The City of Sacramento was recently informed that beginning in July of 2016, they will no longer qualify for the State Small Cities program. At that time, West Sacramento will become a federal entitlement jurisdiction. Any future Community Development Block Grant funding will come directly from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Community Development Block Grant funding program was established by the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The subsequent legislation and regulations allowed the states to administer the program for smaller cities and counties. In 1982, the State of California’s Executive Branch and Legislature agreed that the State should administer the program and assigned this responsibility to the Department of Housing and Community Development. The State Community Development Block Grant program is authorized and implemented by the California Health and Safety Code Section 50825 and the California Code of Regulations.

Eligible applicants are any counties with fewer than 200,000 residents in unincorporated areas and cities with fewer than 50,000 residents that do not participate in the HUD Community Development Block Grant entitlement program. The HUD objective is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and through expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low to moderate income. These are defined as families, household, and individuals whose incomes do not exceed 80  percent of the county median income, adjusted for family or household size.

All Community Development Block Grant funds must be used for projects that address at least one of the Community Development Block Grant national objectives. These include benefits to low-income households, which are defined as households at or below 80 percent of HUD area median household income for Yolo County, which is $72,200. For a one person household, low (80 percent) is $40,450, very low (50 percent) is $25,300, and extremely low (30 percent) is $15,200.

The second objective is the elimination of slums and blight related to physical structures, such as homes. The third Community Development Block Grant national objective involves urgent need, which refers to emergencies such as earthquake or flood damage.

Before the City can receive federal Community Development Block Grant funding, HUD requires the development of a Citizen Participation Plan, a Five-Year Consolidated Plan, and an Annual Action Plan. The Citizen Participation Plan is the first step in the process. It outlines the process that West Sacramento must use to engage the community in the planning, implementation, and assessment of programs and projects that will be receiving the Community Development Block Grant funding.

Because the first objective is to benefit the low-income persons in the city, at least 70 percent of the funding the City will receive must be expended towards this objective annually. The City of West Sacramento previously used the State Community Development Block Grant funds for the removal of septic tanks and installation of sewer lines in the Arlington Oaks neighborhood. The City also worked on the rehabilitation of homes owned by low-income families and seniors, and supported the development of affordable multi-family housing.

Business expansion loans were funded that created jobs for low-income persons. The position of a Homeless Coordinator was underwritten. Tuition was provided for low-income children who attend the Learning Ladder Preschool. The City recently received approval to use Community Development Block Grant funds to make improvements to the Bryte Park Phase II project by constructing a covered park pavilion, paved sports court restrooms, and a small parking lot next to the KaBOOM playground site.

The Citizen Participation Plan requires the public to get involved. It encourages participation by low-income households, residents of low-income neighborhoods, households receiving federal rental assistance, minorities, non-English speakers, persons with disabilities, youth, and elderly. Public comments are essential to the process. Two public hearings, at least 30 days apart, are required before the adoption of the five year Citizen Participation Plan and the Annual Action Plan. Community Development Block Grant funding is an important component of the City’s mission to provide quality municipal services, infrastructure, community improvements, a financially sound city government, and a superior workforce.

Sources: City of West Sacramento Parks, Recreation, and Intergenerational Services Commission meeting Dec. 1^st, 2015, Citizen Participation Plan, State Community Development Block Grant