Federal resources that are reasonably expected to be made available to the City of St. Cloud and/or the St. Cloud HRA during federal fiscal year 1996 are listed below. This list of resources was accurate at the time this report was drafted. The City and/or HRA may attempt to access additional federal funding sources to meet unmet housing and community development needs.
| Administrator | Federal Fund | Proposed Use | Leveraging |
| HUD | CDBG | See Section G | See Section G |
| St. Cloud HRA-MHFA | Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program | New- Construction Affordable Rental Housing | Various Private Developers |
| Tri-CAP | Emergency Shelter Grant | Homeless Assistance | Various - Homeless Shelters |
| United Way | Emergency Food and Shelter Grant Program | Homeless Assistance | Various - Homeless Shelters |
| DTED | Economic Recovery Fund | Economic Development Loan | TIF - Business Owners |
| HUD | Section 8 Rental Certificates | Section 8 Rental Assistance Program | None |
| HUD | Comprehensive Grant Program | Public Housing Improvements | None |
State, local and other resources that are reasonably expected to be made available to the City of St. Cloud and/or the St. Cloud HRA during federal fiscal year 1996 are listed below. this list of resources was accurate at the time this report was drafted. The City and/or HRA may attempt to access additional state, local or other funding sources to meet unmet housing and community development needs.
| Administrator | Other Fund | Proposed Use | Leveraging |
| MHFA | Publicly Owned Transitional Housing | Community Shelter | MHFA - Housing Trust Fund, CDBG, Private Funding |
| St. Cloud HRA | Tax Increment Financing | Economic Development Housing Development | Business Owner, DTED - Economic Recovery Fund |
| DHHS | Bridges | Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill | None |
| MHFA | RAFS | Rental Assistance | None |
D. Geographic Distribution In general, housing and community development activities in St. Cloud are not targeted to a particular geographic area of the city. Some of the CDBG expenditures if FY 1996 are targeted to a neighborhood revitalization area. The Neighborhood Revitalization Area consists of Housing Redevelopment Area #1 - Census Tracts 1, 3.01 BG1, 3.01 BG2, 6.01 BG1, 6.01 BG 2, 6.02 , 8.01 BG 3, 8.01 BG4, 212 BG1 and Housing Redevelopment Area #2 - Census Tract 2, and 3.02. A map outlining the boundaries of the area is located on the next page.
This area was identified based on the deterioration and decline in conditions and value to home owner, single family residential properties. This decline in value is based on the age, condition, size and neighborhood perceptions in this area. The map below identifies the CDBG target area. A larger map is displayed in the strategy section of 1995-1996 Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan. For more information regarding the specific projects see Section G of the Annual Plan.
The neighborhood revitalization area was identified as the section of the City of St. Cloud with the highest density of lower valued older homes. The CDBG expenditures are attempting to slow or prevent the decay of housing values for the core city.
E. Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities
The St. Cloud HRA will be actively involved in providing housing and services to the homeless in FY 1996. Three major efforts that will be undertaken during FY 1996 include: continue leading an effort to assist local shelters improve communications and coordination among funding providers, developing an additional transitional housing site for disabled homeless veterans and assisting with the construction of a new homeless emergency shelter to replace the existing Community Shelter. In addition, a transitional housing facility for the Domus Transitional Housing program who will also be attempting to find a new site for their congregate facility.
The HRA is working with all of the local homeless providers to assist them in an effort to improve the existing delivery system from local social service departments. St. Cloud is located in three separate counties, and this creates a problem for local homeless providers. The Salvation Army emergency shelter is located in the Benton County portion of St. Cloud. This location now requires their occupants to go to Foley, 12 miles east of St. Cloud, to register for social services. A bus funded by the Tri-County Action Program goes to Foley on Thursdays only and serves the majority of the homeless that do not have private vehicles. This arrangement causes delays in assistance, wastes money and increases the number of nights that individuals and families have to spend in the shelter.
Presently, only Stearns and Benton Counties reimburse the local emergency shelters for bed nights. This arrangement is not fair to either Stearns or Benton Counties because many of the persons that spend nights in St. Cloud's shelters did not come from those counties. The HRA will continue to work with area shelters to address this problem along with improving the overall operational reimbursement process if possible.
The HRA is developing a transitional housing site for disabled homeless veterans in St. Cloud. This facility will be located in a single family home in a residential neighborhood and will serve up to four veterans at a time. This program was developed in partnership with the Veterans Administration Medical Center as the service provider and Catholic Charities as the property manager. Many other local social service organizations assisted in the planning stages of this project and they include Stearns County Social Services and the Housing Coalition for the St. Cloud Area. In order to construct this shelter, the HRA will apply for MHFA Publicly Owned Transitional Housing funds.
1996 CDBG funding combined with MHFA Publicly Owned Transitional Housing Funds is proposed to assist the Housing Coalition for the St. Cloud Area with the development of a new emergency shelter for the homeless to replace the existing Community Shelter. The existing shelter is a 16 bed facility that is located in a 100 year old converted single family house. The shelter is no longer safe for its residents nor is it handicapped accessible. The new shelter is proposed to provide approximately 12 beds for single individuals, three family rooms and five rooms for on-site staff. In order to construct this shelter, the HRA has also applied for MHFA Publicly Owned Transitional Housing funds. The Housing Coalition will also be applying for additional funding for the project through private fund raising efforts.
The HRA will continue to administer the Bridges Program. The Bridges Program coordinates rental assistance with services to the mentally ill which are administered through the HOPE Community Center. The program currently serves up to 35 households.
F. Other Actions.
1. General.
a. Actions for Evaluating and Reducing Lead Based Paint Hazards.
As stated earlier in 1995 Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan, there is no estimate of the incidence of lead hazards for Low Income and Very Low Income households in St. Cloud. However, the St. Cloud Housing and Redevelopment Authority has completed and continues to update the "Lead-Based Paint Testing and Abatement Guidelines" (LBP Guide). The LBP Guide is a comprehensive guide for the St. Cloud HRA to test and abate lead-based paint hazards in public housing and ensure proper measures are taken to educate or ensure the safety of citizens when other federal housing dollars are expended.
Since the drafting and adoption of the LBP Guide, the St. Cloud HRA has tested and abated lead-based paint in all of St. Cloud's family occupied public housing. Other guidelines outlined in the study concerning low income housing are also being followed in the procedures of the St. Cloud HRA.
b. Actions to Reduce Poverty.
As stated Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan, an anti-poverty strategy at the local level may be impossible. In order to eliminate poverty, incomes must rise regardless of whether those in poverty have affordable housing or are experiencing a cost burden. With this in mind, the action needed for St. Cloud to help improve wages is an aggressive economic development effort.
In general, this includes continuing the relationship between local government and business working together to bring jobs to St. Cloud. The St. Cloud HRA and the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP), a private business development agency, have been very successful in working on economic development projects over the past several years. This cooperation between private and public economic development agencies has helped to produce hundreds of jobs in St. Cloud. Local economic development tools such as Tax Increment Financing are coupled with Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic programs to assist with economic development.
c. Actions to Develop Institutional Structure
The St. Cloud HRA will continue to work towards its stated mission for the residents of St. Cloud. In addition, the HRA will continue to participate in the St. Cloud Area Human Services Council in order to maintain open dialogue with other area governments, non-profits and interested private entities.
d. Actions to Enhance Coordination Between Public and Private Housing and Social Service Agencies and Foster Improvements and Resident Initiatives.
The St. Cloud HRA is actively involved in a collaborative effort to improve social services to low income people through the Stearns County Collaborative. In addition, HRA have regularly attended meetings of the ad hoc "Job Connections" group, an informal task force consisting of local employers, business groups and social service providers that is attempting to match employers that need employees with potential low income employees.
The St. Cloud HRA will continue to administer the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Rental Assistance for family Stabilization program in cooperation with Tri-County Action Programs in Sherburne and Wright Counties and PICK-5 in Stearns and Benton Counties.. This program will serve up to fifty families with case management and skills training services.
e. Actions to address obstacles to meeting undeserved needs.c.:::e. Actions to address obstacles to meeting undeserved needs.;
The St. Cloud HRA, on behalf of the City of St. Cloud, will continue to attempt to meet underserved needs in the community. Specific actions include continuing outreach efforts to local non-profit and for-profit housing and service providers and direct sponsorship of program efforts. There are many underserved needs in St. Cloud as evidence throughout this report, and the HRA will continue to address those needs that are feasible when appropriate resources and administrative capacity are available.
f. Actions to foster and maintain affordable housing.
The City of St. Cloud will continue to support the efforts of the St. Cloud HRA as they provide affordable housing to thousands of people throughout the community. The HRA by its nature and its stated mission continually take actions to foster and maintain affordable housing. In addition, the City and HRA will continue to work with private for-profit and non-profit housing developers to create and maintain quality affordable housing through the administration of the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and other state and federal housing programs.
g. Actions to remove barriers to affordable housing.
The City and HRA will take specific actions to remove barriers to affordable housing by continuing efforts outlined in the "St. Cloud Area Affordable Housing Task Force: Final Report" attached in the Appendix section of the Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan.
G. Program Specific Requirements.
This section will describe the proposed activities and funding amounts proposed for development during the 1996 program year. An overview of the goals and objectives to be addressed will be provided along with a geographic description when applicable.
1. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
i. Description of activities, other resources, objectives, location and target date
For FY 1996, the City of St. Cloud has identified the following activities for the use of Community Development Block Grants funds:
Rehabilitation
CDBG - $150,000Objective: To provide deferred and/or low-income loans to low income homeowners, and families with incomes at or below 50% of the area adjusted median family income. Priority shall be given for deferred loans to median income families with incomes between 50% and 80% of the area adjusted median family income who are participating in the Neighborhood Revitalization Homestead Program. Emergency assistance may also be provided on a city wide basis if a qualifying family that has an emergency housing need applies to the HRA.
This fund will be leveraged as part of projects A through D. The HRA
will also lever funds available from the Minnesota Housing Finance
Agency Differed, Revolving, Accessibility and Fix-Up Fund rehabilitation loan programs.
Goals: The intended impact of the proposed project is redevelopment and to stabilize the targeted area. Funds allocated for this project should provide housing rehabilitation assistance for approximately 12 low to moderate family homeowners.
Location: See the map titled "Neighborhood Revitalization Area" in the Action Plan. This area consists of Housing Redevelopment Area #1 - Census Tracts 1, 3.01 BG1, 3.01 BG2, 6.01 BG1, 6.01 BG 2, 6.02 , 8.01 BG 3, 8.01 BG4, 212 BG1 and Housing Redevelopment Area #2 - Census Tract 2, and 3.02.
This area was identified based on the deterioration and decline in conditions and value to home owner, single family residential properties. This decline in value is based on the age, condition, size and neighborhood perceptions in this area.
Time-line: Assistance from this funding source should be utilized by July 1, 1998.
Acquisition - Neighborhood Revitalization
$76,500
Private financing by new homeowner. This fund will also be leveraged as
part of projects A through D, a MHFA program, the Neighborhood
Revitalization Program, will also be leveraged with this effort.
Objective: Purchase deteriorated properties for single family home ownership opportunities under the homesteading concept and/or for new construction in-fill housing to be made available to low and moderate income families for the new construction of affordable housing. Properties are to be purchased from either HUD (excess properties) or the Veterans Administration and/or from the market. Homesteader properties are to be made available on a first come first served basis to eligible low to moderate income persons, if more than one eligible applicant applies a lottery will be held to determine the homesteader.
Goals: The intended impact of the proposed project is to stabilize the targeted area. Funds allocated to this project should assist approximately 2 low to moderate income family homeowners.
Location: See the map titled "Neighborhood Revitalization Area" in the Action Plan. This area consists of Housing Redevelopment Area #1 - Census Tracts 1, 3.01 BG1, 3.01 BG2, 6.01 BG1, 6.01 BG 2, 6.02 , 8.01 BG 3, 8.01 BG4, 212 BG1 and Housing Redevelopment Area #2 - Census Tract 2, and 3.02.
This area was identified based on the deterioration and decline in conditions and value to home owner, single family residential properties. This decline in value is based on the age, condition, size and neighborhood perceptions in this area.
Time-line: Assistance from this funding source should be utilized by July 1, 1998.
$131,581
This fund will be leveraged as part of projects A through D, a MHFA
program, the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, will also be leveraged
with this effort.
Objective: Purchase deteriorated properties for consolidated site development for multi-family housing projects. Lots are to be made available to for profit entities at their assessed value and to non-profit organizations at 50% of assessed value. Proposed projects are to meet the rent and income restrictions as they would apply to the Internal Revenue Service Low Income Housing Tax Credit program criteria as they pertain to benefit low to moderate income persons.
Goals: The intended impact of the proposed project is redevelopment and to stabilize the targeted area. Funds allocated for this project should assist approximately 4 low to moderate families.
Location: See the map titled "Neighborhood Revitalization Area" in the Action Plan. This area consists of Housing Redevelopment Area #1 - Census Tracts 1, 3.01 BG1, 3.01 BG2, 6.01 BG1, 6.01 BG 2, 6.02 , 8.01 BG 3, 8.01 BG4, 212 BG1 and Housing Redevelopment Area #2 - Census Tract 2, and 3.02.
This area was identified based on the deterioration and decline in conditions and value to home owner, single family residential properties. This decline in value is based on the age, condition, size and neighborhood perceptions in this area.
Time-line: Assistance from this funding source should be utilized by July 1, 1998.
$85,000
This fund will be leveraged as part of projects A through D, a MHFA
program, the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, will also be leveraged
with this effort.
Objective: Cleared lots are to be made available for housing sites for low to moderate income families. Cleared lots will be sold at assessed value and any income received will be program income. Priority is to be given to Habitat for Humanity participating families. Lots granted to Habitat for Humanity will then be given to qualified Habitat for Humanity families at no cost to the homeowner.
Goals: The intended impact of the proposed project is redevelopment and to stabilize the targeted area. Funds allocated to this project should assist approximately 2 low to moderate income families.
Location: See the map titled "Neighborhood Revitalization Area" in the Action Plan. This area consists of Housing Redevelopment Area #1 - Census Tracts 1, 3.01 BG1, 3.01 BG2, 6.01 BG1, 6.01 BG 2, 6.02 , 8.01 BG 3, 8.01 BG4, 212 BG1 and Housing Redevelopment Area #2 - Census Tract 2, and 3.02.
This area was identified based on the deterioration and decline in conditions and value to home owner, single family residential properties. This decline in value is based on the age, condition, size and neighborhood perceptions in this area.
Time-line: Assistance from this funding source should be utilized by July 1, 1998.
$20,000
This technical assistance fund will be leveraged with $500,000 in MHFA
HOME Rental Rehabilitation Program funds.
Objective: Provide project packaging assistance to private owners, developers and non-profit organizations to access MHFA Home Rental Rehabilitation Programs including rental rehabilitation projects as needed. HRA staff will provide technical assistance as needed to multi-family rental property owners and developers assisting in project packaging and applying to the MHFA HOME Rental Rehabilitation Program for funding.
Goals: Allocated funding for the administration of this program should assist approximately 20 low to moderate income renters.
Location: Assistance from this program will be awarded on a city wide basis.
Time-line: Allocated funds for this project should be utilized by July 1, 1998.
Public Service
$30,500
No leveraging is required as part of this project.
Objective: To employ summer youth from low to moderate income families who are in trouble with the law and/or have been referred by the Stearns/Benton County Employment Council to work at various city parks on improvement projects and/or to work on a clean-up, paint-up and fix-up projects for single family residential properties.
Goals: Funding allocated for this program should assist approximately 8 "at risk" youth from low to moderate income families.
Location: The "at risk" youth will work on a city wide basis.
Time-line: Allocated funds for this project should be utilized by July 1, 1998.
Public Facilities and Improvements
$10,500
ADA Accessibility park improvements, and play equipment benefit to
handicapped persons, presumed benefit. No leveraging is required as part
of this project
Objective: To install ADA required accessibility play equipment for use by handicapped individuals.
Goal: To install handicapped plan equipment into 2 parks.
Location: Rose Richter Park and Tiffany Park (no addresses available at this time)
Time-line: Allocated funds for this project should be utilized by July 1, 1998
$50,500
No leveraging is required as part of this project.
Objective: Play Equipment replacement Southside Park . National Objective, Low to Moderate Income Area Basis. Implementing Agency - Parks Department, Reg. 201(c), Terms - Grant - - 208(a)(2)(i)(A)
Goal: To install play equipment in 1 park
Location: 805 13th St. S. , St. Cloud, Mn.
Time-line: Allocated funds for this project should be utilized by July 1, 1998
$302,000
Leveraging as part of this project will include $300,000 from the
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Publicly Owned Transitional
Housing funds. It is also proposed that $50,000 will be raised from other
sources for a total project cost of $650,000.
Objective: Housing Coalition of the St. Cloud Area in cooperation with the St. Cloud Housing and Redevelopment Authority will construct a new 32 bed community shelter facility for homeless persons. Location Reg. 202 (b) (4) Terms Grant. National Objective benefit to low and moderate income persons. 208 (a) (2) (i) (B).
Goals: Construct a 32 bed homeless shelter. Funds allocated for this project should benefit many low to moderate income low to moderate income homeless persons. The exact benefit will depend on use of the facility, this could range up to hundreds of persons per year.
Location: Not determined at this time - site search is in process
Time-line: Allocated funds for this project should be utilized by July 1, 1998
Planning
$30,000
No leveraging required with this fund.
Objective: Conduct research, compile data, and write the Consolidated Plan.
Goals: Funding for the writing of the Consolidated Plan shall provide assistance for planning on a city wide basis since it will secure funding to be used for numerous projects.
Location: NA
Time-line: Funding allocated to this project should be utilized by July 1, 1997.
Program Administration
$4,000
There is no leveraging required as part of this fund.
Objective: To cover the costs of necessary and appropriate cost involved in the dissemination of public information pertaining to the CDBG program.
Goals: To disseminate Public Information regarding the CDBG program. Public Information, regarding CDBG program available to all city residents. Implementing Agency - HRA, Location Citywide, Reg. 206 (b), National Objective N/A.
Location: NA
Time-line: Funds allocated to this project should be utilized by July 1, 1998.
$10,000
There is no leveraging required as part of this fund.
Objective: Oversee, manage, monitor and coordinate fair housing activities for the City of St. Cloud.
Goals: Provision of Fair housing services and counseling available to all city residents. Also to conduct an analysis of fair housing in St. Cloud based on survey testing . Implementing Agency - HRA, location, City wide, Reg. 206 (c),
Location: NA
Time-line: Funds allocated to this project should be utilized by July 1, 1997.
$58,000
There is no leveraging required as part of this fund.
Objective: Oversee, manage, monitor and coordinate the CDBG program.
Goals: Administer the CDBG program in an effective and efficient manner that will meet with the overall goals of the program to provide decent, safe affordable housing and community development to the citizens of St. Cloud.
Location: NA
Time-line: Funds allocated to this project should be utilized by July 1, 1998.
The following table lists the program income expected during the 1996 program year.
CDBG Funding Sources Available fore Use:
| 22st Year CDBG Fund Allocation | $ 708,000 |
| Projected Program Income From: | |
| Program Income 1994/95 | $ 24,000 |
| Projected Program Income 1995/96 | $ 26,000 |
| Re-Allocation from prior years: | |
| 1993 Activity #268 - Neighborhood Revitalization | $ 73,276 |
| 1993 Activity #281 Parks | $ 8,092 |
| 1994 Activity #287 Neighborhood Revitalization | $ 119,213 |
| $ 958,581
| |
iii Urgent Needs Activity No urgent needs activity has been identified in this plan, but priority shall be given to urgent or emergency rehabilitations for the Targeted Neighborhood Revitalization - Home Owner Housing Rehabilitation program.