[* This meeting has been joined in progress *]
[2. Discussion: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing on Review of CDBG and HOME Funds.]
[00:00:11]
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT FOR THE 2025 THROUGH 2029 CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND THE 2025 YEAR ACTION PLAN, DISCUSSING VARIOUS TOPICS RELATED TO HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, CONCERNING CDBG AND HOME FUNDED SERVICES AND PROJECTS. THERE WILL BE NO VOTE.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO SPEAK TO THESE TOPICS.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO SPEAK, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ORGANIZATION FOR THE RECORD. THERE'S NOBODY HERE.
THANK YOU. TERRY. ONCE AGAIN, LATISHA REEVES, DIVISION MANAGER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, ALONG WITH MY STAFF, REGINA FISH. HOUSING SERVICE SPECIALIST, JAMES MCFADDEN.
HE'S OUR INSPECTOR. WE ARE MISSING ONE STAFF MEMBER, WHICH IS CHRISTY PULIDO.
SHE'S OUT TODAY, BUT SHE IS OUR HOUSING COUNSELOR, SO I'M JUST GOING TO GO OVER OUR PROGRAMS. OF COURSE. AND WHAT THEY DO AND WHAT WE FUND THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
SO WE OFFER CDBG AND HOME FUNDS.
THROUGH OUR HOME PROGRAM, WE OFFER THE FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM THAT HELPS OUR CITIZENS WITH CLOSING COSTS AND DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE UP TO $5,000, AS WELL AS THE SINGLE FAMILY REHABILITATION PROGRAM, WHICH IF A HOMEOWNER QUALIFIES, WE REDO THEIR HOUSE ENTIRELY AND BRING IT UP TO CODE COMPLETELY OKAY.
THROUGH CDBG, WE ASSIST IN HOUSE WITH THE CRITICAL REPAIR PROGRAM, WHICH ADDRESSES MAJOR ISSUES THAT ARE UNEXPECTED OR UNFORESEEN.
AND THEN WE ALSO FUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM, WHICH IS SIDING AND PAINT.
OKAY. SO WITH THAT, I'LL GO INTO DETAIL A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS. THE APPLICATION INTAKE PROCESS.
ALL OUR PROGRAMS ARE INCOME QUALIFIED AS WELL AS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HOMEOWNERS TO ACTUALLY OWN THE PROPERTY.
AND THEY HAVE TO BE HERE IN THE CITY LIMITS.
DOCUMENTATION THAT WE LOOK AT FOR QUALIFICATION WOULD BE BACKGROUND EMPLOYMENT, PROOF OF ANY INCOME, THE OWNERSHIP.
WE HAVE TO VERIFY THAT THEY ARE THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY.
AND THEN WE ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LOCATION OF THE PROPERTY, BECAUSE IF THEY ARE IN ANY TYPE OF FLOOD ZONE, IT MAY LIMIT THEIR FUNDING.
OKAY. SO FOR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER FOR A FAMILY TO QUALIFY OR RESIDENT, THEY MUST BE LIVING IN THE CITY OF ABILENE FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OR HAVE WORKED HERE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THEY MUST BE PURCHASING A HOME FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, AND THEY MUST MEET OUR ANNUAL GROSS INCOME THAT IS REQUIRED BY HUD.
SO IT JUST DEPENDS ON FAMILY SIZE AND WHAT INCOME THEY CANNOT EXCEED.
NOW, WE DO NOT DO THE LENDING PROCESS.
THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR A HOME LOAN THEMSELVES.
WE JUST HELP WITH THE GAP OF THAT CLOSING COST.
ONE PART OF THE PROPERTY IS REQUIRED THAT IT CANNOT BE A FIXER UPPER.
SO YES, THOSE ARE PROBABLY MORE IN AN AFFORDABLE PRICE FOR THEM.
AND YOU KNOW, THAT DOESN'T NEED THOSE TYPES OF REPAIRS.
MOVING ON TO OUR CRITICAL REPAIR PROGRAM.
THAT'S PART OF THE CDBG FUNDS.
THE HOUSE MUST BE LOCATED IN THE CITY LIMITS OF ABILENE.
WE GET A LOT OF THE OUTSIDE SMALLER TOWNS LIKE HOLLY AND SIN CLYDE.
WE HAVE TO STAY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS PER HUD.
THEY MUST MUST BE A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE.
WE DO NOT ADDRESS TOWNHOMES, DUPLEXES, THINGS OF THOSE SORTS.
THEY MUST OWN THE DWELLING THROUGH A WARRANTY DEED OR DEED OF TRUST.
THEY MUST OCCUPY THE DWELLING WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST, WHERE RESIDENTS PURCHASE A HOUSE JUST FOR REPAIRS AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THEIR MAIN HOME. THIS IS MAINLY FOR THEM TO STAY IN THEIR HOME OR MOVE INTO A HOUSE THAT THEY PLAN ON MAKING THEIR PERMANENT RESIDENCE.
THE HOUSE HAS TO BE FREE OF CODE COMPLIANCE AS FAR AS HIGH WEEDS, JUNK VEHICLES, THINGS OF THAT SORT.
THAT'S NOT SAYING WE WON'T ASSIST THEM, BUT WE'LL GIVE THEM SOME TIME TO REMEDIATE THOSE ISSUES BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD.
NOW THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ONE REPAIR ONCE A YEAR OKAY.
SO THEY CAN APPLY IF ONE YEAR THEY HAVE A MAJOR ROOF ISSUE, BUT THEY ALSO ARE NEEDING ELECTRICAL WILL PROBABLY ADDRESS THE ROOF.
AND THEN THE NEXT YEAR THEY CAN APPLY FOR THE ELECTRICAL. SO THAT'S HOW THAT'LL WORK.
THINGS THAT WE ADDRESS ARE NO WATER, GAS ROOF, OPEN SEWER, HANDICAP, ACCESSIBILITY, HVAC SERVICES IF THEIR UNIT IS NOT PROPERLY WORKING. WE'LL ADDRESS THAT TO GET THAT UP AND RUNNING.
[00:05:01]
THAT WAY THEY'LL HAVE SOME AC BECAUSE OF COURSE IT'S HOT IN TEXAS.AND MOVING ALONG TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, WHICH IS CDBG PROGRAM FUNDS.
IT'S THE SAME CRITERIA FOR CRITICAL TO QUALIFY WITH THIS PROGRAM.
IT'S MORE TO REVITALIZE THE NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO IF A HOUSE, YOU KNOW HAS PEELING PAINT, IT JUST DOESN'T LOOK GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE.
WHAT WE DO IS IF THEY QUALIFY, WE ENCAPSULATE THE HOUSE WITH NEW SIDING AND THEN TRIM AROUND THE DOORS AND WINDOWS.
AND THEN THE HOMEOWNER GETS TO SELECT TWO COLORS TO GO ON THAT HOUSE.
SO THAT KIND OF JUST REVIVES THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND MAKES THE HOUSE LOOK A LOT BETTER ON THE OUTSIDE. AND WE THINK ALSO WITH THAT, IT JUST ADDS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF INSULATION WITH THE DOUBLE SIDING.
OKAY. AND THEN OUR SINGLE FAMILY REHABILITATION PROGRAM, WHICH IS THROUGH THE HOME FUNDS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE INTENSE.
THIS IS FOR A COMPLETE REHABILITATION OF THE ENTIRE HOME.
THAT IS, FROM ROOFING TO DOORS, WINDOWS, FLOORS, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL CABINETS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE BATHROOM.
NOW, WITH THIS PROGRAM, THERE'S MORE OF A STRICT CRITERIA.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE OWN. THE HOMEOWNER HAS TO HAVE OWNED THE PROPERTY FOR AT LEAST A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS, HAS TO BE FREE OF ANY KIND OF COUNTY TAXES OR ANY DEBT TO THE CITY. LET'S SEE.
AND THAT CANNOT BE IN ANY TYPE OF FLOOD ZONE AREA.
SO ALSO WITH THAT PROGRAM, THE CLIENT IS REQUIRED TO VACATE THE HOME TO ITS ENTIRETY. SO IT MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT.
BUT WE'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE INTERESTED. SO WITH CDBG WE ALSO FUND OUR NONPROFITS THAT APPLY.
WE HAVE FUNDED THE SALVATION ARMY.
THEY'VE BEEN SOME THAT HAVE APPLIED MULTIPLE TIMES.
WE ALSO APPLY OTHER HAVE OTHER APARTMENTS TO APPLY AS FAR AS CODE ENFORCEMENT.
THEY HAVE APPLIED FOR THE CONDEMNATION DEMOLITION PROGRAM.
SO THAT ALLEVIATES SOME OF THE GENERAL FUND.
AND SO WHAT WITH THAT, IF CODE HAS PROPERTIES, EITHER RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL, THAT ARE LOCATED IN A LOW TO MOD AREA, NOT FLOOD, THEY COULD POSSIBLY BE FUNDED THROUGH THE CDBG PROGRAM FOR DEMOLITION TO CLEAN THOSE AREAS OFF.
NOW ONCE AGAIN, WE DO NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THOSE PROPERTIES.
THEY STAY WITH THE HOMEOWNERS.
THE CITY JUST FUNDS IT AND PLACES A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY FOR THOSE FUNDS.
AND SO WE DO THE SAME WITH OUR CDBG.
OKAY. AND SO THAT PRETTY MUCH IS MOST OF OUR HOMEBUYER AND PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN HOUSE WITH OUR ENTITLEMENT THAT WE RECEIVE ANNUALLY, 15% IS AUTOMATICALLY ALLOCATED FOR ACTO.
OUR IDO IS KNOWN AS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.
SO EVERY YEAR THEY GET 15% OF OUR ALLOCATION.
WITH THAT, THEY ARE TO BUILD AT LEAST 2 TO 3 HOMES.
TO MAKE THEM AFFORDABLE HERE IN THE CITY OF I HAVE CITY OF ABILENE.
FOR HOMEOWNERS, PROSPECTIVE HOMEOWNERS OR HOME BUYERS.
THE HOMEOWNER ALSO APPLIES FOR THE FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM.
SO THEY GET A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.
AND SO THAT JUST HELPS MAKE THAT HOUSE MORE AFFORDABLE TO THEM.
OKAY. AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT FOR OUR PROGRAMS. THIS MEETING IS MAINLY TO START THE KICKOFF FOR THE COMMUNITY MEETING.
SO THAT WAY CITIZENS WILL KNOW WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES DOES AS WELL AS INCLUDE ANY KIND OF INPUT OR INTEREST THAT THEY HAVE IN THE PROGRAMS OR JUST INFORMATION, BASICALLY. SO WITH THAT, DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? WOULD YOU MIND RINGING, DIANE, WHEN AND WHERE THE PUBLIC MEETINGS WILL BE? YES, WE HAVE A POSTING.
I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME. I'M SORRY, BECAUSE OUR SYSTEMS ARE DOWN, BUT THERE ARE MULTIPLE LIBRARIES.
WE HAVE MOCKINGBIRD. THIS AFTERNOON AT FOUR, WE WILL BE HAVING OUR FIRST COMMUNITY HEARING AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
SO THE COMMUNITY IS MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME AND VISIT.
WE HAVE A LISTING DOWNSTAIRS IN OUR OFFICE.
THEY I KNOW MARI WITH MEDIA HAS ALSO POSTED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE WHERE THE OTHER MEETINGS, BUT WE HAVE THE SOUTH LIBRARY.
MOCKINGBIRD LIBRARY FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.
WE WILL WE WILL ALSO BE AT CHRISTIAN SERVICE CENTER.
I DON'T KNOW, I THINK THAT'S FRIDAY.
SO WE'RE HAVING A MEETING AT LEAST EVERY DAY THIS WEEK.
UNFORTUNATELY, SAY, I WOULD SAY PLEASE CALL US AND WE'LL TELL YOU WHERE OUR MEETINGS ARE, BUT OUR PHONES ARE DOWN AS WELL.
THAT'S THE ONLY REASON I THOUGHT WE MIGHT WANT TO TO LIST THEM ON ON THIS SHOW.
THIS MEETING. JUST SO LAST THING TO DO IS I BELIEVE THEY CAN CALL THE MAIN CITY LINE AND OR GO TO ANY LIBRARY, AND THEY'LL BE POSTED THERE, RIGHT? I TRIED TO POST THEM ON ALL THE LIBRARIES THAT WAY.
AT LEAST THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION WE'VE DONE.
MAIL OUTS TO EVERY NONPROFIT AGENCY THAT WE CAN THINK OF,
[00:10:04]
SO HOPEFULLY THEY'VE POSTED THEM.BUT YES. IF NOT STOP BY OUR OFFICE AND WE'LL GLADLY GIVE YOU A FLIER OR INFORMATION ON WHERE WE'RE AT. SO. GREAT.
GREAT. OKAY, SO WE'D REALLY APPRECIATE ANY TYPE OF INPUT RECOMMENDATIONS OR JUST COME TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT WHAT WE DO.
I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
I ADMIRE YOU. CARRYING ON THIS WEEK.
I KNOW THERE'S A FEW CHALLENGES, BUT THIS IS SUCH A VITAL SERVICE FOR THE CITY. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.
YES. THANK YOU. STILL BEING THERE AND MOVING FORWARD? YES, I APPRECIATE THAT.
AND WE ARE OPEN. SO. THAT'S RIGHT.
YEAH. NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO COME VISIT.
THAT'S RIGHT. THERE'S NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO.
YEAH. EVERYTHING IS BEING DOCUMENTED, YOU KNOW, BY PEN AND PAPER. SO ISN'T THAT WEIRD? IT'S DIFFERENT. I DON'T MIND IT.
WHAT WAS. WHAT WAS THE AMOUNT THIS YEAR? WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED OUR ALLOCATION YET.
WHICH RECEIPT OF EASY MONEY IS GOING TO BE YET? NO. NORMALLY IT VARIES WITH HUD.
SOMETIMES WE'LL GET IT IN FEBRUARY.
SOMETIMES WE'LL GET OUR ALLOCATION IN MAY.
I HAVE BEEN CHECKING IN WITH THE HUD WEBSITE.
NO ONE IN THE UNITED STATES HAS RECEIVED THEIR 2025 ALLOCATION JUST YET.
SO I'M ASSUMING THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING UP IN CONGRESS.
BUT WE USUALLY BASE IT LAID OFF A LOT OF PEOPLE AT.
YEAH. YES. BUT WE USUALLY KIND OF TRY TO BASE IT BASED ON WHAT WE'VE GOTTEN HISTORICALLY IN THE PAST YEARS. AND NORMALLY IT'S IN THE 800,000 FOR CDBG HOME.
WE'VE ALWAYS SEEN ABOUT 400,000.
ONE YEAR WE DID GET LIKE 521,000, WHICH WAS RARE, BUT IT WAS OKAY. BUT THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE JUST TRY TO KEEP IT IN THAT AREA.
AND EACH YEAR Y'ALL'S GOAL IS TO SPEND IT ALL.
CORRECT. AND DID Y'ALL THIS YEAR WE'RE ALMOST THERE.
WE ARE ABOUT PRETTY MUCH DONE WITH OUR CRITICAL REPAIR PROGRAM.
SALVATION ARMY HAS ALREADY FINISHED THEIR ALLOCATION FOR THE CHILLER THAT THEY NEED TO COMPLETELY REPLACE, SO THEIR FUNDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DRAWN.
WE HAVEN'T HAD MANY APPLICANTS FOR THE REVITALIZATION PROGRAM, BUT WE DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH FUNDING IN THERE AS WELL. WE COULD PROBABLY DO THREE HOUSES AT THAT. AND THEN PRETTY MUCH THAT'S THAT'S ALL OUR MONEY.
WE DO HAVE PLENTY OF HOME BUYER AND THE FULL REHAB, WHICH IS THE SINGLE FAMILY REHAB PROGRAM. WE HAVEN'T HAD VERY MANY APPLICANTS FOR THAT.
I THINK WE DO HAVE ONE PENDING RIGHT NOW, BUT WITH SYSTEMS DOWN, WE ARE UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.
SO BUT OUR HOME BUYERS ARE MOVING ALONG MAINLY WITH HABITAT.
THEY'RE STARTING TO CATCH UP FROM THE 20 2020 COVID ISSUE.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE ACTIVE HOUSES WITH THEM AND WE ARE WAITING TO CONTRACT TWO MORE. BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE UNABLE TO PULL THOSE CONTRACTS AT THE MOMENT.
SO. SOMETHING ELSE CAME INTO MY MIND.
OH. I WAS JUST PASSING THROUGH.
SO HABITAT GETS ABOUT $70,000.
70. 60. YES. YEAH. A YEAR AND WHICH IS GOOD.
AND DO YOU KNOW SINCE I DON'T WORK THERE ANYMORE.
DO YOU KNOW WHEN THEY'RE PLANNING TO START ON THE LOT IN COLLEGE HEIGHTS.
I DO NOT. THEY HAVE NOT INFORMED ME OF ANY OF THAT.
SO I'M NOT SURE. I BELIEVE IT'S STILL IN THE WITH PLANNING AS FAR AS VIABILITY AND, YES, LOCATION WITH THE ZONING.
YES. YES. THAT'S THE LAST I HEARD.
SO. BUT MORE LIKELY, THAT IS ONE AREA THAT WE CAN FUND WITH FUNDING SINCE IT'S NOT FLOOD AND LOW TO MAUDE. YEAH.
AND IT'S AND IT'S GOING TO BE WHEN IT'S DONE.
IT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPRESSIVE.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO LOOK GOOD.
[00:15:01]
YEAH. IT WILL DESIGN AND ALL THAT SORT OF STUFF.AND THEY'RE REALLY WANTING IT TO MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD LESS OF A HOOD.
THAT MAKES SENSE. OH ALL RIGHT.
WELL NO, IT'LL IT'LL REVITALIZE IT.
IT'LL GIVE THE NEIGHBORS A SENSE OF PRIDE THAT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD IS.
IT'S UP AND COMING. IT'S LOOKING NICE.
WELL, AND THERE'S I THINK THERE'S ALSO, FROM HABITAT'S PERSPECTIVE, IT WILL BE EASY TO RAISE MONEY FOR THAT BECAUSE I KNOW, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, OUR CHURCH, WE'RE GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO DO AT LEAST A HOUSE OR TWO OR I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY, BUT I HOPE WE'RE GOING TO INVEST.
I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO INVEST BECAUSE WE GAVE THEM THE LAND.
END? YES. BUT I THINK THERE'S THAT A GREAT POSSIBILITY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE COULD SAY, YEAH, WE'LL BUILD ONE OF THOSE HOUSES.
I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE LIKE 11.
I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT I HEARD AS WELL.
SO THAT'S A THAT'S A BIG DEAL.
IT IS. SO ONCE YOU CAN WORK ON IT YOU CAN WORK ON IT.
YOU CAN HAVE YOU CAN HAVE COPIER RACES UP AND DOWN THE HALL.
NOTHING ELSE? I BELIEVE MEETING'S ADJOURNED.
YOU BET. THANK YOU ALL.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.