The city of Ontario is located in the western portion of San Bernardino County, California. Surrounded by the cities of Chino, Montclair, Upland, and Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario is part of a fast-growing area called the Inland Empire (composed of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties). Its agricultural past has helped to establish Ontario as a regional hub for commercial, industrial, and regional resources.

Action Plan

Ontario's One Year Action Plan for FY 1995-1996 has a budget of $3.3 million, including $2.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $655,000 in HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds.

Citizen Participation

Ontario enacted an extensive citizen participation process, revising its existing Citizen Participation Plan to include the Consolidated Plan process. Two key components of the Citizen Participation Plan were:

• Establishing a Citizens Housing and Community Development Committee, which conducted two public hearings to review applications received for funding for the upcoming program years.
• Sponsoring two Community Forums, which were advertised in the media and announced in flyers mailed with utility bills.

A summary of the Consolidated Plan was published in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, and copies of the full plan were available at the Ontario Public Library, the Ontario Redevelopment Agency, and the Office of the City Clerk. Six adjacent jurisdictions, 11 key city departments, 7 public agencies, and 8 private agencies also contributed to the plan.

Located in the western portion of San Bernardino County, Ontario is a growing Southern Californian community whose economy and demographic character are influenced by its agricultural roots. Between 1980 and 1990, the county experienced tremendous growth because of its close proximity to the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Ontario's population grew by 50 percent, rising from 88,820 in 1980 to 133,179 in 1990.

During the previous decade, Asian-American, African-American, and Hispanic populations increased by more than 100 percent. In 1990, 55,542 Hispanics, 9,235 African Americans, and 4,831 Asian Americans lived in Ontario, with most of these populations being concentrated in the eastern residential part of the city.

In 1990 the city's median family income (MFI) was $38,135. The City of Ontario General Plan Housing Element reported that 34 percent of all households were low-income. Overall, African Americans and Hispanics comprised a greater proportion of low-income households than whites. Only 30 percent of white households were low-income, versus 36 percent of African-American households and 48 percent of Hispanic households.

Conditions

Despite the region's agrarian origins, the Ontario International Airport, the largest single land use in the city, reflects the shift to an industrial and transportation-oriented economy. The additional growth associated with new businesses had an impact on the population.

Market Conditions

A Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy for 1994-1999 reported that housing values throughout the county increased by 141 percent since 1980. Despite this sharp increase, the median value of a home in the county was $129,200, while the median value of a home in Ontario was $148,993. Similarly, although rents rose by 128 percent overall, the median monthly contract rent was $489 in the county and $621 in Ontario.

Of the 44,320 housing units in Ontario in 1990, 58 percent were owner-occupied, and 41 percent were rentals. Although homeownership rates increased to 62 percent for white and Asian American households, homeownership rates for Hispanic and African-American households decreased slightly, falling from 39 to 38 percent. The majority of all units had two or more bedrooms. The vacancy rate for the total housing stock was 9 percent, with most of the vacancies being rentals.

Incorporated in 1891, Ontario has a substantial proportion of older housing units that need to be repaired. The 1988 Housing Affordability Plan reported that 6 percent of the city's housing stock was substandard. However, the majority of these units were suitable for rehabilitation.

Affordable Housing Needs

The Housing Element reported that in 1990, 34 percent of all households were lower income, earning less than 80 percent of the county MFI. Overall, the proportion of low-income households was greater for renter households than owner households.

In 1990, 83 percent of Ontario's low-income renter households, especially large families, experienced cost burdens, paying more than 30 percent of their gross income for housing expenses. Among owner-households, a disproportionate number of non-elderly households earning 51-95 percent of MFI experienced cost burdens, paying more than 30 percent of income for housing.

Housing problems include overcrowding, cost burdens, and inadequate kitchen or bathroom facilities. Nearly 48 percent of the city's low- and moderate-income households reported some kind of housing problem, and 61 percent of renter households needed housing assistance, versus 39 percent of owners. The dominant problems for low-income owner households were poor unit conditions, in need of repairs, and deferred maintenance.

Homeless Needs

The 1992 San Bernardino County Homeless Coalition Census counted 306 homeless individuals who comprised 171 households. Most of the homeless were white or Hispanic, and the homeless population included 62 children between the ages of 5 and 18.

A separate census conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) counted 612 homeless persons living in Ontario. Of this figure, 27 percent suffered from severe mental illness; 15 percent had mental illness and substance abuse problems; and 13 percent had substance abuse problems. Victims of domestic violence and persons with HIV/AIDS comprised 10 percent of this population.

The city supports various organizations that provide the homeless with services, including: Habitat for Humanity, Homeless Outreach Program and Education, House of Ruth, Foothill Family Shelter, and the West End Hunger Program.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

The San Bernardino County Housing Authority administers 64 public housing units in Ontario. Of these, 46 units had two bedrooms; 14 units had three or more bedrooms; and only 1 unit had one bedroom.

The county also manages over 600 Section 8 units in Ontario. Of these, 15 units had four bedrooms; 101 units had three bedrooms; 228 units had two bedrooms; and 261 units had one bedroom. As of March 1995, all units were occupied, and none of them needed substantial repair.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

Ontario's Consolidated Plan identifies the following barriers to affordable housing:

• Construction costs. Construction costs in Ontario comprise a large portion of total housing costs. The city's ability to mitigate high construction costs is limited without direct subsidy.
• Land costs. Land costs vary significantly in Ontario, and these costs add an estimated 20-25 percent to total housing costs. The escalating market price of land only encourages development of higher priced homes.
• Supply of affordable rental housing. The 1990 Census reported that 90 percent of very low-income small renter households and 80 percent of large-family households experienced cost burdens exceeding 30 percent of their income.
• Availability of mortgage and rehabilitation financing. Although some mortgage financing is available to low-income residents, greater impediments to homeownership are the affordability of for-sale housing and the potential buyer's ability to meet downpayment requirements.
• Government constraints. Most city fees for residential development are assessed according to the project's impact on the community. These fees add to the cost of housing and may constrain the development of lower priced units.
• Environmental hazards. Portions of Ontario are exposed to various environmental hazards, such as: seismic activity, flooding, dust and high wind, petroleum and fuel lines, toxic wastes, and noise. Some of these hazards increase costs or reduce the number of available housing sites.

Fair Housing

The Inland Mediation Board offers counseling on fair housing, housing mediation, and senior shared housing. During the citizen participation process, fair housing was ranked as the least important public service need in Ontario.

Lead-Based Paint

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health-Child Health reported that as of January 1995, 1,000 cases of lead poisoning were documented throughout the county. Most of these cases occurred in the county's western half, which has a higher proportion of pre-1979 housing stock.

Because more than one-third of Ontario's housing stock was built before the residential use of lead-based paint was banned, the city's Geographic Information System was created to map the distribution of housing units built prior to 1979 in order to identify at-risk households. City staff conduct educational programs on lead-based paint hazards and monitor any industry studies that address the risks of exposure.

Other Issues

The Foothill AIDS Project reported that between March 1994 and March 1995, 89 new AIDS cases were diagnosed in Ontario. An estimated 44-66 persons with HIV/AIDS need supportive housing, which is offered at three housing/shelter programs located in San Bernardino, Corona, and Riverside.

Even though elderly residents comprised only 6 percent of the population in 1990, the city's Housing Assistance Plan found that 976 elderly households needed rental assistance. Within the city, 7 affordable housing communities containing over 500 units are reserved for seniors and 17 public service facilities provide seniors with supportive services.

The Housing Assistance Plan reported that 14 percent of the city's lower income households had at least one member who was disabled. Within the city, 23 adult residential facilities serve the developmentally disabled, and 2 serve the mentally disabled. Seven facilities throughout the city offer alcoholism and drug abuse treatment services.

Community Development Needs

Ontario's Consolidated Plan identifies the following community development needs:

• Community facilities, especially child care and youth centers.
• Infrastructure improvements, such as street and water systems, flood prevention, sewers, and garbage removal.
• Community services, such as crime awareness, youth services, and employment training.
• Accessibility needs, especially for health centers, public buildings, and recreational facilities.
• Economic development, such as job creation, business support services, commercial rehabilitation, and support for neighborhood-based small businesses.

Coordination

The Ontario Redevelopment Agency serves as the lead agency for coordinating and implementing the Consolidated Plan.

Vision for Change

Ontario seeks to provide affordable housing for its low-income population, especially large- family renter households, while simultaneously improving the quality of life for all residents.

Housing Priorities

Ontario's Consolidated Plan identifies the following housing priorities:

• Preserving current rental and owner-occupied housing resources.
• Increasing access to the community's current housing resources.
• Assisting homeless people and households with special needs.

Non-housing Community Development Priorities

Ontario's Consolidated Plan identifies the following community development priorities:

• Providing new community facilities and improving the quality of existing facilities that serve low- and moderate-income residents.
• Providing needed infrastructure improvements in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

As the agency responsible for the development of commercial and industrial projects, the Ontario Redevelopment Agency targets projects that generate jobs and tax revenue. Agency staff are well-informed about non-housing activities and coordinate an integrated approach to clearing blight and slums, while promoting economic activities that enable Ontario residents to rise above the poverty level.

Housing and Community Development Resources

Various private organizations participate in the city's Consolidated Plan, including: the California Community Reinvestment Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Savings Association Mortgage Company (SAMCO), and the Inland Mediation Board.

Non-profit organizations participating in the plan include: the Ontario-Montclair YMCA, Steelworkers Oldtimers Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Pomona Valley Community Union, Project Sister Sexual Assault Crisis Center, Services Center for Independent Living, Montclair Foundation for History and Art, Pomona-Inland Valley Council of Churches, House of Ruth, Homeless Outreach Programs and Education (HOPE), Foothill Family Shelter, and Spanish Trails Girl Scout Council.

State programs include the Mobile Home Park Conversion Program and the California Housing Finance Agency.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

To achieve its housing and community development priorities, the Ontario Redevelopment Agency collaborates with various Federal, State, and local organizations. Ontario has instituted a monitoring plan for subgrantees, conducting onsite visits as well as monthly in-house reviews of progress reports and expenditures. Quarterly reports track overall expenditure rates.

Description of Key Projects

Ontario's Consolidated Plan includes the following key projects:

• Housing Conservation Project will preserve and enhance the current housing stock, while offering low-income homeowners housing repair grants and bank subsidy loans ($398,750).
• Community Improvement Task Force will provide assistance to improve living conditions for low- and moderate-income households ($200,000).
• Twenty new street lights will deter crime and increase safety in low- and moderate-income areas ($75,900).
• Downtown Commercial Facade and Sign Grant Project will help property owners to maintain and improve the physical condition of their commercial buildings using low-interest loans, rebates, and incentive grants that stimulate economic revitalization ($100,000).
• Ontario Strike Force -- comprised of one fire inspector, one police corporal, and two code enforcement officials -- will clean up low- and moderate- income target areas ($300,000).
• Senior services/senior shared housing will provide low- and moderate-income senior citizens with economic, social, and educational information, including referrals to housing programs ($38,000).
• Homeless outreach drop-in center will provide homeless individuals and families with information and referral services ($64,000).
• Child-care subsidies for low-income families ($32,000).

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.

MAP 6 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).

David Stark
Housing Program Specialist
Ontario Redevelopment Agency
316 East "E" Street
Ontario, CA 91764
Phone: 909-391-2515
Fax: 909-391-0691