May 12, 2020

Marin County Board of Supervisors
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903

SUBJECT:    Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan and Consolidated Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2020-2024 (including Budgets for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)).

Dear Board Members,

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Hold a public hearing on May 12, 2020, for comment on:

1. Marin County's housing and community development needs and performance addressing these needs.
2. The Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan, including proposed activity and budget changes to accommodate additional CDBG-CV funding allocated by the CARES Act.
3. The Consolidated Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2020-2024, including local Policies and Procedures, proposed activities, and budget recommendations for Federal Fiscal Year 2020 funding from CDBG and HOME.
4. The proposed reprogramming of past years’ CDBG funds to new activities and the proposed use of CDBG and HOME program income included in the Consolidated Plan.

2. Following public testimony, approve:

1. Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan and the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and related documents, in substantially the form attached, including the items listed above, and authorize any budget changes necessary to implement these actions.
2. Approve the Resolution authorizing staff to submit the Consolidated Plan Amendment to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and authorize staff to act in connection with the submission of the Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan and the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and to provide such corrections or additional information as HUD may require.

3. Announce that copies of the Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan, 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and related documents, records regarding past use of CDBG and HOME funds, and local Policies and Procedures are available for inspection at the Community Development Agency.

SUMMARY:

The Consolidated Plan and accompanying Annual Action Plan guide the distribution of funding and serve as the grant application to HUD for formula funding from the CDBG and HOME programs. These federally funded programs of HUD provide resources for housing, community facilities, and services for low income households.

In response to COVID-19, HUD has received $5 billion in additional Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG-CV) funding to appropriate to state and local governments. These funds are made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) which was signed into law on March 27, 2020. To accommodate the additional funding available through CDBG-CV, the County must amend the 2019 Annual Action Plan approved by the Board of Supervisors on May 7, 2019.

In addition, to access federal resources provided through CDBG and HOME’s annual entitlement allocation, Marin's fifth Consolidated Plan, which covered Fiscal Years 2015-2019, needs to be replaced with a new Consolidated Plan.

Both the Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan and the  2020-2024 Consolidated Plan are prepared in HUD’s Integrated Disbursements & Information System, using their required format.

DISCUSSION:

Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan (CARES Act funds)

HUD announced the allocations of the first $2 billion in CARES Act funding for current CDBG grantees. The CARES Act builds on features of the existing CDBG program as well as precedent set by CDBG Disaster Response (CDBG-DR) supplemental appropriations. The Act directs HUD to administer these funds pursuant to Section 106 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306). This provision calls for HUD to allocate the supplemental funds to CDBG grantees—including eligible local governments, states, and insular areas—proportional to their conventional Fiscal Year 2020 CDBG allocation, as published by HUD in April 2020.

CARES CDBG-CV funding is intended to prevent, prepare for, and respond to impacts of the coronavirus based on public ealth needs, risk of transmission of coronavirus, number of coronavirus cases compared to the national average, and economic and housing market disruptions. The remaining funds will be distributed to states and units of local government on a rolling basis, at the discretion of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with formula factors to be defined by HUD.

The County was awarded $938,065 in CDBG-CV funds and is proposing to allocate these funds across county jurisdictions relying upon the standard calculations that are used to distribute the annual CDBG funding. These funds are additional dollars and will not impact the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 recommendations for CDBG.

The CARES Act permits HUD to waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the CDBG-CV funds, except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment. To this end, HUD has waived the 15% cap on public service dollars for the CDBG-CV funds, allowing for more flexibility in directly serving low- to moderate-income residents. Proposed changes to the 2019 Annual Action Plan related to the CDBG-CV funds are detailed in Attachment 2.

Needs Assessment and County Safety-Net Funding

Staff worked with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to determine the greatest needs for our low-income communities in this time of crisis. EOC staff have been conducting an ongoing needs assessment in the County’s low-income communities in coordination with various nonprofit organizations and found that the greatest needs are subsistence payments for low income households, also defined as emergency rental assistance payments.

On March 24, 2020, The Board of Supervisors created a $1 million Safety Net COVID-19 Response Fund to support safety-net response efforts to address major issues related to the community impacts of the COVID-19 response, including emergency rental assistance for low-income residents. This fund was supported by a $500,000 grant from the Marin Community Foundation (MCF) and $500,000 from the County’s General Fund. These grant funds were quickly expended, and the Board of Supervisors made an additional allocation on April 21, 2020. However, the need for additional resources remains extensive.

Federal Funding Recommended

Staff recommends the allocation of $938,065 in federal funding provided through CDBG-CV towards subsistence payments for people across Marin County who are housed and at risk of homelessness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The distribution of funds throughout the County will use the established Planning Areas used by the CDBG program. This distributes CDBG funding across three (3) Planning Areas Novato, San Rafael, and the remainder of the County (County Other). The percentage of funding to each Planning Area is based on HUD’s distribution formula which looks at the latest available countywide data on population, the extent of poverty, and the extent of housing overcrowding, with the provision that the extent of poverty be counted twice. Using this model, the funds will be allocated to nonprofits serving residents in the following manner:

• County Other Planning Area - $346,145.99
• Novato Planning Area - $222,133.79
• San Rafael Planning Area - $369,785.22

The use of CDBG-CV funding for subsistence payments has been reviewed and recommended by the Novato and San Rafael Planning Area Subcommittees, comprised of elected officials, and the Countywide Priority Setting Committee (PSC), which is made up of community members representing protected classes and elected representatives from city, town, and County jurisdictions. The proposed funding allocations are detailed in Attachment 3.

 

2020-2024 Consolidated Plan

The 2020-2024 five-year Consolidated Plan includes an analysis of affordable housing and community development needs and statements of policies for the entire period, as well as CDBG and HOME project budgets for the first year of the five-year period. In the second, third, fourth, and fifth years, the Consolidated Plan must be amended with an “Annual Action Plan” to add each year’s CDBG and HOME project budgets.

July 1, 2020 is the beginning of the first year covered by the Consolidated Plan. The attached proposed five-year Consolidated Plan includes an analysis of needs and statements of goals and policies covering federal Fiscal Years 2020-2024, as well as budgets (the "Annual Action Plan" component) for the use of $1,594,625 in federal Fiscal Year 2020 CDBG funds and $808,057 in federal Fiscal Year 2020 HOME funds. In order to meet HUD’s strict time limits on spending, the budget also includes CDBG and HOME funds from prior years which are recommended for reprogramming (reallocation) to new projects, and allocations of CDBG and HOME program income.

Marin’s actual grant amounts are affected by changes in the overall program funding in the federal budget and Marin’s ranking in comparison with other grantees based on demographic factors. This year’s funding is projected to increase slightly from the prior fiscal year funding levels.

The attached Consolidated Plan strategies and priorities have been reviewed and recommended by the Novato and San Rafael Planning Area Subcommittees, comprised of elected officials, and the Countywide Priority Setting Committee (PSC), which is made up of community members representing protected classes and elected representatives from city, town, and County jurisdictions.

The CDBG and HOME budget information in the Consolidated Plan for Fiscal Year 2020 expenditures was developed following four public hearings held in the Planning Areas—one hearing held by the Novato City Council on April 14, 2020; two hearings held by the San Rafael City Council on March 23, 2020 and April 6, 2020; and one hearing held by the PSC on May 7, 2020.

Consolidated Plan Process

The Consolidated Plan is a five (5) year strategic plan that identifies goals for federal funding programs provided through HUD, including the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The Consolidated Plan provides a framework for identifying priorities and programs to address affordable housing, community development needs, and public services for extremely low- up to moderate-income families, persons with disabilities, seniors, and youth.

Understanding the needs of a community is critical to planning the use of federal grant funds. As part of the 2020-24 Consolidated Planning process, staff engaged the community using various methods to gather information about housing, community spaces and infrastructure, and public service needs in Marin. In addition, staff reached out to other jurisdictions implementing federal grant programs to learn smart practices to improve impact and effectiveness of Marin County’s federal grants program.

Over the course of six (6) months County staff engaged the community in four ways: a community survey, service provider survey, community meetings, and interviews. The community survey was available online and in paper form in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. An overview of the community engagement findings for the 2020-24 Consolidated Plan can be accessed in Attachment 4.

The recommended goals for the 2020-24 Consolidated Plan are informed by the findings of this community engagement process include the following priorities:

Housing

• Rental Housing – Acquisition, New Construction, and Rehabilitation
• Homeowner Housing – Acquisition, New Construction, and Rehabilitation
• Down Payment Assistance for First-time Homebuyers
• Special Needs Housing

The on-going Voluntary Compliance Agreement with HUD requires the County to prioritize family housing outside areas of minority concentration.

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (Analysis of Impediments), approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 11, 2020, establishes a priority for applications proposing a land trust model in eastern Marin that provides home ownership opportunities, with specific inclusion for African Americans.

Community Infrastructure and Capital Projects

• Accessibility Improvements
• Community Facilities
• Homeless Shelters

Public Services

• Basic Health Services
• Children, Youth, and Parent Support Services
• Domestic Violence Services
• Education and Job Training
• Food Security
• Housing Support Services
• Legal Services
• Economic Development Assistance for Business including Microenterprise
• Senior Services
• Subsistence Payments

Federal Grant Program Enhancements

Through the Consolidated Plan outreach process County staff interviewed several neighboring jurisdictions that administer federal grant programs and numerous nonprofit service organizations. These interviews were designed to identify practices for increasing impact and effectiveness of funding allocations and address common issues that arise in the implementation of CDBG programs. Two common themes arose from these conversations that informed two (2) program enhancements. Those enhancements approved by the PSC are:

1. Increase minimum grant size to $15K per year.
2. Conduct application cycles every 2 years.

These two enhancements increase impact of funded organizations and enables nonprofit partners to better plan their programs.

While applications are only received every two years, funding allocations must be approved annually based on the past performance of the project and expected funding allocated by HUD. 

Project Evaluation Guidelines

All project applications are evaluated based on their ability to meet HUD’s national objectives, the PSC’s enhanced thresholds for evaluating projects, and standard project evaluation criteria as follows:

National Objectives Thresholds:

• Benefit low- and moderate- income persons,
• Prevent or eliminate blight, or
• Meet other community development needs for low- and moderate-income persons.

PSC Enhanced Thresholds:

• Support projects that Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and have the commitment and capacity to engage in Affirmative Marketing.
• Prioritize projects that serve members of the protected classes as defined by HUD.
• Prioritize projects that serve low-income persons.

Project Evaluation Criteria:

• Readiness—can awarded funds be completely expended during the grant year?
• Sustainability—does the organization have capacity to sustain a project or program beyond this federal funding period?
• Effectiveness and Accountability—does the organization have the capacity and track record to effectively conduct the project and administer federal funds?
• Prioritize greatest impact.

In addition to the criteria set forth by HUD, through the Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments process, the Countywide Priority Setting Committee established priorities for funding CDBG and HOME housing projects:

• Family Housing 
• Land trust model in eastern Marin that provides home ownership opportunities. (Eastern Marin in this case is defined as all of the areas of Marin, except for West Marin)

The PSC also established the following priorities for CDBG funds allocated to public service projects during Fiscal Year 2020:

• Basic Health Services - includes services that prevent or treat medical conditions for individuals who are un-insured, under-insured, or people with low-incomes who cannot afford their deductible. Programs and services include but are not limited to preventative health such as immunizations, well-childcare from birth, periodic health evaluations for adults, voluntary family planning services, children’s eye and ear examinations conducted to determine the need for vision and hearing correction, and hygiene services.  Services may also include medically necessary emergency health care, inpatient and outpatient treatment, diagnostic laboratory and diagnostic and therapeutic radiologic services, and provision of prescription drugs.
• Children, Youth, and Parent Support Services - includes services that address disparities in access to early childhood education and high costs of childcare countywide by targeting low-income families. Programs and services include but are not limited to supporting childcare scholarships, student extracurricular activities, parent engagement and training, therapeutic services, teacher salaries, transportation, and home visitations.
• Housing Support Services - includes services that assist individuals in accessing stable housing, prevent discrimination in housing choice, and aid renters in maintaining stable housing. Programs and services include but are not limited to fair housing counseling, legal support, housing locators, down payment, and rental assistance.

CDBG and HOME funding requests for Fiscal Year 2020-21 far exceeded the anticipated funding available from HUD. The expected entitlement from HUD for Marin County is estimated to be just over $2.4 million as compared to over $6 million in funding requests received from 48 applications covering both CDBG and HOME programs. This total funding request is nearly $1 million more than the previous years. The public service funding category, which is always very competitive, received 26 requests-three more than the prior year. Unfortunately, due to the considerable gap in resources, very difficult choices were made, and many valuable projects did not receive funding recommendations for this cycle.

The local Planning Area and PSC meetings provide an opportunity for community members, funding applicants, and decision makers to hear from each other and discuss the merits of specific proposals. Due to COVID-19, these meetings were held virtually in order to facilitate public comment of organizations and individuals advocating for projects and providing input on the Consolidated Plan.

Recommended Funding

The funding recommendations before the Board are consistent with the considerations and direction from the Novato and San Rafael City Councils as well as the PSC.

For the 2020-21 funding period, the PSC recommends a funding package that includes administration and support for 26 CDBG projects with $1,754,139 in combined new entitlement funds, reprogrammed funds, and program income; and administration and support for two HOME projects with $880,680 in combined new entitlement funds and program income.

 

FISCAL/STAFFING IMPACT:

Acceptance of these awards has no impact on the General Fund and Net County Cost. However, the County is not receiving administrative funds from the CDBG-CV allocation. All CDBG-CV funds are being allocated for direct subsistence payments. Consistent with federal CDBG and HOME regulations, the County is providing grant funds to sub-recipients to implement the sub-recipients’ public benefit projects.

CDBG-CV grants will be held in Fund 1010, Org Code 10155132 (HUD CDBG), project 40COVIDHUD, and will increase revenue and expenditure appropriations in this fund by $938,065. 

CDBG and HOME grants will be held in HUD Fund 2970 and Fund 2770, respectively, Program 5130 CDA Federal Grants until the 2020-21 fiscal year begins, at which time the funds will be transferred to Org Code 29755132 (HUD CDBG), and Org Code 27755133 (HUD HOME Program).

For all funding recommendations approved as part of the Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan and 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan public hearing, contract approval for commitments of less than $50,000 shall be delegated to the County Administrator, or their designee. This is consistent with approval authority for Professional Services as described in the Countywide Procurement Manual, effective February 2018.                           

REVIEWED BY:

[  ] Department of Finance                [    ] N/A
[  ] County Counsel                          [ x ] N/A
[  ] Human Resources                       [ x ] N/A

SIGNATURE:

Molly Kron                                                     Leelee Thomas                     

Planner                                                          Planning Manager                                         

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Resolution approving the Consolidated Plan Amendments to the 2019 Annual Action Plan and the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.
2. Draft Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan.
3. Proposed CDBG-CV Funding Allocations.
4. 2020-24 Consolidated Plan Outreach Findings.
5. 2020-24 Draft Consolidated Plan.
6. CDBG and HOME Requests and Recommendations for all Planning Areas
7. Local Policies and Procedures:

1. The Local Standard for Affordable Rents.
2. The Civil Rights Policy.
3. The Residential Antidisplacement and Relocation Assistance Plan.
4. Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy.

The Board letter and all attachments are available online at: www.marincounty.org/federalgrants

               PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin held on this 12^th day of May, 2020, by the following vote:

AYES:          SUPERVISORS  

NOES:         

ABSENT:    

 

                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                             PRESIDENT, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

ATTEST:

 

                                                        

DEPUTY CLERK

 

Consolidated Plan Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan

To accommodate additional funding provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) in response to COVID-19, a draft Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan is provided below for review and comment. These proposed changes will facilitate immediate expenditure of CDBG-CV funds. This Annual Action Plan originally approved by the Board of Supervisors on May 7, 2019 guides the distribution of funding and serves as the application to HUD for the expenditure of funds.

Staff propose making the following changes to the 2019 Approved Annual Action Plan:

AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives

• Add $938,065 to Goal six (6) located on page 46, bringing the total funds allocated to the Public Services goal up to $1,153,117.
• Increase the anticipated number of persons assisted from 3,244 to 5,044

AP-35 Projects – 91.220(d)

• Add Subsistence Payments to the list of Projects being undertaken in the 2019 Annual Action Plan.

AP-38 Project Summary

• Add the following table describing the projects to be undertaken:

Project Name	Subsistence Payments
Target Area	Countywide Countywide, with an emphasis on mobile home parks and liveaboard houseboat communities Countywide, emphasis on locations which are likely to result in increased racial & ethnic diversity Countywide, with emphasis on high-need neighborhoods
Goals Supported	Public Services
Needs Addressed	Public Services
Funding	CDBG: $938,065
Description	Support the provision of subsistence payments in the form of temporary rental assistance benefiting low-, very low-, and extremely low-income individuals facing loss of income due to COVID-19. Subsistence payments will be made for a maximum of 3 months and be paid directly to landlord and housing providers on behalf of tenants for the purpose of preventing homelessness.
Target Date	6/30/2020
Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities	Approximately 1,800 low-, very low-, and extremely low-income individuals will benefit from subsistence payments.
Location Description	Subsistence payments are providedthroughout the County of Marin and administered from: 35 Mitchell Boulevard #16, San Rafael, CA; 555 Northgate Drive, San Rafael, CA; 1907 Novato Boulevard, Novato, CA; 16 Ritter Street, San Rafael, CA; and 820 B St, San Rafael, CA.
Planned Activities	Adopt A Family: NO[1] – LMC[2], Presumed Benefit – N, Matrix Code – 05Q, 360 low/mod-income persons to benefit from subsistence payments Community Action Marin: NO1 – LMC2, Presumed Benefit – N, Matrix Code – 05Q, 360 low/mod-income persons to benefit from subsistence payments North Marin Community Services: NO1 – LMC2, Presumed Benefit – N, Matrix Code – 05Q, 360 low/mod-income persons to benefit from subsistence payments Ritter Center: NO1 – LMC2, Presumed Benefit – N, Matrix Code – 05Q, 360 low/mod-income persons to benefit from subsistence payments St. Vincent de Paul: NO1 – LMC2, Presumed Benefit – N, Matrix Code – 05Q, 360 low/mod-income persons to benefit from subsistence payments

• Update the Geographic Distribution table to reflect added funding:

Target Area	Percentage of Funds
Countywide	40%
Countywide, with an emphasis on mobile home parks and liveaboard houseboat communities	9%
Countywide, emphasis on locations which are likely to result in increased racial & ethnic diversity	48%
Countywide, with emphasis on high-need neighborhoods	36%

Proposed CDBG-CV Funding Allocations

Staff propose making the following funding allocations to provide subsistence payments from CDBG-CV funds made available through the federal CARES Act.

Adopt A Family

Total Funding: $187,613
Geographic focus: Countywide with a focus on San Rafael

Community Action Marin

Total Funding: $187,613
Geographic focus: Countywide with a focus on the Canal Neighborhood of San Rafael, Southern Marin, and West Marin

North Marin Community Services

Total Funding: $187,613
Geographic focus: Countywide with a focus on Novato

Ritter Center

Total Funding: $187,613
Geographic focus: Countywide with a focus on San Rafael

St. Vincent de Paul

Total Funding: $187,613
Geographic focus: Countywide with a focus on San Rafael

2020-24 Consolidated Plan Community Engagement & Local Jurisdiction Interviews

Understanding the needs of a community is critical to planning the use of federal grant funds. As part of the 2020-24 Consolidated Planning process, Housing and Federal Grants staff (Staff) engaged the community using various methods to gather information about housing, community spaces and infrastructure, and public service needs in Marin. In addition, staff reached out to other jurisdictions implementing federal grant programs to learn smart practices to improve impact and effectiveness of Marin County’s federal grants program.

Results from the community engagement and interview process shall guide future planning and program design for the County of Marin’s federal grants program.

Methodology

Community Survey

Online and paper surveys available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese were used to gather community input to inform funding priorities. Surveys were disseminated in partnership with local nonprofit service and housing providers and County departments including Health and Human Services and the Marin County Free Library. To enhance and encourage participation staff attended numerous community events, including weekly Health Hubs organized through the Marin Community Clinics in both Novato and San Rafael, the Canal Alliance food pantry, and events put together by local organizations, including Community Action Marin, the Marin Organizing Committee, and Performing Stars. A total of 322 surveys were collected, with 229 in English, 92 in Spanish, and one (1) in Vietnamese.

Services Provider Survey

An online service provider survey was distributed to over 50 organizations in Marin County. Twenty-five (25) surveys were completed by organizations that provide a wide range of services including childcare, senior, parent support, case management, basic health, and food security services. Survey respondents were asked about their biggest demand for services, funding gaps, and demographic information about their service population.

Community Meetings

In collaboration with Marin Health and Human Services, over the course of four (4) months staff lead seven (7) community meetings and focus groups to gather data. The meetings were held across the County including in Marin City, Kentfield, Novato, San Rafael, West Marin and one meeting in the Canal Neighborhood of San Rafael was held entirely in Spanish. Nearly 300 people participated in these meetings.

Interviews

Staff reached out to 15 local government entities in Marin for interviews to garner insights into client and service trends, funding available, and demand for services. Of the interviews requested staff were able to conduct 11 interviews—two (2) cities, eight (8) County departments/divisions, and one (1) community service district.

In addition, staff did outreach to nine (9) neighboring jurisdictions that administer federal grant programs similar to Marin’s. Of those, five (5) neighboring jurisdictions were interviewed to identify trends and practices that could be applied to Marin’s program.

Findings

Data from community surveys, service provider surveys, community meetings, and interviews with jurisdictions were synthesized into the priorities listed below. Respondents involved in the engagement process discussed concerns and provided specific comments about issues related to housing, community infrastructure, and public services. These concerns are articulated here as general findings that will be used to inform priorities. For example, comments regarding a leaking roof in a community center were included in a statement about improving and creating new community centers.

Housing

The findings related to housing focused on constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving affordable housing that could fit the needs of all demographics. The most commonly referenced populations included: families, single individuals, seniors, and populations in need of supportive housing. Most comments specifically related to rehabilitation of existing affordable housing focused on addressing substandard conditions. Respondents commented on the lack of housing affordable to extremely low-income households, and long and inaccessible waitlists. 

Top Four Identified Housing Needs from Community Survey

• 71% of survey respondents indicated the need for more construction of affordable housing
• Community meeting participants indicated the need for long-term, supportive affordable housing for all age groups
• 69% of survey respondents indicated long waitlists as a barrier to housing
• 44% of survey respondents indicated the need to rehabilitate existing multi-family housing

Community infrastructure

Related to community infrastructure comments ranged from references to specific rooms and buildings, to discussions about infrastructure systems in cities and towns. Many respondents found that communities lacked new and improved community centers for all age ranges, social groups, and needs, including childcare facilities, youth centers, senior centers, and LGBTQ centers. Additionally, respondents showed interest in more informal community gathering spaces. Respondents stated that their communities lack well maintained parks and public spaces, as well as homeless shelters/facilities. Most respondents mentioned the importance of protecting communities from natural disasters by improving infrastructure. Finally, transportation infrastructure improvements were mentioned in most surveys and comments, more specifically related to transit route frequency and reliability and safety measures such as adequate sidewalks and lighting were noted.

Top Three Identified Community Infrastructure Needs from Community Survey

• 42% Homeless Facilities
• 30% Childcare Centers
• 25% Youth Centers

Public Services

The findings summarized for public services demonstrate the range of diverse needs in Marin County. One of the services discussed most frequently was “homeless services.” Homeless services fit under a larger classification of services that benefit those who are homeless and in danger of becoming homeless. Several of the services mentioned in the findings below are intended to serve these populations. Therefore, homeless services can translate into a wide array of services. For example, housing support services and legal services were two of the most commonly mentioned needs, and these services can support populations that are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. Services for families including children’s services and parent support services were mentioned in most surveys and community meetings. Respondents specified that basic health services for all age ranges were needed throughout the county. Services for very specific populations including seniors and domestic violence victims were mentioned in a majority of survey responses and at several community meetings. Food security was listed as a priority for vulnerable populations. Language acquisition and education along with job training and microenterprise business support were mentioned in many responses regarding public service needs.

Top Five Identified Public Service Needs from Community Survey

• 53% Homelessness Services
• 44% Housing Support Services
• 41% Children’s Services
• 38% Mental Health Services
• 38% Basic Health Services

Community Specific Needs

A few of Marin’s federal grant program’s target populations and communities including Marin City, West Marin, and Marin’s Spanish speaking population expressed their community-specific needs and priorities at their respective community meetings. The community survey data was disaggregated by community to allow Staff to pinpoint and highlight these priorities.

Marin City

Housing

Marin City’s housing priorities differ from overall survey respondents and indicates a need for more financial assistance for first-time home buyers, rehabilitation of existing multi-family rental housing, and some construction of new affordable housing. This community faces gentrification and displacement pressures which may explain why rehabilitating and securing homeownership for existing residents is a priority over the development of new housing in the community.

Top Three Identified Housing Needs from Community Survey Amongst Marin City Residents

• 79% Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance for First-Time Home Buyers
• 50% Rehabilitation of Existing Multi-Family Rental Units
• 43% Construction of New Affordable Housing

Community Infrastructure

With regards to community infrastructure, like overall respondents, Marin City residents also indicated a priority to focus on homeless facilities/shelters, followed by an interest in more community gardens and gathering spaces, and improvements to nonprofit facilities.

Top Three Identified Community Infrastructure Needs from Community Survey Amongst Marin City Residents

• 53% Homeless Facilities
• 40% Community Gardens
• 33% Nonprofit Facility Improvements

Public Services

Public service priorities in Marin City follows a similar trend to the County as a whole. However, after homelessness services, housing support services and children’s services—Marin City’s specific needs for food security and employment readiness are highlighted.

Top Five Public Service Needs from Community Survey Amongst Marin City Residents

• 64% Homelessness Services
• 50% Housing Support Services
• 43% Children’s Services
• 36% Food Security
• 29% Job Training & Placement Services

West Marin

Housing

West Marin’s housing needs are largely related to the need for more housing, specifically affordable housing, through the construction of more housing and the purchase of land to allow for more development of affordable housing. West Marin residents also highlighted the need for more financial assistance to first-time home buyers.

Top Three Identified Housing Needs from Community Survey Amongst West Marin Residents

• Construction of New Affordable Housing
• Purchase of Land to Develop New Affordable Housing
• Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance for First-Time Home Buyers

Community Infrastructure

With regards to community infrastructure, West Marin residents indicated the need for facilities across age groups and needs. After homeless shelters/facilities, West Marin highlighted the need for childcare centers and older adult centers.

Top Three Identified Community Infrastructure Needs from Community Survey Amongst West Marin Residents

• 58% Homeless Facilities
• 31% Childcare Centers
• 31% Older Adult Centers

Public Services

Public service needs in West Marin are also similar to the County: beyond homelessness services, housing support services, and children’s services—West Marin expressed priorities related to mental health services and fair housing activities.

Top Five Public Service Needs from Community Survey Amongst West Marin Residents

• 58% Homelessness Services
• 50% Housing Support Services
• 38% Mental Health Services
• 35% Fair Housing Activities
• 35% Children’s Services

Spanish-Speaking Respondents

Housing

Spanish speaking respondents indicated a need for more affordable housing, through the construction of more housing and the purchase of land to allow for more development. Spanish speaking respondents also indicated the need for more education programs for first-time home buyers, highlighting the need for housing education programs in Spanish.

Top Three Identified Housing Needs from Community Survey Amongst Spanish-Speaking Residents

• 70% Construction of New Affordable Housing
• 37% First-Time Home Buyer Education Programs
• 34% Purchase of Land to Develop New Affordable Housing

Community Infrastructure

Spanish speaking residents of Marin County also pinpointed the need for youth centers, childcare centers and the need for accessible facilities for persons with disabilities. This highlights the community’s consistent priority around improved or new community gathering spaces, especially for youth in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael.

Top Three Identified Community Infrastructure Needs from Community Survey Amongst Spanish-Speaking Residents

• 43% Youth Centers
• 42% Childcare Centers
• 31% Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

Public Services

Public service priorities amongst Spanish-speaking residents in Marin shows a need for children’s services, basic health services, fair housing activities, homelessness services, and housing support services. It is critical to note that many survey respondents in Spanish indicated that they are a one income household, largely due to the high cost of childcare.

Top Five Public Service Needs from Community Survey Amongst Spanish-Speaking Residents

• 56% Children’s Services
• 55% Basic Health Services
• 38% Fair Housing Activities
• 35% Homelessness Services
• 35% Housing Support Services

Report: English, due to reduced translation services available, materials in Español and Tiếng Việt are accessible through Google translate from this page.

APP. #	PROJECT SPONSOR	2020-22  PROJECT NAME	2020-21 CDBG Request	County Other Recommendation	Novato Recommendation	San Rafael Recommendation	CDBG Allocations	HOME REQUEST	HOME Allocations	PROJECT TOTAL
Housing
CH-1-2020	Eden Housing, Inc. (CHDO)	Whistlestop Healthy Aging Campus	$     1,500,000.00	53,759	$                         -	-	$                 53,759	$    1,500,000.00	342,612	$                    396,371
CH-2-2020	Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, Inc.	Redwood Blvd.	$        250,000.00	92,250	$                59,200	84,347	$               235,797	$                    -	-	$                    235,797
CH-3-2020	Homeward Bound of Marin	Predevelopment and Construction of Veterans and Workforce Housing in Novato	$        125,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
CH-4-2020	Marin Center For Independent Living	Residential Access Modification Program	$          60,000.00	6,000	$                15,000	9,922	$                 30,922	$                    -	-	$                      30,922
CH-5-2020	Marin Housing Authority	Residential Rehabilitation Loan Program (RLP)	$        425,000.00	76,004	$                54,091	100,000	$               230,095	$                    -	-	$                    230,095
OH-1-2020	Bolinas Community Land Trust	3755 Shoreline Highway	$          75,000.00	-	$                         -	-	Ineligible	$                    -	-	Ineligible
OH-2-2020	Community Land Trust Association of West Marin	Rental Houses Exterior Repairs	$          30,000.00	25,000	$                         -	-	$                 25,000	$                    -	-	$                      25,000
OH-3-2020	Galilee Harbor Community Association	Galilee Harbor Electric Upgrade	$          30,051.00	25,000	$                         -	-	$                 25,000	$                    -	-	$                      25,000
OH-4-2020	San Geronimo Valley Affordable Housing Association	Brookside Apartments Rehabilitation	$          75,000.00	-	$                         -	-	Ineligible	$                    -	-	Ineligible
SH-1-2020	Bridge Housing	Centertown Apartments	$        795,000.00	-	$                         -	63,732	$                 63,732	$       450,000.00	450,000	$                    513,732
SH-2-2020	San Rafael Rotary Manor	Rotary Manor Window Rehabilitation	$        266,545.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
		Housing Sub-total					$          664,305		$      792,612	$           1,456,917
CAPITAL
CC-1-2020	Community Action Marin	CAM Community Intake and Welcome Center	$          98,455.00	5,000	$                20,000	10,000	$                 35,000	$                    -	-	$                      35,000
CC-2-2020	Marin City Community Development Corporation	Empowerment Clubhouse Pre-Construction and Development	$        279,900.00	78,893	$                25,000	60,000	$               163,893	$                    -	-	$                    163,893
CC-3-2020	Marin City Community Services District	Manzanita Center Facility Master Plan	$        150,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
OC-1-2020	Coastal Health Alliance	Point Reyes Station Clinic Laboratory and Accessibility Renovations	$        150,000.00	90,748	$                         -	-	$                 90,748	$                    -	-	$                      90,748
OC-2-2020	Marin Horizon School	Horizon Community School Playground	$        133,000.00	60,000	$                         -	-	$                 60,000	$                    -	-	$                      60,000
OC-3-2020	Petaluma Health Center	Emergency Response Mobile Medical/Dental Clinic	$        150,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
OC-4-2020	Tomales Town Hall	ADA Pathway & Regrading	$          28,500.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
NC-1-2020	Homeward Bound of Marin	Building a Gender-Neutral Bathroom at the New Beginnings Center Shelter	$          35,000.00	-	$                         -	-	Withdrawn	$                    -	-	Withdrawn
NC-2-2020	North Bay Children's Center	C Street Campus Renovation/Facility Expansion	$        150,000.00	-	$                20,000	-	$                 20,000	$                    -	-	$                      20,000
NC-3-2020	North Marin Community Services	680 Wilson Enrichment Project	$          77,345.00	-	$                55,000	-	$                 55,000	$                    -	-	$                      55,000
SC-1-2020	City of San Rafael Department of Public Works	Canal Area Pump Station Improvements	$        270,000.00	-	$                         -	85,328	$                 85,328	$                    -	-	$                      85,328
		Capital Sub-total					$          509,969			$              509,969
PUBLIC SERVICES
CS-1-2020	10,000 Degrees	Financial Aid Awareness and Completion Campaign	$          30,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
CS-2-2020	Community Action Marin	CAM Economic Opportunity and Safety Net Services	$          50,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
CS-3-2020	Covia Foundation	Home Match Marin	$          30,000.00	2,000	$                  5,000	8,000	$                 15,000	$                    -	-	$                      15,000
CS-4-2020	Early Vibes Inc.	The Turn	$          25,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
CS-5-2020	Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California	Fair Housing Counseling and Education	$          75,000.00	25,000	$                14,000	25,000	$                 64,000	$                    -	-	$                      64,000
CS-6-2020	Family & Children's Law Center	Domestic Violence Legal Services for Low Income Families	$          15,000.00	3,150	$                  5,100	6,750	$                 15,000	$                    -	-	$                      15,000
CS-7-2020	Hannah Project Partnership for Academic Achievement	Hannah Freedom School	$          31,300.00	15,000	$                         -	-	$                 15,000	$                    -	-	$                      15,000
CS-8-2020	House of Life Ministries	Family First	$          22,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
CS-9-2020	Jewish Family and Children's Services	Jewish Family and Children's Services, Skyview Day Club Financial Assistance Program	$          30,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
CS-10-2020	Legal Aid of Marin	Keeping Marin Residents in their Homes	$          40,000.00	8,307	$                  3,949	20,384	$                 32,640	$                    -	-	$                      32,640
CS-11-2020	Marin City Community Services District	MCCSD Manzanita Center Free Youth Recreation Programs	$          30,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
CS-12-2020	Performing Stars of Marin	After School and Summer Enrichment Programming of Low-Income Marin County Youth	$          15,000.00	15,000	$                         -	-	$                 15,000	$                    -	-	$                      15,000
CS-13-2020	Project Avary	Support Service for Children of Incarcerated Parents	$          15,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
CS-14-2020	RotaCare Bay Area	RotaCare Clinic of San Rafael	$          20,000.00	-	$                         -	15,000	$                 15,000	$                    -	-	$                      15,000
CS-15-2020	Spahr Center	Readiness for Housing Program	$        162,139.00	-	$                         -	-	Withdrawn	$                    -	-	Withdrawn
CS-16-2020	Women's Rights and Peace of Bay Area	Korean Education Project (KEP)	$          15,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
OS-1-2020	Bridge the Gap College Prep	Bridge the Gap College Prep Early Childhood Education Literacy Programming	$          15,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
OS-2-2020	FAIRFAX-SAN ANSELMO CHILDREN'S CENTER (FSACC)	AFTER SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM	$          16,500.00	15,000	$                         -	-	$                 15,000	$                    -	-	$                      15,000
OS-3-2020	Marin Horizon School	Horizon Community School Family and Child Support Services	$          30,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
OS-4-2020	San Geronimo Valley Affordable Housing Association	Homeowner and Renter Assistance	$          20,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
OS-5-2020	San Geronimo Valley Community Center	Human Services/ Food Pantry	$          62,800.00	15,000	$                         -	-	$                 15,000	$                    -	-	$                      15,000
NS-1-2020	Marin YMCA- YMCA of San Francisco	Camp University	$          20,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
NS-2-2020	North Bay Children's Center, Inc.	Child Care Scholarships	$          20,000.00	-	$                15,000	-	$                 15,000	$                    -	-	$                      15,000
NS-3-2020	North Marin Community Services	Childcare Scholarships	$          15,000.00	-	$                15,000	-	$                 15,000	$                    -	-	$                      15,000
SS-1-2020	Canal Alliance	University Prep (UP!)	$          30,000.00	-	$                         -	-	$                          -	$                    -	-	$                               -
SS-2-2020	City of San Rafael, Library And Recreation Department	Pickleweed  Preschool	$          49,440.00	-	$                         -	21,500	$                 21,500	$                    -	-	$                      21,500
		Public Services Sub-total					$          253,140			$              253,140
ADMINISTRATION
	CDBG Administration	County of Marin					$               326,725			$                    326,725
	HOME Administration	County of Marin							88,068	$                      88,068
	TOTALS		$     6,037,975	$         611,111	$         306,340	$         509,963	$       1,754,139	$    1,950,000	$      880,680	$2,634,819.47

County of Marin
Community Development Agency
Housing and Federal Grants Division

Local Policies and Procedures

1. The Local Standard for Affordable Rents
2. The Civil Rights Policy
3. The Residential Antidisplacement and Relocation Assistance Plan
4. Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy

Availability of Information

Additional information about the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program, is available from Molly Kron at the Marin County Community Development Agency, Federal Grants Division, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 308, San Rafael, California, phone 415-473-6279. This information includes copies of the Consolidated Plan, records regarding past use of funds, a plan for minimizing the displacement of persons as a result of CDBG activities, a plan to assist persons actually displaced by CDBG activities, and an assessment of Marin County’s housing and community development performance prepared by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request.

I. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM LOCAL STANDARD FOR AFFORDABLE RENTS

In order for most rental housing projects to qualify for Community Development Block Grant assistance, a specified percentage of the units must be occupied by low- and moderate-income households at affordable rents. The Community Development Block Grant regulations at 24 CFR 570.208(a)(3) require that localities define "affordable rents" for this purpose.

It is the policy of the County of Marin that, for the purposes of 24 CFR 570.208(a)(3), for each dwelling unit, affordable rent equals the greater of:

(a)        30% of the occupant household's gross income, or
(b)        30% x 1.3 x the San Francisco Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area Very Low-Income limit, as published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, for the appropriate household size for the unit.

Number of Bedrooms	Appropriate Household Size
0	2
1	3
2	5
3	7
4	9

Part (b) of this standard may not be applied to existing tenants already in occupancy if it would result in a rent increase beyond normal annual increases in debt service and operating expenses.

This Local Standard for Affordable Rents is to be used solely for determining whether projects meet Community Development Block Grant Program eligibility standards, and does not in any way supersede the requirements of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, Section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, or the federal and local regulations and policies implementing those statutes.

II. CIVIL RIGHTS POLICY

In accordance with requirements for receiving funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, it is the policy of the County of Marin that:

The use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies within its jurisdiction against any individuals engaged in non-violent civil rights demonstrations is prohibited; and

Applicable state and local laws against physically barring entrance to or exit from a facility or location which is the subject of such non-violent civil rights demonstrations within its jurisdiction will be enforced.

III. RESIDENTIAL ANTIDISPLACEMENT AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PLAN

In accordance with the replacement housing requirements of Section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, it is the policy of the County of Marin that:

All reasonable steps, consistent with other goals and objectives of the Community Development Block Grant Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, will be taken to minimize the displacement of families and individuals from their homes and neighborhoods as a result of any activities assisted by the Community Development Block Grant Program or the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. In its evaluation of project proposals, Marin County will give substantially lower priority to projects which will cause involuntary displacement, or which will cause rents to rise so as to cause involuntary economic displacement of residential tenants. In all cases, Marin County will carefully weigh the benefits of a proposed project against any hardship it might impose on potential displacees, giving special consideration to the shortage of low-priced rental housing in Marin County.

In accordance with the requirements of 24 CFR 570.606(c)(1), if any occupied or vacant occupiable low/moderate-income dwelling units are demolished or converted to a use other than low/moderate-income dwelling units in connection with an activity assisted by Community Development Block Grant Program funds or HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds, the demolished or converted units will be replaced with low/moderate-income dwelling units which are located within Marin County, which are sufficient in number and size to house no fewer than the number of occupants who could have been housed in the units that are demolished or converted, which are in standard condition, which are initially available for occupancy during the period required by 24 CFR 570.606(c)(1)(ii)(D), and which will remain as low/moderate-income dwelling units for at least 10 years.

Any eligible displaced person will be given relocation assistance as required by all applicable regulations, including 24 CFR 570.606(c)(2). Any displaced person who is eligible under 24 CFR 570.606(c)(2) will be advised of the option to receive benefits under either Section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, or 49 CFR 24.

If Community Development Block Grant Program funds or HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds are committed for any activity that would directly result in the demolition of low/moderate-income dwelling units or the conversion of low/moderate-income dwelling units to another use, the County will make public and submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development the information required by 24 CFR 570.606(c)(1)(iii).

IV. NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

The County of Marin does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in violation of 24 CFR Part 8 in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities, including those funded by the Community Development Block Grant Program, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Program. Anyone with questions about this policy or the activities of the programs listed above may contact Molly Kron at the Marin County Community Development Agency, Housing and Federal Grants Division, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 308, San Rafael, phone 415-473-6279. The person who has been designated to process grievances under this policy is Laney Morgado, Disability Access Manager, Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 304, San Rafael, California 94903, phone 415-333-4549. Information about the existence and location of accessible services, activities, and facilities is available from the Section 504 Compliance Office, Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 304, San Rafael, California 94903, phone 415-333-4549. People using TTY devices may reach all County of Marin offices, including the Section 504 Compliance Office and the Housing and Federal Grants Division Office, at 415-473-3232, or through the California Relay Service at 711.