The City of Bristol is located in Hartford County in the west-central portion of the State of Connecticut. The city has a land area of 27 square miles and is highly developed with approximately 80% of its 17,000 acres already developed.
Bristol's Consolidated Plan represents a strategic plan over the next 5 years for housing and community development activities in the city. It includes a One-Year Action Plan for $691,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds for 1995. These funds will be spent primarily on housing rehabilitation, public facilities and public services programs.
The Bristol Development Authority (BDA) is the public community development agency responsible for administering CDBG funds and for coordination of public agencies and citizens concerned with programs and services to be made available and other aspects of the Consolidated Plan. The City conducted several meetings with non-profits, low-income clients, elderly and others to determine the needs of the community. The Director of the BDA served as a volunteer at a local soup kitchen in an effort to interact with homeless.
The City held three public hearings, all publicized in two local newspapers.
After consultations with public and private organizations and individuals the
first Public Hearing is held to present a draft of needs and strategy. A second
Public Hearing is held to receive proposals and citizen comment, after which the
BDA establishes a Proposed Use of Funds. A third public hearing is then held to
announce funding recommendations. At this time a summary of the Consolidated
Plan is made available for a 30-day comment period. The plan was approved by
the Bristol Development Authority on May 3, 1995 and by the Bristol City Council
on May 8, 1995.
There are 60,640 people in the City of Bristol; 60,073 are in households. 94% of the population is White (non-Hispanic), 2% is Black (non-Hispanic), 3% is Hispanic (all races) with 1% other minorities. The elderly (65 and older) account for 14% of the total population, up from 11% in 1980.
The HUD median family income in 1993 was $47,017. An analysis of the
community shows that approximately 34% of the total households (23,903) fall
under the low-income category (0 to 80% MFI) and another 10% under moderate
income (81 to 95% MFI). According to the 1990 Census information, 10% of the
total households have incomes in the extremely low category (0 to 30% MFI); 9%
have incomes in the very low income category (31 to 50%); 15% have income in the
low income category (51 to 80%) and 10% have incomes in the moderate income
category (81 to 95%). 61% of the extremely low income households and 51% of the
very low income households are the elderly. 48% of the low income households
and 59% of the moderate income households are small related (female-headed
households).
The City of Bristol is highly developed with approximately 80% of its 17,000 acres already developed. An economy reliant upon manufacturing is now shifting to a more service- based economy. Unemployment in Bristol has been and continues to be higher than the State average.
Bristol has a higher degree of home ownership vs. rental units, and therefore, there are fewer rental opportunities available here. Lower income households face a shortage of affordable rental units. For elderly, assistance to remain in their homes is needed. The housing need in many instances will have to be met through renovation rather than new construction. The high unemployment rate could force many low income unemployed persons to move from the City and at the same time cause a decrease in income levels throughout the City. The decreasing incomes caused by unemployment could lower the households incomes enough so that those households which are now considered moderate income could become low income. The situation may change with a revitalized economy accompanied by a fall in the unemployment rate. However, it will probably take a few years before the City and low-income households in particular feel the effects of such a change.
Of low-income owner households (50% or less MFI) the elderly have the highest needs, followed by small households (female-headed). Among renter households in this income bracket, again the elderly have the greatest need, followed by small related households. These two groups have serious housing needs and assistance is needed in the way of rental subsidies or rehabilitation grants for homeowners to afford to maintain their residence. These households require various support services as well.
The 1990 Census reports that there are 24,989 housing units in the City of Bristol, with a 2.5 persons/unit average. Single-family homes account for 56% of the units and multi- family units 40%, the remaining 4% are listed as mobile homes or other. 60% of the units are owner occupied, 36% renter occupied and 4% of the units are vacant. The vacant units can be broken down into 44% renter units and 21% owner units. High occupancy levels provide support for stable rents and periodic increases. Bristol has a higher degree of home ownership vs. rental units, therefore, there are fewer rental opportunities here. With the continuing spread between home ownership costs and affordability, this factor becomes more pronounced.
The 1990 Census data shows .2% of rental units and 1% of owner units as being substandard. This same number of units are suitable for rehab.
The median price of an owner occupied unit in 1990 was $153,500, compared to $58,000 in 1980. 20% of the units had prices under $124,000.
The low-income households (below 80% MFI) are paying a large amount of their incomes for housing. The cost burden to these individuals is much higher than other individuals. There are a number of ways to alleviate the cost burden of these households: 1) increase the income of low-income households; 2) provide rental subsidies to these households and/or 3) increase the amount of affordable housing.
The segment of the population which has experienced, and will probably continue to experience, the largest cost burden is female-headed households (small related). The number of female-headed households increased from 2,155 in 1980 to 2,466 in 1990. All of these households are at least low-income households and without financial support, none of these households will be able to afford home ownership and many will be unable to afford a renter unit.
The elderly (65 and over) made up 14% of the population according to 1990 Census figures and projections for 1995 put this population at 15% of the total population. The increasing number of elderly means an increasing need for elderly housing. The elderly with special service needs often need alternative housing: smaller housing due to a decrease in mobility and a general decline in ability to take care of a large home. The elderly account for 23% of the owner occupied units in the City and 20% of the renter occupied units. The elderly's increased need for health care takes a large amount of their income, therefore, rental subsidies are very much needed for many of these households.
The greatest housing needs are obviously faced by those households at the lowest end of the income scale. Lower income households face a shortage of affordable rental units. For elderly, assistance to remain in their homes is needed.
St. Vincent DePaul Society of Bristol (SVDP) is the private organization working with the City to provide housing needs for the homeless. SVDP reports they have sheltered 27 homeless families, 75 persons in homeless shelters and 33 adult individuals in transitional housing facilities. They have dealt with 118 unsheltered persons in homeless families and 116 adult individuals who they referred to other services. On an annual basis, approximately 250 unduplicated individuals are sheltered. The ratio of single men, single women and women with children is as follows: 4% single men, 13% single women and 38% family members.
The Elms Transitional Living Center provides housing and supportive services for 13 adult low-income males. The Bristol Homeless Shelter is moving to a new facility with an expansion of 15 beds to 25 beds. The new facility will provide a transitional living center for 10 families (women with children).
Bristol has an inventory of public housing 1,182 units receiving federal or state assistance. The breakdown of public housing units by bedroom size is as follows: 149 - Efficiency; 314 - one-bedroom, 281 - two-bedroom, 83 - three-bedroom, and 8- four-bedroom. At present there are 8 vacant units. An additional 12 vacant units, which now meet Section 504 compliance, will be available for occupancy.
The local housing authority is working with 5 year Comprehensive Grant funds for modernization of federal (HUD-assisted) units. Some of the more urgent improvements include: Section 504 compliance, removal of underground tanks, site lighting, asbestos removal, window replacement, sprinkler systems and security systems.
The Housing Authority had 188 people on their waiting list and interviewed another 205 applicants who qualified for the Section 8 Waiting List. An additional 398 persons/ families, who met the income criteria, are still scheduled to apply for Section 8.
Public service providers for special needs people who are not homeless indicate a need of supportive housing. These persons needs a more efficient, affordable transportation system to get to services available to them. In addition, there is a need for a more liberal transportation system with extended and/or evening hours, for flexible hours to accommodate the services and destinations people need to reach. Housing for people with special needs must be made available to allow them to learn to live independently. There is a continuing need for social services programs such as health care, nutritional assistance, counseling, case management, etc.
Bristol is a highly developed community with very little vacant land available for new development. Therefore, the City's development activities have dealt more with adaptive reuse of buildings. The City has enacted zoning regulation changes to promote development of housing, especially in the downtown area. These development techniques can be used to provide affordable housing, such as allowing increased densities to developers willing to rent or sell a percentage of their units are at affordable rent. This is one way of alleviating the cost burden of low-income households and to increase the number of affordable housing units and decrease the percentage of annual income these households pay for housing.
The City will complete an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice.
The City estimates that approximately 19,775 units were constructed prior to 1978. It has been the experience of the City's rehabilitation staff that 1 out of every 10 units visited has some lead-based paint hazard. Therefore, it is estimated that 1,977 units have the potential for lead-based paint. 10% of the total households are occupied by extremely low- income individuals, 9% by very low-income and 15% by low-income. The Housing Authority tested 200 units of low-income family housing for lead-based paint hazards and a majority of the units do have lead-based paint. Comprehensive Grant funds will be used to provide training to residents on abatement procedures with assistance from the Community Renewal Team of Hartford. Abatement will be done upon turnover of units.
The City through its several meetings with non-profits and low-income individuals determined the following very essential needs of the community:
Employment - There is a basic need for job opportunities in order for individuals to achieve self-sufficiency. Loss of businesses has resulted in a decrease in employment opportunities. There is a need for jobs for unskilled workers and youth of the community. Access to higher paying jobs is difficult when transportation is not readily available.
Transportation - An efficient, affordable transportation system is necessary for resident to get to jobs and services that are available to them. In addition, there is a need for a more liberal transportation system: extended and/or evening hours, or flexible hour to accommodate the many services and destination people need to reach.
Housing - Affordable housing must be maintained through rental subsidies and rehabilitation of existing units. Housing for people with special needs must be made available to allow them to learn to live independently.
Education & Training - In order to obtain employment, there is a need to provide job training skills to the unskilled labor force. Access to jobs is not always available because of limited skills and work experience. Community center in public housing can be utilized to provide training. Many non-profits can provide counseling services to teach basics such a preparing resumes, job interviews, and keeping skills current. Training must be integrated with the actual job market available.
Public Safety - Organizations report they are dealing with more aggressive, violent youth, many gang involved. There is a need to provide centers to work with disadvantage youth and to provide a safe, healthy environment for them. There is a continued need for increased police security and better lighting in housing areas.
Child Care Services - One public service that is showing an increased need is child care services. Among the lower-income working individuals affordable child care is needed in order for parent(s) to keep their jobs. Many female-headed households requested need for free child care services for a couple of hours a day in order to keep doctor's appointments, school appointments, etc.
Other Social Services - There is a continued need for social service programs such as day care, health care, nutritional assistance, counseling, etc. especially among the extremely to low income groups. Programs aimed at increasing adult/child involvement as a family-unit, and programs such as "Head Start" are needed.
The Bristol Development Authority serves as the lead agency in coordinating
the consolidated planning and submission process. The Consolidated Plan is
jointly administered by the Bristol Development Authority and the Bristol
Housing Authority. Each of these organizations has its own area of authority.
The City, in an effort to enhance coordination between public agencies providing
housing resources and private and governmental health, mental health, and
services agencies, established the BDA and BHA to coordinate the delivery of
programs and services available, and to offer referral assistance. The City
will continue to work with non-profits to provide a variety of programs meeting
public needs. The Bristol Community Organization, a non-profit social service
agency, provides many services to low-income people including energy
conservation and weatherization programs, manpower, transportation, youth
employment and neighborhood center. The City will continue to coordinate
programs among these providers.
It is the City of Bristol's intention to produce a 5-year strategic plan, which will generate the maximum benefit and activity in promoting economic development, community development, affordable housing and social services, especially among the low-income residents.
Priorities for affordable housing include: preservation of existing housing stock through rehabilitation grants of 30% to 50% of cost for low-income residents; and first-time home ownership opportunities to create additional affordable housing.
Priorities for homelessness include: Creation of a transitional housing with supportive services for women and children.
Priorities for economic development activities include: development of a Micro-Enterprise program to provide access to grants from $3,000 to $20,000 with special emphasis on home-based businesses and enterprises that may allow a recipient to become employed after being displaced or leaving welfare rolls; and assisting in commercial rehabilitation by providing grants for exterior rehabilitation of structures within the City's Enterprise Zone.
Priorities for community development activities include: improvements to community facilities that provide services to lower income residents; and to promote social service programs.
The City of Bristol, through the Bristol Development Authority, has increased its residential rehabilitation grants for very-low income individuals to 50%, rather than 30%. Our goal is to assist homeowners with needed repairs to their homes to keep a safe, decent and affordable place to live, while providing additional financial assistance to help them reduce or overcome poverty. In the hope of assisting to reduce households with incomes below poverty, we will continue to fund public services programs such as: extended day care program for young, working parents, most of which are female-headed households and job training/education programs which enable people to learn and develop skills to obtain better paying jobs.
The primary resources of funds include: the Bristol Development Authority - CDBG funds; the Bristol Housing Authority receives Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers and Comprehensive Grant program funds; the St. Vincent DePaul Society receives operating funds for the Elms Transitional Living Center, in addition it receives funds from the Federal Emergency Management Act, the State of CT Department of Social Services and the United Way.
The City, in an effort to enhance coordination between public agencies
providing housing resources and private and governmental health, mental health,
and services agencies, established the Bristol Development Authority and the
Bristol Housing Authority to coordinate the delivery of programs and services
available, and to offer referral assistance. Programs funding housing, economic
development and community development activities will be identify and make known
to the community as a whole, to non-profits and other providers. Meetings will
continue to be held with health and service agencies to discuss the various
programs available through the above groups, as well as through the St. Vincent
DePaul Society and the Bristol Community Organization. This institutional
structure will continue to coordinate individual services to strengthen
relationships between State assisted housing and federal programs, as well as
local resources.
The City expects to receive a CDBG entitlement in the amount of $691,000 and reallocation funds in the amount of $2,952 to be spent on the following activities:
The majority of programs offered are available on the city-wide basis. The City has targeted its newly created Enterprise Zone, located in the Central Business District, as the area to concentrate economic development activities, including commercial rehabilitation and micro enterprise businesses.
Housing Goals
The City's housing goals for the first year include providing decent, affordable housing opportunities for 100 units through the rehabilitation program; providing 10 women with children transitional housing; and to work to establish first-time home ownership opportunities.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts low-moderate income areas and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts low-moderate income areas and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 6 depicts Neighborhood Segments and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
