HomeMy WebLinkAboutMT Consolidated Draft Action L~'r~' OFL-TS-~[L i
MONTANA
CONSOLIDATED PLAN
DRAFT
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PLAN YEAR
April 1, 2004 -- March 31, 2005
Montana Department of Commerce Draft Annual Action Plan April 2004
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Commerce at 406-841-2820 or TDD 406-841-2702.
DRAFT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Each year Montana submits an Action Plan illustrating how community planning and
development resoumes will be utilized to improve communities throughout the State.
The State's goals include:
· increasing the supply of decent, safe, affordable housing, especially for Iow- and
very Iow-income families and individuals;
· providing housing for special needs populations such as the elderly, disabled and
homeless; and
· expanding economic opportunities in order to improve the living conditions for
Iow- and moderate-income groups.
The Action Plan isfotthe 12-monthperiod beginning April 1; 2004. The Plan, developed
with the input of citizens and community groups, serves four major functions:
· It is the State's application for funds available through the three Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formula grant programs that are
administered by the State of Montana: the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and the Emergency
Sheller Grant (ESG) programs;
· It is the annual planning document, built through public input and participation, for
CDBG, HOME, ESG, and other related programs;
·It lays out the funding resources expected, the method of fund distribution and
the actions the State will follow in administering HUD programs; and
· It provides accountability to citizens for the use of the funds and allows HUD to
measure program performance.
The Montana Department of Commerce (DOC) administers the Community
Development Block Grant Program, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and
the Consolidated Plan. The Montana Department of Health and Human Services
(DPHklSlradministere the Emergency Shelter Grant Program; ......
The State supports the Annual Action Plan with additional documents, including the
Economic and Demographic Analysis of Montana and the Economic and Demographic
Data Book, updated in Fall 2003. These documents and other studies, evaluations, and
previous Consolidated Plan reports, help individuals, communities, and organizations
meet the three basic goals of the CDBG, HOME, and ESG programs, and provide
useful information for the public and legislature.
The Annual Action Plan provides details to citizens, public agencies, and other
interested parties on the amount of assistance Montana expects to receive, the range of
activities that may be undertaken, and the general program activities that may be
planned in addressing the priority needs.
Draft Annual Action Plan Executive Summary
Montana Department of Commerce April 2004
i
CONSOLIDATED PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Updating the Consolidated Plan for housing and community development is an on-going
process. Throughout this process, the State strives to improve the delivery of assistance
to the people of Montana. The State supports policies and programs that support
decent, safe, affordable housing, services for the homeless and other non-housing
community development activities, such as infrastructure enhancement and economic
development. The update process consists of several distinct steps, including:
Advisory and policy formation functions;
Interagency cooperation and coordination;
Consultation and outreach with concerned citizens and organizations;
Public awareness of the citizen involvement process; and
Delivery of program services.
Advisory and Policy Formation Functions
Throughout the year, the MDOC has interacted with other agencies and organizations
with a commitment to better develop housing strategies. The MDOC has maintained its
commitment to inform others of their responsibility to participate in the Consolidated
Plan process and to promote affordable housing in local communities. The MDOC
supports a broad-based "team" approach to address affordable housing issues through
the formation of the Consolidated Plan Steering Committee, Housing Coordinating
Team, and Housing Working Group. The MDOC has been a long-standing member of
the Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste Action Coordinating Team (W2ASACT), which
was formed in 1982 to address infrastructure issues. These committees and groups
continue to provide direction and input to the Consolidated Plan.
Interagency Cooperation and Coordination
Members of the Consolidated Plan Steering Committee, with representatives from the
HOME, CDBG, ESG and MBOH programs, A.W.A.R.E., Inc., and Fannie Mae's
Montana Partnership Office met repeatedly throughout the plan development process to
review the status of the Action Plan development. In addition, other agencies, such as
the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Montana Department of
Natural Resoumes and Conservation (DNRC), the Montana Department of Public
Health and Human Services (DPHHS)-Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau, the
Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI)-Human Rights Bureau, were
solicited for input on specific topics contained in the Action Plan and supporting studies.
Draft Annual Action Plan Executive Summary
Montana Department of Commerce April 2004
ii
Consultation and Outreach with Citizens and Organizations
As part of the plan update, numerous outside agencies and individuals were contacted.
Organizations and individuals are encouraged to provide statistics, data, and other
information to aid in preparing the Action Plan and related studies.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAN
Development of the Action Plan for Plan Year beginning April 1, 2004 is based in part,
on current and past reseamh studies and analysis of housing, infrastructure and
economic development needs. An analysis conducted during the current planning cycle
is the Economic and Demographic Analysis of Montana. Contact the Montana
Department of Commerce, Housing Division, 301 South Park Avenue, Helena, MT
59601 for information on this and other publications, or visit the Housing Division
http://commerce.state.mt.us/Housing/Hous_Home.html
or the Consolidated Plan website at:
http://commeme.state.mt.us/Housing/Hous_ConsPlan.html
FEDERAL RESOURCES EXPECTED
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
The Community Development Division and the Business Resources Division of the
Montana Department of Commerce administer the CDBG program. For Plan Year
beginning April 1, 2004, the State will receive an estimated $7,846,000~ in federal
CDBG funds for award to local governments. Of these dollars, approximately
$2,500,000 will be allocated for economic development projects administered by the
Business Resources Division. Another portion will be allocated for public facility projects
and housing projects administered by the Community Development Division.
The CDBG program also anticipates that an ~ndetern~in~le~m0~t Of progr~'inc0m~
will be generated. Grantee communities that have an approved CDBG program income
plan are allowed to retain the funds for further CDBG-eligible activities. Each year, local
govemments receiving CDBG program income are requested to file a report showing
the status of program revenues and expenditures.
~ Estimate based on the funding level for Plan Year April 1,2003 - March 31, 2004
Draft Annual Action Plan Executive Summary
Montana Department of Commerce April 2004
iii
HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program
The HOME Program, administered by the Housing Division, expects estimated funds of
$4,738,0002 for Plan Year beginning April 1, 2004. Funds will be used for developing
affordable housing for persons of Iow- and very Iow-income.
In addition, the HOME Program anticipates that an undeterminable amount of program
income and CHDO proceeds will be generated. Grantees that have a Program Income
Plan or CHDO Proceeds Plan approved by the HOME Program are allowed to retain the
funds for further HOME eligible activities. Program income and CHDO proceeds are
reported to the HOME Program quarterly.
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program
The Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau of the Montana Department of Public
Health and Human Services (DPHHS) anticipates that $369,0003 will be made available
for the ESG program.
Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
The Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau of the DPHHS anticipates that
approximately $622,000 over the three-year period beginning March 2002 will be
available in Montana for HOPWA services. The funding is Montana's share of a $1.3
million, three-state (Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota) grant award announced
in December 2001 by HUD. The funds are part of $6 million in competitively awarded
grants for housing, services and technical assistance, primarily for new programs in
rural areas that did not qualify for federal block grant funding.
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program
The Montana Board of Housing administers the Low Income Housing Tax Credit
Program. The Board receives authority to allocate the tax credit through the Internal
Revenue Code. Annual estimated authority is $2 million.
2 Estimate based on the funding level for Plan Year April 1,2003 - Mamh 31, 2004
3 Estimate based on the funding level for Plan Year April 1,2003 - Mamh 31, 2004
Draft Annual Action Plan Executive Summary
Montana Department of Commerce April 2004
iv