The City of Rosemead is located in the San Gabriel Valley in the eastern portion of Los Angeles County. The City enjoys good access to major transportation corridors including the Interstate 10, Interstate 605, Rosemead Boulevard, Mission Drive, Temple City Boulevard, Valley Boulevard and Walnut Grove Avenue. Rosemead is a predominantly built-out suburban community. Most of the land area in the City is single-family residential neighborhoods.
The Consolidated Plan for the City of Rosemead is a five year planning document for its annual CDBG funding allocation, including a one-year Action Plan for CDBG expenditures. The CDBG budget for FY 1995-1996 is as follows:
As part of the Consolidated Plan process, the City adopted a Citizen
Participation Policy to focus on, and give structure to, citizen input into
budget and planning decisions. The City held several public hearings to solicit
public input from residents, including the public hearing regarding adoption of
the Citizen Participation Plan.
The population of Rosemead experienced a 21 percent increase from 42,604 to 51,638 between 1980 and 1990. There has also been a significant change in the diversity of the population during the same time period. The white population declined 70%, from 65% of the population to 16% of the population. At the same time, the Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander populations have increased dramatically. The Hispanic population has increased 162% from approximately 23% of the population to 49% of the population. The Asian/Pacific Islander population has increased 369%, from approximately 9% of the population to 34%. The African-American population has also experienced a substantial proportional increase of 83%, although the total share of the City's population which is African-American remains at less than 1%. The City has experienced a 47% decrease in the number of Native Americans, although, like the African-American population, it remains at less than 1%.
Despite a 21% overall increase, the total number of households grew by only 6%, from 13,114 in 1980 to 13,874 in 1990. Families represent 82% (11,494) of total households. Of these, 17% are couples with children, 43% are couples without children, 2% are single males with children and 7% are single females with children. Small households predominate at 54% of the total, with the balance split between single persons (14.4%) and large households (31.4%).
Between 1980 and 1990, the total number of housing units grew by 3.7%, to 14,134. Home ownership decreased by 4.1% during the 1980's and renters now outnumber homeowners. Elderly homeowners outnumber elderly renters almost 3 to 1. In contrast, only 24.3% of young families under 35 years own homes.
Single family detached homes make up 82.2% of the owner occupied units and
53.7% of rentals. Overall, 40% (3,728) of single family homes are rented. The
mean number of rooms per units is 4.1 and 69.7 percent of all units have 2 or
fewer bedrooms.
The needs outlined below represent the current needs based on the ensuing five year period. In the narrative, it refers to housing needs of very low income and other low income categories. It should be noted that the Very Low category refers to households at 0-30% Median Family Income (MFI), as well as to 31-50% MFI. The other Low Income category refers to households at 51-80% MFI.
There are no low/mod census tracts with disproportionate numbers of minorities in the City of Rosemead.
Renters have been more directly affected by increases in real estate prices during the 1980's. 77 percent of very/low income renters pay over half their income for rent. This number drops to 26 percent among those with incomes between 31 and 50 percent of median and sever cost burden affects only 2 percent of other low income renters. However, approximately 88 percent of very low income renters and 50 percent of very low income owners overpay for housing. Approximately 78 percent of low income renters and 43 percent of low income owners pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing. However, a significant number of owners may choose to spend more than 30 percent of income on housing, and this is not considered a burden for the purpose of calculating unmet housing need. Overall figures indicate that very low income families can only afford approximately two thirds of the Fair Market Rent (FMR) without overpaying.
The City's Housing Development Corporation has facilitated development of affordable units. The first 50 units of senior housing were completed in January 1995, and are fully occupied.
Of the estimated homeless population in the City, approximately 6 are individuals who are severely mentally ill. Four individuals have problems with alcohol and other substance abuse. Approximately 30% of the homeless are dual diagnosis, meaning that they suffer both severe mental illness and substance abuse problems.
Severe Mental Illness. One percent of the general population meets a definition of severe mental illness on the basis of diagnosis and disability. Not all mentally ill require supportive housing.
Developmentally Disabled. The nationally accepted percentage of the population which can be categorized as developmentally disabled is 1-3 percent. This figure is established by the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC). Based on this figure, the local estimate would be approximately 775 persons.
Physically Disabled. The Census reported 4,314 persons aged 16-64 with both self-care and mobility limitations; these persons are most likely to require supportive housing, especially if they cannot live with other family members.
People with Aids (PWA). Due to the progression of the disease, housing goals are different from other populations with special needs. PWA's are usually unable to work and are dependent on SSI, which nets less than $10,000.00 per year. In addition, as the disease progresses, PWA's need supportive housing once they are no longer able to live at home. The AIDS rate in Rosemead is 14.8 per 100,000, which is lower than the County rate of 18.3. There have been 40 cumulative cases of AIDS in the City, but there are no known current cases.
Price of Land--Rosemead is located in the Greater Los Angeles County area of Southern California. The area is characterized by very high land prices compared to the national average.
No Special Development Standards for Senior Housing, or "Granny Flats "--The Zoning Code does not contain special development standards for senior housing nor does it contain provisions for granny flats.
Living Area Requirements--Three of the City's designation zones have minimum living area requirements, which is a limiting factor in constructing smaller, more affordable units.
Since 1978, paint has been allowed to only contain a maximum of 600 parts per million. More than three quarters of pre-1978 homes contain lead-based paint (LBP). A majority of Rosemead's housing stock is pre-1978, with approximately 9.8 percent built before 1940. It is estimated that 58 percent of the housing stock (8,284 units) may have LBP. Households with low income represent 70 percent of the household population, but occupy only 54 percent of older units. Therefore, contrary to national statistics, low income households in Rosemead are at no greater risk of exposure to lead hazards than the general population.
Public Facilities and Public Services. Public facilities includes streets, sidewalks, street lighting systems, traffic signals, water systems, storm drains, sanitary sewer systems, parks and recreational facilities and schools. Public services includes fire protection and suppression, public health, education, recreation, and social services.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all cities to provide accessibility to the community. Because of this, the City needs to construct road, sidewalk and other improvements to public facilities to accommodate the handicapped and disabled in the City. The City needs to expand accessibility through its curb cut program, Handicap Ramp Access Program.
The City is active in stopping the spread of blight in the community. As part of the overall effort, the City needs additional code enforcement activities in those low-to-moderate income census tract areas which meet the low-to-moderate income percentages. The program has been expanded to include the COPS program and a Security Bar Compliance Project. In addition, the City operates a Graffiti Removal program in order to remove and discourage the reappearance of graffiti in the community.
There is an ongoing need to provide decent infrastructure to the City. Because of this, the City is active in street reconstruction and resurfacing projects.
As a result of the recent experience of Rosemead and its neighboring cities in the process of trying to become, an "Empowerment Community", the City has become more aware of its economic development needs. As part of this, the City operates a commercial rehabilitation program and is continuing to work with its neighbors on a coordinated economic development strategy.
In order to assist the elderly, youth and families, as well as other special needs populations with support, counseling, hot meals and other supportive services, the City assists public service agencies in and around the community so access to these services will be available to low-to-moderate income households who are at risk and who would otherwise be unable to obtain service.
The City coordinates with a variety of institutions and departments. The
City consulted and coordinated with its own departments, including Building,
Planning, Administration, Engineering and Public Works. In addition, the City
coordinated with the Sheriff's Department and adjacent communities. The City
also coordinated with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Willdan
Associates, the Chamber of Commerce, the Rosemead Redevelopment Agency, the
Rosemead Housing Development Corporation and various social agencies such as:
Family Counseling Services, Asian Pacific Center, Juvenile Diversion Program,
Boys and Girls Club, Senior Nutrition, Fair Housing Opportunity Center, Fair
Housing Council of San Gabriel Valley.
The rationale for development of programs in the five year strategy was based on the following goals:
Housing for very low income elderly and disabled renters. There is an existing needs for units which are affordable to low income households. There is a need for 350 units affordable to very low income seniors and single persons. 81 percent of this need is for households with less than 30% of MFI. In addition, there is a need for 251 units for other very low income elderly and disabled households. The City expects to develop 150 units of housing for very low income elderly. Of that amount, the City anticipates that 60 units will be occupied by 0-30% MFI, with the balance by 31-50% MFI.
Small family renters. According to census data, there is a need for 4,291 units for all income categories. It is estimated that there is a need for 2,003 units which are affordable for very low and lower income households with income up to 80% MFI. The goal is to assist 50 households under a first-time home buyer program funded by local Housing Set-Aside dollars. Of that number 5 are anticipated to be between 51-80% MFI, with the balance to households between 96-120% MFI.
Large family renters. There is sufficient units to meet demands of large families. However, a significant portion of rental households overpay for housing, regardless of bedroom size. The City's goal is to continue to support the County Section 8 program.
Substandard rental units. In the City, there were 2,626 units which were identified in the City's 1987 Housing Element as having physical defects; in the 1990 Census data supplied by HUD, over 5,000 units have been identified as having physical defects which are occupied by low-to-moderate income households. The City will investigate the possibility of extending its rehabilitation program to cover rental rehabilitation in multi-family units.
Low income homeowners. The rate of serious overpayment by non-elderly homeowners is not as high as renters with similar incomes. Serious cost burden is lower for very low income elderly and almost non-existent for those with income above 80% MFI, since many own their homes outright. However, housing cost burdens make owners unable to replace major systems and force them to defer regular maintenance. The goal is to continue to provide funding for single family rehabilitation efforts. The City's goal is to complete 200 rehabilitation jobs over the next 5 years. Of that number, 15 are anticipated to be between 0-30% MFI and 185 are anticipated to be between 31-50% MFI.
Homeless. At present, homelessness does not constitute an issue for the City of Rosemead. The City's strategy is to refer such individuals to homeless providers in the City and in the surrounding community. Of the individuals reported as homeless at the time of the report, none were unsheltered. The numbers of reported homeless do not support a major effort by the City with regard to homelessness. However, the City will continue to monitor the numbers of homeless to ensure that those in need are reached. If referral to existing providers becomes inadequate, the City will review its policy to better serve its constituents. There are no geographical locations which have more homeless than another. The obstacles to escaping homelessness include the current job market in California and minimum wage which is below the poverty line.
Lead-based paint. The City's current strategy is to require testing for lead-based paint in all rehabilitation projects where the following conditions are present:
Or,
The City will supply lead-based paint reduction and abatement information to owners, manager and tenants of properties to be rehabilitated.
Public facilities and accessibility. There exists a needs to address infrastructure needs: ADA accessibility, handicap ramp accessibility, street reconstruction and resurfacing. In addition, the City needs to take a look at other community facility needs over the next five years.
Code enforcement and other community needs. Code Enforcement is important to the community in order to protect the quality of housing in the community, provide a suitable living environment and eliminate spot and blight, thereby making the community attractive for economic investment. In addition, the City will continue to fund graffiti removal and work to identify code issues, such as it has recently with the addition of the code enforcement COPS program and the Security Bar Compliance Program.
The City will undertake the following actions in the next five years:
The City will continue to support the non-profit organizations whose purpose is to aid in furthering fair housing in the community. The City will also undertake a Fair Housing Assessment of housing in the community.
The City will operate in accordance with the monitoring plan developed for
the CDBG program, including an annual single audit. In addition, the CDBG
Coordinator monitors all activity of the program on a monthly basis, while
financial management is monitored by the City's fiscal department. In addition,
the Community Development Division is responsible for monitoring activities of
program subrecipients. The subrecipients are monitored semi-annually through
on-site visits to ensure all regulatory requirements are being met and that
information reported is accurate. Subrecipients are also monitored through
written reports submitted to the City by the subrecipient.
The following work program will be undertaken, given the resources available in the proposed budget.
For Locations, please see 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, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within a neighborhood segment.
MAP 6 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within a neighborhood segment; in addition, a table provides information about the proposed project(s).
