Fourth Program Year CAPER development/cape… · 09/02/2010 · Rev. 10/2/09 CPMP 2008CAPERmuncieIN Narratives Rev. 10-2-09 1 Fourth Program Year CAPER GRANTEE: City of Muncie IN

Rev. 10/2/09 CPMP 2008CAPERmuncieIN Narratives Rev. 10-2-09 1

Fourth Program Year CAPER GRANTEE: City of Muncie IN CON PLAN PERIOD: 6/01/2008 to 5/31/2009

GENERAL Executive Summary The Executive Summary is not required. Provide a brief overview that includes major initiatives and highlights how activities undertaken during this program year addressed strategic plan objectives and areas of high priority identified in the consolidated plan. PY 2008 CAPER Executive Summary: This report describes activities undertaken during the program year period June 1, 2008, through May 31, 2009, utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As required by HUD regulations, most of the activities benefited low- and moderate-income (low/mod) residents of the city, some via direct assistance to low/mod persons and some via projects in areas with high concentrations of low/mod persons, as shown on maps in Appendix A. For the last six months of this reporting period, Community Development (CD) staff was busy learning about additional HUD programs awarded to the City as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). HERA’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) will provide $2,007,356 for demolition of blighted properties, creation of a land bank, and rehabilitation of rental units for low-income persons. Also, the City has partnered with Flaherty and Collins LLC, Muncie Housing Authority, and others in administering a grant of $1,900,000 in NSP funds through the State of Indiana for redevelopment of Parkview Apartments and scattered sites in Whitely neighborhood. ARRA’s Community Development Block Grant-Recovery Act (CDBG-R) program will provide $385,809 for restoration of windows at the YWCA, HVAC upgrade at Christian Ministries’ Hope House, and establish a building deconstruction training program. These grant programs are not further described in this CAPER but are available for review on the CD webpage: http://www.cityofmuncie.com/index/office/cddocs.asp. Most CDBG-funded activities proceeded successfully during the program year, administered primarily by subgrantees with oversight by CD staff. HOME staff worked to resolve findings generated during a 2006 HOME monitoring visit and subsequent audit by the HUD Office of Inspector General in Chicago. More details of these efforts are described in this report’s HOME section beginning on page 19. Assistant Director Barbara Taylor completed reconciliation of CDBG fund accounts with HUD accounts, resolving several years of discrepancies in financial transactions. Prior year unobligated balances were consolidated to simplify recordkeeping and reporting, and improve efficiency in fund accounting. Staff training and development continued as a high priority in the CD office. When training is offered in various cities, we make every effort to attend those involving the least travel time and cost. Bill Morgan, Historic Preservation Officer and Environmental Review Officer, attended and presented at Environmental Assessment for Advanced Practitioners in Chicago, Section 106 Essentials in Indianapolis, and Save It or Raze It? seminar in Ft. Wayne. Bill obtained scholarships to attend the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions FORUM in New Orleans and the Cornelius O’Brien Conference in Bloomington. He attended the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana’s Eastern Region Annual meeting in Chesterfield IN.

http://www.cityofmuncie.com/index/office/cddocs.asp�


Tom Parkison, Construction Specialist, attended an Energy Star seminar, a poverty simulation seminar and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan workshop in Muncie; a HUD-sponsored Section 3 workshop in Indianapolis, and two Indiana Association for Community Economic Development seminars in Indianapolis: Specification Writing and Cost Estimating, and Redevelopment Strategies for Indiana Cities and Towns. HOME Coordinator Kay Piner attended HOME training: Mixed Income and the HOME Program in Louisville KY, Rental Financial Analysis and Subsidy Layering in Carmel IN, Homeownership Development Toolbox in Indianapolis, and HOME/NSP in Columbus OH. Barbara Taylor, Assistant Director attended HOME/NSP training in Columbus OH. Director Connie Gregory attended a half-day poverty simulation program in Muncie, and a series of High Performance Government sessions in Muncie. Gretchen Cheesman, Unsafe Building Hearing Authority Administrator, attended deconstruction training in Chicago, and Save It or Raze It? seminar in Ft. Wayne. Summary of Resources and Distribution of Funds

1) Summary of Resources and Distribution of Funds:

a. Provide a description of the resources made available

PY 2008 CAPER #1a response:

FY2008 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) $ 1,421,272.00 FY2008 HOME 604,690.00 Minus reduction of HOME due to audit findings (465,634.00) FY2008 Total $ 1,560,328.00

Unexpended CDBG funds from prior years as of 5/31/08 $ 934,123.59

Total funds $ 2,494,451.59

b. Provide the investment of available resources

PY 2008 CAPER #1b response:

Administration and Planning activities are subject to a statutory cap, as follows:

PY 2008 CDBG entitlement X 20% = $1,421,272 X 20% = $284,254 maximum

Below are expenditures for Administration and Planning activities using FY2008 funds. Expenditures made after 5/31/09 are not included. (Project/IDIS# refers to the Project Worksheets in Appendix C and IDIS activity numbers in the HUD tracking system).

Project /IDIS#

Agency Programs PY2008 Expenditures

1/2098 Community Development Dept. Administration/Planning Payroll $205,793.86 1/2098 Community Development Dept. Other Administration 33,540.81

Total $239,334.67 Public service activities are subject to a statutory cap, as follows:

PY 2008 CDBG entitlement X 15% = $1, 21,272 X 15% = $202,742 maximum

Below are expenditures for public service activities using FY2008 funds:

Project /IDIS#


19/2110 A Better Way Services Telecare $ 5,876.57 28/2118 A Better Way Services Peace for Kids 7,782.15 24/2114 ACTION Shopping Cart 5,000.00 17/2109 Alpha Center Adult Day Services 13,342.28 18/2101 Bridges Community Services Supportive Housing 21,179.93 44/2165 Christian Ministries Men’s Sleeping Room Sleeping Room 10,000.00


15/2143 Mental Health America Mental Health Social Club 2,583.34 46/2173 Meridian Services Child Crisis Program 0.00 41/2162 Motivate Our Minds Tutoring & Enrichment 3,766.32 23/2113 Muncie Delaware Senior Citizen Center Senior Citizen Programs 21,634.65 22/2112 Muncie Police Department Victim Advocate 11,250.00 21/2111 Open Door Community Services Shepherd Center 13,747.76 45/2166 TEAMwork for Quality Living Circles of Support Program 14,894.01 26/2116 Thomas Park Neighborhood Assoc. Ross Community Center 25,600.00 14/2142 VSA arts Arts for disabled children 10,000.00

Total $166,657.01

Slum and Blight Removal activities are subject to a statutory cap, as follows:

PY 2008 CDBG entitlement $ 1,421,272 minus 20% Admin/Planning (284,254) amount subject to low/mod benefit $ 1,137,018 minus 70% that must benefit low/mod (795,913) maximum slum and blight removal $ 341,105

Below are expenditures for slum and blight removal activities using FY2008 funds:

Project /IDIS#


29/2119 Community Development Dept. Clearance 88,295.06 30/2120 Community Development Dept. Façade Restoration Loan 191,985.92

Total $280,280.98

Below are activities using FY2008 funds that are not subject to a statutory cap:

Project /IDIS#


9/2102 Architectural Barrier Removal Improve Accessibility 220.18 43/2164 Christian Ministries Sleeping Room Rehab HVAC upgrade 22,892.00 1/2129 Housing Rehabilitation Owner-occupied rehab 2,004.59

31/2121 Infrastructure Street improvements 255,378.51 11/2104 Rebuilding Together House Repairs 66,647.81 40/2103 Unity Community Center Design/pre-construction costs 0.00

Total $347,143.09

c. Provide the geographic distribution and location of investments

You are encouraged to include maps in this description. Specifying Census Tracts where expenditures were concentrated and the percentage of funds expended in NRSAs or local target areas may satisfy this requirement.

PY 2008 CAPER #1c response: Please see maps in Appendix A.

d. Provide the number of families and persons assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of persons assisted). See following page.

(This space intentionally left blank)


PY 2008 CAPER #1d response:

Persons assisted:A Better Way Peace for Kids 79 6 6 2 5 93A BetterWay Telecare 30 8 38ACTION, Shopping Cart 28 1 29Alpha Center 17 2 19Bridges Community Service 438 97 1 1 23 6 3 566Christian Min Sleeping Rm 106 40 146Mental Health Social Club 50 4 2 56Meridian Svcs Child Crisis 0Motivate Our Minds 21 69 1 7 98MPD/Victim Advocate 1,005 190 3 32 17 4 1,247Open Door Shepherd Center 22 9 31Ross Community Center 1,276 117 3 8 5 41 1,450Senior Citizen Center 4,095 267 12 44 16 17 4,451TEAMwork for Quality Lvg 58 11 1 1 2 3 76VSA arts of Indiana 2,308 507 13 58 49 220 3,155

Total Persons 9,533 1,328 33 1 9 47 63 169 272 12 11,455

Afr Am & White

Other Multi

Project White Afr Amer

TotalAsian Am Ind /Alask

Native Haw/PI

Am Ind & White

Asian & White

Hisp

e. Provide actions taken to affirmatively further fair housing PY 2008 CAPER #1e response: Please see item 3 below.

f. Provide other actions indicated in the strategic plan and the action plan

PY 2008 CAPER #1f response:

The FY2008 Annual Action Plan proposed demolition of 15 unsafe buildings using CDBG funds, but 41 houses were demolished by CD during the program year (see maps and pictures in Appendix A). Also, 31 property owners demolished buildings at their own expense, as a result of action by the Unsafe Building Hearing Authority (UBHA). Furthermore, CD coordinated with volunteers to demolish 2 houses and assisted 3 owners in demolition by paying dumpster and landfill costs. Two hundred demolition orders were recorded in the office of the county recorder. Hearings have been conducted on 241 properties (prior to dismissal, a property generally has three hearings). Civil penalties have been filed in the county auditor’s office and placed on the taxes of 175 properties. In addition, civil penalties have been levied against 125 property owners, which will be collected by a collection agency. CD staff is also administering a $200,000 U.S. EPA Brownfields Hazardous Substance Community Wide Site Assessment grant. The grant is funding eight Phase I environmental site assessments and four Phase II site assessments. All Phase I and II reports were posted on www.munciebrownfieldsproject.org . Phase I Environmental Site Assessments completed in FY 08:

Kiser Plating – 401 East Howard Street Frank Foundries – 2000/2001 East 8th Street Peloquin Property- 600 Block of East Highland Muncie Precision Hard Chrome-1001 E. 18th Street Car Doctors – 1004 South Burlington Drive

http://www.munciebrownfieldsproject.org/�


Phase II Environmental Site Assessments completed in FY 08

Kiser Plating – 401 East Howard Street Car Doctors – 1004 South Burlington Drive (in process)

General CAPER Narratives:

2) Assessment of Three to Five Year Goals and Objectives

a) Describe the accomplishments in attaining the goals and objectives for the reporting period. b) Provide a breakdown of the CPD formula grant funds spent on grant activities for each goal and

objective.

*If using the CPMP Tool: Use Needs Tables, Annual Housing Completion Goals, Summary of Specific Annual Objectives. (Use of these tables is sufficient, additional narrative is not required.)

See tables in Appendix D.

c) If applicable, explain why progress was not made towards meeting the goals and objectives.

PY 2008 CAPER General Questions #2c response:

3) Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing

a) Provide a summary of impediments to fair housing choice.

PY 2008 CAPER General Questions # 3a response:

The analysis of impediments will be updated in preparation of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan in the Fall 2009. Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in Muncie, Indiana completed by Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues (ICHHI) in May, 2006, lists the following “potential impediments” to fair housing choice:

(1.) Patterns of segregation and spatial isolation: Minority and low-income populations in Muncie remain concentrated in the Whitely, Old West End, East Central, and South Central neighborhoods.

(2.) Community opposition to the location of affordable rental housing

(3.) Minorities’ access to credit: Home mortgage lending data show that applicants in areas with moderate and high percentages of minorities had lower loan acceptance and higher denial rates than areas with few minorities, primarily with conventional and home improvement lending; most common reason for denial for minorities was due to credit history.

(4.) Lack of awareness about fair housing/reporting violations: Survey participants (172) indicated lack of knowledge regarding where or how to file a fair housing violation, feared retaliation or eviction, lacked confidence in government bureaucracy, believed they would have to hire an attorney (which would be too expensive).

(5.) Lack of adequate funding for fair housing education and outreach: Muncie Human Rights Commission stated the Human Rights Commission office needed more funding for fair housing education and outreach programs.

(6.) Land use and zoning practices: The zoning ordinance of Muncie does not pose significant problems with respect to fair housing choice. However, a lack of code enforcement may lead to unsanitary and unsafe housing environments.

b) Identify actions taken to overcome effects of impediments identified in the jurisdiction’s Analysis of Impediments.

PY 2008 CAPER General Questions # 3b response:

Following are ICHHI’s recommendations (in italics) and description of local efforts:

(1.) Housing organizations…should make it a priority to construct new affordable housing units in minority and low-income communities. Community Development Department should continue


to focus on public improvement projects in areas of the city with concentrations of minority and low-income residents.

The Muncie Housing Authority (MHA) obtained a Hope VI grant from HUD, and since 2000 razed its old Munsyana Homes multi-family public housing units, and constructed a mixture of single-family, duplex, and quad units, drastically improving the character of the west edge of Industry neighborhood (Census Tract 3, 84.6% minority, 75% low/mod). Since the Fall of 2008, with HOPE VI, HOME and other funds, MHA has constructed 1 new home in Whitley neighborhood (Census Tract 12, 72.9% minority, 62% low/mod), one in Industry, and one in East Central (Census Tract 2, 20.4% minority, 69% low/mod).

Since 2005, the Muncie Home Ownership and Development Center (MHODC), in partnership with the Muncie Area Career Center, has constructed three houses in Industry neighborhood and two in Whitely. Since 2005, Greater Muncie, Indiana Habitat for Humanity has constructed 17 houses in Whitley, two in Industry, two in Blaine (Census Tract 13, 8.7% minority, 55% low/mod), one in South Central (Census Tract 4, 20.2% minority, 78% low/mod), two in Old West End (Census Tract 6, 13.3% minority, 73% low/mod), and three in Southside (Census Tract 15, 3.6% minority, 59% low/mod).

The Community Development Department has continued to focus on public improvement projects in areas of the city with concentrations of minority and low-income residents. In 2005, CDBG funds paid for repaving 18 blocks of streets in Granville Park addition (Census Tract 11, 8.6% minority, 52% low/mod). In 2007, CDBG funds paid for 20 blocks of street milling and resurfacing and four blocks of curb and sidewalk replacement in Millennium Place in Industry neighborhood, and five blocks of street milling and resurfacing in Howard Square in Old West End neighborhood.

In 2008 CDBG paid for milling and resurfacing as follows: 12 blocks in Industry and 8 blocks in Blaine neighborhood, 9 blocks in McKinley neighborhood (Census Tract 2, 20.4% minority, 83% low/mod), and 4 blocks in Southside neighborhood (Census Tract 15, 3.96% minority, 58% low/mod).

(2.) Need for more unity and civic pride among Muncie neighborhoods in order to help remove the stigma associated with affordable housing. Muncie Housing Authority and housing organizations…should work together to promote integration of diversity in neighborhoods throughout the city and mitigate concentration of low and moderate income persons and minorities by developing programs focusing on attitudinal barriers, prejudice and racism.

The board, staff and volunteers of Unity Center Inc. (UCI) worked hard to raise the capital and public support necessary to build a new community center in Heekin Park. Unfortunately, serious budget constraints to City government and philanthropies due to property tax issues and a nationwide recession required that this ambitious project be postponed beyond the immediate future.

The construction of a new community center to replace the demolished South Madison Community Center is required as a part of the Muncie Housing Authority’s (MHA) HOPE VI Revitalization Plan. In light of these development difficulties, MHA, UCI, and the City of Muncie are planning to use an EDI Special Projects grant and other funding to create a more modest Unity Center in the existing Price Hall adjacent to Millennium Place. While this scaled-back Unity Center may not be the showpiece originally envisioned, it will still strive to meet the original goals as a facility that will unite the community across physical, social and economic divides.

Muncie Housing Authority should increase its public information and education activities to highlight its affordable housing accomplishments, and to publicize research on the positive impact of affordable housing.

The Muncie Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners has created an entity to foster and promote public information and educational activities regarding its affordable housing accomplishments. The new entity is appropriately named Affordable Housing & Development Corporation (AHDC). AHDC is an “instrumentality” of the Muncie Housing Authority and is governed by its Board of Commissioners. AHDC has procured a local research firm (an off-shoot


of Ball State University’s planning department) to prepare a report which documents the impact of the HOPE VI revitalization on the lives of the residents. The research firm will evaluate the program’s level of success in the area of community building, economic development, community strengthening, and cross-cultural leadership development. The research results will be posted on the MHA web-site and included in the AHDC quarterly newsletter.

Propose the development of mixed-use, mixed income facilities to integrate both residential and commercial functions within the community.

Construction is well underway on the HOME-assisted renovation of 24 downtown rental units at Canopic Apartments, with at least 10 to be floating, affordable units for low/moderate income persons. CD’s HOME program requests for proposals for rental development will continue to give priority to mixed-use, mixed-income facilities.

The Façade Restoration Grant Program sparked redevelopment of long-vacant upper floors of Muncie’s downtown historic buildings into at least 27 new housing units above commercial storefronts. The program achieved “critical mass” in the redevelopment of downtown, and development of additional mixed-use buildings is now continuing with private capital alone. Future plans to designate a Cultural District in Muncie will encourage live/work development for the creative class in Muncie.

The City should involve neighborhood organizations to identify the priorities and concerns of neighbors and involve them in the planning, decision-making and development of projects.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Muncie boasted 20 active neighborhood associations, and for many years a coalition of representatives who met to discuss and solve common problems, and provide input to CD during planning phases of the CDBG application process. Today, few of those neighborhood associations meet regularly, and CD’s neighborhood contact information is badly outdated; however, CD staff hopes to reestablish communication in preparation of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan (2010-2014) to ensure citizens citywide participate in the planning and decision-making process. Staff will encourage citizen involvement via mailings, newspaper articles and announcements, as well as public service announcements on radio and community access television channel.

(3.) Muncie Housing Authority and housing organizations…should work together to establish or support an existing homeownership counseling/education program. These community organizations and service providers should work in areas where loan denial rates that are consistently higher than average to better understand the underlying cause for the denial of credit in these communities. This might include holding focus groups with or surveying individuals who have been denied loans.

The Muncie Housing Authority is currently working with the Muncie Home Center to complete the last phase of its HOPE VI Revitalization Plan – the development of 19 single-family affordable new homes and the rehabilitation of 22 existing homes. The Muncie Housing Authority is also the recipient of an FY 2007 ROSS Family & Home Ownership Grant in the amount of $250,000 and will collaborate with the Home Center to provide counseling and educational services to prospective home buyers.

The Home Center is a HUD Certified Counseling Agency, with more than 10 years of experience in providing homebuyer education to prospective home purchasers. Major activities of the Home Center include pre- and post-purchase homebuyer counseling, fair housing assistance, mortgage delinquency counseling and predatory lending advocacy.

Established in 1992, the Home Center’s mission is to provide a comprehensive and responsive resource to prospective homebuyers and homeowners. In 1995 the Home Center became a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency. In 1997 HUD recognized the Home Center and local partners with a Best Practice award in the provision of decent, affordable housing.

The Home Center has an established history of assisting members of protected classes obtain homeownership. Special financial assistance programs and lease-purchase arrangements have enabled the Home Center to help members of protected classes buy homes. Of the 40 homes


the Home Center has constructed and sold, all except one have been sold to protected class households who have incomes below 80% AMI.

Pre-Purchase Counseling

The Home Center offers pre-purchase counseling to all prospective buyers. These sessions prepare individuals for the financing process, through an initial eight week course followed by individualized assessment and counseling, with the goal being pre-qualification for a mortgage. Extra support is provided to public housing residents during the counseling process, such as transportation to and day care during sessions. The Home Center tracks participants throughout the trainings, ensuring successful completion prior to closing on their homes.

The Home Center sessions run on an eight-week cycle, three times each year, with capacity for 25 participants in each class. The eight group sessions cover: 1) financial readiness, 2) credit (two sessions), 3) budgeting, 4) the buying process, 5) closing process, 6) foreclosure prevention, and 7) fair housing. Sessions utilize professionals from the community, including loan officers, realtors, and fair housing committee members to address these topics. Participants receive certificates of completion at the end of the eight-week course. Homebuyer counselors provide individualized assessments to residents after completion of the group sessions, with a particular focus on credit counseling and help with financing options.

Financial Literacy

The Home Center provides monthly cycles of a five session program of financial literacy training for all prospective buyers, with a special targeting of IDA participants. Topics include cash management, savings and checking accounts, avoiding common budgeting pitfalls and fraud, investment basics, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Care tax credit, and credit history. The financial literacy sessions will include an individual session to develop an action plan for each participant, and to identify goals and challenges for meeting prequalification requirements.

Post-Purchase Counseling

As participants successfully complete the pre-purchase counseling and are pre-qualified for financing, the Home Center provides additional home maintenance training to ready individuals before they move into their new homes. In addition, the Home Center provides ongoing post-purchase counseling as needed on an individualized basis for all buyers with an emphasis on foreclosure prevention.

The home maintenance training complements the pre-purchase counseling. The curriculum includes six sessions, occurring over a two day period. The workshops focus on prevention and self-help. Topics include basic preventive maintenance, safety issues, low cost repair options, insurance and understanding of mechanical and electrical systems. Each participant receives a toolbox to be used in combination with the classes that will include basic tools needed for home repairs. Guest speakers from the community lead some classes. Previous trainings have included: a representative from Lowe’s Home Improvement who taught participants how to install ceiling fans; a member of the City Realtors Association who educated participants about contracts and deeds; review of City code requirements; and hands-on landscaping classes.

Family Strengthening Workshop

Participants in the IDA program also take part in a family strengthening workshop. Spouses, children, and other household members are invited to participate in this workshop that focuses on family budgeting, communication and relationship skills, and sharing responsibilities. Staff at the Home Center teach concepts in a fun environment in order to generate lively, but critical discussion. Case studies and role-playing help illustrate the importance of effective family communication and emotional support.

Prospective applicants are carefully screened to ensure they will be able to support the ongoing costs of owning a home. As part of the initial pre-purchase counseling process, the Home Center checks credit reports, and establishes an individualized plan for resolving credit issues, saving for downpayment and closing costs, and gathering other documents necessary for closing. Fast-track customers are typically six months away from purchasing a home, and in conjunction with


receiving their certificate of class completion, go to the housing counselor for one-on-one counseling. The housing counselor helps fast-track customers choose the right lender, determines if the customer qualifies for any grants, and compiles the necessary documentation, including W-2s and pay stubs. The file that the Home Center housing counselor compiles is fairly complete, making a lender’s underwriting job a lot easier.

The customers who are designated as long-term continue to work with the Home Center trainers on a one-on-one basis to improve their credit rating, pay off debt and establish positive credit lines. Once the credit-related, budgeting and other issues are resolved, the customer is then considered “fast-track” and referred to the housing counselor. This process has made the pre-purchase education and counseling process considerably more efficient. Long-term buyers are positioned to purchase homes in the future.

In addition to these counseling services, the MHA CSS Program provides ongoing case management services to former residents of Munsyana, even after they purchase a home. The MHA provides services such as child care, education, job training, and other counseling to help households remain self-sufficient.

(4.) The Muncie Human Rights Commission and Muncie Housing Authority will work together to increase awareness of fair housing and the complaint process.

The Muncie Housing Authority conducts monthly briefings for Housing Choice Voucher applicants, during which applicants receive the HUD booklet, Fair Housing—It’s Your Right, a copy of the complaint form HUD 903.1, and instructions for filing a complaint.

Develop an Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan designed to promote outreach to encourage applications from groups least likely to apply for occupancy in a particular development.

HOME-assisted projects with five or more units are required to comply with CD’s Affirmative Marketing Plan as a condition of the contract to obtain HOME funds. Such developments are required to maintain documentation of compliance, which is reviewed as part of CD staff monitoring.

Encourage all landlords to use methods of advertising that will encourage low-moderate income persons and minorities to seek housing. Continue to educate tenants and landlords about fair housing laws. Make presentations to property management companies, educating them of their responsibilities under the fair housing act.

No specific activities have addressed these recommendations in FY2008. The analysis of impediments will be updated in preparation of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan in the Fall 2009.

(5.) The City and Muncie Human Rights Commission should actively seek alternative sources of funding in order to create programs that specifically address fair housing. One of the top priorities for the city should be the attainment of substantial equivalency status with respect to Fair Housing…the City needs to have in place a fair housing ordinance and have a minimum of 1.5 full-time staff devoted to the investigation and prosecution of fair housing violations.

The City has not pursued alternative sources of funding for Muncie Human Rights Commission (MHRC) staff. Recent Indiana property tax code revisions will result in drastic cuts in Muncie’s tax revenue in 2010, affecting all department budgets that rely on those funds. During the annual budget review process, all City departments, including MHRC, will undergo analysis to identify the optimum positions necessary to deliver essential services.

(6.) The City of Muncie should convene annually a focus group of homebuilders, rental property owners, and developers to gather feedback on local barriers to housing development.

No specific activities have addressed these recommendations in FY2008. The analysis of impediments will be updated in preparation of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan in the Fall 2009.

Zoning code should be updated to make it consistent with current planning objectives. Inclusionary zoning ordinance should be created to promote development of affordable housing.

No specific activities have addressed these recommendations in FY2008.


Improve coordination between the health department and code enforcement officers and inspectors.

The Delaware County Health Department and City inspectors cooperate fully in identifying properties that violate multiple codes, conducting inspections together as warranted, and coordinating enforcement activity.

4) Address Obstacles to Meeting Underserved Needs

Identify actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs.

PY 2008 CAPER General Questions # 4 response:

The primary obstacle in meeting underserved needs was inadequate CD management as detailed on page 1. Actions to address this problem are described on pages 1 and 2.

5) Foster and Maintain Affordable Housing

Identify actions taken to foster and maintain affordable housing.

PY 2008 CAPER General Questions # 5 response:

Rebuilding Together, Inc. and ACTION, Inc. used CDBG funds to assist homeowners in maintaining their properties. Projects included a wide variety of minor repairs, such as repairing/replacing leaking faucets, damaged floors, and deteriorated doors, installing handrails, and repairing/ replacing furnaces. World Changers provided exterior repairs to owner-occupied homes.

HOME funds via Muncie Home Ownership and Development Center provided homeownership counseling and downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers. Bridges Community Services, Inc. and Open Door Community Services, Inc. provided transitional housing and related services.

Capacity building efforts in this arena have seen the birth of a new non-profit called ecoREHAB. Starting from discussions in Muncie’s Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Commission, ecoREHAB will demonstrate sustainable strategies for rehabilitation of existing housing, while renovating some of Muncie’s blighted housing stock into quality affordable housing. In cooperation with Ball State University, the City, and Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, the organization is in the final stages of obtaining 501c3 status and has been accepted as part of BSU’s Immersive Learning Program. The group plans to use CDBG funds to rehab a first demonstration home and will also create a Design Assistance Center for homeowners in the Muncie Urban Design Studio.

6) Leveraging Resources

a) Identify progress in obtaining “other” public and private resources to address needs.

PY 2008 CAPER General Questions # 6a response:

The current process for applying for CDBG funds does not use a rating system that rewards potential subgrantees for the amount of funds anticipated from other sources.

b) Describe how Federal resources from HUD leveraged other public and private resources.

PY 2008 CAPER General Questions # 6b response:

Non-profit organizations administering CDBG public service activities often have other programs that are funded by a variety of sources. In order to provide a fair picture of leveraging for CDBG activities, the table below reports only the projected funds from other sources that are in support of the CDBG-funded activities, rather than the organizations’ entire budgets for all programs they administer.

However, Ross Community Center, Delaware County Senior Citizen Center, and Bridges Community Services administer a variety of activities and programs benefiting low/mod persons in their facilities, and CDBG funds support their operating budgets, reported here in total.


A Better Way Peace for Kids 7,782 0 39,874 2,830 0 0 50,486 15%A BetterWay Telecare 5,877 0 0 10,000 0 12,035 27,912 21%ACTION Furnace/Handyman 90,000 0 70,000 0 0 0 160,000 56%ACTION, Shopping Cart 5,000 0 131 0 0 1,650 6,781 74%Alpha Center 13,342 0 22,817 37,296 0 92,819 166,274 8%Bridges Community Service 21,180 175,093 0 74,460 0 99,009 369,742 6%Christian Min Sleeping Rm 10,000 0 0 0 0 10,000 100%Mental Health Social Club 2,583 0 0 2408 0 7,297 12,289 21%Meridian Child Crisis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Motivate Our Minds 3,766 0 0 0 0 0 3,766 100%MPD/Victim Advocate 11,250 0 0 38,166 26,000 75,416 15%Rebuilding Together 66,648 0 0 0 0 55,000 121,648 55%Ross Community Center 25,600 0 0 0 5,000 6047 36,647 70%Senior Citizen Center 21,635 0 0 0 38,910 60,545 36%TEAMwork for Quality Living 14,894 23,200 74,961 113,055 13%

Total 299,557 175,093 156,022 165,160 31,000 387,728 1,214,561 25%

% CDBGOther Federal

State Local Gov’t

PrivateProject CDBG FY08 $

other HUD

Total

c) Describe how matching requirements were satisfied. PY 2008 CAPER General Questions # 6c response: - No activities required matching funds.

7) Citizen Participation

a) Provide a summary of citizen comments. *Please note that Citizen Comments and Responses may be included as additional files within the CPMP Tool.

b) Describe how consideration was given to comments or views of citizens, received in writing or orally at public hearings, in preparing the CAPER. PY 2008 CAPER Citizen Participation # 7a and 7b response:

Please see Appendix B.

8) Institutional Structure

Describe actions taken during the last year to overcome gaps in institutional structures and enhance coordination.

PY 2008 CAPER Institutional Structure # 8 response:

Subgrantee contracts were updated and brought into compliance with HUD requirements for FY2008, with the addition of performance measures and projected budget. The contract document was used for monitoring by CD staff, with each section and requirement discussed and documented.

9) Monitoring

a) Describe actions taken to monitor the jurisdiction’s performance in meeting objectives and outcomes set forth in its strategic plan.

b) Describe how and the frequency with which you monitored your activities, including subrecipients (including sponsors or administering agents).

PY 2008 CAPER Monitoring # 9a and b response:

Regular CD staff meetings are conducted during which the status, progress and problems of staff-administered projects are discussed. Most staff-administered projects, such as street paving and park improvements, are completed within a short construction season and are


relatively easy to complete successfully. The greater challenge is managing subrecipient projects as described below.

All CDBG subrecipients are required to submit documentation with each reimbursement request regarding persons assisted by racial, ethnic, and income level data, and most subrecipients make monthly requests. These data are reviewed for proportional progress according to performance measures stated in subrecipient contracts. If a subrecipient appears to be below anticipated performance measures, CD staff contacts project managers to identify potential problems and discuss ways to ensure success.

During the program year, all CDBG subrecipients were monitored once on site at their offices, which included detailed review of the services provided, goals and performance measurements, factors that would best describe results, review of financial management systems and procedures required of subrecipients by CD to obtain reimbursement for program costs, and any problems with program administration.

HOME-assisted projects are monitored during their period of affordability according to a schedule maintained by the HOME Coordinator. Properties are monitored for compliance with affordable rents, income eligibility of tenants, and compliance with other terms of agreements per HUD requirements. Project owner/managers are provided technical assistance on items that are not in compliance, with follow-up as needed.

c) Describe the results of your monitoring including any improvements made as a result.

PY 2008 CAPER Monitoring # 9c response:

Most current subrecipients have received CDBG funds for several years and are familiar with CD policies, procedures, and recordkeeping requirements, as well as federal regulations relevant to their programs. Several subrecipients also receive other federal and state funds, which require comparable financial management and data collection systems. For these reasons, no monitoring concerns were noted during this program year.

d) Describe actions taken to insure compliance with program requirements, including requirements involving the timeliness of expenditures.

PY 2008 CAPER Monitoring # 9d response:

A primary component in ensuring program compliance is provision of staff training. All CD staff members attend seminars and HUD-sponsored training to stay abreast of changing regulations and proper procedures.

e) Describe steps/actions taken to ensure long-term compliance with housing codes, including any actions or on-site inspections undertaken during the program year.

PY 2008 CAPER Monitoring # 9e response:

CDBG subgrantees have administered only minor rehabilitation programs, which does not necessitate inspections to ensure long-term compliance with housing codes.

The CD Construction Specialist maintains a spreadsheet of all HOME-assisted properties that are still within the period of affordability, including a schedule of units to be inspected each year. Twenty-four HQS inspections were conducted on HOME-assisted units in FY 2008, which included evaluation of the current condition of the painted surfaces on pre-1978 houses to ensure compliance with Lead Based Paint standards. When the HOME Coordinator or HQS Inspector discovers during monitoring that a HOME-assisted unit is occupied by a tenant receiving Section 8 assistance, a copy of the HQS inspection report is obtained from the Muncie Housing Authority; and CD does not inspect the unit.

f) What is the status of your grant programs?

i) Are any activities or strategies falling behind schedule? ii) Are grant disbursements timely? iii) Do actual expenditures differ from letter of credit disbursements?


PY 2008 CAPER Monitoring # 9f response:

i) Milling and resurfacing of a section of Willard Street (Macedonia to Burlington) has been cancelled because utility construction is due to occur, but with no definite schedule. We will consider completing the street improvements after the utility work has been completed. Funds will be used to complete FY2009 projects.

Construction of the Unity Center has been delayed due to fund-raising problems and CDBG funds will be reprogrammed to another activity until other funding is in place.

Subrecipient Meridian Services, Inc., a first-time recipient of CDBG funds, administered the contracted program in a timely manner, but did not submit a properly documented request for reimbursement before the end of the fiscal year. CD staff worked with Meridian staff to prepare an appropriate request, which was submitted and paid in June 2009.

The Muncie-Delaware Senior Citizen Center project has been delayed due to changing design from interior to exterior to interior entrance rehab, complicated by compliance with Secretary of Interior standards and concurrent work on a nomination of the building to the National Register of Historic Places. The project will be completed by 5/31/10.

Funds allocated for owner occupied rehabilitation included the World Changers program, a youth work camp affiliated with North American Mission Board, SBC. For several summers, youth came to Muncie for a week and made exterior repairs to homes of low/mod persons; however, too few teens applied for the 2008 work camp program and the activity was cancelled. Funds have since been re-appropriated.

Uncommitted funds for architectural barrier removal in prior years have been transferred to a single project account in FY2009 to fund a wheelchair lift at Cornerstone Center for the Arts.

The HOME program has two funded projects that are behind schedule. Disbursement of funds for downpayment assistance (DPA) via Muncie Home Ownership and Development Center (MHODC) has been delayed because most MHODC homeownership program participants want new homes to be built by Millennium Homeownership LLC using HOME and other funding. Millennium’s private funding commitments disappeared when the banking industry faltered, and wet weather delayed installation of streets at the Whitely neighborhood site. Consequently, only two of 20 homes have been completed to date. Foundations are in for additional homes, with expectation of completing walls and roofs by winter so work can continue.

The DPA program has also suffered because low/mod families are apprehensive about purchasing a home due to the instability of employment. MHODC has had several families who planned to use DPA lose their eligibility because they lost their jobs or their hours had been cut to the point they had inadequate income.

CD staff anticipated using HOME funds in combination with Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds on a multi-family rental project, but no viable properties have been found. One has been considered by three developers, but as yet, no acceptable financing plan has been developed. A request for proposals is being finalized that will broaden the search for potential development projects.

ii) CDBG disbursements have been timely.

iii) Actual expenditures do not differ from letter of credit disbursements.

10) Antipoverty Strategy

Describe actions taken during the last year to reduce the number of persons living below the poverty level.

PY 2008 CAPER Antipoverty Strategy #10 response:

Two non-profit CDBG subrecipients, Bridges Community Services, Inc. and Teamwork for Quality Living, Inc., administer programs specifically designed to lift people out of poverty.


Bridges Community Services, Inc. provided housing and supportive services to families living at the Shepherd Center, including services to the whole family unit, as well as individual services to the parents and the children. Case managers worked with the parents to develop a plan to work toward self-sufficiency, independence, and permanent housing, and provided individual case management sessions, study table, seasonal camps with school age participants of the program. Bridges provided scattered site subsidized rental housing and Single Room Occupancy units for very low income persons, and provided support services to homeless low-income single mothers with children, single women, and single dads with children, which included referral, guidance, direction, advocacy to appropriate resources and agencies, goal setting, life skills and career counseling, academic testing, adult basic education classes, weekly case management, free youth care, employment assistance, a computer lab, and workshops. Teamwork for Quality Living, Inc. provided meals, childcare, programming, and discussion/advocacy support around local barriers that hold people in poverty. Teamwork facilitated Circles™ of support, a program that nurtured relationships of people living in middle class and wealth who surrounded a persons/families living in poverty and helped them set goals, remain accountable to the goals, and complete the journey to self-sufficiency. Each participating family is surrounded and encouraged by 3-4 Allies who sign up for the journey out of poverty, which may last from 18 months to 4-5 years. Other CDBG subrecipients provide services that may not move people out of poverty, but serve to improve the quality of life by providing arts, social, and recreational opportunities, providing shelter, education, crisis assistance, advocacy, adult daycare and other services, maintaining homes, and assisting elderly and disabled persons with shopping. A Better Way’s Peace for Kids program provided crisis intervention, service, support, education, and caring to children of victims of domestic violence. Children learned how to manage their emotions, communicate peaceably, build their self-esteem, have fun, and experience a peaceful life. Two programs per week were conducted with children while mothers were in their own support groups, and other activities were conducted with children and their mothers together. Action, Inc.’s Telecare program placed phone calls to clients on a scheduled basis, providing friendly conversation and reminders regarding medications. Emergency protocol was followed when there was no answer to a call, or when contact persons could not be reached. Action, Inc.’s Shopping Cart program provided transportation and assistance to individuals age 55 or older and disabled residents of Muncie. The service helped income-eligible clients shop for groceries and prescription medications, which aided individuals in maintaining self-sufficiency. Action, Inc.’s Handyman and Furnace programs and Rebuilding Together, Inc. provided housing repairs for homeowners in the Muncie city limits who could not perform needed health and safety repairs because of income and/or physical limitations. Alpha Center provided quality adult day care for elderly persons with physical and/or memory impairments five days a week in a safe, supportive environment. Alpha Center assessed and monitored the clients’ health, medications and emotional well-being; provided daily exercise and nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, and enhancement and educational opportunities. Alpha Center provided respite care for the clients’ caregivers and their families. Christian Ministries provided a sleeping room for homeless men, which included shelter, meals, and related services. Mental Health America of Delaware County, Inc. provided social activities and outings for adults with mental illness.


Meridian Services, Inc.’s Child Crisis Program provided emergency assistance, such as clothing, starter packs for infant care, appropriate seasonal clothing, emergency shelter for safety, child care assistance, transportation assistance, recreational activities for children, and crisis counseling. Motivate Our Minds, Inc. provided academic programming that offered educational enrichment and individualized tutoring to Muncie and Delaware County youth in grades 1-8. Ross Community Center provided a variety of services to area low- to moderate-income families, senior citizens and children on a daily basis, including, but not limited to, recreation, tutoring, education, mentoring, meals, snacks, health screenings and clinics, and meeting space. Muncie Delaware County Senior Citizens Council, Inc. provided health, recreation, education, and welfare resources, and served as a clearinghouse of information regarding FSSA programs to area citizens. Muncie Police Department’s Victim Advocate program provided assistance with protective orders, information on victims’ current cases, and referrals to other social service agencies that were appropriate for client needs. Victim Advocates accompanied victims to court hearings and set up meetings between clients and prosecutors to familiarize victims and their families with what to expect in court. VSA Arts of Indiana, Inc. provided quality arts programming, advocacy for children with disabilities, and access to the arts for all individuals. Trained and screened teaching artists offered adaptations to equipment and technique to make it possible for those with disabilities not only to participate, but to achieve. Cultural enrichment through art, music, dance, theater, and creative writing were offered through classes on-site and in collaboration with other not-for-profits.

Self-Evaluation

11) Provide an evaluation of accomplishments. This evaluation must include a comparison of the proposed versus actual outcomes of each outcome measure submitted with the strategic plan and explain, if applicable, why progress was not made toward meeting goals and objectives.

*If using the CPMP Tool: Use Summary of Specific Annual Objectives. (The following IDIS Reports will be reviewed to determine satisfaction of this requirement: PR03, PR06, PR23, PR80, PR81, PR82, PR83, PR84, PR85)

Consider the following when providing this self-evaluation: a) Describe the effect programs had in solving neighborhood and community problems. b) Describe the progress made in meeting priority needs and specific objectives. c) Describe how activities and strategies made an impact on identified needs. d) Identify indicators that best describe the results of activities during the reporting period. e) Identify barriers that had a negative impact on fulfilling the strategic and overall vision.

PY 2008 CAPER Self-Evaluation #11 response (by Specific Annual Objectives):

Improve access to affordable owner housing and increase availability of affordable owner housing

Problems with MHODC’s downpayment assistance program and construction of new housing via Millennium Homeownership LLC are described above on page 13, 9)f)i).

Increase the supply of affordable rental housing

Historic Properties LP is renovating 24 rental units, including 10 HOME-assisted, in the historic Canopic apartment building in downtown Muncie. The demand for downtown housing is expected to increase due the recent move of Ivy Tech Community College facilities to the central city, and it is anticipated the Canopic project will spur additional investment in mixed-income downtown housing.

Improve quality of owner housing

Efforts by Rebuilding Together, Inc. and Action, Inc. have assisted homeowners maintain their homes by completing minor repairs and installing furnaces. World Changers made exterior repairs to owner-occupied homes in the summer of 2008. Action, Inc. requires that assisted homeowners


attend energy conservation educational sessions. All of these programs help elderly persons remain in their homes and help preserve Muncie’s aging housing stock. The map in Appendix A shows the distribution of households assisted, with the highest concentration in neighborhoods east and south of the central city.

End chronic homelessness

Subrecipient Open Door Community Services, Inc. operated a transitional housing program at the Shepherd Center, with support from CDBG funds. At the end of 2008, Open Door ceased operation and disposed of assets, which could have been devastating for Center residents. Fortunately, Bridges Community Services, Inc. acquired the Shepherd Center and CD executed a contract with Bridges for the balance of funds from the Open Door contract so services for Center residents would continue without interruption. Bridges also purchased a multi-unit property from the Muncie Mission with assistance of HOME funds, and immediately increased enrollment in their transitional housing program.

Improve the services for low/mod income persons

The wide range of services to low/mod persons supported with CDBG funds is described on pages 12-14. Most public service subrecipients have been operating very successfully for many years with CDBG assistance. Any discrepancies in number anticipated to be served and those actually assisted is more a reflection of dwindling funding from other sources, than problems with administration of activities. For example, several agencies had reductions in funding from local United Way in 2008, resulting in fewer persons served.

Increase the range of housing options and related services for person with special needs

CD provided funds to replace the HVAC system at the Christian Ministries Men’s Sleeping Room, thus providing shelter, meals, showers, and laundry for homeless men almost all year, rather than closing for the entire summer.

Improve quality/increase quantity of public improvements for lower income persons

The performance measurement used by the FY2008 Annual Action Plan called for 10 unsafe buildings to be demolished/cleared. During the program year, CDBG funds were used to demolish 43 unsafe structures and aid property owners in the demolition of an additional 3 properties. Furthermore, action by Muncie’s Unsafe Building Hearing Authority, which is administered by CD staff, resulted in the removal of 31 unsafe structures by owners.

The properties demolished were unsafe, unfit for human habitation, structurally impaired, a fire hazard, a public health hazard and a public nuisance. The removal of these properties alleviates the hazards associated with vacant and abandoned structures and improves the value of neighboring properties. Blighted properties deter owners from investing in their own properties because they do not see adequate return on their investment. Removal of blight eliminates visual cues that an area is in decline, improves the look and feel of the neighborhood, and encourages future reinvestment.

Street improvements improved three neighborhood areas, and CDBG funds also improved roads and parking facilities at Heekin and McCulloch Parks that have seen little improvement in recent years.

Improve quality/increase quantity of neighborhood facilities

The Senior Citizen Center entrance rehab has been delayed for reasons described on page 13, 9)f)i). The Unity Center has been postponed for reasons described on page 6, 3)(b).

12) Identify whether major goals are on target and discuss reasons for those that are not on target.

PY 2008 CAPER Self-Evaluation #12 response:

The goals associated with the removal of slum & blight include the removal of fire hazards, public health hazards and public nuisances. Vacant and abandoned structures represent decline, neglect, and devaluation of property and people. The removal of abandoned properties helps to reestablish attractive residential and commercial opportunities throughout Muncie. Major goals related to the removal of slum & blight are on target.


13) Identify any adjustments or improvements to strategies and activities that might meet your needs more effectively.

PY 2008 CAPER Self-Evaluation #13 response:

The Unsafe Building Hearing Authority will continue to cite property owners whose properties are declared unsafe by Muncie’s Building Commissioner. The hearing process results in timely renovation to meet city codes or demolition of the property. Properties that are not beyond repair but subject to tax foreclosure will fall under the jurisdiction of the land bank, which will focus on the conversion of vacant and abandoned structures into productive use. The land bank, funded with NSP funds, will be staffed prior to the next tax sale, which is scheduled for January 2010. It will be used to eliminate slum & blight by encouraging rehabilitation and reuse of existing residential and commercial structures by making them available to investors free and clear of liens and back taxes.

The ability of developers to access private financing remains problematic in committing HOME funds. Additionally, the timing of the low income tax credit application process can be a challenge in pulling together a complete housing development package. It is doubtful that homeownership programs will improve until the job situation improves in Muncie.

See additional information on page 4, Summary of Resources and Distribution of Funds, 1) f, and see pictures and maps in Appendix A.

HOUSING

Affordable Housing

14) Evaluate progress in meeting its specific affordable housing objectives, including:

a) Comparison of proposed numeric goals (from the strategic plan and annual plan) with the actual number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income renter and owner households assisted during the reporting period.

*If using the CPMP Tool: Use Need/Housings, Needs/Community Development, Annual Housing Completion Goals, Summary of Specific Annual Objectives.

PY 2008 CAPER Affordable Housing # 14a response:

Please see tables in Appendix D.

b) Report the number of households served meeting the Section 215 requirements of affordable housing (essentially meeting the definitions in 24 CFR 92.252 and 92.254 for renters and owners, respectively).

*If using the CPMP Tool: Annual Housing Completion Goals (Use of this table is sufficient; no additional narrative is required)

PY 2008 CAPER Affordable Housing # 14b response:

Please see Annual Housing Completion Goals in Appendix D.

c) Describe efforts to address worst case needs (defined as low-income renters with severe cost burden, in substandard housing, or involuntarily displaced).

PY 2008 CAPER Affordable Housing # 14c response:

Subgrantee Christian Ministries administered the HOME-funded First Month’s Rent/Security Deposit program, which assisted low/mod persons move into rental units that met HUD Housing Quality Standards. Section 8 and Public Housing units were inspected by Muncie Housing Authority staff; other units were inspected by CD staff.

d) Description of efforts to address the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities.

PY 2008 CAPER Affordable Housing # 14d response:

CDBG funds provided handicapped accessibility at 9 owner-occupied homes (6 by Rebuilding Together, 3 by World Changers).


Public Housing Strategy

15) Describe actions taken during the last year to improve public housing and resident initiatives.

PY 2008 CAPER Public Housing #15 response:

The MHA Board of Commissioners has established a Resident Relations Sub-Committee that is lead by one of its full-time commissioners. The Board and the Executive Director have required all site managers to convene quarterly meetings with the residents (after working hours) to provide information, hear complaints and to deal with environmental and health and safety issues. The MHA CSS department acts as resident liaison for community resources and self-sufficiency programs. Case management and other services are provided for all public housing residents and Section 8 tenants.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

16) Describe actions taken during the last year to eliminate barriers to affordable housing.

PY 2008 CAPER Barriers to Affordable Housing #16 response:

Please see the section Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing beginning on page 4.

Lead-based Paint

17) Describe actions taken during the last year to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards.

PY 2008 CAPER Lead-based Paint #17 response:

An Indiana Department of Environmental Management Lead Risk Assessor/Inspector on CD staff conducted the required assessments and inspections. The files were documented; wipe samples were taken and processed as required by HUD Guidelines.

During the program year, all projects that required disturbing painted surfaces on “target housing” were inspected and information given to homeowners and contractors. Lead Safe Work Practices were required on these projects. Initial visual assessments were made and the file documented, and at the end of the projects, the required inspections were made and documented.

HOMELESS Homeless Needs

18) Identify actions taken to address needs of homeless persons.

PY 2008 CAPER Homeless Needs #18 response:

The Muncie area currently has four HUD-supported transitional programs, two small faith-based transitional housing projects for families, one large faith-based emergency shelter for men, one domestic violence shelter for women, and one faith-based emergency shelter for multiple population groups.

A group of housing providers and peripheral support providers, known as the Homeless Prevention Network (HPN), meet on a monthly basis to network and convene for training. In addition, the group belongs to the Region 6 Continuum of Care, which meets quarterly. The local HPN and Region 6 group have adopted the State’s 10-year Plan to End Homelessness, with the caveat of addressing family chronic homelessness, as well.

19) Identify actions to help homeless persons make the transition to permanent housing and independent living.

PY 2008 CAPER Homeless Need #19 response:

Currently, the local HPN, is planning strategies to develop permanent housing with supportive services for persons who are disabled. There are also various agencies that are developing permanent housing for persons at risk of becoming homeless. Opportunities range from subsidized housing to home ownership through such agencies as Greater Muncie IN Habitat for Humanity, Muncie Home Ownership and Development Center, Pathstone, and Bridges Community Services.


Providers who are operating transitional projects offer six-month follow-up for consumers leaving their programs. Most all offer case management, or even forms of childcare, to make the transition successful. Consumers that come through the organized programs are all accessed to mainstream support services, as well.

20) Identify actions taken to implement a continuum of care strategy for the homeless and new Federal resources obtained during the program year, including from the Homeless SuperNOFA.

*If using the CPMP Tool: Use Needs/Homeless, Needs/Non-Homeless, Annual Housing Completion Goals, Summary of Specific Annual Objectives.

PY 2008 CAPER Homeless Needs #20 response:

Currently the community is receiving SHP Transitional Programs Grants via Bridges Community Services and A Better Way, and four Emergency Shelter Grants.

Specific Homeless Prevention Elements 21) Identify actions taken to prevent homelessness.

PY 2008 CAPER Specific Homeless Prevention #21 response:

Homeless Prevention efforts in the community include, but are not limited to:

1. Energy assistance through various agencies: ACTION, Christian Ministries, Center Township Trustee, various faith-based entities

2. Rental assistance through various agencies: Christian Ministries, Center Township Trustee 3. Food Banks: Second Harvest Food Bank, Salvation Army, Christian Ministries, and various faith-

based locations 4. Subsidized Housing: Muncie Housing Authority, Delaware County Housing Authority, various

HUD-subsidized housing programs 5. Education: Muncie Community Schools, Ivy Tech State College, Ball State University

Mainstream Servicing: Social Security Administration, FSSA, Indiana Division of Family and Children, WorkOne.

22) Identify actions to address emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless individuals and families (including significant subpopulations such as those living on the streets).

PY 2008 CAPER ESG # 22 response:

FY2008 CDBG funds assisted Christian Ministries with operational funds and HVAC for the men’s sleeping room, and assisted A Better Way with services for children at its emergency shelter. CDBG funds assisted Bridges Community Services with transitional housing activities described above, and assisted A Better Way with services for children at Passage Way.

Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) – Not applicable to City of Muncie 23) through 26)

NON-HOMELESS SPECIAL NEEDS Non-homeless Special Needs *Refer to the Non-homeless Special Needs Table in the Needs.xls workbook or Table 1C.

Identify actions taken to address special needs of persons that are not homeless but require supportive housing, (including persons with HIV/AIDS and their families).

PY 2008 CAPER Non-homeless Special Needs #26 response:

CDBG funds assisted the following programs assisting special needs populations:

Bridges Community Services, Inc. - transitional housing


COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Community Development Block Grant

28) Assessment of Relationship of CDBG Funds to Goals and Objectives

a) Assess use of CDBG funds in relation to the priorities, needs, goals, and specific objectives in the Consolidated Plan, particularly the highest priority activities.


PY 2008 CAPER CDBG Assessment # 28a response:

b) Evaluate progress made toward meeting goals for providing affordable housing using CDBG funds, including the number and types of households served.


PY 2008 CAPER CDBG Progress Evaluation # 28b response:

c) Indicate the extent to which CDBG funds were used for activities that benefited extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons served by each activity where information on income by family size is required to determine the eligibility of the activity.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG LMI Benefit # 28c response:

Following is income level for FY2008 activities, including some of those for which there is a presumed low/mod benefit (AMI = area median income):

activity

extremely low income 30% of AMI

low income 50% of AMI

moderate income

80% of AMI A Better Way Telecare 21 17 0 ACTION Shopping Cart 20 9 0 ACTION, Inc Furnace 9 8 1 ACTION, Inc Handyman 16 11 1 Alpha Center 6 7 7 Bridges Community Services 566 0 0 Mental Health America 46 7 0 Meridian Svcs Child Crisis 17 5 5 Motivate Our Minds 5 93 10 Rebuilding Together 40 16 7 Shepherd Center 31 0 0 TEAMwork for Quality Living 37 14 4 Victim Advocate Program 683 593 72 World Changers 6 9 1

Total 1503 789 108

29) Changes in Program Objectives d) Identify the nature of and the reasons for any changes in program objectives and how the

jurisdiction would change its program as a result of its experiences.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG #29 response:


The City will analyze objectives for the FY2009 Consolidated Plan, and will likely target improvement activities geographically for better impact, and will consider as a high priority activities that will bring people out of poverty and improve job opportunities.

30) Assessment of Efforts in Carrying Out Planned Actions e) Indicate how grantee pursued all resources indicated in the Consolidated Plan. f) Indicate how grantee provided certifications of consistency in a fair and impartial manner. g) Indicate how grantee did not hinder Consolidated Plan implementation by action or willful

inaction.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 30 response:

e) Most leveraged funds were obtained by subgrantees; however, in FY2009, the City will seek other funding resources to support activities administered by the City.

f) Certifications of Consistency were provided to Bridges Community Services, Open Door Community Services, and Muncie Home Ownership and Development Center, all with whom the City has a long-standing partnership in addressing the needs of low/mod persons and improving access to affordable housing. No other organizations requested certifications of consistency.

g) The CD staff has made great progress in rectifying problems identified in previous year audit and monitoring reports.

31) For Funds Not Used for National Objectives h) Indicate how use of CDBG funds did not meet national objectives. i) Indicate how use of CDBG funds did not comply with overall benefit certification.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG #31 response:

There were no FY2008 CDBG activities that did not meet a national objective, and disbursements met overall low/mod benefit certification.

32) Anti-displacement and Relocation – for activities that involve acquisition, rehabilitation or demolition of occupied real property a. Describe steps actually taken to minimize the amount of displacement resulting from the CDBG-

assisted activities.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 32a response:

CDBG funds did not acquire or demolish occupied real property; CDBG funds made minor repairs to owner-occupied homes, which did not require relocation.

33) Low/Mod Job Activities – for economic development activities undertaken where jobs were made available but not taken by low- or moderate-income persons - Not applicable to the City of Muncie

34) Low/Mod Limited Clientele Activities – for activities not falling within one of the categories of presumed limited clientele low and moderate income benefit

a. Describe how the nature, location, or other information demonstrates the activities benefit a limited clientele at least 51% of who are low- and moderate-income.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 34a response:

Most activities categorized as benefiting low/mod clientele are administered by subgrantees, and all persons assisted with CDBG funds must be at or below 80% of the area median family income. With each request for reimbursement for program costs, subgrantees are required to submit data regarding the number of persons served at each income level: 0%-30%, 31%-50%, or 51%-80% of median family income. Client files must contain verification of annual income of all household members and the number in the household, in order to determine income level according to HUD income eligibility guidelines. These records are reviewed during monitoring visits to ensure each client’s income level has been documented properly.

Some activities benefit those who are presumed to be principally low/mod income, such as abused children, battered spouses, and elderly, severely disabled, and homeless persons.


Although income eligibility may be presumed, subgrantees are required to maintain file documentation of low/mod income level for HUD CAPER reporting purposes.

Activities with low/mod area benefit, such as street improvements and community centers, are located in areas in which 51% or more persons are low/mod income, according to the most recent census data. Such activities are plotted by CD staff on census maps prior to inclusion in the Consolidated Plan/Annual Action Plan to ensure location in low/mod areas.

35) Program income received a. Detail the amount repaid on each float-funded activity.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 35a response: - Not applicable to the City of Muncie

b. Detail all other loan repayments broken down by the categories of housing rehabilitation, economic development, or other.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 35b response: - Not applicable to the City of Muncie

c. Detail the amount of income received from the sale of property by parcel.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 35c response: - Not applicable to the City of Muncie

36) Prior period adjustments – where reimbursement was made this reporting period for expenditures (made in previous reporting periods) that have been disallowed, provide the following information:

a. The activity name and number as shown in IDIS;

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 36a response: Not applicable to the City of Muncie

b. The program year(s) in which the expenditure(s) for the disallowed activity(ies) was reported;

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 36b response: Not applicable to the City of Muncie

The amount returned to line-of-credit or program account;

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 36c response: Not applicable to the City of Muncie

Total amount to be reimbursed and the time period over which the reimbursement is to be made, if the reimbursement is made with multi-year payments.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG # 36d response: Not applicable to the City of Muncie

37) Loans and other receivables a. List the principal balance for each float-funded activity outstanding as of the end of the reporting

period and the date(s) by which the funds are expected to be received.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG #37a response: – Not applicable to City of Muncie

b. List the total number of other loans outstanding and the principal balance owed as of the end of the reporting period.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG #37b response: – Not applicable to City of Muncie

c. List separately the total number of outstanding loans that are deferred or forgivable, the principal balance owed as of the end of the reporting period, and the terms of the deferral or forgiveness.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG #37c response: – Not applicable to City of Muncie

d. Detail the total number and amount of loans made with CDBG funds that have gone into default and for which the balance was forgiven or written off during the reporting period.

PY 2008 CAPER CDBG #37d response: – Not applicable to City of Muncie

e. Provide a list of the parcels of property owned by the grantee or its subrecipients that have been acquired or improved using CDBG funds and that are available for sale as of the end of the reporting period.


PY 2008 CAPER CDBG #37e response: - Not applicable to City of Muncie

38) Lump sum agreements – Not applicable to City of Muncie

NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STRATEGY AREA (NRSA) 39) – Not applicable to City of Muncie

HOME/ADDI HOME/ American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI)

40) Assessment of Relationship of HOME Funds to Goals and Objectives a. Assess the use of HOME funds in relation to the priorities, needs, goals, and specific objectives

in the strategic plan, particularly the highest priority activities.


PY 2008 CAPER HOME Assessment # 40a response:

Please see tables in Appendix D and the response below.

b. Evaluate progress made toward meeting goals for providing affordable housing using HOME funds, including the number and types of households served.


PY 2008 CAPER HOME Progress Evaluation # 40b response:

In December 2007, auditors from Chicago HUD Office of Inspector General (OIG) began a two-month audit of the HOME program. Primary findings included failure to maintain adequate controls to ensure compliance with regulations, including timely expenditure of funds, and lack of documentation to prove compliance.

In order to resolve a finding for ineligible costs, the City repaid HUD $17,966 using non-federal funds in September 2008, and the Mayor requested and received approval in March 2009 for the FY2009 HOME entitlement allocation to the City of Muncie to be reduced by $117,375.

In response to monitoring and audit findings, CD staff has worked diligently to bring the HOME program into compliance. CD staff has attended HOME seminars, and worked with HUD consultants to develop procedures, flow charts, regulation citations, and templates for all HOME programs being implemented by CD staff, and is working to finalize a HOME Program Policy and Procedures manual.

East Central Reinvestment Corporation (ECRC), founded in 1986, is a local CHDO funded since inception by CDBG, Rental Rehab, and HOME funds. As described in previous CAPER, the organization has become dysfunctional and will likely fold. Of 12 Rental Rehab/HOME-assisted properties facing foreclosure, seven are still within the affordability period required by HOME regulations.

Therefore, CD has worked with ECRC, the Muncie Home Ownership and Development Center, and the Muncie Housing Authority to rescue 14 of the homes from foreclosure and put them into affordable homeownership. The MHA has received permission to count these homes as part of the homeownership component of Muncie’s HOPE VI project. Downpayment assistance through MHODC has not proven to be an effective tool, and the properties remain at risk. Upon foreclosure, the properties may be eligible to become part of Muncie’s NSP program.

c. Indicate the extent to which HOME funds were used for activities that benefited extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons.

PY 2008 CAPER HOME # 40c response:


project/ activ#

activity extremely low income 30% of

AMI

low income 50% of AMI

moderate income

80% of AMI 27/2167 Homeownership 0 2 0 33/2174 Transitional Housing (Rental Dev) 8 1 0 37/2165 Security Deposit/1st Month’s Rent 47 2 0

Total 59 6 0

41) HOME Match Report a. Use HOME Match Report HUD-40107-A to report on match contributions for the period covered

by the Consolidated Plan program year. - Not applicable to City of Muncie

42) HOME MBE and WBE Report. Use Part III of HUD Form 40107 to report contracts and subcontracts with Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).

PY 2008 CAPER HOME Rental # 42 response: See report in Appendix E.

43) Assessments a. Detail results of on-site inspections of rental housing.

PY 2008 CAPER HOME Rental # 43a response:

CD’s certified Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspector makes all required HQS inspections for the HOME program, which includes inspections during the period of affordability. These inspections are then documented for the files. Basic housing needs are met and documented.

b. Describe the HOME jurisdiction’s affirmative marketing actions.

PY 2008 CAPER HOME # 43b response:

CD has not solicited proposals for new projects using HOME funds. All contracts utilizing HOME funds have affirmative marketing requirements according to federal regulations, and compliance is reviewed during monitoring visits.

c. Describe outreach to minority and women owned businesses.

PY 2008 CAPER HOME/ADDI # 43c response:

CD has not solicited proposals for new projects using HOME funds. All contracts utilizing HOME funds have MBE/WBE requirements according to federal regulations, and compliance is reviewed during monitoring visits.

HOPWA

Specific HOPWA Objectives – Not applicable to City of Muncie

OTHER NARRATIVE Include any CAPER information that was not covered by narratives in any other section.

PY 2008 CAPER Other Narrative response:

Façade Restoration Program:

The last of the Façade Restoration projects begun in 2002 was completed in July 2007. The program restored 11 historic Walnut Street facades, using a 10-year bond, repayment of which is half completed. In addition to the successful impact from this program reported in the previous CAPER, private redevelopment of Muncie’s historic downtown buildings has continued in the past year. 204 S. Walnut has a new owner and is getting a complete restoration for expansion of the Blue Bottle Coffee Shop downstairs and an apartment upstairs. The Judson Apartment Building, individually listed on the National Register, is also getting a complete makeover. Plans are afoot for Ivy Tech Community College to move its culinary school into the Patterson Building on Walnut Street.

The Muncie Chamber of Commerce estimates that at least 15 million dollars of investment occurred as a result of the program. The program continues to be a model for the State as a successful program in


historic preservation and community revitalization. Wayne Goodman of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana recently commented that “the Walnut Street project has to be one of the best preservation projects that has ever happened in Indiana. This was an unprecedented amount of preservation that was done is a relatively short amount of time.” Historic Preservation Officer Bill Morgan shares information with various communities around the state and did a presentation at the Environmental Assessment for the Advanced Practitioner seminar at the HUD offices in Chicago on April 21, 2009.

Historic Preservation:

As a result of successful reforms to Muncie’s historic preservation program that produced better working relationships with historic district residents, the Façade Restoration Program and other achievements by the Muncie Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Commission (MHPRC), Historic Preservation Officer Bill Morgan was selected to receive the Secretary of the Interior’s Award for Historic Preservation, which he accepted in the Secretary’s office in Washington on December 4, 2008.

On December 12, 2008, Muncie was designated a Preserve America community by then first-lady Laura Bush. Preserve America status will open the door to grant opportunities to promote heritage tourism and economic development through historic preservation.

Morgan served as ex-officio board member on the Heart of the City, which merged in 2009 with Muncie’s Downtown Business Council. The combined group intends to apply for Main Street status to further efforts to revitalize the downtown.

Morgan worked closely with the Preservation Commission and Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning to aid in the founding of ecoREHAB, a new non-profit housing agency mentioned previously. The Commission held a workshop on restoration of wood windows in October 2008, and has received a Historic Preservation Education Grant through Historic Landmarks Foundation and the Indiana Humanities Council to host a workshop on weatherization of historic homes in October 2009. Financial Management:

Under the leadership of a new director and financial officer, the fiscal year ending 5/31/09, was one of considerable reorganization in the financial management area.

We developed a new departmental accounting system, which provides better control in tracking the balance of funds available. Using this new system, we were able to reconcile all CDBG activity and fund balances with IDIS and the City accounting system. In reconciling the accounts, we closed prior-year CDBG projects still having a balance available, and merged the funds with activities for the same activity in PY 2008. We can now easily identify the funds still available for any project. On the following page is a listing of the merged activities.

Documents

Fourth Program Year CAPER development/cape… · 09/02/2010 · Rev. 10/2/09 CPMP 2008CAPERmuncieIN Narratives Rev. 10-2-09 1 Fourth Program Year CAPER GRANTEE: City of Muncie IN