Pueblo's 1995 Consolidated Plan constitutes a strategic vision for housing and community development in the city. This document summarizes that plan so that citizens in the community can have a quick overview of Pueblo's housing and community development problems; the 5-year broad goals, strategies and actions proposed to deal with those problems; and, the specific projects proposed for 1995 to carry out this strategy.

Goals

A common goal for Pueblo is to provide adequate housing and affordable housing for their residents. Affordable housing is based on a local strategy to provide housing for a range of people who cannot afford to pay market rents or own their own home. This goal becomes increasingly difficult to attain as inflation, unemployment and rapidly increasing construction costs compound the problems associated with a lack of adequate housing. The present market mechanism cannot provide adequate housing for all at reasonable cost. However, unguided governmental intervention is not the solution. The private and public sectors must be encouraged to cooperate to a greater extent if the goal of adequate housing is to be realized. Affordability, availability and accessibility persist as central housing problems for Pueblo County as a whole. This being the case, the development of the strategy must establish priorities and propose an action plan for implementation and funding. Many of the current Pueblo County housing strategies have proven effective in dealing with specific housing problems and are recommended for continuation. Other goals and strategies need only incremental or technical changes to become consistent with the overall goals now being proposed. There are opportunities for increased participation by the private sector which can enhance its working partnership with both the non-profit and public sectors in implementing housing programs.

Action Plan

The consolidated plan includes an action plan constituting an application for funds under two different HUD formula programs (including reallocations from prior years) for a total of $3.092 million. The funding breakdown is as follows:

• $2,167,000 Community Development Block Grant
• Emergency Shelter Grants
• $ 925,000 HOME

Citizen Participation

The City of Pueblo, Department of Housing and Community Development was the lead agency within the Pueblo County area to prepare the Consolidated Plan for fiscal year 1995. To begin that process, meetings were held in October, 1994 consisting of two citizens advisory committees, the Housing Rehab Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Community Development Block Grant program. It was decided by the City of Pueblo to use the citizen's input requirement presently used under the CDBG program to meet the citizens' input requirement under the 1995 Consolidated Plan. The City held four public meetings within different quadrants of the city for interested citizens, neighborhood groups, non-profits and others to attend. A fifth public meeting allowed the above groups to present their views at the November City council meeting. In addition to the public meetings, the City of Pueblo requested specific data and narratives from the various housing agencies to allow more documentation on quantifying needs and barriers, and strategies to address the housing and related support issues in the following areas: Public Housing, Homelessness, Special Populations, Affordable Housing.

The Pueblo housing market area encompasses all of Pueblo County and is coterminous with the Pueblo Metropolitan Statistical Area. The housing market area is in South-Central Colorado. Pueblo is the primary regional trading and servicing center for Southern Colorado. Pueblo is also an important manufacturing center. The population of the housing market area is estimated at 123,051 persons. The population of Pueblo County experienced a slight decline between 1980 and 1990. There were 40,862 housing units in Pueblo, Colorado based on the 1990 census.

Pueblo County is generally less affluent than other major metropolitan areas. This fact helps to understand the housing needs of low and moderate income households in Pueblo County. As would be expected of a community that has experienced economic hardship, Pueblo has a high percentage of its population that is receiving public assistance. The number of people receiving aid in Pueblo County between January 1994 and December 1994 was 28,078. This is one of the highest in the state according to Pueblo County Social Services Department. One in five Pueblo county residents receive some kind of welfare benefit. This figure does not include recipients of food stamps which for November, 1994, were estimated at 21,791 adults and youth.

The fact that income levels in Pueblo County are low in comparison with many other communities is offset in some measure by the inexpensive cost of housing locally. In January, 1995, the National Association of Home Builders ranked Pueblo the most affordable town in the West for average families seeking to buy a new home.

Rental rates in Pueblo have recently experienced a steady increase due to the tight housing market. Until quite recently, rental prices were quite low with median rent of $250 for a renter occupied dwelling within the City of Pueblo, according to the 1990 census. Median contract rent was $159 in 1980 in Pueblo and $250 in 1990, a slight decline of -0.8 percent when converted to 1990 constant dollars.

The Hispanic population in Pueblo grew significantly during the 1980-1990 period, while other racial groups correspondingly declined. Almost 40% of the City of Pueblo's population is Hispanic compared to 35.5% ten years previously. Hispanic households comprise 33% of Pueblo's households. Two trends will characterize Pueblo's future, the population will become increasingly elderly and increasingly Hispanic.

Rental housing for extremely low income: These renter households were 4,262 of the total renter households of 13,446. Seventy-five percent of these households experienced some kind of housing problem. 73% had a cost burden of greater than 30% and 57% had a cost burden greater than 50%. The Pueblo Housing Authority has a waiting list of 3,286 and 80% of this number are families. There is a large demand for affordable housing for 2 and 3-bedroom subsidized rental units utilizing Section 8 certificates and vouchers.

Rental housing for very low income: These renter households were 2,462 of total renter households. Sixty-six percent of these households experienced some kind of housing problem. 68% had a cost burden of greater than 30% while 19% had a monthly housing cost of greater than 50%.

Rental housing for moderate income: These renter households were 2,716 of the total. Thirty-five percent of these households experienced some kind of housing problem. 29% had a cost burden of grater than 30% and 2% had a severe housing cost burden of greater than 50%.

Homeownership/Owner Occupied: Approximately 28% of Pueblo's housing stock was built prior to 1940, requiring a continuous rehab program for older homes. The biggest obstacle to home purchase has been tough credit and employment stability qualification requirements for most privately financed mortgages. The average home sale price is $54,712. Any strategy to fulfill homeownership needs for low and moderate income households would have to take into consideration Pueblo County's low income status and provide appropriate financial loan packages with some form of subsidy or deferred loans, in addition to down payment assistance.

Homeless: It is estimated that on any given night in Pueblo County, there are approximately 476 homeless persons living in their cars, on the streets, in the train yards, sleeping in church basements and staying in emergency shelters. The majority of these persons are families with children with about 70% headed by women who have two to three children generally under the age of six years old. The existing inventory of homeless facilities is only 128 beds plus 20 transitional housing beds.

The Housing Authority will attempt to secure 2,000 units of low rent housing to develop, acquire and/or administer. Priority will be assigned for additional three bedroom units followed by a moderate need for one, two and four bedroom units.

There are an estimated 180 migrant farm worker families, 460 single migrant farm workers and 100 local seasonal farm worker families. There is a projected need for 140 affordable low-income family units and for 200 affordable low-income single or solo units. Alternative housing such as dorms or smaller living-group units of 4 to 6 residents needs to be developed.

Pueblo County Board for Developmental Disabilities has a waiting list of 10 for 0-1 bedroom Section 8, 2 for 2-bedroom Section 8, 3 for homeownership, and 119 for residential services.

A common goal for the Pueblo (Consortium) is to provide adequate housing and affordable housing for their residents. Affordable housing is based on a local strategy to provide housing for a range of people who cannot afford to pay market rents or own their own home. This goal becomes increasingly difficult to attain as inflation, unemployment and rapidly increasing construction costs compound the problems associated with a lack of adequate housing. The present market mechanism cannot provide adequate housing for all at reasonable cost. However, unguided governmental intervention is not the solution. The private and public sectors must be encouraged to cooperate to a greater extent if the goal of adequate housing is to be realized. Affordability, availability and accessibility persist as central housing problems for Pueblo County as a whole. The development of the strategy must establish priorities and propose an action plan for implementation and funding. Many of the current Pueblo County housing strategies have proven effective in dealing with specific housing problems and are recommended for continuation. Other goals and strategies need only incremental or technical changes to become consistent with the overall goals now being proposed. There are opportunities for increased participation by the private sector which can enhance its working partnership with both the nonprofit and public sectors in implementing housing programs.

Five neighborhoods, collectively known as the Pueblo "Y" have been identified through the planning process under the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community Application as geographical areas that CDBG and HOME funds can be targeted. It is part of the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community strategy to build strong neighborhood-based association to help in implementing several of the strategies in the Consolidated Plan.

Priority Non-Housing Community Development Objectives

Pueblo has indicated a high need for youth centers, neighborhood facilities, street improvements, sidewalk improvements, handicapped services, transportation services, employment training, fair housing counseling, and code enforcement.

Priority Housing and Homeless Objectives

Priority #1: To secure contracts with HUD to expand the supply of affordable rental units and new construction for very low and low income households within the City.

Priority #2: To encourage and support the rehabilitation of existing housing stock for very low, low and moderate income households principally for owner-occupants.

Priority #3: To increase and preserve homeownership in entitlement and non-metropolitan areas through owner-occupied rehabilitation, energy conservation and first-time buyer programs that assist renter households become homeowners.

Priority #4: To increase and preserve housing opportunities for homeless people with special needs and, wherever possible, help people maintain or achieve independent living.

Priority #5: To develop affordable migrant farm worker housing.

Overview: The process used to arrive at the strategies an actions for the Consolidated Plan were based on the findings and evaluation of the different census data, neighborhood needs, local housing agencies waiting list and general public comments. All these housing needs were then prioritized into the five main priorities of: (1) Endeavor to secure contracts with HUD to expand the supply of affordable rental units and new construction for very low and low income households within Pueblo; (2) Encourage and support the rehabilitation of existing housing stock for very low, low, and moderate income households principally for owner occupants; (3) Increase and preserve homeownership in entitlement and non-metropolitan areas through owner-occupied rehabilitation, energy conservation and first-time buyer programs and to assist qualified renter households to become homeowners; (4) Increase and preserve housing opportunities for homeless, people with special needs, and where ever possible, help people maintain or achieve independent living and permanent housing; (5) Develop affordable migrant farm worker housing for Pueblo County's farm worker population not provided through private efforts. The actions needed were then summarized in a format with the expected five year intended result toward the solving of housing needs identified in the Consolidated Plan.

Listing of Proposed Projects for 1995

Maps

MAP 1a 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.

MAP 5a depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 6 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects at street level for one neighborhood; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).