The City of Sunrise was incorporated in 1961, originally with the name of Sunrise Golf Village. The City is located in the western part of Broward County: Ten miles west of Fort Lauderdale, 25 miles north of Miami and 40 miles south of West Palm Beach. Located near several transportation networks, the City has experienced rapid and steady commercial growth.

Action Plan

The City's Strategic Plan and Action Plan emphasize three priorities:

1. Affordable Rental Housing/Homeownership Assistance;
2. Maintenance of Housing Stock; and
3. Non-Housing Community Development Activities.

The City's objective is to pursue an integrated approach in the provision of needed programs and services, including: (1) The City's cooperation in the continuation of programs that are administered by other entities; and (2) the City's use of CDBG funding for projects and activities that are not funded or are under funded by other sources. This is consistent with HUD's written guidance that the Consolidated Plan permits communities to apply a unified vision to address local problems comprehensively.

The City's One-Year Action Plan for the expenditure of $630,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding directs spending for a commercial facade improvement project located in a low/moderate income concentration, minority concentration area; a housing rehabilitation project available to low/moderate income households city-wide; continued spending for Roarke Center, a multi-purpose neighborhood center in a low/moderate income concentration, minority concentration area; and CDBG administrative expenses.

Citizen Participation

Citizen Participation activities were in conformance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations 24 CFR, Part 91, as published in the Federal Register on January 5, 1995, and included the following:

1. Publicized a Public Hearing which was held on March 28, 1995 to receive citizen comments and respond to proposals and questions. Assisted an organization in the development of a proposal that was presented at the Public Hearing;
2. Developed a Housing and Supportive Services Questionnaire which was distributed to 58 agencies located in Broward County. Achieved a response rate of 46.5%. Utilized the 27 responses in the development of the Consolidated Plan;
3. Published a summary of the proposed Consolidated Plan, which was available for public review and comment for 30 days. The City responded to the one written comment that was received;
4. Published the availability of City's revised Citizen Participation Plan, providing citizens with 30 days to review and comment on the original Citizen Participation Plan and on substantial amendments to the Citizen Participation Plan. No comments were received;
5. Publicized a second Public Hearing which was held on August 8, 1995 to receive citizen comments regarding the proposed activities listed in the one year Action Plan.

One comment, favorable of a project, was received.

The City of Sunrise experienced a rapid and steady growth rate from the time of its incorporation through the 1980's. Current population estimates and future projections, developed by the Broward Planning Information Technology Division through analysis of population growth, characteristics of population and Broward County Land Use Planning, show that the growth rate is slowing as the City matures. The 1995 population is estimated as 75,881 for an increase of 18% from 1990. Population is projected at 82,231 for the year 2000, which represents an increase of 8% from 1995. The trend of slower population growth will continue until the City achieves build-out, which is estimated to occur in the year 2020.

U.S. Census Data shows an average of 2.4 persons per household in Sunrise. Nearly 32% of households were elderly households in 1990. The City is shifting from being predominantly a retirement community to a suburban city, however, with an increasing influx of young families and business people. The Median Family Income was $31,540 in 1990, compared to $36,801 for the Broward County Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Of the currently estimated 31,035 households, 23,587 (76%) are owner households and 7,748 (24%) are renter households. Of owner households, 2,122 (9%) are extremely low- income, 2,595 (11%) are low-income, and 4,010 (17%) are moderate-income. Of renter households, 968 (13%) are extremely low-income, 894 (12%) are low-income, and 1,340 (18%) are moderate-income. Three Census Tract Block Groups are areas of low-income concentration. All are geographically located in the City's older east side. Four Census Tract Block Groups are areas of racial/ethnic minority concentration. Of these, three are geographically located in the City's older eastern area. Overall, 13.59% of households in the City of Sunrise are minority households (6.89% Hispanic, 5.5% Black, and 1.2% Asian).

Conditions

The City's local economy has experienced an accelerated growth rate since 1992 (after Hurricane Andrew). Sunrise has aggressively endeavored to attract new business to the City and has encouraged expansion and retention of existing businesses by investing in infrastructure improvements and granting economic development incentives. As a result, several major employers have been attracted to the City. Sunrise's economic development policies have enabled the City to realize its goal of broadening the commercial/industrial tax base so that residential taxes need not increase, while creating new jobs and employment opportunities for its residents.

Housing Needs

Of 23,587 owner households, 5,914 (25%) have housing problems, which include overcrowding, physical defects, cost burden greater than 30% and/or cost burden greater than 50%. Of 7,448 renter households, 2,943 (40%) have housing problems. Priority housing needs include:

1. Affordable rental housing,
2. Homeownership assistance, and
3. Maintenance of housing stock.

The City is responding to the need for affordable housing by: Encouraging development of vacant land for residential uses; providing for sufficient higher density multi-family development to meet future needs on the Future Land Use Map; streamlining the development review process and impact fee subsidies for affordable housing projects; and preserving the existing housing stock through code enforcement policies and housing rehabilitation programs.

Housing Market Conditions

As stated previously, 76% of households are owner households and 24% are renter households. U.S. Census data (1990) shows that the housing mix in the City is equally balanced between single-family units (14,182 or 50%) and multi-family and duplex units (12,891 or 49%). Currently, two new master-planned multi-family housing projects including 2,518 units are completing the City's development review process. The existing housing stock for the City is relatively young: 89% of the housing stock was constructed after 1970. Most of the pre-1970 units are located in Census Tracts 602.03 and 602.03, east of University Drive.

U.S. Census data (1990) shows that there were 50 substandard housing units (lacking complete plumbing facilities) in Sunrise. Of these, 35 (70%) were located in the older eastern geographic area of the City. None of the substandard units were classified as overcrowded (more than one person per room). All of the substandard units are considered suitable for rehabilitation due to the fact that the City's housing stock has been constructed primarily since the 1960's and severe deterioration has not occurred.

Affordable Housing Needs

Due to the relative affordability of housing in the City, the vacancy rate is only 3% for homeowner units and 10% for rental units. The affordability of housing is reflected in the fact that the median value of a single family home in Sunrise in 1990 was $89,100, which is lower than the $91,800 median value for Broward County. The effect of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, lower interest rates and a viable economy in Broward County has increased the housing demand, driving housing costs upward.

According to U.S. Census data (1990), of owner households, 1,782 extremely low-income and 1,583 low-income households experienced a cost burden greater than30%. Of these 3,365 households, 2,457 experienced a cost burden greater than 50%. Of renter households, 736 extremely low-income and 751 low-income households experienced a cost burden greater than 30%. Of these 1,487 households, 1,241 experienced a cost burden greater than 50%.

Provider agencies staff who responded to the City of Sunrise Housing/Supportive Services Questionnaire reported that a portion of their clients who reside in Sunrise have required the following housing assistance: Downpayment/security deposit, monthly mortgage/rent payment, utility payment, and rehabilitation/home repair.

Homeless Needs

The Broward County Coalition for the Homeless conducted on February 23, 1995 a point- in-time survey of the County's homeless population and reported that it did not identify any homeless persons within City of Sunrise Census Tracts. U.S. Census data (1990) also identified no homeless persons in the City. The Broward Coalition for the Homeless produced in March 1995 a document entitled Building Bridges of Opportunity: Assembling a Continuum of Care for the Homeless in Broward County. This publication included a listing of facilities and services that meet the needs of homeless persons in Broward County, as follows:

1. Emergency Shelter: The central area of Broward County, in which the City of Sunrise is located, has 310 available shelter beds for homeless persons;
2. Transitional Housing: Twenty-five agencies located throughout the County provide 870 beds (shared by homeless and non-homeless persons); and
3. Permanent Supported and Affordable Housing: Currently, in the County there are 434 permanent affordable and supported housing units and beds targeted either for the homeless or accessible to the homeless within a sub-group (e.g. mentally ill).

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

No public housing units are located in the City of Sunrise. Following is a listing of units currently listed by private, local, State and Federally funded programs:

1. Section 8 housing is administered in the City through a contract with the Broward County Housing Authority. There are currently 112 Section 8 units under lease. These households received approximately $723,072 of Section 8 vouchers/certificates during the past year. Types of families receiving the assistance are as follows: 21% elderly; 12% disabled; 46% small family; and 21% large family. Race/ ethnic breakdown is as follows: 29% White; 60% Black; 11% Hispanic. Most of the Section 8 leased units, 84%, are located in Census Tracts 602.02 and 602.03, which is the City's lower income area.
2. The Daniel D. Cantor Senior Center, which is administered by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Jewish Federation, currently has 123 HUD Section 8 one bedroom units for senior citizens and is constructing 77 additional units. The Senior Center Director states that all apartments are subsidized a minimum of $500 per month.
3. The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Act program provides housing assistance to very low-, low-, and moderate-income families. The City of Sunrise participates in an interlocal agreement with Broward County, in which the County administers the program in consultation with the City. The City received a total of $230,791 of SHIP funds for FY 1992-93, 93-94, and 94-95. As of May 31, 1995, 12 homeowner households received minor home repairs and weatherization assistance, including 5 (41%) very low-income, 3 (25%) low-income, and 4 (33%) moderate-income households. The total program and administrative expenditure was $124,504 through May 31, 1995. Services are targeted for very low-income and low-income households, but are also available to moderate income households.
4. The City received a Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) this year in the amount of $7,333. The City uses private donations for a 20% match. These funds will increase services provided through the City's Crisis Closet program during the CSBG program months of April through September. CSBG program goals include the provision of one time mortgage or rental payment for six households, one time utility payment for 40 households, and one time miscellaneous assistance for 26 households.
5. The County's Office of Housing Finance has leveraged County HOME and SHIP funds with local lender funding to provide mortgage financing in the amount of $3,231,000 for 36 Sunrise housing units within the past two to three years. The lenders program is available for persons with an annual household income of $51,720 or less.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

During the past year, City staff has systematically reviewed specific City regulations and policies which could increase the cost of housing within the City. The result has been the adoption of several incentives which will serve to reduce the cost of the construction of housing. This policy reform includes an expedited review process for affordable housing projects; establishment of an impact fee subsidization fund for eligible new construction affordable housing projects; instituting a process by which an economic impact analysis is done by staff and presented to the Commission for all proposed policies, procedures, ordinances, regulation or plan provisions which have an impact on housing costs; and the preparation of a printed inventory of locally owned public lands suitable for affordable housing.

The City encourages the development of affordable housing through zoning regulations that permit the development of high density zero-lot line development and variations in the lot size, shape, width, depth and building setbacks for residential developments. In addition, sufficient acreage for all housing types are designated on the adopted Future Land Use Map to ensure that adequate developable vacant land exists to meet the projected future housing needs of the City to the year 2020.

Fair Housing

(Not included in the Consolidated Plan.) The City is entering into a joint agreement with the Cities of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach to undertake an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. The purpose of the project is the preparation of "An Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing" study as required by the U.S. Department of Urban Development under the requirements of the Consolidated Plan.

Lead Based Paint

The Broward County Public Health Department reports that there have been no identified cases of excessive lead reading in a medical screening for the City of Sunrise since an incident in April 1993. The incident related to the recent migration of the individual from a northeastern state. The housing stock in the City has been built predominantly since the 1960's, and therefore, the incidence of lead-based paint being used is slim.

Community Development Needs

The City is targeting Community Development efforts in Census Tracts 602.02 and 602.03 in the eastern geographic area of the City. This area includes the City's three low-income concentration Census Tract Block Groups and three of the City's four Census Tract Block Groups that are areas of racial/ethnic minority concentration. In this area, some strip shopping centers are beginning to experience higher vacancy rates. The City intends to build-up and reestablish the area before further deterioration occurs. To date, the City has used local funding for street, median and landscape improvements to the area. A police substation has been placed in the commercial area, and a new fire station and public safety meeting room are being built with local dollars. Additionally, a beach style swimming facility is being constructed with local funding.

Previously funded CDBG projects that are located in the target are include: (1) Renovations to City Park to upgrade the existing recreational facilities and build a new pavilion; and (2) the demolition, design and construction of Roarke Center, a neighborhood multipurpose center. The City Park project was completed in October 1994 and the Roarke Center is currently in the design state. Additionally, 1994 CDBG funds were allocated for a revitalization study of the low/moderate Sunset Strip area, which runs through the target area, to determine how best to proceed with commercial and residential rehabilitation. The City is now in the process of selecting the firm.

Vision for Change -- Overall Goals

Three priority strategies are emphasized in the Consolidated Plan, including:

1. Affordable Rental Housing/Homeownership Assistance;
2. Maintenance of Housing Stock; and
3. Non-Housing Community Development Activities.

Through the achievement of these strategies, the City will work toward its goal to improve the quality of life of Sunrise residents, particularly those of low/moderate income.

Housing and Community Development Priorities

Affordable Rental Housing priorities are addressed through Section 8 rental assistance funding. If HUD Section 8 rental assistance funding remains stable for the next five years, 112 families will receive assistance totalling approximately $3,615,360. An additional 200 elderly households will receive assistance totalling approximately $6,000,000 over the five year period.

Homeownership Assistance priorities are addressed through the Broward County State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)Act Program. If SHIP funding remains stable for the next three years (length of SHIP funding allocation cycle), 48 households will receive predevelopment assistance totalling $48,000 in the payment of park impact fees for construction of affordable housing units. Additionally, the Office of Housing Finance historically uses HOME and SHIP funding to leverage homeownership financing for Sunrise households in an amount of over $1,000,000 per year. FHA homeownership assistance financing will also be utilized by Sunrise residents.

Maintenance of Housing Stock priorities are addressed through SHIP and CDBG funding. If SHIP funding remains stable for the next three years, over the three year period a total of 18 families will each receive an average of $10,000 of home repair/weatherization assistance, for a total of $180,000. If CDBG funding remains stable for the next five years, a total of 25 households will receive assistance totalling $500,000. Housing market data shows that little land remains available for affordable housing infill projects. Therefore, rehabilitation of older units is a priority.

CDBG funded affordable housing short term (one-year) goal is to implement a housing rehabilitation project, which is funded for $100,000 in FY 1995.

CDBG funded affordable housing long term (five-year) goals may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Homeownership financing;
2. Neighborhood paint program;
3. Creation of a housing specialist position;
4. Rehabilitation program for a townhome development located in Census Tract 602.02.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

The City's strategy for addressing Community Development Needs has previously been explained.

CDBG funded non-housing Community Development short term (one- and two- year) goals are for projects located in the target area, including:

1. Completion of the Roarke Center;
2. Completion of a neighborhood revitalization study; and
3. Completion of a commercial facade improvement project.

CDBG funded non-housing Community Development long term (five year) goals for the target area include:

1. Purchase of a bus to transport low/moderate income persons living in the target area to community and area recreation facilities;
2. Land acquisition for park and recreation purposes in the target area;
3. Purchase of fire fighting equipment for use in the target area; and
4. Purchase of public safety meeting room equipment for use in the target area.

City-wide CDBG funded non-housing Community Development long term (five-year) goals include:

1. Provision of emergency hotel payments (one or two nights), child day care and transportation for battered spouses who are working with the Police Department to obtain a restraining order;
2. Handicap accessible playground at Welleby Park, located in Census Tract 601.03;
3. Paved walkways at DCA park, located in Census Tract 601.04, connecting all of the park's facilities, thereby providing handicap accessibility;
4. Purchase of a handicap accessible mini-van to improve access to the City's medical transportation services, and;
5. Contribute to the cost of gas installation for new businesses that will employ a minimum of 51% of low/moderate income residents.

The City may not pursue all the listed goals.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Sunrise's economic development policies have enabled the City to realize its goal of broadening the commercial/industrial tax base so that residential taxes need not increase, while creating new jobs and employment opportunities for its residents. The City is not involved in a formalized anti-poverty strategy to directly reduce the number of poverty level families.

Housing and Community Development Resources

The social services network in Broward County is well developed; Sunrise residents have access to a wide array of supportive services. The City is directly involved with Federal CDBG funding and State SHIP and CSBG funding. Broward County receives and administers funding from other Federal and State resources, from which Sunrise residents benefit.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

As stated previously, the Broward County Housing Authority and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Jewish Federation will administer Section 8 rental assistance programs. The County's Office of Housing Finance administers homeownership assistance programs. The Broward County Office of Urban Affairs administers the SHIP housing rehabilitation program, while the City will administer its own CDBG funded housing rehabilitation project. The City uses local as well as CDBG funding to implement non-housing Community Development strategies.

The City of Sunrise has been awarded CDBG funding in the amount of $630,000 for FY 1995. Proposed CDBG funded projects include:

1. Roarke Center, $150,000. Continued funding for the design, demolition and construction of a multipurpose neighborhood center.
2. Commercial Facade Improvements, $350,000. Commercial rehabilitation project.
3. Housing Rehabilitation, ($100,000). Home repair and weatherization assistance project.

Thirty-thousand dollars are allocated for administrative expenses.

Locations

The Roarke Center is located in Census Tract 602.03 Block Group 4, an area of low/moderate income concentration and racial/ethnic minority concentration. The commercial rehabilitation project is located on the north and south sides of Sunset Strip in Census Tract 602.02, Block Group 2, which is also an area of low/moderate income concentration and racial/ethnic minority concentration. The housing rehabilitation project is available to low/moderate income single family homeowner households City-wide.

Lead Agencies

The City of Sunrise will be the lead agency for the three CDBG funded projects.

Housing Goals

Five housing units will be repaired through the City's CDBG funded housing rehabilitation project. Assistance will total $100,000. SHIP funding will provide the following services:

1. 21 households will receive home repair and weatherization assistance totalling $315,000;
2. 6 households will receive architectural barrier removal assistance totalling $60,000; and
3. 16 households will benefit from predevelopment assistance totalling $16,000.

In cooperation with the Broward County Housing Authority, 112 households will receive Section 8 rental assistance totalling $723,072. In cooperation with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Jewish Federation, 200 elderly households will receive HUD Section 8 rental subsidies totalling $1,200,000.

Maps

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. In addition, a table provides information about the project(s).