HUD CDBG Review Year 2001U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Nebraska State Office
Executive Tower Centre
10909 Mill Valley Road
Omaha, Nebraska 68154-3955
October 21, 2002
Honorable Terrence M. Duggan
Mayor of Dubuque
City Hall
50 West 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
Dear Mayor Duggan:
Subject: Consolidated End-of-Year Review - Program Year 2001
HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development has sought to establish partnerships
with state and local governments. The focus of our partnership has been to work with communities to
ensure that our joint efforts result in housing and community development programs and policies that
benefit and serve low- and moderate-income persons. These efforts occur within the famework of the
statutes we administer and the regulations and emerging policies that are designed to improve program
performance.
The provisions of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amen&d, and the
National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, require the annual submission of performance reports by grant
recipients receiving federal assistance through programs covered under these Acts. Additionally, these Acts
require that a determination be made by the Secretary, that the grant recipient is in compliance with the
statutes and has the continuing capacity to implement and administer the programs for which assistance is
received.
Traditionally, these determinations were made through the review of annual reports submitted by
grantees for each individual program receiving assistance. With the implementation of the Consolidated
Planning Regulations of January 5, 1995, the Department is required to conduct a comprehensive
performance review of your overall progress at least annually (24 CFR 91.525). The review consists of
analyzing your consolidated planning process; reviewing management of funds; determining the comphance
of funded activities with statutory and regulatory requirements; determining the accuracy of required
performance reports; as well as evaluating your accomplishments in meeting key Departmental objectives.
We congratulate you on your many accomplishments during program year 2001 on achieving
Departmental Objectives. Some of these accomplishments occurred in the area of housing. The city
assisted 36 households with its owner-occupied rehabilitation loan program. The Sewer Connection Loan
Program provided loans to 16 households. Emergency code enforcement loans were made for 37 units.
Rental rehab loans were made for 34 units of low- and moderate-income housing. The First Time Home
Buyer Program provided down payment assistance to 26 first-time home buyers.
Other accomplishments included handicap curb cuts which were made in 103 different locations,
providing wheelchair access by way of incline ramps. Handicap accessibility work was also completed at 3
2
rental housing units for tenants needing modifications to accommodate physical disabilities. Sidewalk
repair was completed for 87 Iow-income households.
Public serfice accomplishments included:
58 households were assisted in the Family Self Sufficiency Program
935 low-income persons were assisted by the 24 hour hotline information referral service
76 households benefited from the Child Care Resource and Referral program
5 neighborhood and 3 non-profit organizations benefited from Neighborhood Support Grants
404 youth benefited from funds awarded to the Boys and Girls Club
151 youth received self esteem development in the Day Camp Program
4601 youth participated in various functions of the Neighborhood Recreation Program
A handicap accessible ramp was installed at the Woodward Riverboat Museum and handicap
restrooms were installed at the Grand Opera. These achievements in the various program areas are only
some of the city's accomplishments for the year.
Approximately 89 percent of the city's CDBG funds were used for the benefit of low- and modemte-
income persons this year and 83 percent for the first two years of its three year aggregate. Public Service
activities this year constituted 13 percent of funds, and the city had 1.33 years worth of funding available as
of May 1, 2002. In addition, them have been no major findings in the city-wide audit reports concerning the
CDBG program, nor during any on-site reviews conducted by HUD staff. Again, we congratulate the city
on its continuing effort in carrying out Departmental objectives.
In conclusion, as a result of our analysis, we have determined that your overall progress in 2001 was
satisfactory. This determination is based upon the information available to this office and does not reflect a
comprehensive evaluation of specific activities.
Sincerely,
Director
Community Planning and
Development Division
cci
Mr. David Harris