CDBG Public Hearing

PROPOSED 2020‐2024 CONSOLIDATED PLAN, 2020 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, 2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible funding resource that is used for both housing and community development activities, including those that revitalize neighborhoods, promote economic development, and improve community facilities, infrastructure and services in low to moderate‐ income communities. The program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93‐383, as amended 42 U.S.C. 5301 et. The City of Slidell is an entitlement community that receives a CDBG allocation every year. Slidell anticipates receiving $875,000 during the five‐year allocation of the City’s CDBG entitlement funding. 70% of CDBG funds must benefit low to moderate‐income persons. The 2020‐2024 Consolidated Plan starts at the beginning of the City of Slidell’s fiscal year, July 1, 2020 and is in effect from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024. Specific annual action plans are prepared each year. The Consolidated Plan is organized into four sections: Needs Assessment, Market Analysis, Strategic Plan and One‐Year Action Plan. The Needs Assessment provides a concise summary of the City’s estimated housing and community development needs for the next five years. The Market Analysis overview provides an analysis of the housing market, homeless housing and facilities, and the City’s economic characteristics. The Strategic Plan selects priorities among the existing needs, describes the City’s specific goals and objectives for the next five years, develops a homeless strategy, creates an anti‐ poverty strategy, and describes how the City will carry out its strategic plan. Previous plan goals included Infrastructure Improvements, Coordination with Service Networks, Recreation Improvements in Public Parks, and Drainage Improvements. Proposed goals are: Public Facility Improvements; Fostering Coordination with Service Networks; Urgent Needs Public Services; and Urgent Needs Public Facility Improvements. ANNUAL ACTION PLAN OVERVIEW The Annual Action Plan details how the City plans to spend the CDBG resources on specific activities. Priority is given to projects that carry out one of three national objectives:  Benefit low to moderate‐ income persons.  Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight.  Meet a need having particular urgency due to an immediate threat to the health and welfare of the community The Annual Action Plan develops annual goals and objectives, delineates projects, determines the geographic location of projects and creates performance assessment standards for each year the Consolidated Plan is in effect. Projects are administered in compliance with City of Slidell and HUD regulations.  ELIGIBLE CDBG ACTIVITIES CDBG funds may be used for activities that include, but are not limited to:  Acquisition of real property  Relocation and demolition  Rehabilitation of residential and non‐residential structures  Construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes  Public services, within certain limits  Activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources  Provision of assistance to profit‐motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities  CDBG program administration (up to 20% of annual allocation) Slidell proposes focusing on projects that will improve area parks located in the CDBG target area (Census Tract 409) which will improve the quality of life for area residents by enhancing recreation opportunity. SLIDELL’S CDBG TARGET AREA CENSUS TRACT 409 Median HH Income: $45,610 Average HH Size 2‐3 People Poverty Rate: 9.21% Housing Cost Burden 47.69% % Unemployment 12.9% (CPD MAPS – Updated 12/2/2020) PROPOSED 2020 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2020 Allocation: $177,781 Projects: $142,225 CDBG Program Administration: $35,556 Projects include improvements at Ducksworth Park, including rehabilitation of the existing baseball field into a multi‐use field, new walking path, and new LED lighting (shown as Phase 2 in yellow in the map at right). PROPOSED 2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2021 Allocation: $184,548 Projects: $147,638 CDBG Program Administration: $36,910 Projects include new LED lighting at Possum Hollow Park. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS City of Slidell Planning Department Attention: CDBG P.O. Box 828 Slidell, LA 70459 985‐646‐4320 cdbg@cityof slidell.org