The City of Pomona is located at the southeast end of Los Angeles County and borders San Bernardino County's western boundary and is just five miles north of Orange County. It covers an area of approximately 23 square miles. Pomona enjoys a dry subtropical climate with an average temperature of 63 degrees Fahrenheit with an average rainfall of 17.02 inches. The economic base is primarily commercial. Currently, an estimated 3, 500 businesses are located in Pomona and are expected to generate approximately $830 million in taxable sales for fiscal 1995-96 of which Pomona receives one percent or $8.3 million. Some 53% of Pomona companies classify themselves as a "small business" within their own industry or profession. Another 38% of are firms identify themselves as "medium sized" business.
The amount of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds available for FY95-96 is $3,478,000. The amount of HOME funds available for affordable housing activities is $974,000. The City will receive $94,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds. The proposed Homeless Plan will contain allocations for homeless prevention and supportive services in conjunction with the City's Continuum of Care System. The City is currently assisting five local non-profit organizations which provide various homeless assistance services to at-risk families and single men and women.
The City of Pomona developed an extensive outreach plan to reach all citizens of the community. The City's Community Outreach Plan enlisted the involvement of low-income, very low-income and poverty income residents to seek their input about various needs in the community. In an effort to encourage attendance, meetings were held at various community park centers and school sites. Equipment was rented to provide the support needed to reach our Asian and Hispanic populations including equipment for the hearing impaired.
During the months of January and February, a letter of invitation and
questionnaires were distributed through direct mailers to all districts and a
community-wide telephone needs assessment was completed by staff to obtain input
from residents that were not able to attend the evening meetings. A
comprehensive summary of citizens concerns was completed for public review and
documentation. Community forums were held with local businesses, educational
institutions, non-profit organizations, and with six of the City's Commissions.
Bilingual legal advertisements were published in four newspapers of local
circulation, including continuous public service announcements on Cablevision
prior to each public meeting.
The City of Pomona is a diverse and dynamic urban community with a current population of 138,624. According to the 1990 Census, Pomona experienced a 42% increase over the 1980 Census. There has been a notable trend in Pomona's demographics which is characterized by a large ethnic population. Non-white Hispanics now comprise 51.4% or 67,533 persons, with Blacks at 14% and Asians at 6.3% of the total population. The poverty level of residents has increased to 18% or 22,648 persons from 1980. The City's rapidly growing population combined with increasingly substandard housing conditions, neighborhood deterioration and a decline in economic expansion is a major concern within the community.
Additional facts: The extent of overcrowded housing households has doubled
since 1980 to 24%. The number of large households (5 or more persons) at 28%.
The extent of owners paying more than 30% of income for housing at 30%. Extent
of renters paying more than 30% of income for housing at 54%. Unemployment rate
at 9.9.
As of January 1995, Pomona's housing stock totals almost 39,000 housing unit. Both the Housing Element and the current CHAS estimate that 88% of the housing supply is in adequate condition. An estimated 4,800 housing units are in need of minor and major rehabilitation. Of these housing units in need of rehabilitation, 33% are owner-occupied; 57% are renter-occupied; and 10% are vacant. About one-third of the housing stock was built after 1970. By the year 2,000, an estimated 8,000 housing units will be 50 years or older indicating a need to continue housing rehabilitation programs.
As of 1993, the City's in-place employment was approximately 44,500 jobs. Manufacturing employment is the leading job sector (35%) of all jobs. Manufacturing employment has declined by 9% since 1987. Retail Trade employment has declined by 23% since 1987.
Cost burden or overpayment is one of the major housing needs that must be evaluated in Pomona's Consolidated Plan. This need is estimated on the basis of lower income households that spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. Another housing need that has to be evaluated is overcrowding. Housing unit overcrowding reflects the inability of households to rent or buy housing with sufficient space to meet their needs. The 1990 Census reported that 24% of the City's households were overcrowded, a significant percentage increase since 1980. According to the City's Current Housing Element, there are 3,189 rental units requiring rehabilitation; 2,726 occupied and 463 vacant for rent. Additionally, there are 1,631 owner units requiring rehabilitation 1,582 occupied and 49 vacant for sale.
As of January 1995, the "very low" household income for a 4-person household was $25,650, the "low" household income was $40,200, and the median household income was $51,300. In Pomona, about 50% of the town's residents have annual incomes below 80% of the median income and 50% have yearly incomes above the 80% median income figure. Currently, there are an estimated 18,600 households with incomes below 80% of the median income. of those 18,600 households, 40% are owners and 60% are renters.
The data income, housing type and age of housing do not imply a need for additional multi-family apartment buildings. Under the current demand conditions in the City, the new housing built in town should continue to focus on homeownership. Some of the first-time homebuyer demand should be satisfied by new housing, the conversion of existing multi-family structures to condominiums, and assisting households renting single-family home to become homeowners.
The City has 263 Project-Based Section 8 assisted housing units. According to the City's Housing Element, there are 31 Section 8 Opt-out units that are privately owned and due to expire over the next 10 years. The City has also implemented a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program which is financed by HOME funds to maximize the availability of affordable rental units for at-risk families and individuals facing homelessness. In addition, the Pomona Housing Authority currently manages 923 Tenant-based Rental Assistance vouchers.
The City of Pomona does not have an inventory of public housing
In 1992 and 1993 the San Bernardino County Homeless Coalition conducted a survey of the homeless in Pomona, Chino, Ontario, Upland, Montclair and Rancho Cuncamonga. The coalition estimated that there were 3,000 to 5,000 homeless people in the area. It is estimated that 70% of the homeless people in the survey area are located in Pomona. The percentage translates to a rough estimate of 2,100 to 3,500 homeless person in the City.
The House of Ruth, Inc. serves as the only domestic violence agency serving over 537,475 residents within the eastern portion of Los Angeles County. In 1993/94, 5,106 residents of Pomona were assisted. There are four emergency shelters in the City with a total of 61 beds: Our House Shelter, Chicana Service Action Center, House of Ruth, Pomona Women's Fellowship Site. There are 66 beds available at four transitional housing facilities: Gateway House, New Gethesmane Church, Prototypes, and American Recovery.
The homeless needs consist of additional emergency shelters, transitional shelters, permanent supportive housing, permanent housing, and outreach assessment.
According to the Pomona Housing Authority, there are 395 persons/families on the waiting list as of early 1995. Of those on the waiting list, 281 are single parent families; 148 live in substandard housing; and 302 pay more than 50% of their income on housing costs. Persons and families on the waiting list for Section 8 rental cost assistance are in an economically precarious position. These households are confronting difficult economic circumstances and could become homeless.
California Planning and Zoning law includes statutes intended to facilitate affordable housing and to mitigate or reduce any local government constraints to affordable housing development. The following actions are included in the City's adopted Housing Element to try and elevate some barriers: Continue to collect school impact fees to expand existing school facilities to accommodate new students generated by residential development. Adopt density bonus and senior citizen housing ordinances which provide for modified development standards to facilitate the creation of affordable housing.
A Fair Housing Analysis was conducted in February 1991 by the Inland Mediation Board. The analysis included a review for impediments in the following areas: Sale or rental of dwellings; provision of brokerage services and financing assistance; public polices and actions affecting the approval of sites and other building requirements for the construction of publicly assisted housing; Administrative policies concerning community development and housing activities causing displacement, which affect opportunities of minorities to select housing inside or outside area of minority concentrations; and actions to remedy any finding or noncompliance by HUD or any unlawful segregation or other housing discrimination determined by a court.
There are approximately 9,200 very low and low income housing units that may contain lead-based paint. The City intends to take the following actions in the coming five years: Establish incentives for lead reduction programs through the City's rehabilitation loan and grant programs; Implement guidelines for lead reductions to be incorporated in the City's rehabilitation standards and programs; Implement procedures for complying with state and Federal laws pertaining to lead-based paint hazard reduction.
There are a variety of community development needs that can be addressed by CDBG funds. The needs encompass those relating to Public Facilities, Infrastructure Improvements, Public Services: Barrier Removal to meet accessibility needs; Historic Preservation; Economic Development; other Community Development needs (such as energy efficiency improvements, lead based paint/hazards and neighborhood preservation services) and Planning.
Four "priority need areas" were identified on the basis of the input obtained during the Citizen Participation Program and the City Department's evaluation of long- and short-term community development needs. The four "Priority Need Areas" include:
The City of Pomona encourages coordination and collaboration through the
development of a team management focus for all departments. The City's
Community Development Department and recently established Economic Development
Department have enhanced the integration of housing and community development
programs through joint revitalization efforts. Programs are jointly funded and
staff from various departments work together to provide economic development,
expand public safety prevention/awareness, housing development and targeted
neighborhood improvement projects. Effective coordination has been achieved for
all community development programs based on the City's focus with grass roots
public and private organizations.
The three basic goals of the City of Pomona is to:
High priority was selected for the following: cost burdened renters in all household categories and having median incomes in the 0-30% and 31-50% brackets. This priority reflects that Section 8 rental assistance is available for extremely low and very low income group; lower renter cost burdened households since a tenant based rental assistance program using HOME funds have been established by the City; renter households residing in substandard housing because of the Agency's Apartment Conversion Program; cost burdened owner households in all income groups because the Redevelopment Agency will implement a First-Time Homebuyer Program; owner households living in substandard and overcrowded conditions.
The City of Pomona is not a direct anti-poverty agency. However, assistance programs for households and the homeless are administrated by the Housing Division which fosters the coordination of activities that may help to reduce poverty. The City's housing programs, particularly the Section 8 rental assistance program, provide a significant resource that elevates the assisted households standard of living. Moreover, the homeless programs that involve clothing and feeding also improve the standard of living of those persons being assisted. These programs indirectly help to reduce the extent of poverty in the City.
There are three major sources of financial resources available to meet the housing needs of the community. These include CDBG, HOME funds and the Redevelopment Agency's Low and Moderate Income Housing Funds.
During the course of preparing the Consolidated Plan, the City completed
interjurisdictional coordination. The City transmitted the proposed Plan to the
cities of Ontario and Chino. The proposed CPD was transmitted to the Los
Angeles Community Development Commission and State Department of Housing and
Community Development. The draft report also was circulated to nonprofit
agencies for input.
The Annual Plan for CDBG funds is described below. The Fiscal Year l995-1996 budget is $3,478,000.00. The Annual Plan is based on the input obtained during the comprehensive Citizen Participation Program and the input of City departments. Four "priority need areas" were identified on the basis of the input received which included:
Neighborhoods targeted for rehabilitation and preservation activities are within the South Eastern areas of Pomona. Public Improvements are targeted to the five intersections along Holt Avenue - Fairplex Drive, White Avenue, Garey Avenue, Towne Avenue and Indian Hill Boulevard. Phillips Mansion, Kellogg Park and other low moderate areas are also targeted for public improvements and renovations.
The City of Pomona, Office of the City Administrator
The preservation of existing housing and expansion of affordable housing are a high priority of the City. The City had traditionally provided funds for housing rehabilitation under the CDBG program in the Community Development Department. In an effort to maximize available resources for housing, the City has adopted a five-year housing plan for use of other resources, such as the HOME Investment Opportunity Program and the Redevelopment Agency's Low and Moderate Income Housing Funds.
The Affordable Housing Programs are a part of the City's recently adopted Economic Development Strategy developed to spur neighborhood revitalization efforts within the community. The Economic Development Department will be implementing six (6) home improvement loan programs to improve housing development throughout the City. An estimated $700,000. has been set-aside for FY 1995-96 and $900,0000. for the next four years for operation of the programs listed below for qualified homeowners:
Projected goals for the City's home improvement loan programs are 28 units annually for a total of 172 units over a five-year period (FY1995-2000). In addition to the above housing programs, the City will enhance its First-Time Homebuyers Programs, developing other affordable projects with Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO's) approved fiscal year 1995 and establishing an Infill Housing program, an Acquisition, Rehabilitation, Resale Program and leveraging City funds with assistance through the California Housing Finance Agency (CHFA) and local lending institutions. An estimated $3 million is projected annually for the next five years.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority (Black) concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority (Hispanic) concentration levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority (Asian) concentration levels.
MAP 6 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority (Indian) concentration levels.
MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and White concentration levels.
MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
