The City anticipates that its 1996 CDBG allocation will be $2,031,000. In addition, $104,430 will be reprogrammed to the FY 1996 program year from prior year programs.
The City also anticipates that its FY 1996 HOME allocation will be $470,000. This level of funding will require a matching contribution equal to $105,750.
The City has also applied for funding under the Federal Home Loan Bank Program in an amount of $90,000. These funds will be utilized to promote homeownership.
There are also a number of social service agencies providing housing and services to the
area's lower income and special needs population. The City is unable to quantify the
dollar value of the time and resources provided by these groups.
The City's one year strategy and action plan sets the annual goals based on the five year strategy. The one year goals represent activities that are expected to occur in the upcoming Fiscal Year. The City will monitor and modify strategy performance and set annual goals in future fiscal years accordingly.
The following grid represents the priorities to be addressed and the resources that the City of Bethlehem anticipates to be available in FY 1996. This section will show both the CDBG based activities and the activities to be undertaken by the City's HOME program.
The activities are presented in terms of Housing and Community Development and show the funding source and anticipated amount for the upcoming fiscal year.
| Activity Type and Number | Description | Funding Source | Anticipated Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing #14 | Homeowner Rehabilitation Direct Grants up to $12,000 | CDBG HOME | $343,000 $367,516 |
| Housing #21 | Direct Homeownership Assistance | HOME | $90,734 |
| Housing #24 | Acquisition of land for new housing construction | CDBG | $38,150 |
| Housing #28 | Substantial Rehabilitation for Rental - CHDO Setaside | HOME | $70,500 |
| Housing/Homeless #26 | Improvements at Homeless Shelter - Turning Point Transition Center | CDBG | $ 15,000 |
| Housing/Homeless #27 | Improvements at Homeless Shelter - Turning Point | CDBG | $ 3,885 |
| Public Improvements #2 | Improvements at Martin Luther King Playground | CDBG | $5,000 |
| Public Improvements #4 | Reconstruct E. Seventh Street - Lynn Avenue to dead end | CDBG | $140,000 |
| Public Improvements #5 | Reconstruct Pawnee Street - Fourth Street to Fiot Street | CDBG | $140,000 |
| Public Improvements #6 | Hayes Street Improvements (curbs, sidewalks, trees) - E. 4th St. to E. 6th St. | CDBG | $91,000 |
| Public Improvements #7 | Relocation and reconstruction of Old York Road for one block - South of Union Blvd. | CDBG | $70,000 |
| Public Improvements #8 | Purchase of fire aerial truck to service South Side. | CDBG | $250,000 |
| Economic Dev. #1 | Purchase and/or demolish property for redevelopment for economic development. | CDBG | $175,000 |
| Economic Dev. #20 | Fund for Revitalization and Economic Development (FRED) Program. | CDBG | $225,000 |
| Economic Dev. #19 | Administration Services by BEDCO for Economic Development activities | CDBG | $100,000 |
| Public Service #10 | Consumer Credit Counseling | CDBG HOME | $9,000 |
| Public Service #12 | Additional Police Patrol in lower income areas | CDBG | $100,000 |
| Public Service #13 | Homeowner counseling program | CDBG | $8,000 |
| Public Service #15 | Lead based paint hazard reduction - testing, provision of shelter | CDBG | $28,750 |
| Public Service #16 | Preventive dental care to 3-6 year old low income City residents | CDBG | $24,000 |
| Public Service #17 | HIV counseling, testing and partner notification | CDBG | $14,850 |
| Barrier Removal #25 | Walkway from Waterworks to Luckenbach Mill | CDBG | $5,350 |
| Barrier Removal #3 | Curb cuts at various intersections | CDBG | $75,000 |
| Barrier Removal #9 | Removal of architectural barriers in public facilities City-wide | CDBG | $34,446 |
| Administration # 18 | Redevelopment Authority Staff Delivery Costs - Acq/Demo/ Housing Rehab, HOOP, etc. | CDBG | $100,000 |
| Administration # 22 & #23 | General Administrative costs including third party consulting services | CDBG/ HOME | $187,000 |
In addressing the Priority Homeless Needs outlined in the Consolidated Plan, the City of Bethlehem will undertake the following activities to assist the homeless:
The City has continued to cooperate with various social agencies, low income housing advocates and affordable housing providers to address the underserved needs of area residents.
The City will continue to fund the Homeownership Outreach Program providing needed resources for potential homebuyers, particularly first time homebuyers on limited income. In addition, the City has provided resources under its HOME Program to various non-profit groups providing housing to those with special needs and the very low income.
The City has also raised the limit in its property rehabilitation grant program and has increased funding so that existing lower income homeowners may continue to maintain and occupy their residences.
As noted above, the City will continue to fund its property rehabilitation program benefitting lower income homeowners. In addition, funds will be allocated to promote homeownership for lower income potential homebuyers.
There are also various counseling services offered to the City's lower income population concerning budget and credit management, homeownership, etc.
Finally, the City Housing Authority has continued to seek funds for the upgrading and maintenance of the public housing stock in the Community.
The City will continue to review public policies for discriminatory practices and/or impacts on housing affordability. In particular, the City will review its Fair Housing Ordinance for inclusion of public housing residents. No other impediments to fair nor affordable housing have been identified that require City action.
The City has worked closely with the Coalition on Affordable Housing and the Community Resource Board to improve the rate of participation in homeownership by racial and ethnic members of the community. The City has continued to provide funding for homeownership counseling (see Activity #13) as well as consumer credit counseling (see Activity #10). Finally, the City has allocated funds to continue the Homeownership Outreach Program providing closing costs and downpayment assistance to lower income homebuyers.
The city will continue to test young children and pregnant women for blood lead levels through the public health clinic and visiting nurses program (see Activity #15). If a child has an elevated blood lead level, an evaluation of the home, using a lead spectrometer will be conducted. The City has personnel trained in the use of the equipment and in lead abatement measures.
A greater emphasis will be placed on clinic screening and awareness as part of the Maternal and Child Health Program operated by the City Bureau of health. Through the Bureau of Health, the blood testing program at the clinic is coupled with lead hazard education. Material on the existence and dangers of lead in the homes will continue to be distributed through the clinic, through home health visits by Visiting Nurses, and through the City's Housing Rehabilitation Program.
Lead abatement will continue to be an eligible expense under the City's housing rehabilitation program.
The City of Bethlehem will continue its efforts to attract new industry and business investment to the area. Growth in the local economy will mean expanded job opportunities for families and individuals living in poverty.
The City of Bethlehem has cooperated with various agencies in the region to meet the housing needs of area residents. Within the City itself, the Housing Authority and the Redevelopment Authority have actively pursued various programs and incentives to improve housing opportunities for lower income residents.
On the regional level, the Lehigh Valley Coalition on Affordable Housing has established a number of Task Forces which have addressed the issues of special needs housing as well as alternative housing choices for lower income residents. The City has supported the activities of the Coalition and has allocated funds for various housing initiatives.
The City will continue to cooperate with the Lehigh Valley Coalition on Affordable Housing and provide representation on various task forces. As noted in the Consolidated Plan, the Coalition addresses housing issues on a regional basis. This organization has enjoyed the support of various municipalities, particularly the three major cities, and will continue to provide information and direction on the housing needs in the Lehigh Valley.
As in the past, the City will continue to support alternative funding sources to overcome the limited entitlement allocations.
The City has worked with public agencies providing housing resources and has assisted housing providers and private and public social services agencies. As described above, the best vehicle for this coordination is the Lehigh Valley Coalition on Affordable Housing through its various Task Forces. Under the auspices of the Coalition, the task forces may elect to improve coordination by improving the referral system, conducting joint reviews of programs to increase compatibility and to identify shared funding opportunities.
The Bethlehem Housing Authority submitted its Comprehensive Grant Program application to HUD in July, 1995. A copy of the application is on file in the office of the Department of Community and Economic Development in City Hall.
The Authority presently manages 11 separate projects in its public housing program in addition to the 503 Section 8 Existing Housing program certificates and vouchers. The Comprehensive Grant application indicates that funds will be expended program wide to address maintenance needs at each of the public housing projects.