CD Assn Conference Info
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MEMORANDUM
January 18, 2006
From:
Michae~~n Milligen, City Manager
David H'~~S, Housing and Community and Development
To:
Subject:
NCDA Conference - Washington DC
Aggie Tauke will be attending the National Community Development Association (NCDA)
Winter Conference in Washington DC from Monday January 23 through Friday January 27th.
This conference is comprised of local governments that administer CDBG, HOME and other
federal programs that support community and economic development, housing and human
service programs. Aggie is co-chair of the Technology Sub-Committee, and a member of the
board of directors of NCDA and Personnel Committee.
As part of the conference, Aggie, as well as city staff from Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Iowa
City, will visit with congressional staff on Capital Hill. Meetings are scheduled on January 24th
with staff for Congressmen Nussle and Leach and Senators Harkin and Grassley.
Attached a copy of the information Aggie will share with them regarding the CDBG, Lead and
Section 8 programs. This information is similar to what was provided last year when
congressional visits were made at the same conference.
Please review and inform me of any changes or additional information that should be
presented to them regarding these federal programs.
F:IUsersIATAUKEICDBGIWashington DC Visit memo.doc
THE CITY OF
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In appreciation of the Federal programs:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
(CDBG)
SECTION 8
LEAD PAINT POISONING PREVENTION
January 2006
City of Dubuque, Iowa
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
The City of Dubuque has been a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
entitlement city since the initiation of the HUD program in 1974. In the City of
Dubuque, CDBG funds numerous programs that assist low and moderate income
persons. The Administration's FY06 budget proposed the total elimination of
CDBG, but Congress approved funding once again. THANK YOU FOR
RESTORING CDBG FUNDING.
CDBG has been a critical component in providing assistance to our low- and
moderate-income population. In FY 2005, CDBG funds in the City of Dubuque
assisted:
~ 19 first time homeowners to buy a home
~ 50 residential housing units were rehabbed
~ 20 new jobs were created
~ Over 6000 people received services funded with CDBG, including:
- Recreation programs
- Vocational training for at-risk youth
- Group therapy for the mentally ill
- Summer reading programs
Programs for the elderly
~ Neighborhood and community development programs provided:
- Neighborhood services and improvements
- Sidewalk and accessible curb ramps
Improvements in neighborhood parks
Historic preservation
Neighborhood support grants.
Dubuque's CDBG funding has been once again reduced. In FY 2006, the City
received a 6% reduction in funding from $1,481,000 to $1,398,731 (-$82,269).
In FY 2007, we have received an additional 10% reduction to $1,256,479
(-$142,252).
Continued formula funding is needed at levels that reflect the very real
community development and affordable housing needs that exist in our
community.
City of Dubuque, Iowa
SECTION 8 PROGRAM
FUNDING REDUCTION
The City of Dubuque receives approximately $4 million in Section 8 funds annually
to subsidize rents for lower income tenant households. This funding has been
reduced to levels that are threatening our rental assistance program.
HUD reductions in Section 8 funding have created payment levels that are less than
the City of Dubuque program's operating costs. During the calendar year 2005, the
Housing Authority took measures to reduce assisted housing benefits for
participants in an attempt to manage the program within HUD's reduced funding
level. These costs had to be transferred to participants, who are least able to pay.
Dubuque's program previously assisted over 1,080 households. The program has
decreased by over 130 households; participants' shares of rent amounts have
increased by as much as $100 per month or more. Further, participants are limited
in their capacity to use vouchers and are restricted to lower income areas to locate
program-eligible units. Newly issued voucher holders often find it difficult to find
dwelling units with the lower rents, expanding the search time to as long as 3
months.
Under the SEMAP assessment system, the City's Section 8 Program has received
four consecutive "High Performer" ratings from the HUD Regional Office. The 100%
score indicates that our performance has met every HUD rating criteria for
exemplary performance.
With continued funding cuts, our ability to provide assistance to our City's
lowest-income families will be further reduced.
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention Program
Dubuque was awarded a $2.4 million HUD Lead Hazard Prevention grant in 2003. This
grant will allows us to assist 250 residential units in becoming "lead safe". The City
provides forgivable loans for income-qualifying homeowners and landlords renting to
low-moderate income households. The City of Dubuque greatly appreciates this
federal assistance.
330 housing units have been inspected and 260 completed since the grant was
received in October 2003.Trainings and certifications classes were provided to 243
contractors, workers and property owners, totaling 594 hours of both classroom and on-
site instruction.
The Dubuque Lead Hazard Reduction program trained approximately 95% of all
lead professionals in the State of Iowa.
Dubuque will complete Lead Hazard Reduction work by March and will be
submitting an application to HUD early in 2006 for renewal funding to continue
our efforts to reduce lead paint hazards in Iowa's oldest housing
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