HomeMy WebLinkAboutCED Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: May 6, 2024
Disposition: Resolution 15285
Agenda Item No: 6.a
Meeting Date: May 6, 2024
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Community and Economic Development
Prepared by: Micah Hinkle, Director
Alexis Captanian, Housing Manager
Mel Burnette, Housing and
Homelessness Analyst
City Manager Approval: ____
TOPIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
SUBJECT RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT (CDBG) PROJECT FUNDING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 TO
THE MARIN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution recommending CDBG project funding for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to the Marin
County Board of Supervisors.
BACKGROUND
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a federally funded program of the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides funding for local community-
based projects, including affordable housing, community infrastructure and capital projects, and
public support services. Examples of CDBG-funded projects in San Rafael include the
replacement of the Pickleweed Park play structure, access to preschool programs for low-income
families, and the recently completed Vivalon Healthy Aging Center at 999 Third Street, which
provides 66 low- and very low-rent apartments to income-qualifying individuals and couples age
62 or older.
In 2023, the City entered into a cooperation agreement (Amendment 1, Amendment 2) with the
County of Marin to manage the CDBG funding allocations. Under this agreement, Marin County
is divided into three local planning areas (Countywide, City of San Rafael, and City of Novato).
Funding recommendations for the three areas are overseen by a Countywide Priority Setting
Committee (PSC) made up of City and Town Council members, a County Supervisor, and
community residents representing members of the protected classes (race, religion, color,
national origin, sex - including gender identity and sexual orientation, disability, and familial
status) under fair housing laws.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
Under the cooperative agreement, the City is responsible for allocating CDBG funding for
projects serving the San Rafael planning area. The City Council provides its recommendations
to the PSC, which in turn provides the San Rafael recommendation along with
recommendations for the two other planning areas to the Marin County Board of Supervisors
(BOS).
In June, the BOS will hold a public hearing and act on the funding recommendations from the City
of San Rafael and the PSC. Following BOS action, the recommendations will be submitted to
HUD.
Timeline for 2024 Funding Cycle
Priority Setting Committee – Application Review Workshop April 4, 2024
San Rafael City Council Meeting May 6, 2024
Priority Setting Committee – Funding Allocation Hearing May 16, 2024
Marin County Board of Supervisors Public Hearing June 4, 2024
Applications for 2024-25 funding opened on Monday, January 22, 2024, and were accepted until
Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00 P.M. Application information sessions were held via Zoom on
Wednesday, January 24, 2024, for potential applicants to learn more about the application
process and types of eligible projects. Additionally, County staff held office hours on Thursday,
February 1st, 8th, and 15th, 2024 via Zoom and were available throughout the application process
to consult with organizations one-on-one.
Community outreach to inform the public of the funding opportunity included two public notices
sent to over 4,200 nonprofit and community member subscribers on December 22, 2023, and
January 22, 2024. A public notice ran in the Marin IJ on December 22, 2023, informing the public
of the upcoming funding application. Further, on January 19th, the County issued a press release
to over 80 media outlets.
ANALYSIS
The CDBG program has a minimum grant size of $15,000 per project per year, and Countywide
projects may receive funding from each planning area to bring their grant amount up to $15,000.
Federal regulation requires that the majority of funds be spent on housing and community
infrastructure/capital projects.
Evaluation Guidelines
All applications were evaluated based on the following criteria.
HUD National Objective Thresholds:
• Benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
• Prevent or eliminate blight or meet other community development needs for low- and
moderate-income persons.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
PSC Enhanced Thresholds:
• Affirmatively further fair housing and have the commitment and capacity to engage in
affirmative marketing.1
• Serve members of the protected classes as defined by HUD.
• Serve low-income persons.
Project Evaluation Criteria:
• Readiness – Can awarded funds be completely expended during the grant year?
• Sustainability – Does the organization have the 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 execute the project and administer federal funds?
• Impact – Prioritize projects with the greatest impact.
In addition to the criteria set forth by HUD, the PSC established two additional priorities for funding
CDBG projects:
• Family Housing2
• Land trust model in eastern Marin that provides home ownership opportunities (in this
context, Eastern Marin is defined as all areas in Marin except West Marin.)
The PSC established the following priorities for public services projects:
• Basic Health Services that prevent or treat medical conditions for individuals who are un-
insured, under-insured, or low-income and cannot afford their deductible. Programs and
services include but are not limited to preventative health such as immunizations, well-
child from birth, periodic health evaluations for adults, voluntary family planning services,
children’s eye and ear examinations 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 that target low-income families and
address disparities in access to early childhood education, high costs of childcare
countywide, and family self-sufficiency. Programs and services include but are not limited
to supporting childcare scholarships, student extracurricular activities, parent engagement
and training, case management, therapeutic services, transportation, home visitations,
and family legal support.
• Food Security Services that provide physical and/or economic access to food to meet
dietary needs for a productive and healthy life. Programs and services include but are not
limited to free meal sites, food banks, grocery subsidies, home-delivered meals, and other
programs that provide food to people in need.
1 Affirmative Marketing is targeted outreach about program opportunities to groups of people otherwise
least likely to apply for or receive those opportunities. Given Marin’s history of segregation, the protected
class populations typically included in Affirmative Marketing are Black/African American, Asian/Pacific
Islander, and Latinx. Programs that do not conduct broad Affirmative Marketing are less competitive in the
allocation process.
2 Family Housing is identified as a need in both the County’s Consolidated Plan and Analysis of
Impediments. In addition, HUD requires that Marin’s CDBG grants contribute to the creation of new family
housing units.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4
• Housing Support 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, and down payment and rental assistance.
CDBG Funding – City of San Rafael Planning Area
The charts beginning on the following page provide funding recommendations based on the
evaluation criteria above. The San Rafael planning area allocations are in bold. Following each
chart is a brief description of the project(s) recommended for funding.
Due to delayed budget approvals at the federal level, the County has not yet received final notice
of the 2024-25 CDBG program allocation amount. The following recommendations are based on
presumed level funding from the prior year of $1,589,600. The recommendations are subject to
adjustments necessary to accommodate any changes in the final allocation given to the County
of Marin by the federal government. The CDBG funding available for the San Rafael Planning
Area, as determined by the HUD formula included in the cooperative agreement, is $475,000. Per
HUD regulation, a maximum of $60,000 can be used for public services, a minimum of $204,000
must be spent on housing, and the remaining $211,000 can be spent on either housing or
community infrastructure/capital projects.
A list of the applications received for the San Rafael Planning Area and for Countywide projects
serving the San Rafael Planning Area is provided as Attachment 2. The recommendations for
allocating the San Rafael Planning Area CDBG funds and total expected allocations, including
funding from the other planning areas, are also included. Applications received by the County
for all planning areas for funding in the current round can be accessed online via the following
links: Housing Projects, Community Infrastructure/Capital Projects, Public Services
Projects, Addendum 1 – Missing and Supplemental Application Materials.
Housing Projects
Six housing projects applied for funding from the San Rafael Planning Area. The projects have a
combined funding request of $2,109,552.
• Four projects are countywide and will result in units or services available to current San
Rafael residents.
• Two projects are based in San Rafael, with a total funding request of $532,195.
In accordance with CDBG guidelines, a minimum of $204,000 must be spent on housing projects.
The funding recommendation totaling $290,000 is as follows:
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5
Table 1: Housing Project Funding Applications
Project
Prior
Year
Funding
FY 2024-
2025
Request
Other Agency
Funding
Recommendation
Priority Setting
Committee
Recommendation
for San Rafael
Expected
Total
CDBG
Allocation
* Art Works Downtown
Electrical Upgrade
Project - $332,195
- $200,000 $200,000
* Canal Alliance - 153
Novato St Rehabilitation $200,000 $200,000 - - -
Eden Housing, Inc.
(CHDO) - Point Reyes
Coast Guard $148,291
$650,000
- - -
Habitat for Humanity
Greater San Francisco
Habitat Redwood Blvd - $650,000
$222,000 $75,000
$297,000
Marin Center for
Independent Living
Residential Access
Modification Program - $45,000
$30,000 $15,000 $45,000
Pep Housing / Demson
Development
Marin Vista Residences - $650,000
- - -
* San Rafael-only
request
$290,000
Electrical Upgrade Project (Art Works Downtown) completes the electrical system renovation at
this historic property on Fourth Street, offering 17 affordable rental units in downtown San Rafael.
Funding sources for this work are limited, and Art Works Downtown has fundraised and invested
the organization’s own funds into ensuring the building’s integrity. Art Works Downtown has
bypassed hiring staff to weatherproof the building envelope to prepare for the next phase of
replacing the extremely outdated knob-and-tube wiring.
Redwood Blvd. (Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco) is a homeownership development
of 80 affordable single-unit homes on land donated by PG&E in northern Marin. The housing
units will be available to the regional population throughout Marin County, including San Rafael.
This is the largest affordable homeownership project in Marin, and infrastructure costs are high.
The organization is seeking funding to support infrastructure development costs. The project is
fully entitled.
Residential Access Modification Program (Marin Center for Independent Living) offers
home access modifications, including ramps, grab bars, and stair lifts, to increase housing
accessibility for people with disabilities, allowing them to remain in their homes. This is the only
program of its type and is available to renters as well as homeowners.
Capital Projects
Four community infrastructure and capital projects applied for funding from the San Rafael
Planning Area. The projects have a combined funding request of $670,000.
• Three projects are countywide and will result in services available to current San Rafael
residents.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 6
• One project is based in San Rafael, with a total funding request of $350,000.
In accordance with CDBG guidelines, up to $211,000 may be spent on capital or housing projects.
The funding recommendation totaling $125,000 is as follows:
Table 2: Capital Project Funding Applications
Project
Prior
Year
Funding
FY 2024-
2025
Request
Other Agency
Funding
Recommendation
Priority Setting
Committee
Recommendation
for San Rafael
Expected
Total CDBG
Allocation
* Canal Alliance
Proposed pedestrian
hybrid beacon across
Grand Ave between
Francisco Blvd and
2nd St in San Rafael
$200,000
(Housing)
$350,000 - $125,000 $125,000
Benevolence: A
communication
Wellness Café
The BlackStage
Xperience
- $30,000 - - -
Hamilton Community
Church of the
Nazarene
Project Bethany - $50,000 - - -
WeeCare, Inc. (DBA
Upwards)
Boost (Business
Operation &
Optimization Support
Tools) -
$240,000 - - -
* San Rafael-only
request
$125,000
Proposed pedestrian hybrid beacon and walkway (Canal Alliance) supports the construction of a
pedestrian crosswalk at Canal Alliance’s new facility located between Francisco Boulevard and
Second Street in San Rafael. The project will enhance pedestrian safety in accessing services
on this very busy road, which does not currently have any traffic controls near this location. The
funding is intended to be paired with other available sources.
Public Services
The County expects an allocation of approximately $60,000 for public services in 2024-25 for the
San Rafael Planning Area. This allocation is based on 15% of the total entitlement available
through CDBG for public services. The overall allocation to each planning area is a percentage
of the total, less the allowed administration costs and required fair housing service funds. No more
than the amount indicated in this staff report may be spent on public services, which is capped
countywide at 15% of funds. The City Council has the option to reduce its public services
percentage on an annual basis. However, it cannot increase it.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 7
11 projects applied for public services funding from the San Rafael Planning Area. The projects
have a combined funding request of $540,000.
• Ten projects are countywide and will result in services available to current San Rafael
residents.
• One project is based in San Rafael, with a total funding request of $25,000.
All projects that received funding in the previous year are being recommended at the same
funding level.
The funding recommendation totaling $60,000 is as follows:
Table 3: Public Service Funding Applications
Program
Prior
Year
Funding
FY
2024-25
Request
Other
Agency
Funding
Recommen
dation
Priority Setting
Committee
Recommendation
for San Rafael
Expected
Total
CDBG
Allocation
* City of San Rafael/
Pickleweed Preschool
Pickleweed Preschool $23,000 $25,000 - $23,000 $23,000
Benevolence: A
Communication
Wellness Café
The BlackStage
Xperience
- $30,000 - -
-
** Fair Housing
Advocates of Northern
California
Fair Housing
Counseling and
Education $65,000 $85,000 - - $65,000
Front Porch
Communities
Foundation
Home Match Marin $15,000 $20,000 $8,000 $7,000 $15,000
Make it Home
Pilot Furniture Pick-Up
and Delivery Program
- $65,000 - -
-
Marin YMCA
Expanding Affordable
Childcare through
YMCA Elementary
Aged Programs
- $30,000 $10,000 $13,000 $23,000
Mental Health
Advocates of Marin/
Fiscally sponsored by
Marin Link
Enterprise Resource
Center
- $60,000 - -
-
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 8
Program
Prior
Year
Funding
FY
2024-25
Request
Other
Agency
Funding
Recommen
dation
Priority Setting
Committee
Recommendation
for San Rafael
Expected
Total
CDBG
Allocation
Pearl Transit Corp
Oral health outreach
for low-income Marin
County residents
- $60,000 - -
-
Planned Parenthood
of Northern California
Increasing Access to
Sexual Reproductive
Health Care in Marin
County
- $65,000 $8,000 $10,000 $18,000
Vivalon
Nourish by Vivalon
- $55,000 $8,000 $7,000 $15,000
Young Performers
International
YPI Young Musicians
Scholarship Program
- $45,000 - -
-
*San Rafael-only
request
**Required Fair
Housing Services
$60,000
Pickleweed Preschool (City of San Rafael, Pickleweed Preschool) provides preschool
programming for 68 children in the Canal neighborhood. The program supports low-income
families and focuses on cultural and inclusive practices, reducing disparities in access to early
childhood education and preparing children and parents to enter the elementary school system.
Home Match Marin (Front Porch Communities Foundation) provides a unique roommate matching
service mainly used by over housed older adults and low-income renters. The program helps low-
income adults such as students, low wage workers and older adults living on low, fixed incomes
acquire affordable, stable housing and mitigate loneliness and social isolation.
Expanding Affordable Childcare through YMCA Elementary Aged Programs (Marin YMCA)
provides scholarship funds for 50 new subsidized spots for elementary students to enroll in YMCA
school year and summer childcare camp programs. There are currently 75 existing elementary
age students on the waitlist for these programs, primarily in Novato and San Rafael, and public
funding for affordable childcare is scarce in Marin County.
Increasing Access to Sexual Reproductive Health Care in Marin County (Planned Parenthood
Northern California) supports the purchase of new ADA compliant exam tables and accompanying
vital monitoring devices for the San Rafael Health Center. This equipment will create a more
accessible, inclusive environment and increase efficiency for an organization that helps close
gaps in access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for individuals who use public health
insurance options or are uninsured.
Nourish by Vivalon (Vivalon) provides home delivered meals to chronically ill adults who are
homebound and low- or extremely low-income. Program costs have increased due to the reduced
availability of complimentary meals; this funding would be used exclusively to purchase meals.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 9
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct cost or revenue impact from the recommended action.
The City is directing HUD funds to specific projects. Allocating federal funds to potential City
projects may allow City general and capital funds to be allocated to other priorities.
Funds for the County of Marin’s 2024-25 CDBG program funding cycle come from the Fiscal Year
2024 federal budget, which runs from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. The funding is
allocated formulaically to entitled cities and counties. Three factors are included in the San Rafael
Planning Area allocation formula: population, overcrowding, and poverty. If the 2024-25 allocation
differs, the recommendations will be adjusted proportionately as necessary, subject to program
guidelines.
OPTIONS:
1. Approve the CDBG funding allocations as recommended.
2. Approve alternative allocations of CDBG funding. (Funds may be shifted within categories,
but the Public Services category cannot exceed $60,000.)
3. Provide other direction to staff.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution recommending CDBG funding for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to the Marin County
Board of Supervisors.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 Resolution
Attachment 2 Exhibit A to Resolution: 2024-25 CDBG Project Allocations
Attachment 3 2024-25 PSC Roster
RESOLUTION NO. 15285
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL RECOMMENDING
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECT FUNDING FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 TO THE MARIN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Rafael as follows:
WHEREAS in June 1999, the City Council revised the Cooperation Agreement
with the County of Marin for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
whereby the City remained in the County system; and
WHEREAS in December 1999, the City devised a project selection process for
CDBG projects where all applications for CDBG funds are filed with the Marin County
Community Development Agency, Federal Grants Division, including projects requesting
San Rafael Planning Area funds; Applications are reviewed by County and City staff with
recommendations from the Local Area Committee and San Rafael City Council, and final
action by the County Board of Supervisors; and
WHEREAS on May 6, 2024, in accordance with the adopted project selection
process the City Council reviewed the submitted applications;
NOW, THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the City Council
recommends to the Marin County Board of Supervisors that the $475,000 in CDBG
funds available for allocation by the City of San Rafael be distributed to the projects and
in the amounts shown on the included Attachment 2, subject to adjustments necessary
to accommodate any changes in the final allocation given to the County of Marin by the
federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
I, LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting
of the Council of said City held on the 6th day of May 2024, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Pro Tem Hill
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Mayor Kate
Lindsay Lara, City Clerk
Attachment 2: Exhibit A - 2024-25 CDBG Project Allocations
Type Project Sponsor Project Name Total Request San Rafael
Recommendation
Total CDBG
Allocation
Housing
* Art Works Downtown
Electrical Upgrade Project $ 332,195
$ 200,000 $ 200,000
* Canal Alliance 153 Novato Street Rehabilitation $ 200,000 $ - $ -
Eden Housing, Inc. Point Reyes Coast Guard $ 650,000 $ - $ -
Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco Residential Rehab Loan Program $ 650,000 $ 75,000 $ 297,000
Marin Center for Independent Living
Residential Access Modification
Program (RAMP) $ 45,000 $ 15,000 $ 45,000
Pep Housing/ Demson Development Marin Vista Residences $ 650,000 $ - $ -
Housing subtotal $ 2,527,195 $ 290,000
Capital
* Canal Alliance
Proposed pedestrian hybrid beacon
and walkway $ 350,000 $ 125,000 $ 125,000
Benevolence: A communication
Wellness Café The BlackStage Xperience $ 30,000 $ - $ -
Hamilton Community Church of the
Nazarene Project Bethany $ 50,000 $ - $ -
WeeCare, Inc. (DBA Upwards)
Boost (Business Operation &
Optimization Support Tools) $ 240,000 $ - $ -
Capital subtotal $ 670,000 $ 125,000
Type Project Sponsor Project Name Total Request San Rafael
Recommendation
Total CDBG
Allocation
Public
Services * City of San Rafael/Pickleweed
Preschool Pickleweed Preschool $ 25,000
$ 23,000 $ 23,000
Benevolence: A Communication
Wellness Café The BlackStage Xperience $ 30,000 $ - $ -
**Fair Housing Advocates of Northern
California
Fair Housing Counselling and
Education $ 85,000 * * $ 65,000
Front Porch Communities Foundation Home Match Marin $ 20,000 $ 7,000 $ 15,000
Make It Home
Pilot Furniture Pick-Up and Delivery
Program $ 65,000 $ - $ -
Marin YMCA
Expanding Affordable Childcare
through YMCA Elementary Aged
Programs $ 30,000 $ 13,000 $ 23,000
Mental Health Advocates of
Marin/Fiscally sponsored by Marin Link Enterprise Resource Center $ 60,000 $ - $ -
Pearl Transit Corp
Oral health outreach for low income
Marin County residents $ 60,000 $ - $ -
Planned Parenthood of Northern
California
Increasing Access to Sexual Reproductive Health Care In Marin County $ 65,000 $ 10,000 $ 18,000
Vivalon Nourish by Vivalon $ 55,000 $ 7,000 $ 15,000
Young Performers International YPI Young Musicians Scholarship Program $ 45,000 $ - $ -
Public Services subtotal $ 560,000 $ 60,000
Total San Rafael funding recommendation:
$ 475,000
*San Rafael only project
**Required Fair Housing Services allocated off the top
Sarah Bernstein Jones
DIRECTOR
Leelee Thomas
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Marin County Civic Center
3501 Civic Center Drive
Suite 308
San Rafael, CA 94903
415 473 6269 T
415 473 7880 F
415 473 2255 TTY
www.marincounty.org/plan
.................................................................................................................................
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
HOUSING AND FEDERAL GRANTS DIVISION
Countywide Priority Setting Committee Roster
The committee is comprised of representatives from the Board of Supervisors,
City/Town Councils, and community members from the protected classes.
Name Affiliation
Cathy Cortez At-Large Community Representative
Vacant Lower Ross Community Representative
Jaime Yan Faurot Novato Community Representative
Darlene Goins San Rafael Community Representative
Ida Green Southern Marin Community Representative
PJ Feffer Upper Ross Community Representative
Jennifer Kerrigan West Marin Community Representative
Peter Mark City of Belvedere Councilmember
Vacant City of Larkspur Councilmember
Stephen Burke City of Mill Valley Councilmember
Mark Milberg City of Novato Councilmember
Rachel Kertz City of San Rafael Councilmember
Melissa Blaustein City of Sausalito Councilmember
Eric Lucan County of Marin Board of Supervisors
Rosa Thomas Town of Corte Madera Councilmember
Barbara Coler Town of Fairfax Councilmember
Vacant Town of San Anselmo Councilmember
Holli Their Town of Tiburon Councilmember