Chino is located in southwestern San Bernardino County, approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, and 18 miles north of central Orange County. In 1910, the City of Chino was incorporated with a population of 1,400. The population in 1990 was 59,682. The City's economic base was rooted in agriculture. Today, what had been a farming-oriented community devoted to livestock raising, and in later years to dairy production, has now become a newly constructed suburban community. The City of Chino has grown dramatically in the past ten years in terms of population, jobs and housing. The Chino Valley Freeway, at the City's southern edge, is scheduled to be upgraded to freeway status by 1997. This major access route and new industrial and commercial centers will increase the number of jobs in Chino. The City maintains a balance of commercial, industrial, residential and open space land uses. Most of the intense agricultural uses, such as dairy, fruit and vegetable farming have ceased.
The Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG) is the primary source of Federal funds that are available to the City for the 1995/96 Program year. The City's expected grant allocation available during this program year is $750,000. The total income from reprogramming funds is $59,031. This gives the City an estimated $818,031 for the 1995/96 program year.
The Citizen Participation Plan adopted by the City of Chino established the guidelines and procedures for the continuing participation of the citizens of Chino. In order to achieve the goals set out by HUD, the City held a public hearing on January 26, 1995, in the City Council Chambers. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss community needs in Chino and solicit comments from the public. The hearing was noticed in two local newspapers ( Chino Champion and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on January 11, 1995. Notices were also posted in public locations at Chino City Hall and the Chino Branch Library.
A second public hearing was held on May 2, 1995, at which time the draft Consolidated Plan was reviewed by the Chino City Council and project applications for the 1995/96 program year were evaluated. Notice of availability of the draft plan was published in the Chino Champion and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on April 13, 1995. Notices were also mailed to public and private nonprofit service organizations and other interested individuals. The notices were also posted in public locations at Chino City Hall and the Chino Branch Library. A third public hearing was held on May 16, 1995, at which time the Chino City Council adopted the Consolidated Plan and One-Year Action Plan for the 1995/96 program year. Notice of the hearing and availability of the plan was published in the Chino Champion and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on April 13, 1995. Notices were also mailed to public and private nonprofit service organizations and other interested individuals.
The April 13, 1995, public notices in the Chino Champion and Inland Valley
Daily Bulletin served as the required 30 day public review notice and review
period. The 30 day review period which ended on May 13, 1995.
The median household income for the City of Chino is $41,958, which is
higher than the county-wide average of $33,443. There is a marked disparity
between the median income of homeowner and renter households. The median monthly
household income reported for homeowner occupants for the San Bernardino County
area is $3,525, however, the median monthly income reported for renters is only
$1,604. Therefore, the monthly median income for a renter household is 45.5 % of
the median homeowner monthly income.
There is a need to provide sufficient housing opportunities for people who will move to Chino over the next two years as a result of continued growth in the region and development in Chino. As employment opportunities increase, so will the demand for housing. Most people would prefer to live reasonably close to their place of employment. By the year 1995, the City expects to have a total of 53,000 employees, as compared to the 1990 figure of 32,478. To accommodate its growing employee population, the City expects to have available, by the year 1995, 17,000 dwelling units which is 863 additional units. The forecasted total dwellings units will accommodate 54,400 people. This figure is based on an average Chino household size of 3.2. As employment and housing opportunities increase within the City, it is important to realize the need for various types of housing units for individuals with varying incomes.
The City of Chino housing stock is relatively new. Forty-Percent of the City's housing units were constructed during the 1970's and thirty percent were built before 1969. These older units are in good condition, but require various levels of rehabilitation. Lower income owners and renters occupy the majority of the City's older housing stock. The City recognizes the need for additional affordable units, as well as the importance of preserving units that already exist. There are also a number of lots in the City's older single family neighborhoods which could be used to develop scattered site housing.
Additionally, many families have sufficient income to purchase a home, but lack the necessary funds for a down payment. Saving for a down payment is difficult because families spend a substantial percentage of their income on maintaining their current housing and paying for the other necessities such as food and clothing.
According to the 1990 Census, the City has 16,147 housing units; 15,636 of these units are occupied; 5,020 by renters and 10,616 by owners. The City's overall vacancy rate is 3.4%, the lowest rate in the County of San Bernardino. The vacancy rate for owner occupied units is 1.1%, and 4.9% for rental units. The City's low vacancy rate for owner occupied units may be a reflection of the economic times or possibly due to the City having a more stable owner occupied population. The 4.9 renter occupied vacancy rate is slightly below the 5% standard for rental units. This could be a reflection of Chino's lower rental housing costs as compared to surrounding cities, its desirable school system, and its close proximity to major employment centers, or lack of insufficient rental units to meet the City's renting population
For the past several years, housing prices and rents have increased at a quicker pace than income in most years. Land cost have been a major factor in increased housing costs. As Chino's population continues to grow, housing affordability will continue to be an issue for both renters and owners. The incidence of paying high percentages of income for housing is much higher for renters than for owners. Over 51% of renter households paid 24% or more of their income for housing compared to 47% of owners, which correlates into a greater housing affordability burden for lower-income renter households.
There are few sources of reliable data on the number of homeless. It is a widely held view that the 1990 census count represents only a fraction of the actual number. To obtain some sense of the extent of homelessness in Chino, a survey was conducted. The Aletheian Foundation, a local provider, reported 500 homeless persons. The Chino Police reported approximately 100 homeless persons. The City's Human Services and Community Development Departments estimate encounters with 35 homeless persons. The City is participating with a county-wide homeless coalition to improve information and communication among the various entities involved in homeless services.
Information provided by nonprofit service providers indicate that many homeless individuals have mental and physical disabilities or illnesses, which cant be either a cause or effect or homelessness. A large number are veterans who lack sufficient job skills and education. Some are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs. Some are women and children forced out of their homes by physical and/or sexual abuse and some are immigrants seeking employment. A growing number, however are victims of a changing job market and rising housing costs.
Successful re-entry into employment and housing markets is dependent upon a combination of emergency shelter, transitional housing and affordable permanent housing with supportive services to address the causes and effects of homelessness. These services include medical and mental health care, drug and alcohol treatment, vocational counseling and education, job placement, money management, parenting skills and child care.
Chino has two public housing developments located within its City limits. The Monte Vista housing project has a total of 50 units and the Benson Street Project has a total of 20 units. Both housing developments are operated and managed by the County of San Bernardino Housing Authority. The County is participating in the Federal Comprehensive Grant Program. Under this program the County and the City have entered into a joint agreement which outlines the cost and types of improvements that are planned for the next five years for both developments. According to the agreement, 1.9 million dollars will be spent on site improvements during the life of the agreement.
During the next five fiscal years (or sooner), new sidewalks and driveways will be installed at the Monte Vista development. The Community Center at the Monte Vista development will be remodeled and new wall heaters will be installed in units at the Benson development. The County will also be developing a Self-Sufficiency Program. The goal of the program is to improve the management and operation of the City's public housing developments and the living environments of its residents.
The City participates with the County Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. The program provides rent subsidies to qualified low income families and seniors. The limited funding provided by the federal government is not adequate to provide rental subsidies to everyone in need. Currently there are over three thousand people on the County's waiting list. The County Housing Authority reported that the City is currently utilizing 95 Section 8 vouchers and certificates in 1995. This year the Authority received additional certificates, but indicated that HUD is considering rescinding the 1995 allocation and not funding anything in 1996. With this in mind, it is difficult to develop an accurate five-year projection. Nonetheless, the City anticipates that during the next five years a 5% increase.
The City will consider the following actions to promote the development of affordable housing:
The City offers fair housing services citywide. The City's Fair Housing Counselor is responsible for educating the public on their rights and responsibilities. The program provides referral assistance to state and federal agencies. A major component of the program is outreach and educational activities.
In 1991, in its efforts to further fair housing the City contracted with a private consulting agency to conduct a Fair Housing Assessment. The assessment was a federal requirement for all entitlement cities receiving CDBG funds. The purpose or scope of the assessment was to study the impediments to unrestricted housing choices such as any actions, omissions, ordinances, policies or decisions taken because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or familial status which restrains housing choices or the availability of housing choices. The assessment identified detailed impediments to fair housing but none that clearly implied racial discrimination played a part in obtaining housing for minority groups in the City.
Although lead was banned from residential paint in 1978, more than half of the total U.S. housing stock contains some lead-based paint. The City of Chino has 10,976 dwelling units built before 1979, 68 percent of all dwelling units within the City. According to the information contained in the Community Profile section of the Consolidated Plan, Census Tract 05.00, 06.01, and 06.02 have the largest number of dwelling units with the potential for lead-based paint hazard. Census tract 06.02 is recognized as an area of low-income concentration. It is estimated that approximately 1,670 households within this tract may need assistance in eradicating lead-based paint.
The City recognizes the need to develop a long-term strategy to reduce or eliminate lead- based paint hazards and prevent childhood poisoning. The first strategy is to provide public information and education. The City proposes to develop and implement a public information campaign targeting resident living in pre-1978 housing units. All public information materials will be printed and disseminated in both English and Spanish. The second strategy is to integrate lead hazard evaluation and reduction. Currently, financial assistance is available for the evaluation and eradication of lead hazards through the City's Housing Rehabilitation Program and the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist will recommend when testing of the units is needed.
There are several community development needs which must be addressed. Areas that need to be addressed include, but are not limited to, public improvements, public facilities, public services and site assessment surveys.
The following specific needs were identified:
The decisions regarding what housing and non-housing programs the City will allocate resources to, will ultimately be determined by the Chino City Council. City staff presents recommendations to the Council based on the needs analysis. The Council approves program policies and guidelines based on staff recommendations and input from focus groups and the public.
The City's Neighborhood Services Division consists of two Associate
Planners, two Housing Rehabilitation Specialists, one Clerk Typist II and one
Housing Intern. The Neighborhood Services Division is the newest division within
the City's Community Development Department.
The City's vision is to implement housing programs designed to address the needs of the City's low-income families, seniors, and other special needs groups.
The City of Chino has placed the needs of very low and low-income families and senior renters above all other identified groups based on the identified needs. The need for affordable housing for low income renters has been identified as the City's number one priority.
Priority #1 - Increase Affordable Rental Opportunities for very low and low income families and seniors.
Several current and new programs will be utilized by the City to address city-wide the housing needs of very low and low income renter families and seniors. Through the City's State Density Bonus Program developers will be encouraged to build affordable non-senior housing units to accommodate the needs of large families, single-headed households, and the disabled population. Though the continued participation in the San Bernardino County Section 8 Program low and moderate-income renters will be able to receive a rent subsidy to supplement their housing costs. Large families will benefit because the subsidy will allow them to afford larger units. The City also owns five affordable housing units which are currently being rented to very low and low income families with children. To address the needs of senior, the City proposes to develop 200 affordable senior renter units over the next five years.
Priority #2 - Preserve Existing Affordable Owner and Rental Housing.
The City will continue to offer loans and grants to low and moderate owner-occupied owners for property improvements and will allow room additions on a case by case basis to accommodate the needs of large families. The rental rehabilitation program will also be implemented.
Priority #3 - Increase Homeownership opportunities for low and moderate income families.
Through its First-Time Homebuyer Program and Infill Housing Program the City will be able to increase homeownership among its low and moderate income families and other special needs groups by offering down payment assistance to help them purchase homes to accommodate their special needs.
Priority #4 - Prevent Homelessness and provide housing and support services for those threatened with homelessness.
The City proposes to implement a transitional housing program and provide support services to address the needs of individuals and families threatened with homelessness.
The following summary outlines the short-term and long-term priorities the City can pursue during the next five years:
The City is dedicated to providing assistance to low income residents through the numerous housing programs that have been developed and implemented by the Neighborhood Services Division within the last five years. Through the programs outlined in the Consolidated Plan, the Neighborhood Services staff have concluded that there are a variety of housing needs in the community corresponding to the diversity of households and housing types and income levels. These needs may be generally categorized as the following: housing production; housing conservation and improvement; housing assistance, balancing housing goals with other City goals and citizen participation.
Currently, the City's Neighborhood Services Division's resources include Redevelopment Set-Aside, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and State HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds. The goals of the Division for the next five years is to research and seek alternative financing and continue applying for CDBG and HOME Program funds, and to implement the proposed housing programs highlighted in the City's Consolidated Plan. Also, an equal amount of staff time will be devoted towards increasing the productivity and effectiveness of the City's existing housing programs.
The City is committed to continuing its participation with various county
and local agencies to address the housing needs of low income individuals and
families.
CDBG funds will enable the City of Chino to allocate funds to specific low/moderate income areas, as well as to allocate funds to public service groups which directly benefit very low/moderate income persons/families.
Administration $ 132,286
Public Services $ 113,850
Housing Programs $ 75,000
Code Enforcement $ 71,246
Public Facilities & Improvements $ 366,618
1995 CDBG Funds $ 759,000
Unprogrammed Funds Available $ 59,031
(directed to the Neighborhood
Facility Project)
Total 1995/96 CDBG Funds $ 818,031
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; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).
