U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
 Office of Community Planning and Development

CITIZEN'S SUMMARY

The City of Ocala is located in North Central Florida, is the largest city in Marion County and is the center of local economic and cultural activity. Service and light manufacturing industries provide the majority of jobs. Thoroughbred horse farms are scattered throughout the Ocala area, adding to the pastoral, rural atmosphere. Tourism is anchored by Silver Springs, just to the northeast of the City. The City was recently named by Money magazine as the 5th best place to live in the United States, and the City is the proud recipient of a 1995 All-America City award. The City encompasses 35 square miles, with a population of about 44,000. The metropolitan area which includes all of Marion County has been one of the fastest growing areas of the country between 1970 and 1990.

The Citizen's Summary is designed to give a summary and overview of the City of Ocala's Consolidated Plan. The City of Ocala Consolidated Plan provides a comprehensive view of the City's priority housing and housing need's for a five-year period through the year 2000, with a strategic plan for using Federal, State and local resources for addressing those needs. The Consolidated Plan also is designed to address specific spending priorities for programs funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Of the 4 programs that could be covered in a Consolidated Plan, the City is participating only in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Action Plan

The Action Plan is a one-year plan on how the City plans to distribute funds for the next fiscal year, Oct. 1, 1995 through Sept. 30, 1996. Distribution of funds each year will be based on priorities identified in the five-year Consolidated Plan. The specific distribution of the $790,000 of CDBG funds is shown on page 4 of this summary.

Citizen Participation

The City's Consolidated Plan is prepared by the City's Community Development Office, which administers the CDBG program for the City. The Consolidated Plan, which is an ongoing planning document, was prepared with input from over 40 organizations, public agencies, and private citizens in the Ocala area. The Community Development Advisory Committee, a citizen's committee appointed by City Council, heard public input and made recommendations regarding priority needs and strategies and specific funding recommendations. These recommendations were announced on May 31, 1995 and, following the 30-day public comment period, adopted by City Council on July 11th, 1995.

MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.

COMMUNITY PROFILE

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.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

Conditions

Housing prices are low, historically ranking among the lowest metropolitan areas nationwide, helping attract retirees and other people on fixed incomes to the area. However, income also remains as one of the lowest for metropolitan areas, with Median Family Income at $29,700 in 1995. Poverty rates are high, with 21% of persons with poverty incomes City-wide compared to 14.6% for the County and 14.5% for the State of Florida (1990 Census figures). Persons under 18 in poverty conditions is extremely high, with 33% living in poverty compared to 23% and 19% for the County and State, respectively.

Housing Needs

The Consolidated Plan examines the existing and anticipated extent of three housing-related problems: affordability; substandard conditions; and overcrowded conditions.

An estimated 11% of the 18,000 households (2,000) have a serious housing affordability problem, paying more than 50% of their income for housing costs. From 5% to 10% of the housing units are sub-standard, and 5% are overcrowded. Due to households with two or more of these problems, total households with one or more of these problems is expected to remain at about 15% of all households in the next five years. Population increases in the next five years are expected to create a demand for an additional 388 units affordable to households with incomes below 80% of the MFI.

Housing Market Conditions

Home ownership was at 57% of the housing units in 1990, down from the 64% figure in the 1980 census. Most single-family construction in the City has been on infill lots, which range in price from $3,000 to $20,000. Average new single-unit house prices at $77,000 (without lot) are affordable at incomes of 85% of the MFI and above. Median existing single-family housing for Marion County, including mobile homes, is about $57,000 which is generally affordable to households with incomes at or above 56% of the median income of $29,700, if the household has the necessary down payment and closing costs and good credit. According to a private survey, average rental rates for one bedroom, one bath apartments (1/1s) are $352; 2/2's $435; and 3/2's $496. Fair Market Rents are $365 for one bedroom; $429 (2); $590 (3) and $692 (4). Affordable rent for a family of four at 50% of the median income ($14,850) is about $370.

Affordable Housing Needs

Affordable rental units are scarce, as virtually no new units were constructed between 1987-1994. Some new affordable rental housing is being constructed, but will not be enough to meet the existing demand. Affordable new single-family units are expected to match the number needed due to population increases, leaving existing needs unmet. Affordable existing single-family units are available for the 51% to 80% MFI income group with the ability to obtain mortgages. Housing units affordable to the 50% and below MFI income group is very limited and not expected to increase.

Homeless Needs

There are an estimated 711 homeless, with 495 unsheltered County-wide. Although shelters are not currently over capacity, they are expected to be at capacity this winter. Transitional housing is desperately needed due to the waiting lists for public and assisted housing. Outreach and assessment services are needed. Only very limited funds available for emergency rent assistance and other homeless prevention measures.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

There are 315 public housing units, 870 vouchers and certificates for Section 8 housing units, and an additional 900 units in buildings which received Federal subsidies and must set aside affordable units. Families on waiting lists for public housing = 221, about a six month wait. There is about a year's wait for Section 8 (rent assistance) with 505 families on waiting lists. There is a need for approximately $4 million for rehabilitation of at least half of the public housing units

Barriers to Affordable Housing

Housing in Ocala is generally affordable relative to other metropolitan areas, but due to low incomes affordability remains a problem particularly for the below 50% MFI income group. Factors affecting housing costs in the city include transportation, water and sewer impact fees and connection charges averaging $5,000 per single family house; higher land costs; and fewer available mobile home sites. Neighborhood opposition has blocked at least one rezoning request for an affordable housing development in the past year.

Fair Housing

The City is somewhat more racially segregated than economically segregated, with 78% of the City's African-American population residing in three census tracts. In addition to these three census tracts, one additional census tract is also a high low-income census tract. Although this indicates at least a past discriminatory trend, every census tract became less segregated from 1980 to 1990. There is no current information to suggest a current fair housing problem in Ocala. The City is currently assessing fair housing with a report due in February, 1996.

Lead-Based Paint

The City has as many as 2,064 units or 10% of the housing stock at risk of posing an environmental threat to children due to exposure to lead through flaking and peeling lead-based paint. Only two children in the past two years has been found to have elevated levels of lead in blood tests. In both of these cases it was determined that lead was introduced by other means than through lead-based paint.

Community Development Needs

Transportation is one of the most important needs. The lack of public transportation particularly affects low-income, elderly, and youth. Youth services and centers are needed to counter the juvenile delinquency problem. Self-sufficiency through skills assessment and job training is very important, particularly with anticipated cut-backs in financial and social assistance programs.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Vision for Change

The provision of a safe, suitable and affordable living environment for all City residents is at the heart of the City's CDBG program. Revitalization of the low-income West Ocala neighborhoods has been an ongoing goal since the City received block grant funds in 1978. Although the areas are much better now than in the 1970's, with less crime and better conditions, much work remains.

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

  1. Provide decent housing and suitable living environments by increasing the number of standard condition, affordable housing units.

  2. Create suitable living environments through neighborhood revitalization by clearing structures contributing to slum and blight conditions..

  3. Create suitable living environments by improving services and environment for youths in low income / poverty level households.

  4. Create suitable living environments and expand economic activities by improving services and housing for special-needs groups, including elderly, developmentally-disabled, handicapped, and homeless.

  5. Provide expanded economic opportunities in neighborhoods targeted for revitalization.

Housing Priorities

Rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing for very-low income households, particularly for the elderly, is expected to remain a high priority for the next five years. Construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental units is also a high priority, but CDBG involvement is expected to be limited to administrative staff helping secure funding through other sources.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

Transportation is a priority, but CDBG involvement is expected to be limited. CDBG involvement is expected in Youth Services and Centers; Child Care Centers and Services; Parks and/or Recreational Facilities; Handicapped Services and Accessibility; Employment Training; and Code Enforcement and Clearance of Slum and Blight.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Revitalization of slum and blighted areas through acquisition, demolition, and rehabilitation activities is expected to result in an increase in investment in low-income neighborhoods and commercial corridors, raising the value of existing property, homes, and businesses and creating jobs and economic opportunities in these areas. Subsidies of services for subsidized child-care and technical assistance to small businesses is expected to continue to contribute to self-sufficiency efforts.

Housing and Community Development Resources

Primary housing programs include public housing and Section 8 rent assistance administered by the Ocala Housing Authority and the CDBG and State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) (primarily down-payment and closing cost assistance) programs administered by City of Ocala Community Development, and City affordable housing incentive programs such as fee waivers and surplus lot donations.

Community Development resources in the City include Marion County Community Services, which provides health care assistance, the Marion County Public Health unit, State Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) programs and offices, and many private non-profit organizations.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

Implementation of the Consolidated Plan and administration of expenditures of the CDBG monies are carried out through the City's Community Development Office. Most of the money is spent on programs directly carried out through the Community Development Office. Most public service activities are carried out through private, non-profit sub-recipients. Monitoring is also carried out by the Community Development Office, with expenditures also monitored by the City's Finance Department and through an independent financial audit.

MAP 5 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 additional proposed HUD funded projects.

ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN

Description of Key Projects

Summary of Proposed Uses of 1995-1996 CDBG Funds


1. HOUSING REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE                  $ 339,000
2. ADMINISTRATION                                     $ 154,400
3. GERIG-WEBB PARK RENOVATIONS                        $  45,800*
4. CLEARANCE OF DILAPIDATED 
      STRUCTURES                                      $  50,000
5. SIDEWALKS - WEST SIDE                              $  45,000
6. DOWNTOWN BUILDING ACQUISITION
      (To eliminate Slum and Blight Conditions)       $  20,000
7. MICRO-ENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE                        $  20,000
8. PUBLIC SERVICES (15% OF GRANT LIMIT)
      A. ASSN. FOR RETARDED CITIZENS                  $  27,750 
      B. BOY'S AND GIRL'S CLUB                        $   8,707 
      C. CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES               $  17,310
      D. CITY RECS. AND PARKS- STARS PROGRAM          $  25,000
      E. FAMILY VISITATION CENTER                     $  10,000
      F. FOSTER CARE REVIEW PANEL                     $  10,000
      G. SPOUSE ABUSE CENTER                          $  17,033
                                                     ___________

                                                     $  790,000

* plus 100% of unobligated carry-forward and unanticipated revenue.

Locations

Six of the thirteen activities are available City-wide to lower-income clients, with three programs specific to the low-income West Ocala neighborhoods. Historically, about 85% of CDBG monies have been spent in West Ocala.

Housing Goals

20 Households are expected to receive CDBG rehabilitation assistance in 1995-1996. An additional 20 households are expected to receive assistance for new home construction or rehabilitation with the City's State housing funds.

To comment on Ocala's Consolidated Plan, please contact:

Stan Cole
Manager, Community Development
P.O. Box 1270
Ocala, FL 34478-1270
(904) 629-8322

U.S. HUD contact: Melody Mallett, CPD Representative.

Return to Florida's Consolidated Plans.