U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Community Planning and Development


Consolidated Plan Contact

CITIZEN'S SUMMARY

The Consolidated Plan (also called the Plan) brings together the required plans and materials for several of these HUD programs. These documents included the CHAS, the nonhousing community development plan, the HOME Program Description, and continuing through 1999, with a one-year Action Plan for 1995. An annual update or action plan will be prepared and publicized for each of the subsequent four years.

According to HUD, the Plan creates the opportunity for strategic planning and citizen participation to take place in a comprehensive context. It also furthers the following goals of the programs that it covers:

  1. to provide decent housing;
  2. to establish and maintain a suitable living environment; and
  3. to expand economic opportunities for every citizen, particularly for very low-income and low-income citizens.

Action Plan

This first Plan uses information, reports such as the 1994 CHAS and the public hearings and comments attendant to development of that document and another series of public hearings held during September of 1994 to secure guidance for the 1995 Consolidated Plan. Consultation and interviews with private and nonprofit organizations, and public institutions, such as the Housing Authority were either in place or readily available.

Citizen Participation

Texarkana, AR began using citizen participation in it's planning process for prioritizing housing and community development activities more than 25 years ago. This process has been formalized for some time in the form of a Citizen Participation (CP) Plan which strives to inform and encourage citizens to participate in the community development planning and evaluation process.

Three of the public hearings were held at neighborhood centers, while the fourth was conducted at City Hall. All were attended by a moderate number of citizens. The citizens were notified of these hearings via notices in the local newspaper, Texarkana Gazette, special fliers and public service announcements.


COMMUNITY PROFILE

Texarkana is the seat of Miller county and is located on the Arkansas-Texas state line, 28 miles south of the Oklahoma boundary line and 33 miles north of the Louisiana boundary line. The city can be characterized as stable, with an increase of 949 people over the period from 1970 to 1990. Unemployment in the city fluctuates between 6 percent and 8 percent. Some of the major companies in the area are Cooper Tire, Georgia Pacific, and Defense Logistics.


HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

The population of the City of Texarkana, AR has increased by 4.4 percent over a 20 year period. This has been during a period when other cities in the southern and southwestern states have experienced significant population increases. At the same time, the City of Texarkana, Arkansas has not experienced a substantial decrease in its population or economy during the past decade that other cities have undergone due to the reduction in the worldwide price of oil or due to the closing of military bases.

A shortage of affordable housing is a problem in Texarkana for low, extremely low, and very low income families. This and the need for public housing have been addressed in the Five Year Strategic Plan submitted to HUD.

Housing Needs

There are a significant number of families with limited financial resources who live in houses which have housing problems. Nearly one out of each five households is a very low income household renting a dwelling unit. One out of each eight households in the City is a very low income household renting a dwelling unit that is expending in excess of 30 percent of their income on housing costs and, therefore considered cost burdened. About one out of every 14 households in the City is a very low income household renting a dwelling unit that is expending in excess of 50 percent of their income on housing costs and, therefore considered severely cost burdened. It should be noted that though the City participates in the HOME program, there is no new construction of affordable housing being conducted at this time.

Homeless Needs

The 1990 U.S. Census for the Cities of Texarkana, Arkansas and Texarkana, Texas, specified that there were 18 homeless persons in these cities at the time the census was counted. A local survey of homeless persons was conducted on November 23, 1993 to determine if there was an under count of homeless persons at the time the U.S. Census was done in April. The local survey also counted 18 homeless persons. It is believed that there is a larger number of transient homeless persons. Accommodations are made for the homeless at the Battered Women's Shelter, the Salvation Army, and the Friendship Center.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

The Housing Authority of the City of Texarkana, Arkansas administers the low rent public housing units and the Section 8 rental assistance program in this City. There are a total of 405 low rent public housing units located at 10 sites. Presently there is a six-month waiting list with 160 families on it. The Housing Authority is having trouble renting the larger units as most on the waiting list are single individuals or elderly. As part of the Housing Authority's Comprehensive Improvement Assistance Program, 20 housing units have been made accessible to handicapped individuals. It is not expected that the Housing Authority will lose any of its housing units from its inventory. They also do not anticipate the opportunity will arise to construct any additional low rent public housing during the upcoming year.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

An analysis of barriers to affordable housing was designed to identify those factors which directly or indirectly impede or limit the production and availability of housing, especially for lower income households. Included in the analysis were renters, renters desiring to be homeowners and homeowners.

  1. Administrative barriers such as zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, and other land use controls do not appear to be an unreasonable burden. The City's zoning ordinance is very conducive to the development of single-family homes with the average minimum lot sizes being 7,200 square feet.

  2. The City of Texarkana, like the rest of the state, was negatively affected by the economic downturn in the 1980's. Unlike more metropolitan areas, the City's recovery is slower and more closely follows that of rural areas. The effect of the recession has been felt in the housing market in many ways. Perhaps the greatest single factor is the change in lending practices brought about by legislation resulting from the savings and loan failure.

  3. Another factor which has a deleterious effect on housing production includes the dramatic increase in the cost of insurance. In some cases, insurance, at any price cannot be obtained for the purchase of older homes. Both FHA and FmHA have tightened restrictions on borrowers. Historical providers of last resort mortgage money, these federal institutions are far more selective in their lending practices.

  4. In the past , many HUD grant programs for housing have been cancelled or left unfunded. While HOME has come on line since 1990, it requires a local match which reduces the number of communities which can participate in it. The State of Arkansas receives less than $10 million annually. But such programs, as the Housing Development Grants and the Rental Rehab Program, a locally successful program which provided matching loans to investors to upgrade both single and multi-family rental properties, are no longer in existence.

  5. While the Texarkana housing market for both home ownership and rental properties might described as sluggish, the lower-income groups still lack the income to acquire suitable housing at any cost. While there is not a severe shortage of housing units which are considered reasonably priced, it appears that the lower-income groups can not afford to secure standard housing. This points to a need to continue to expand existing subsidy programs targeted toward providing housing assistance to the low-income groups.

Fair Housing

Based on the past work of the Community Housing Resource Board and the City's Fair Housing Officer, a pro-active agenda to inform and promote fair Housing has been devised. Previous analysis was the impetus for the agenda. Although the City has a Fair Housing Ordinance, its mandates for complaint resolution are in conflict with guidance from the U.S. Department of HUD to its grantees on this matter. This Fair Housing issue needs to be resolved, but in and of itself is not an impediment to fair housing in the City.

Lead Based Paint

Among the activities that the Housing Authority of the City of Texarkana,Arkansas has accomplished in the past regarding lead-based paint is the completion for lead-based paint in each of the ten complexes administered by the Authority. The lead-based paint hazard reduction effort proposed for the City during the upcoming year is summarized as follows:

Community Development Needs

The City of Texarkana has many non-housing development needs. There are many activities which are eligible for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, but cannot be funded because of the lack of available monies. These activities are being impacted by escalating costs of building materials, pipe, and labor and increased federal regulations tied to the expenditure of these funds. The major requests fall into the following categories:

  1. Public Infrastructure
  2. Public Facilities
  3. Economic Development investment
  4. Public Services
  5. Coordination
The Economic Development Department of the City of Texarkana, AR is the lead agency for the administration and implementation of all CDBG funded activities. The Texarkana Housing Authority administers assisted and public housing services in the City. These agencies coordinate with other agencies and non-profit service providers in providing a full range of services for residents of Texarkana, Arkansas and the surrounding area.


HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

The priorities identified for CDBG are focused on providing the maximum benefit for the low to moderate income areas of Texarkana, Arkansas. One of the main focuses is to rebuild our neighborhoods and better educate our children.

Housing Priorities

In reviewing the housing needs, it becomes readily apparent that the condition of low and moderate income owner occupied housing represents the single largest group of Texarkana housing needs. Sixty-six percent of all LMI owner-occupied units have a physical problem;63 percent of all such households pay more than 30 percent and 28 percent pay more than 50 percent, of their income on housing. While the City has no current specific statistics to document the correlation between age of housing and occupancy by low and moderate income households, it is well-known that lower income households occupy older housing units. It is also well-documented that the physical condition of a housing unit, and particularly of its energy efficiency, contributes significantly to the overall cost of maintaining the unit.

Given these assumptions and conditions, the City has placed a high priority on undertaking owner-occupied housing rehabilitation. Not only will this strategy improve the quality of this housing, it should have a significant effect on reducing housing costs. Based on the results of its request for FY '95 HOME funds, the City anticipates the rehabilitation of approximately 25 such units in each year of the Plan. The City also anticipates utilizing a small percentage of CDBG funds annually to supplement any HOME funds received.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

Economic Development

The City's strategy for economic development is currently being prepared by the Economic Development Department. The following goals are excerpted from the draft Strategic Plan, which is still under development.

  1. Texarkana Arkansas will be an environmentally clean and beautiful city by 1997.

  2. Texarkana, Arkansas will develop and maintain a diversified economy and job base by 1997
    3. .

  3. Texarkana, Arkansas will ensure that citizens who want to work will have jobs and affordable housing by 1997.

  4. Texarkana Arkansas will continuously enhance the quality of life in the City so that it will be second to none in the four state region.
Public Facilities and Infrastructure

The City has historically invested a significant portion of its annual CDBG allocation into the rehabilitation of streets and drainage in low to moderate income neighborhoods. This activity will continue in future years, although perhaps with less emphasis. The City has determined that activities which benefit the youth of Texarkana should enjoy a much higher priority in future years.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

A formal strategy to alleviate poverty for Texarkana has not yet been developed. Because of the proximity to and commonality of economic impacts on the two cities that make up Texarkana, USA, it would seem appropriate to combine efforts. Already the Cities jointly support the staff for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Housing and Community Development Resources

For the five year period covered by this Plan, the City can be certain only of continued funding on an annual basis from the Community Development Block Grant. The City expects to apply for any and all HOME funds made available through the State of Arkansas, but cannot predict the level or timing of funds from that source. As indicated on the Support of Applications Report, the City will support applications submitted by other organizations, including non-profit agencies, the Texarkana Housing Authority and others, to undertake needed projects in the City.

The City also anticipates applications to other federal and state agencies to carry out many of the objectives contained in the Plan. The most likely of these agencies include the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission and the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

The Economic Development department of the City of Texarkana, Arkansas is the lead agency in coordinating the completion of activities included in the Strategic Plan. This department is the most familiar with the elements of the Plan and have sufficient information and expertise to bring all of the partners together to accomplish the overall goals and objectives of the plan.


ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN

Description of Key Projects/Location

Fair Housing - Fair Housing was allotted $3,000.00 in FY 1995 in order to promote fair housing activities in the community such as to encourage fair housing opportunities to all individuals and eliminate unfair practice in the community. Also, the program sought out complaints issued by tenants or prospective tenants who were of the opinion that they had been denied fair housing choices. Upon receipt of complaints, the fair housing officer will conduct an examination to determine the extent of the alleged charges as it relates to fair housing laws. If and when a valid complaint is lodged, the fair housing officer issues the tenant a complaint form to be filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Brochures and the local cable company are used to educate the general public about fair housing opportunities. Files are maintained by the fair housing officer on all complaints lodged.

CHRB - The Community Housing Resource Board, CHRB, promotes fair housing activities such as developing work plans and budgets to facilitate fair housing. The CHRB is sponsoring a Fair Housing Symposium conducted by John Marshall Law School on November 30 and December 1, 1995.

Code Enforcement - In FY 1995, $20,000.00 was designated for partial salary of a Code Enforcement Officer. This position is responsible for ensuring that homes in low to moderate income areas are complying with City codes.

RSVP - The Retired Senior Volunteer Program, RSVP, is partially funded with $3,800.00 in FY 1995. The funds are used for the recognition of volunteers who contributed hours to non-profit agencies in the community. A portion of the funds are also used to defray the expenses of office supplies.

HOME - The Texarkana, Arkansas Housing Authority was allotted $37,500.00 in FY 1995. The designation of $25,000.00 is for the renovation of owner-occupied homes in low-mod areas which is termed "HOME" program. The remaining $12,500.00 is used for the administration of this program.

Streets - Reconstruction of streets in low-mod income areas of Texarkana, Arkansas

Playground Equipment - The Ozan Inghram/Iron Mountain Neighborhood Development Corp., Sandflat/Glendale Neighborhood Center and Vera Bradfield Center were each allotted $5,000.00 for playground equipment.

Boys & Girls Club - The Boys & Girls Club was allotted $30,000.00 in FY 1994 but a portion of the building renovations was not completed until FY 1995. The renovations include computers and educational books for a learning program, lighting for the gym, and construction of additional rooms within the existing building.

Community Centers -

Sandflat/Glendale Neighborhood Center, located at 209 E 14th St., was allotted $8,000.00 in FY 1995 for their Nutrition/Latch Key Program and programs for Senior citizens.

Ozan Inghram/Iron Mountain Neighborhood Development Corporation located at 1101 Couch Street, was allotted $8,000.00 in FY 1995 in order to conduct their senior programs and summer youth program for the youth.

Vera Bradfield Neighborhood Center, located at 616 Euclid, was allotted $8,000.00 in order to build a 12'X14' addition on to their existing building. This added space will be used to store commodities that the center distributed to neighborhood residents.

Basketball Program - The Youth Night Basketball program is a recreation program for "at risk" youth that was allotted $10,000.00.

AFN - Arkansas Family Network (AFN) has assisted 1,736 "at risk" families so far this year in the areas of utility assistance, food and clothing. This program also focuses on the prevention of truancy for children.

CMAD - Citizens Making A Difference, CMAD, Summer camp provides supplemental funding assistance to boot camp for boys aged 10 to 15 uniforms, tutoring, field trips, food items, etc. is being given $4,000.00.

Fairview Elementary - Fairview Elementary, located at 801 E. 16th Street, was given $6,000.00 in order to purchase playground equipment for the school which burned in 1994.

Land Acquisition - For FY 1995, $300,000.00 was set aside in order to provide infrastructure, site acquisition and clearance necessary to attract on one or more specific industries.

Loop 245 Study - The Loop 245 Study was conducted in order to evaluate the construction for frontage roads and other infrastructure along Loop 245 corridor beginning U.S. Highway 71 and terminating at U.S. Highway 82. Also, the study is to evaluate the proper economic development of the adjacent property and expected benefits derived from the construction of frontage roads to serve the proposed property for economic development.

Loan Program - The Revolving Loan Program was designed in order to assist women and minorities in establishing or expanding their own business. This program has, so far, aided in one relocation of a business and four expansions.

Football Program - The Texarkana, Arkansas Football Association is a tackle football program for "at risk" boys aged 9-13 in the Ozan Inghram/Iron Mountain area.

Housing Demolition - In FY 1995, $25,000.00 was set aside in order to raze dilapidated homes in low-mod areas.

Maps

MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.

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.

To comment on Texarkana's Consolidated Plan, please contact:
Ms. Dana Lee
CDBG Coordinator
P.O. Box 2711
Texarkanak, AR 75504
PH: (501) 772-7168
Fax: (501) 774-3170
Return to Arkansas' Consolidated Plans.