The City of Dothan developed a Consolidated Plan which utilized comments and information obtained from numerous public agencies, nonprofit organizations, City of Dothan departments, and interested citizens, as well as statistical resources such as the U.S. Census and the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy previously adopted by the City. Public hearings were held to obtain the views of citizens concerning housing and non-housing needs and to solicit recommendations for programs and projects to address those needs. Dothan is a CDBG Entitlement city receiving only CDBG funds directly from HUD, other funds (ESG and HOME) come from the State.

Housing And Homeless Needs Assessment

The City used U.S. Census Data, information from their own Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS), and comments from public (PHA) and private agencies to develop an estimate of housing needs and needs for supportive services for 5 years for the following: extremely low income, very low income, low income, moderate income families, renters, owners, elderly persons, large families, persons with disabilities, and persons with HIV/AIDS. Included was tables depicting income status of households by race/ethnicity. The data was analyzed to determine the specific needs of households and of low income renters and owners who are cost burdened, severely cost burdened and/or living in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Also evaluated were the needs of homeless persons and others with special needs. This included an estimated number of housing units that contain lead-based paint hazards and are occupied by low income families. Homeless needs were determined in consultation with, the Salvation Army, House of Ruth, the Dothan Rescue Mission and similar shelters. An estimate was made of the homeless sub-population and special needs persons.

A comprehensive narrative describes the programs of several organizations that are providers of shelter and services for the homeless. these organizations are, the Methodist Children's Home, Salvation Army, Southeast Alabama Youth Services, Houston County Department of Human Resources, Southeast Alabama Regional Council on Aging, Houston County Health Department, Spectracare, Parent and Child Enrichment and House of Ruth.

Public Housing needs and lead based paint hazards were also addressed.

Housing Market Analysis

Historical information was presented to illustrate industrial, social, and racial changes through the years that affect community development and housing needs today. The City reviewed the following characteristics of the housing market: supply, demand, condition of housing, cost of housing, housing stock available for persons with disabilities and for persons with HIV/AIDS. The staff developed graphs and tables depicting market conditions of the City.

The Dothan Housing Authority, in conjunction with the City, gathered data on Public Housing units and other assisted units including the number and condition of the units and proposed improvement projects for these units. Dothan coordinated with relevant local governments, public and private agencies and other entities to be used to carry out this housing and community development plan. Data was presented on Housing Affordability for Low-Income Households. An inventory was made and data reported on available resources for housing including federal, non-federal, and private sources.

Strategies, Priority Needs and Objectives

The City evaluated it's housing and non-housing community development needs which are eligible for funding under the CDBG and HOME ,ESG, Section 202 and 811 and Section 8 programs, and established High, Medium or Low Priority for each need, the reasons for choosing the needs and the City's long and short term objectives in meeting priority needs. The City's priorities for providing housing assistance were established based on identified housing needs reported in the Consolidated Plan. The City's Priorities for non-housing community development needs are described in the plan under the categories of: public improvements, public facilities, public services and economic development activities. Also described are: the federal and other public and private resources planned to be used in addressing these needs, the City's efforts to involve public housing residents in homeownership programs, proposed actions to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards, the City's Anti-Poverty Strategy, and activities proposed to coordinate and improve housing assistance efforts by public and private agencies.

Comprehensively discussed were priority housing needs, priority homeless needs, other special needs, anti-poverty strategy, public housing and lead based paint.

Action Plan

The Action Plan covers activities to be undertaken during a one year period of time beginning October 1, 1995 with funds expected to be available under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME, ESG-B, Section 8, CGP and DOE programs. The City expects to utilize CDBG funds totaling $839,000 which includes the grant and program income. The Plan includes summary lists of housing and non-housing projects and programs which are proposed for funding with grant funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program. Included in the one year plan are descriptions of specific programs to address the needs of homeless persons and of actions to be taken to provide additional assisted housing for low income persons and to improve housing assistance efforts.

Certifications

This section of the Plan contained Certifications required to be submitted to HUD with the Consolidated plan.

Monitoring

This section described the standards and procedures the City will use to monitor activities carried out under the plan and to ensure compliance with program requirements.

Maps

MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.

MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

TABLE (without associated map) provides information about the project(s).

Mr. Dale Richards, CPD Rep
U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development
Alabama State Office
CPD Division
600 Beacon Parkway West
Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: (205) 290-7672