AGENDA DATE: 3/16/2022
TITLE:
Title
Virginia Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Public hearing for proposed submission of CDBG application for Village 2 - Southwood Redevelopment Project.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Baumgartner, Dimock, Pethia
PRESENTER (S): Stacy Pethia
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federally-funded grant program administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Since 1982, the DHCD has provided funding to eligible units of local government (in non-entitlement communities only) for projects that address critical community needs, including housing, infrastructure, and economic development. Albemarle County has received numerous grants in previous years to support housing and community improvement initiatives. The CDBG application process requires that two local public hearings be conducted. The first public hearing was held on March 2, 2022, at which time information was provided on eligible activities that may be funded by a CDBG grant, the amount of funding estimated to be available, past activities undertaken with CDBG funds, and the process for applying for funding. The purpose of this public hearing is to provide information on the proposed project application and to accept public comment on the application.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations - Ensure County government’s capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville (Habitat) is requesting the County submit a CDBG application for Village 2 of the Southwood Redevelopment Project. In 2021, the County received a CDBG award for Village 1 of the Southwood project in the amount of $1,000,000 to support the construction of five single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the design and construction of a pocket park honoring the history of the Monacan Indian Nation on the project site. Village 2 work will include the construction of 25 single-family attached and detached homes to be purchased and occupied by low- and moderate-income households currently residing in the Southwood Mobile Home Village, as well as the construction of 1,860 linear feet (LF) of concrete sidewalks and 1,360 LF of asphalt walkway. The amount of grant funding requested is $1,300,000 which includes $1,225,000 in project funding, and $75,000 to cover the costs of grant administration. The grant application (Attachment A) provides a breakdown of the proposed project budget.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budgetary impact unless and until an application is made and a grant is awarded, at which time the Board will be asked to appropriate the funding. Community Development staff will work in partnership with the Department of Finance & Budget to administer the grant. CDBG projects include various levels of funding to offset administrative costs by awarding such funds based on performance. The budget submitted with the application will include a performance-based budget for administration.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment B) approving the County’s submission of the CDBG application for Village 2 of the Southwood Redevelopment Project (Attachment B), and authorizing the County Executive to execute the application package, as well as any supporting or related contracts or documents required to obtain or accept this grant, and to take any further action required for this application.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - CDBG application
B - Resolution