within the City’s strategic outcomes, this project aligns with Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods, Prosperity and Economic Security and Infrastructure, Asset Management, and Connectivity. The Commitment areas that align with this project include Equity and Inclusion, Sound Fiscal Stewardship, and Environmental Sustainability.

Strong, Welcoming Neighborhoods: This grant speaks directly to affordable housing assistance in the community. The grant targets those at 80% AMI and below. The homes stay in trust and as they are resold the affordability remains in perpetuity in the LCHT. This assistance has no geographical limitations within the City, so the assistance has the opportunity to be city- wide.

Prosperity and Economic Security: This grant fosters opportunities for those at or below 80% AMI to become homeowners where they otherwise may not have this opportunity. The grant offers personal financial growth with both homebuyer classes and the purchase of a family’s first home.

Environmental Sustainability and Infrastructure, Asset Management, and Connectivity is considered when homes are available and homebuyers are placed. As part of the Environmental Review process, CDD staff looks at environmental impacts and ways where other federal funding may be utilized in terms of sidewalks and other infrastructure. Commitment to Core Services is also found in the Environmental Review process by ensuring that the unit meets health, safety, and welfare needs. Effective Governance and Professional Administration is proven by the transparent nature of the HOME process as seen in the Citizen Participation Plan.

Equity and Inclusion is a large part of the programming at Tenants to Homeowners. They have a firm commitment to equity and inclusion practices in their programs across the board. HUD programming has the same commitment to equity and inclusion. Their programs work through education and support to homebuyers through the entire process to break the systematic barriers to homeownership and help the program participants succeed. TTH serves a large variety of races and ethnicities in their programs.

Sound Fiscal Stewardship: These grant funds are very well tracked and

there are assurances that the households that utilize the funding are

qualified and eligible. TTH keeps detailed information on each transaction

and works with CDD staff as the units turnover and new homebuyers are

placed.

City of Lawrence CDBG/HOME Programs Grant Application

Revised 12/2020

Within the City’s Consolidated Plan, the Priority Needs met by this project are:

Improved quality of owner housing: Homeownership brings a level of improvement to housing. Additionally, there are instances where Tenants to Homeowners provides rehabilitation on a home prior to a sale. These items coupled together foster an environment of improved owner housing.

Availability of affordable owner housing: This grant speaks directly to this priority need by providing homeowner subsidy to income eligible homebuyers. The subsidy is calculated at what the buyer needs to complete the transaction, thus making more units available at an affordable price.

Neighborhood improvement and stability: Moving homeowners into an area after extensive homebuyer counseling will help to stabilize neighborhoods. Families in the LCHT program have maintenance accounts for when repairs need to be made, and have constant contact with Tenants to Homeowners regarding their home.

Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH): Location and type of Affordable Housing / Expand Housing choice and access to opportunity: These needs are met because this program has no geographical limitations within the city of Lawrence. Homes in the LCHT can be city-wide, furthering the opportunity for affordable housing disbursement and access to opportunities such as schools and transportation options.

Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH): Availability of Affordable Housing units in a range of sizes/Availability of Affordable, Accessible Housing in a range of sizes: Since the subsidy from this program is based on the need of the buyer, a variety of unit configurations and bedroom options can be achieved.

Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH): Maintain existing affordable housing:

By the homes being placed in Trust, permanent affordability is achieved in the origin transactions as well as subsequent buyer transactions.

3. How many people will be served by this grant and what percentage are low- moderate income (describe method of verification)?

With the First-Time Homebuyer program, 7-10 low-moderate income

households will be assisted in obtaining home ownership (assumes full

City of Lawrence CDBG/HOME Programs Grant Application

Revised 12/2020

funding). 100% of people served by the grant will be low-moderate income.

Verification is obtained by extensive review of income and financial records.

The program will continue with an award of less funding, however the number of families assisted with the funding will decrease.

4. What resources are currently available to dedicate to the program or activity, including staff, volunteers, existing funds and community partners?

CD Staff that works with the CDBG and HOME programs include one Manager Position, one Project specialist which works directly with the environmental and programmatic aspects of the projects, one Program Analyst who facilitates the citizen participation plan, administration, and reporting requirements.

LCHT / Tenants to Homeowners staff includes Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) certified staff.

No funds from this request are used for salaries as all are used directly as homebuyer assistance.

5. How is this approach to the issue unique or collaborative and what gives it a high likelihood of success?

The Department’s programs are the only programs in the city aimed at maintaining and improving housing stock for low and moderate-income homeowners. The Department’s programs are the only ones in the city aimed at promoting homeownership for residents with low and moderate income. For the first-time homebuyer program, the Department partners with the local non-profit Tenants to Homeowners and the Lawrence Community Land and Housing Trust. The Department has administered these programs successfully for many years. These programs are the backbone of the CDBG and HOME program for the City of Lawrence and have been for over 20 years.

6. How will success be measured and how will you continue to fund this project once grant funds are expended?

The Department, and city government at-large, has implemented a

performance measurement system that will be helpful in assessing the

effectiveness of the programs. Additionally, new programs are entering the

Lawrence community in the form of Housing Trust fund projects. This is a

suitable source of funding to apply to if the HOME funds were to not be

available.

City of Lawrence CDBG/HOME Programs Grant Application

Revised 12/2020

7. What is the organization’s timeline for achieving the objectives of the grant?

The Department intends to achieve grant objectives within the 2021 program year.

8. What other funding sources have been approached and what have the responses been?

The Department’s mission and purpose is to administer the CDBG and HOME funds that the City receives as an entitlement community. The City General Fund contributes a small percentage towards outreach activities, but CDBG and HOME funds are the division’s main source of funding. Currently there is no additional funding source available for this project.

II. Program/Activity Budget

Neighborhood Associations - Please provide an itemized budget detailing all association expenses on the attached Neighborhood Budget template.

Agencies – Please provide an itemized budget detailing all program/activity expenses on the attached Proposed Project/Activity Budget template.

Any proposal containing repair, rehabilitation, improvements, construction, demolition, acquisition or disposition of real property must include a detailed description including:

 project location and scope

 line-item budget

 bid proposals including labor and materials

 timeline for program/activity

100% of the grant will go to direct homebuyer subsidy for down payment

and/or closing costs or development subsidy to reduce the purchase price

of the home. Amount of funding available to homebuyers is dependent on

their need, so the number of people assisted is dependent on the amount

each transaction requires.

Budget Items Explanation Other Funds Total Funds PERSONNEL

(Ex. Project Director) (ex. 70 hours @ $20/hour)

Other (specify below)

COMMUNICATIONS Telephone

Printing Postage Publicity

Other (specify below)

SUPPLIES Office Equipment Space Rental

OTHER COSTS (specify below)

TOTALS

project location and scope line-item budget

timeline for program/activity

Proposed Project/Activity Budget

Explanation should describe how you arrived at amounts. See example.

If lines are inserted, remember to add calculated fields.

Any proposal containing repair, rehabilitation, improvements, construction, demolition, acquisition or disposition of real property must include a detailed description including:

bid proposals including labor and materials

12

HOME Funds

$100,000

$100,000

direct homebuyer subsidy

1

CITY OF LAWRENCE

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY PLAN

This City of Lawrence Community Development Division (CDD) Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan is established pursuant to and in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964, Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons With Limited English Proficiency,” and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Final Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons, dated January 22, 2007, and effective February 21, 2007.

T ITLE VI OF THE C IVIL R IGHTS A CT OF 1964

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides that no person in the United States shall on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. ¹

E XECUTIVE O RDER 13166

Executive Order 13166 is titled Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency. It was issued by President Clinton in 2000 to direct federal agencies to evaluate services provided and implement a system that ensures that Limited English Proficiency persons are able to meaningfully access the services provided consistent with and without unduly burdening the fundamental mission of each federal agency. The Executive Order includes the statement below.

Each Federal Agency shall prepare a plan to improve access to its federally conducted programs and activities by eligible LEP persons. Each plan shall be consistent with the standards set forth in the LEP Guidance, and shall include the steps the agency will take to ensure that eligible LEP persons can meaningfully access the agency’s programs and activities. ²

D EPARTMENT OF H OUSING AND U RBAN D EVELOPMENT F INAL G UIDANCE

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided Final Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons, dated January 22, 2007, and effective February 21, 2007. ³

1

42 U.S. Code § 2000d

2

65 FR 50121

3

72 FR 2731

2

W HAT IS L IMITED E NGLISH P ROFICIENCY ?

Most individuals living in the United States read, write, speak, and understand English. There are many individuals, however, for whom English is not their primary language. If these individuals have a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English, they are limited English proficient, or “LEP.”

Language for LEP persons can be a barrier to accessing important benefits or services, understanding and exercising important rights, complying with applicable responsibilities, or understanding other information provided by federally funded programs and activities.

HUD’s regulation, 24 CFR Part 1, ‘‘Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development— Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,’’ requires all recipients of federal financial assistance from HUD to provide meaningful access to LEP persons. ⁴ Pursuant to Executive Order 13166, the meaningful access requirement of the Title VI regulations and the four-factor analysis set forth in this LEP Guidance are to additionally apply to the programs and activities of federal agencies, including HUD.

LEP F OUR -F ACTOR A NALYSIS

Recipients are required to take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to their programs and activities by LEP persons. While designed to be a flexible and fact-dependent standard, the starting point is an individualized assessment that balances the following four factors:

(1) The number or proportion of LEP persons eligible to be served or likely to be encountered by the program or grantee;

(2) The frequency with which LEP persons come in contact with the program;

(3) The nature and importance of the program, activity, or service provided by the program to people’s lives; and

(4) The resources available to the grantee/recipient and costs.

The intent of the HUD guidance is to suggest a balance that ensures meaningful access by LEP persons to critical services while not imposing undue burdens on small business, small local governments, or small nonprofit entities.

F ACTOR 1: T HE NUMBER OR PROPORTION OF LEP PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO BE SERVED OR LIKELY TO BE ENCOUNTERED BY THE PROGRAM OR GRANTEE

The program area of CDD consists of those individuals residing within the city limits of Lawrence, KS. To identify the number or proportion of LEP persons served or encountered, 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates were used.

Individuals who self-identified as “Speak English Not Well or Not At All” were utilized in this analysis.

4

24 CFR part 1

3 Table 1 shows the number and the proportion of persons who are five years of age or older and who are identified as being LEP. As Table 1 discloses, only 1.0% of persons residing within the City of Lawrence are identified as being LEP.

Table 1: Identifying Limited English Proficient Individuals

Jurisdiction Total

Population: 5 Years & Over

Speak English Less Than

Well

%

Kansas 2,719,539 62,533 2.3%

Douglas County 114,197 968 0.8%

Lawrence 91,839 930 1.0%

Data Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (Table B16005). ACS data is an estimate so these numbers have a certain level of margin of error associated with them.

Table 2, also derived from the 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, shows the number of LEP persons living in Lawrence and the three most common language families spoken by LEP persons living in Lawrence (five years of age or older). Table 2 shows the following:

 0.33% of the entire Lawrence population are Spanish speakers who “Speak English Less Than Well”;

 0.5% of the entire Lawrence population are Asian & Pacific Island Language speakers (including Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, Korean and Japanese) who “Speak English Less Than Well”;

 0.1% of the entire Lawrence population are Indo-European Language speakers (including Dutch, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, French or German) who “Speak English Less Than Well”; and

 0.08% of the entire Lawrence population are speakers of languages other than those otherwise identified who “Speak English Less Than Well”.

Table 2: Language Spoken by LEP Persons

Jurisdiction

Total Population:

5 Years &

Over

Speak English Less Than Well

Speak

Spanish % Spanish

Speak Other Indo- European Languages

% Other Indo-

Euro

Speak Asian &

Pacific Island Languages

Asian %

&

Pacific Island

Speak Other Languages

Other %

Kansas 2,719,539 45,503 1.6% 3,371 0.1% 11,047 0.4% 2,612 0.09%

Douglas County 114,197 309 0.27% 104 0.09% 482 0.4% 73 0.06%

Lawrence 91,839 302 0.33% 104 0.1% 451 0.5% 73 0.08%

Data Source: 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (Table B16005). ACS data is an estimate so these numbers

have a certain level of margin of error associated with them.

4 HUD has adopted a “safe harbor” for translation of written materials. The Guidance identifies actions that will be considered strong evidence of compliance with Title VI obligations. The table below sets forth “safe harbors” for written translations. Failure to provide written translations under these cited circumstances does not mean that the recipient is in noncompliance. Rather, the “safe harbors” provide a starting point for recipients to consider:

 Whether and at what point the importance of the service, benefit, or activity involved warrants written translations of commonly used forms into frequently encountered languages other than English;

 Whether the nature of the information sought warrants written translations of commonly used forms into frequently encountered languages other than English;

 Whether the number or proportion of LEP persons served warrants written translations of commonly used forms into frequently encountered languages other than English; and

 Whether the demographics of the eligible population are specific to the situations for which the need for language services is being evaluated. In many cases, use of the “safe harbor”

would mean provision of written language services when marketing to the eligible LEP population within the market area. However, when the actual population served (e.g., occupants of, or applicants to, the housing project) is used to determine the need for written translation services, written translations may not be necessary.

The table below sets forth “safe harbors” for written translations.

Size of language group Recommended provision of written language assistance 1,000 or more in the eligible population in the market area or

among current beneficiaries Translated vital documents

More than 5% of the eligible population or beneficiaries and more

than 50 in number Translated vital documents

More than 5% of the eligible population or beneficiaries and 50 or

less in number Translated written notice of right to receive free oral

interpretation of documents 5% or less of the eligible population or beneficiaries and less than

1,000 in number No written translation is required

In sum, no LEP language group has more than 1,000 in number in the program area, and only 1.0% of the total population within the program area is identified as being LEP. The largest majority of LEP persons within the program area speak either Spanish (0.33%) or an Asian and Pacific Islander language (0.5%).

F ACTOR 2: T HE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH LEP PERSONS COME IN CONTACT WITH THE PROGRAM

While relatively small, the LEP population in the Lawrence program area is growing, increasing

the probability that CDD will interact with LEP persons in the future. However, to date, CDD has

received no requests, formal or otherwise, by LEP persons seeking the translation of documents

or interpreters at public meetings.

5 F ACTOR 3: T HE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PROGRAM , ACTIVITY , OR SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM TO PEOPLE ’ ^{S LIVES}

CDBG, HOME, ESG, and NSP funded activities positively impact the lives of all of the City of Lawrence residents. A number of the federally funded activities are for operating expenses or capital improvement infrastructure projects with no participatory contact with LEP persons. Other activities, including direct client services or housing related benefits, are important to people’s lives and these programs could have interaction with LEP individuals.

Administration funding provides administrative oversight, and as such is responsible for the citizen participation process and is directly linked to all federally funded projects and activities.

F ACTOR 4: T HE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE GRANTEE / RECIPIENT AND COSTS

The fourth and final factor of the analysis weighs the preceding three factors to assess the needs of LEP persons within the program area against the resources available to CDD and the costs of providing access. As shown above, there is a very small population of LEP persons within the City of Lawrence. Given the small size of the LEP population, there does not appear to be a need to produce documents, programs, and general information in languages other than English.

Moreover, based on the CDD budget, such a plan would, at the present time, be cost prohibitive.

This LEP Plan will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to assess whether there are any significant changes in need to provide meaningful access to LEP persons.

L ANGUAGE A CCESS P LAN

IDENTIFYING LEP INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE

When encountering a LEP person, CDD staff will use Language Identification Flashcards , developed by the Census Bureau, to identify that person’s primary language.

The CDD will also make Language Identification Flashcards available to the public through its website, at all public meetings, and in the Development Services office.

Once a LEP person’s primary language is identified using the flashcards, CDD staff will assess the feasibility of providing written translation service and/or oral interpretation assistance for the LEP person.

L ANGUAGE ASSISTANCE MEASURES

In the event CDD should receive a request for assistance in a language other than English, staff members will take the name and contact information of the person. If the person speaks Spanish, CDD may be able to use City of Lawrence employees who speak Spanish as interpreters. For languages other than Spanish, CDD will use a free online written translator website or may contact a local volunteer, if one is available. The University of Kansas, through its various language departments, may also provide assistance. Finally, if the required language is not available and formal interpretation is required, staff shall use the telephone interpreter service, Language Line at 1-800-752-6096.

The CDD website may be translated into a number of different languages using a free online

translation services such as Google Translate . Similarly, agendas, minutes, and other documents

posted online, can be translated as well.

6 Outside of those services, because CDD staff is small and does not possess in-house translation capabilities or expertise, CDD staff can only assist LEP persons, but cannot accurately assess or guarantee the accuracy of translation services provided by others. If there is an expressed need for other translation methods such as Sign Language or Braille materials, CDD will determine the feasibility and possibilities of providing these services as well. Within its limited budget and capabilities, CDD pledges that it will, to the best of its abilities, provide meaningful access to LEP persons.

CDD STAFF TRAINING

Current staff members and incoming staff members will be briefed on CDD’s LEP Plan and how to assist LEP persons. They will also be instructed to keep a record of language assistance requests so that needs may be accurately assessed in the future.

DISSEMINATION

CDD will post this LEP Plan on its website. Copies of this LEP Plan will also be available at the Development Services office. Any person or agency requesting a copy of the LEP Plan will be provided a copy.

COMPLAINTS

Individuals may file administrative complaints with HUD alleging violations of Title VI because the HUD recipient failed to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to LEP persons. The local HUD office will intake the complaint, in writing, by date and time, detailing the complainant’s allegation as to how the HUD recipient failed to provide meaningful access to LEP persons. HUD will determine jurisdiction and follow up with an investigation of the complaint.

If a person believes that a HUD federally assisted recipient is not taking reasonable steps to

ensure meaningful access to LEP persons, that individual may file a complaint with HUD’s local

Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO). For contact information of the local HUD

office, go to the HUD website or call the housing discrimination toll free hotline at 800–669–9777

(voice) or 800–927–9275 (TTY).

ATTACHMENT CHECKLIST

Please complete and submit this checklist with a copy of the following documents, if applicable.

Please place all attachments at the end of the application. Indicate on the checklist if the document is attached.

 Grant Application

 Narrative

 Officers and board members listing including names, titles, addresses, and principal occupations of all members

 Most recent annual report

 Complete itemized budget (using attached budget template)

 Limited English Proficiency Plan for your organization

 Other City department approval (if required for the specific program/activity)

14