The City of Pine Bluff One-Year Action Plan include spending for a variety of public improvement activities, Affordable Housing programs, Public Housing Improvements and Resident Initiatives, and Economic Development activities. The total funding source is $1,797,000 in CDBG and HOME funds.
Two public hearings were held for the purpose of obtaining input for the
Consolidated Plan. The first hearing was held prior to the development of the
Plan in order to explain the purpose of the plan and to give residents ample
time to make suggestions for plan contents. No written comments were received
due to this public hearing. The second public hearing was held October 5, and
the Consolidated Plans was presented. There were no comments at the hearing and
no written comments concerning the hearing were submitted. A summary of the
Consolidated Plan was published in the Pine Bluff Commercial which described the
purpose and the content of the plan and included a list of the locations where
copies of the plan could be examined.
Pine Bluff's population has steadily been on the decline even with the 1985 annexation raising the official population to 63,114, the downward trend intensified with a dramatic loss of 9.5%, based on the 1990 Census, now totaling 57,140. Of this total 45.7% are white, 53.5% are black, and 0.8 are other races. Over 45% of the City's population are low and moderate income persons. An estimated 866 elderly and 125 frail elderly are in need of support facilities. There is an estimated population of 180 persons with severe mental illness, developmentally disabled, physically disabled, and persons with AIDS and related diseases in need of support housing
The percentage of homeowners has declined over one percent from 1980 to 1990, from 63% to under 62%. The Housing stock is aging, and generally, 25% of the housing stock needs some type of repair; it is estimated that 800 units are substandard but suitable for rehabilitation. Housing costs in the City, as a whole, are generally less than the national average. The 1990 Census shows that the median house value is $41,000 and the median gross rent is $333.
Over 2,700 low income renter families are spending over 30% of their income
in housing costs, Over 1,800 low income families are spending over 50% of their
income on housing costs and over 1,700 persons/families are waiting for public
housing or housing assistance and 42% of these require housing of three or more
bedrooms. 79% of black renter households had incomes below 80% of the median
income as compared to 56% of the overall population; 53% of black owner
households had incomes below 80% of the median income as compared to 37% of the
overall population.
The condition of housing in the City is reaching a point of extended capabilities. Housing data indicates that 25% of the City's single-family dwellings were in need of some type of repair; 24% of the multi-family units were also in need of repair. The last Housing Assistance Plan indicated that there were 1,959 owner occupied substandard units and 1,270 renter occupied substandard units. Of these, only 565 of the owner occupied and 251 of the renter occupied units were suitable for rehabilitation.
Pine Bluff has a large population that is low income and that is a majority of minority citizens. Additional statistics show that 25% of the housing stock is in need of repair. 1,764 persons/families have submitted applications to the Housing Authority and are on waiting lists for either low income public housing or Section 8 rental assistance. (NOTE**Housing Needs were omitted from the ConPlan)
Market conditions vary from one general area to another. Statistics show, however, that substandard units make up over 15% of the existing housing stock. Data also quantify that 24% of the owner occupied housing stock and 25% of the renter occupied housing units are in need of repair or renovation.
Housing stock is ever increasing, the number of new dwellings constructed annually has declined over the past ten years, and much of the existing housing stock is aging with a significant portion in disrepair. A decline in the percentage of owner-occupied households and a slow rate of new rental construction occurring has further limited housing choices. Prices for single-family units range from $15,000 to over $80,000, with the median range being $40,000 to $60,000.
The City's primary housing goals are to make it possible for more low and very low income families to purchase their own homes. Downpayment assistance to qualifying applicants through the listed affordable housing programs will enable many families to become homeowners and will subsequently free up standard rental housing to other families residing in substandard housing. Rehabilitation of deteriorating owner-occupied housing will assist in stabilizing neighborhoods, and rehabilitation of renter-occupied housing will provide more h housing choices for low income families currently living in substandard housing.
Persons requiring immediate shelter are served by the Salvation Army Emergency Shelter/Transient Lodge. The facility has 22 Beds. The Committee Against Spouse Abuse (CASA) provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, food, and supportive services to homeless victims of domestic violence. CASA provides shelter for 40. The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) operates two HUD Section 202 projects, a total of 44 units. St. John Alexander Tower a 202 project accommodates 153 units.
Because of the coordination with the City and other agencies, there does not appear to be a severe homeless problem in the City of Pine Bluff. However, there is a need for additional emergency and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence.
The Pine Bluff Housing Authority has 293 Low Income Public Housing units. The City has a five year plan that sets forth the physical needs developed under the Public Housing Modernization Standards and the Section 504 needs. There are four developments participating in the Comprehensive Grant program. There are also 40 scattered site units. Section 8 Rental Assistance is proved to 698 units, 641 by certificate and 57 by voucher.
There are 2,364 families on the public housing and Section 8 waiting list. There is a great need for three plus bedroom units. Forty-two percent of families on the list require three or more bedrooms. The Housing Authority units and the Section 8 certificates only accommodates 27 three plus units.
Supportive housing is provided to handicapped persons by the Jenkins Housing Board. Two intermediate care facilities with ten units are at there capacity. There is also a need for additional family-type emergency housing, particularly housing assistance to victims of domestic abuse and violence.
The City of Pine Bluff, through its on-going examinations, has not uncovered any policies that have negative affects on affordable housing.
The City of Pine Bluff has instituted a Fair Housing Resolution which endorses the purposes and provisions of the 1964 and 1968 Civil Rights Act and subsequent Executive Orders and has gone an extra step in promoting knowledge of the provisions by establishing a Community Housing Resources Board.
15,000 dwelling units within the City of Pine Bluff contain some lead-based paint. Of the housing that contain LBP, 6,700 belong to low and moderate income families. It is estimated that half of these houses are in deteriorating or substandard condition.
The City has outlined the following actions to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards: Request the Inspection Department to adapt their inspection procedures to check for LBP hazards when performing housing inspections; Institute under substantial rehabilitation programs that qualified applicants with houses to be rehabilitated with any Federal funds administered by the City, if there is a LBP hazard on the premises, will get first funding priority; Include LBP hazard reduction an eligible activity in rehabilitation programs administered by the City; Screen for LBP hazards all units involved in CDBG, HOME, rental or owner residential rehabilitation, or other City programs using Federal funds; and support programs and applications by the County's Health Department and community heath centers to screen, diagnose, and treat lead poisoning as well as applications for community awareness of LBP hazards and poisoning.
Community Development needs include programs which strive to upgrade neighborhoods in terms of livability and services available such as adequate streets and drainage and the availability of water and sewer facilities. Furthermore, the elimination of slum and blight, the availability of facilities which provide for recreation and facilities which will increase economic development in depressed areas.
Several public and private organizations carry out the goals and objectives
of the housing and community development plan. The Community Development
Department of the City of Pine Bluff takes a lead role in providing affordable
housing, and housing to first-time homebuyers through its CDBG and its HOME
program. While each entity operate independently, the tremendous amount of
cooperation between the organizations assures that they all compliment one
another in the delivery of services and in eliminating gaps in delivery.
The City's objective is to Continue first-time homebuyer programs, work with CHDO's, continue with LMI housing rehabilitations, continue working with local financial institutions, pursue funding for additional public housing, implement small business revolving loan program in and for LMI areas and residents, continue to support PHA and local economic development efforts.
The City's priorities include providing homebuyers assistance for first time homebuyers with children in both very low and low income categories; moderate rehabilitation/acquisition for low income families; rental assistance for very low and low income persons; support facilities and services for elderly; all housing activities for homeless families; and housing activities for persons with special needs.
There is approximately 866 elderly and 125 frail elderly in need of support facilities, 8,600 plus elderly population and an aging community, support facilities for the elderly continues to be a priority. Education and training is also a priority along with economic development.
The City has an extensive history in combining its assets with those of other agencies to combat poverty and lack of education in the community. The City has been the lead agency in several coordinated efforts to obtain funding for economic development. Continued efforts will be made to bring additional jobs to the community and to support program activities proposed to educate and train low and moderate income residents.
CDBG and HOME are the two major housing programs operated by the City. The City utilizes varies public and private entities. The Housing Authority offers apartment complexes with low rent units and scattered site single family, and rent subsidies. The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter/Transient Lodge provides shelter for 60 persons per month as well as the Committee Against Spouse Abuse who serves 35 women and children per day and the Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Economic Opportunity Commission. The Area Agency on Aging operates two HUD Section 202 project, St. John Alexander Tower operates another 202 project. Supportive housing is provided to handicapped persons by the Jenkins Housing Board.
The City of Pine Bluff intends to keep active the Consolidated plan
Committee which meets to discuss the respective members' programs and plans.
The Spruce Street Drainage is from Pullen to Fluker street. The Reeker Street Improvement is from University to Willow street. the Magnolia Street Drainage is from Reeker street to the end. The Pitts Drainage Project is from 21st & Alabama to 21st and Missouri. The Westside Drainage is from Blake to Franklin street. The remaining activities will be carried out on a City-Wide basis.
The City of Pine Bluff, through its Community Development Department will undertake the Activities in the 1995 Action Plan.
The City's primary housing goals are to make it possible for more low and moderate income families to purchase their own homes and to ensure that families, both owners and renters, young and old, are able to live in housing that is decent and safe.
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; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
Donald Sampson, CD Director
Telephone No: 501-543-1820
