Lafayette is the fourth largest city in the state of Louisiana and is the heart of the eight- parish, southwestern region known as Acadiana. Lafayette is becoming known across the nation and around the world for its unique "Cajun" and "Creole" cultures, its music festivals and historical background. The oil industry, tourism, medical services, product distribution and non-oilfield based manufacturing are major components of Lafayette's diverse economic base.

The purpose of the City of Lafayette, 1995/98 Consolidated Plan (the Plan) is to assess and review the City's housing and community development needs. The Plan focuses on the needs of low-income households and individuals, persons with special needs (i.e., physically/ mentally/developmentally disabled, persons with HIV/AIDS, the elderly/frail elderly, and persons with chemical dependencies) and the homeless. The Plan also identifies the programs and funding necessary to address these needs over a three-year period (1995-1998).

Action Plan

The City of Lafayette annually prepares and submits applications for two federal entitlement programs, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Home investment Partnerships (HOME) programs. These submissions have now been incorporated into an Annual Plan, or "Action Plan" which describes the housing and community development activities to be implemented during any of the years covered by the City's Consolidated Plan. During 1995, the City anticipates receiving $1,871,000 in CDBG funds and $804,000 in HOME funds for housing and/or community development activities. Additional public and private funds will also be utilized. The City's 1995 Action Plan will be discussed in greater detail later in this summary.

Citizen Participation

The City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development is the lead agency responsible for administering the citizens participation process. The department attends six (6) CDBG Target Area neighborhood meetings and conducts three (3) formal public hearings. Hearings dates are announced two weeks in advance in local newspapers and through television and radio broadcasts. The neighborhood meetings and the first of the three formal public hearings are conducted early in the planning process to allow for public comments on housing and community development needs as well as the programs and activities necessary to address such needs. Once the necessary information has been collected and analyzed, the Department of Community Development prepares a preliminary draft of the Consolidated Plan, or Annual Plan, and releases it for a thirty (30) day public review period. During this period, all public comments submitted to the City of Lafayette are reviewed and incorporated into the Plan. The second and third public hearings are conducted during the final stages of the planning process to allow for public review and comments on the proposed Plan. This type of public/private interaction will continue throughout the years cover by the Consolidated Plan. If needs other than those identified in the Plan are identified, the Plan will be amended as required.

The following demographic information was taken from the 1990 Census.

• Individuals: The City of Lafayette has a population of 94,440. Of this population: 65,754 (70%) are White; 25,527 (27%) are Black; 1,614 (2%) are Hispanic; 180 (>1%) are Native American; 1,254 (>1%) are Asian/Pacific Islanders; and 111 (>1%) are Other.

• Households: The City of Lafayette has 36,328 households. Of these households: 27,174 (75%) are White; 7,982 (22%) are Black; 621 (2%) are Hispanic; 106 (1%) are Native American; and 405 (1%) are Asian/Pacific Islanders.

• Income: The median family income, or "MFI" of the City of Lafayette is approximately $30,957.00. The following narrative identifies the City's racial/ethnic distribution of household income.

1. Extremely Low-Income and Low-Income (ELI and LI - 0 to 50% MFI): 1) White - 5,434 or 20% of total White households; 2) Black - 3,963 or 50% of total Black households; 3) Hispanic - 212 or 20% of total Hispanic Households; 4) Native American - 37 or 20% of total Native American Households; and 5) Asian/ Pacific Islanders - 214 or 53% of total Asian/Pacific Households

2. Moderate-Income (MI - 51 to 80% MFI): 1) White - 3,467 or 13% of total White households; 2) Black - 1,576 or 20% of total Black households; 3) Hispanic - 124 or 13% of total Hispanic Households; 4) Native American - 44 or 13% of total Native American Households; and 5) Asian/ Pacific Islanders - 42 or 10% of total Asian/Pacific Households

3. Middle-Income (MdI 81 to 95% MFI): 1) White - 1,714 or 6% of total White households; 2) Black - 455 or 6% of total Black households; 3) Hispanic - 16 or 6% of total Hispanic Households; 4) Native American - 0 or 0% of total Native American Households; and 5) Asian/ Pacific Islanders - 27 or 7% of total Asian/Pacific Households

4. Above (90% MFI): 1) White - 16,559 or 61% of total White households; 2) Black - 1,988 or 24% of total Black households; 3) Hispanic - 269 or 61% of total Hispanic Households; 4) Native American - 25 or 24% of total Native American Households; and 5) Asian/ Pacific Islanders - 122 or 61% of total Asian/Pacific Households

• Homeownership Rates: Homeownership rates between varying levels of low-income households are: Extremely Low-Income (ELI, 0 to 30% MFI) - 1,735, or 9% of total ELI households; Low-Income (LI, 31 to 50% MFI) - 1,618, or 8% of total LI households; Moderate-Income (MI, 51 to 80% MFI) - 2,254, or 11% of total MI households; and Middle-Income (MdI, 81 to 95% MFI) - 1,102, or 6% of total MdI households.

• Concentrations of Minority and Low-Income Groups: Concentrations of minority and low-income households exist within a geographical area designated as the City of Lafayette Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Target Area. Seventy percent (70%) of this target area is minority occupied (17,413 of 25,031 residents) whereas the minority composition of the City of Lafayette, excluding the target area, is 17%, or 53% less than that of the target area alone. The average family income for the target area is approximately $15,166. The average family income for the remainder of the City, excluding the CDBG Target Area, is $32,811, or $17,645 more than that of the target area.

• Community Profile Summary: The Asian/ Pacific Islander household population has the highest percentage of extremely low- to low-income households (214 households or 53%) followed by the Black household population (3,963 households, or 50%). The White household population has the largest actual number of extremely low- to low- incomes households (5,434, households or 20%). A significant number of homeowners are within the extremely low-, low and moderate income categories.

  Due to excessive low-income and minority concentrations, residents of the CDBG target area will be the direct beneficiaries of the programs implemented or funded by the City of Lafayette.

Conditions

Lafayette's housing stock is beginning to age. The majority of its housing stock was constructed between 1960 and 1979. Older roads, utility systems and other infrastructure are now requiring repairs, especially within the downtown areas of the city. Unemployment, although generally low, is still prominent in selected areas of central Lafayette.

Housing Needs

The housing needs of Lafayette generally emanate from the low-income, special needs and homeless populations. Examples of the housing needs of low-income households include cost burdens (total housing costs in excess of 30% and/or 50% of a household's annual income), physically defected or substandard housing, inadequate affordable housing. The City's homeless population are generally lacking emergency shelter and transitional housing.

The most pressing need experienced by "special needs" households (households in which one or more persons are elderly/frail elderly, physically/mentally/developmentally disabled, have HIV/AIDS, or have chemical dependencies) is additional supportive housing.

Housing Market Conditions

Recent drops in interest rates have initiated an increase in housing starts; 780 in 1994 as compared to 725 in 1993 and 586 in 1992 (Source: Acadian Home Builders Association). The 1990 Census reports that the City of Lafayette has a total year-round housing stock of 40,369 units. The majority of the City's housing stock was constructed between the years 1960 and 1979 (23,867 units, or 59% of the total housing stock), implying that the City's housing stock is aging. HUD Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for the City of Lafayette, at the time of the 1995/1998 Consolidated Plan proceedings, were: 0 Bedroom - $289.00; 1 Bedroom - 335.00; 2 Bedroom - $400.00; 3 Bedroom - $549.00; and 4 Bedroom - $649.00/month (These rates are subject to change by HUD). Unfortunately, Lafayette's housing market does tend to lack housing that is affordable to families and individuals at lower income levels. Evidence of this is the large number of people on waiting lists for Section 8 and Low-Rent Public Housing.

Affordable Housing Needs

The City of Lafayette has identified the following housing needs:

• The need for expanded housing subsidies and other programs designed to reduce the cost burdens experienced by elderly, small and large related and all other renter households, especially those with extremely low-, low- and moderate-incomes. Census data show that approximately 2,486 extremely low-income renters, 599 low- income renters, 424 moderate-income renters, and 1,645 homeowners (extremely low-, low-,and moderate-income homeowners included) would benefit from these types of programs.

• The need for programs designed to reduce substandard housing conditions experienced by elderly, small and large related and all other renter and owner households, especially those with extremely low-, low- and moderate incomes. Census data show that approximately 60 renters, and 102 homeowners (extremely low-low and moderate-income households included) could benefit from these programs.

• The need for expanded first-time homebuyer opportunities, especially for moderate income, and to a lesser extent, low-income households.

Homeless Needs

Thirteen (13) agencies provide homeless services within the City of Lafayette: one (1) emergency shelter for battered women; one (1) emergency shelter for families and individuals; three (3) emergency shelters for families only; two (2) emergency shelters for men; one (1) diner; one (1) day shelter; one (1) shelter for homeless persons with AIDS; one (1) distribution center; and two (2) service centers. Together, these agencies provide shelter for 58 men /5 women, 28 battered women, and 9 families.

A five-day homeless enumeration conducted by the City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development counted an unduplicated total of 404 homeless (averaging 81 per day) from October 17 through October 21, 1994. This population included fifteen (15) families - (71 individual members), twenty-eight (28) youths (non-family), and three- hundred five (305) adults (non-family).

During 1994, the City of Lafayette, Mayor's Commission on the Needs of the Homeless, identified six (6) priority homeless needs: 1) housing for unaccompanied homeless women; 2) housing for homeless women and children; 3) transitional housing for homeless men, women and families; 4) employment skills training for the homeless; 5) housing for homeless persons with TB, HIV, or AIDS; and 6) housing for homeless adolescent children. In addition, there are other services that will need continued funding to remain operational. These include emergency shelters for men, battered women's shelters and other supportive services for the homeless.

Special Needs Population Housing Needs

The most pressing housing needs for elderly/frail elderly and developmentally/ mentally/ physically disabled households, are supportive housing and related services. The City's best estimates show a need for 630 supportive housing units for elderly/frail elderly persons, 43 supportive housing units for mentally disabled persons, 4 supportive housing units for persons with developmental disabilities and supportive housing and/or supportive services for 3,275 persons with physical disabilities.

The City estimates that supportive housing and/or related supportive services may be required for approximately 485 persons with AIDS and their families. Studies also show that 1,481 men and 592 women may require low-cost, residential substance abuse treatment.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

(Note to the Reader: At the time this plan was prepared, the Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette had been designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as being "troubled". Due to the total restructuring of the Housing Authority's administration and staff and the new staff's general unfamiliarity of the previous administration's work, obtaining current and accurate data was extremely difficult. For this reason and for the purpose of this report, the City of Lafayette has included previously submitted data that was current as of January, 1994. The Housing Authority has pledged its cooperation to the City of Lafayette in providing the needed information as soon as they have resolved problem issues with HUD.)

The Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette operates six (6) low-rent housing developments providing a total of 572 units. Two hundred and ninety-two (292) units are for elderly housing and 280 are for family housing. These developments are located at: 1) C. O. Circle (elderly); 2) Irene Street (elderly); 3) Moss Street; 4) Simcoe Street; 5) Macon Road; and 6) Martin Luther King Drive. Vacancy rates for the City's public housing units are approximately 3%.

The majority of the City's public housing units are in good condition. However, the Housing Authority has identified deficiencies at several of the public housing development sites and has scheduled activities to address them within their 5-Year Comprehensive Grant Program. During 1994, the Housing Authority stated that improvements regarding management and operations of public housing development included: a maintenance improvement plan; a new communication system; development of preventive maintenance; computerized work order system; staff professional development training; shop addition; additional computer hardware and software; the development of an inventory control system; and resident training. These activities will also be implemented through the Housing Authority's Comprehensive Grant Program.

There are five hundred, forty-six (546) all tenant-based Section 8 Rental Assistance units under contract within the City of Lafayette. Three hundred, eighty-four (384) units are subsidized through the HUD, Section 8 Rental Certificate program. One hundred, sixty-two (162) units are subsidized through the HUD, Section 8 Rental Voucher program.

In addition to the Section 8 units managed by the Housing Authority, there are 13 privately owned and operated apartment complexes that are federally subsidized through the Section 8, Section 202, and Section 236 programs. The total number of subsidized units provided by these apartment complexes is 1,140. Vacancy rates average 1%.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

It has been determined that the City of Lafayette has few, if any barriers to affordable housing. The cost of housing or the incentives to develop, maintain, or improve affordable housing within the City of Lafayette are apparently not negatively affected by any of the City's public policies. For example, minimum lot area requirements are reasonable and conducive to residential development. The cost of building permits in the City of Lafayette is $2.50 per $1,000.00 of the cost of the dwelling unit. In addition, no negative affects due to tax policies affecting land use or growth limits have been identified.

Fair Housing

Activities to heighten the enforcement and promotion of Fair Housing regulations within the City of Lafayette are needed. Documented cases of fair housing discrimination include refusal to rent, sell or maintain previously rented housing based on the issue of race/origin, physical/mental capacity, inter-racial marriages, and familial status. In addition, HUD has identified incidences of discrimination and segregation occurring within the Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette, Louisiana. Due to these circumstances, the City of Lafayette will strive to eliminate any fair housing violations or discriminatory practices by implementing and supporting fair housing programs, and by enforcing the City's fair housing ordinance.

Lead-Based Paint

Through the use of HUD formulas, the City of Lafayette has made the following determinations: 1) 90% (+ 10%), or 1,652 of the 1,835 homes built prior to 1940 contain lead-based paint; 2) 80% (+ 10%), or 1,905 of the 2,381 units built between the years 1940 and 1959 contain lead-based paint; and 3) 62% (+ 10%), or 14,798 of the 23,867 units built between the years 1960 and 1970 contain lead-based paint. Between the years 1993 -1994, the Lafayette Parish Health Unit reported nine (9) cases of children with elevated levels of lead in their bloodstreams, however, these cases were not considered lead-poisoning. The Louisiana State Department of Health and Hospitals reported no cases of lead-poisoning within the City of Lafayette during this same time period.

Over the next three years, the City of Lafayette will: 1) continue its consultation with health and welfare agencies regarding lead-based paint and other lead-related hazards, and will encourage coordination of public and private efforts; 2) continue educational efforts regarding lead hazards through homeowners maintenance school and homebuyers classes; 3) develop its technical capacity in the area of lead abatement and encapsulation; 4) stay abreast of and in compliance with all federal regulations and policies; and 5) undertake efforts to identify the true extent of the lead hazards in residential areas by using adequate, current technology.

Community Development Needs

Community development needs identified during the 1995 Consolidated Planning procedures included: 1) public facilities (parks and recreational facilities); 2) infrastructure improvements (flood drain, water, sidewalk and sewer improvements); 3) public service needs ( youth services, employment training, fair housing counseling, tenant/landlord counseling, health services, low- income neighborhood revitalization); 4) economic development (micro businesses development, technical assistance) and other community development needs (code enforcement, and planning). These needs emanated primarily from the centrally located, low-income/minority concentrated residential area designated as the City of Lafayette, CDBG Target Area.

Coordination

The City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development is the lead agency in charge of the Consolidated Planning process and all related work. The department conducts meetings with concerned citizens' groups to collect input on housing and community development needs and consults with and prepares questionnaires for local public and private agencies which provide services to any of the categories of individuals or families affected by this Consolidated Plan. The Department of Community Development works with a variety of city, parish, and state departments to obtain information regarding the programs and activities conducted by these public entities. The Mayor's office is involved in the planning process by requiring the City's departmental directors to attend public hearings and respond to public inquiries. The Louisiana State Department of Health and Hospitals and the Lafayette Parish Health Department assists in the planning process by providing information on lead hazards. The Lafayette Parish Department of Census and Attendance assist in the planning process by providing information on homeless youth and current high school drop out rates.

The Department of Community Development also works with the Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette to assure that together, their future programs and activities will address the housing and community development needs identified in the Consolidated Plan.

Vision for Change

The City of Lafayette utilize this Consolidated Plan to address the housing and community development needs of low-income residents and other identified populations. The City's objective is to provide housing and community development services, to distressed areas of Lafayette, in an attempt to maintain, preserve and stabilize the fabric of the community at the neighborhood, family and individual levels. This strategy has been developed to achieve the following national statutory goals, principally for extremely low-, low- and moderate-income residents: 1) to provide decent housing; 2) to provide a suitable living environment; and 3) to expand economic opportunities.

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

Lafayette's housing and community development objectives and priorities are a direct reflection needs previously discussed in this summary. Through the use of federal, state, local and private funds, the City will attempt to reduce overall cost burdens and physical housing defects, expand affordable housing opportunities for low-income households, and provide the community services needed to improve the quality of life for the residents of the City's economically and socially distressed areas.

Housing Priorities

During the duration of the Consolidated Plan the City of Lafayette will implement and/or support programs to address the following high priority housing needs:

• Reduction of housing cost burdens for elderly, small and large related and all other renter households, as well as owner households with extremely low-, low- and to a lesser extent and moderate-incomes.

• Reduction of physically defected/substandard housing for elderly, small and large related, and all other renter households, as well as owner households with extremely low-, low- and moderate-incomes.

• Expansion of affordable housing assistance to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers.

• Expansion of homeless programs that address the six (6) identified homeless needs: 1) Housing for unaccompanied homeless women; 2) housing for homeless women and children; 3) Transitional housing for homeless men, women and families; 4) employment skills training for the homeless; 5) housing for homeless persons with TB, HIV, or AIDS; and 6) Housing for homeless adolescent children.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

During the duration of the Consolidated Plan, the City of Lafayette will implement and/or support programs to address the following non-housing, community development high priority needs:

• Public Facility Needs: The construction, expansion, renovation or improvement of public recreational facilities within the CDBG Target Area.

• Infrastructure Improvement Needs: Improvements to flood drainage, water, sidewalks and sewer improvements within the CDBG target Area.

• Public Service Needs:

1. Programs and activities to address the educational, developmental and crime/drug problem issues of Lafayette's youth.

2. Activities and programs to heighten the enforcement and public awareness of Fair Housing regulations.

3. Activities and programs to expand public knowledge of tenants and landlords legal rights, primarily for low-income renters.

4. Activities and programs that expand medical services within or near the City's CDBG Target Area.

• Other Public Service Needs:

1. 1.Programs and activities designed to promote neighborhood revitalization, especially in declining, low-income residential areas.

• Economic Development Needs:

1. Programs and activities that expand economic opportunities within the CDBG Target Area through the provision of small and minority owned businesses development assistance.

2. Programs that address the need for technical assistance among small and minority owned businesses.

• Other Community Development Needs:

1. Housing Code Enforcement.
2. Housing and Community Development Planning

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Through years of the housing and community development process, the City of Lafayette has concluded that the only method of addressing the issue of poverty is through the coordination of all efforts ongoing in the area to help people break out of the cycle of poverty. This goal can only be realized with our limited resources that will continue to be available if all efforts in this area are closely coordinated to produce maximum result. To produce this result, the City will:

• Hold regular meetings to get all service providers to understand each other's programs;

• Understand all funding sources available to the area;

• Discover all potential funding sources available in this area; and

• Coordinate efforts to eliminate duplication of services and to identify needed services and provide for same.

Housing and Community Development Resources

The City of Lafayette will utilize the following housing and community development resources:

• Federal: 1) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program; 2) HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program; 3) Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program; 4) FEMA; 5) Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC)

• State: Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement

• Local: 1) City of Lafayette General Funds; 2) Lafayette Utilities Systems Funds; 3) Local/City Match for HOME program

• Private: 1) homeowner Contributions; 2) local churches; 3) private donations; 4) United Way of Acadiana

Coordination of Strategic Plan

The City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development will be the lead agency responsible for preparing and administering the Consolidated Plan. The department will remain in constant communication with the general public as well as local public and private agencies involved in the provision of housing and community development services.

During the months of September and October, the City of Lafayette publicly announces the availability of federal housing and community development funds. The City's Department of Community Development then accepts proposals from qualifying public and private/nonprofit agencies who aspire to provide any of the eligible housing and community development services identified in the Consolidated Plan. The City's Consolidated Planning Task Force evaluates all proposals for eligibility, feasibility and their effectiveness in addressing identified needs.

The City of Lafayette monitors each program, function and activity undertaken with funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The purpose of the monitoring is to determine whether funds are being used adequately for fulfilling the appropriate federal requirements with respect to city or subrecipient activities. The City and all subrecipients shall be required to maintain adequate documentation to ensure that proper procedures are being followed. The City of Lafayette shall submit to monitoring by HUD representatives at regular intervals as determined by HUD. The City shall comply with recommendations resulting from said monitoring. Subrecipient activities shall be reviewed by the City at least annually for compliance with program national objectives and statutory requirements. If necessary, more frequent monitoring shall be conducted. Corrective actions shall be required for all activities not in compliance with said requirements. Subrecipients may also be reviewed by HUD upon request, usually in connection with HUD's monitoring of City activities.

Description of Key Projects

The following is a listing of key housing and community development projects that will be implemented or funded by the City of Lafayette during 1995, to address the problem issues and needs identified in the Consolidated Plan:

• Housing Programs (To reduce cost burdens and substandard housing, to expand affordable housing opportunities, and to expand emergency housing for homeless)
  1. Low-Income Rental Rehabilitation Program: The City of Lafayette, D.O.C.D. Housing Division will implement a rental rehabilitation program that provides deferred payment loans of up to $5,000.00 per unit to approximately 20 landlords. Landlords must agree to upgrade their rental properties to meet all City housing codes, and to accept low-income tenants through the Section 8 program administered by the Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $300,000 in Federal (CDBG) and private funds will be available for this program.

  2. Low-Income Owner Housing Rehabilitation Program: The City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development, Housing Division will rehabilitate approximately 34 owner-occupied, single family residences through the utilization of deferred payment loans of up to $12,000. In addition, approximately three weeks labor ($4,000) will be provided by a City of Lafayette carpentry crew. Work performed includes correcting all housing code deficiencies as well as cost-effective, energy-saving measures and any improvements that will aid handicapped clients. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $937,917 in federal, (CDBG & HOME), City match and private funds will be available for this program.

  3. Neighborhood Housing Services of Lafayette, Inc. (NHS): NHS utilizes a CDBG revolving loan fund to finance neighborhood revitalization activities within the CDBG Target Area (i.e., low-income homeowner rehabilitation, and low-interest loans for tandem projects in an effort to supplement costs for projects which exceed the present grant limits of the City of Lafayette's housing rehabilitation program). Completion date for this program is October, 1995. $167,432 in federal (CDBG, NRC) funds will be available for this program.

  4. Relocation Program: The City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development - Housing Division maintains seven (7) houses used for relocating families participating in the City's homeowner housing rehabilitation program. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $53,400 in Federal (CDBG) funds will be available for this program.

  5. Community Housing Development Organization: 15% of the City of Lafayette's federal HOME allocation is reserved for a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) for the purpose of first-time homebuyers assistance or affordable rental units to qualified low- to moderate-income tenants. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $85,200 in federal (HOME) funds will be available for this program.

  6. First-Time Homebuyers Programs: The City of Lafayette Community Development Department anticipates implementing a Police Officer Homeownership Program within high crime areas of the City's CDBG Target Area. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $50,000 in federal (HOME) funds will be available for this program.

     The City of Lafayette Department of Community Development also anticipates assisting the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority in implementing a low interest rate mortgage program for first-time, low-income homebuyers. Previously allocated CDBG funds ($250,000) will be reappropriated for the purpose of providing closing cost and limited down- payment assistance.

  7. Faith House (Domestic Violence): CDBG allocations will be used to fund salary and related costs of employing a client advocate for indigent clients of the Faith House, and victims of domestic violence and their children. This program will be ongoing throughout the 1995 program year. $19,400 in federal (CDBG) funds will be available for this program.

• Non-Housing, Community Development Programs (To address public facility, infrastructure, public service, economic development, and other community development needs.)
  1. Public Facilities:
     1. Parks and Recreation: Domingue Recreational Center Expansion and Heymann Park Development - Phase I. Total available funding for these projects; $540,947 (City of Lafayette General Funds).

  2. Infrastructure Improvements:
     1. Flood Drain Improvements: Buttigig/Sharon St. Drainage S.D., Conrad/ S. Richter/Manor St. Drainage, Rosewood St. Drainage, Sixteenth and Choctaw Coulee, Spring St. Drainage, and Woodrow/Hector St. Drainage. Total funding available for these projects; $300,609 (City of Lafayette, General Funds)

     2. Water Improvements: Jefferson Street Water Improvement. Total anticipated funding; $360,000 (Lafayette Utilities Systems Funds).

     3. Sidewalk Improvements: Newport/James St. Sidewalks; total anticipated funding, $39,000 (City of Lafayette, General Funds).

     4. Sewer Improvements: Jefferson Street Sewer Improvements. Total anticipated funding; $160,000 (Lafayette Utilities Systems Funds)

  3. Public Services:
     1. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Acadiana, Inc.: Big Brothers/Big Sisters matches adult volunteers with at-risk children from single-parent homes. This program will be ongoing through May 31, 1996. $11,000 in federal (CDBG ) funds will be utilized to support a part-time case manager position.

     2. Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana, Inc.: Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana, Inc. will conduct a youth development program focusing on substance abuse and gang prevention. This program will continue throughout the 1995 program year. $20,300 in federal (CDBG) funds will be used to pay salaries, purchase instructional material and supplies, to purchase an air conditioner for the Granberry Club.

     3. City of Lafayette, Office of Substance Abuse - Youth Development Program: The City of Lafayette, Office of Substance Abuse will provide an awareness training and informational program to assist at-risk area youth (grades 7-12) in developing a drug-free lifestyle. The completion date for this program is April 12, 1995. $4,875 in federal (CDBG) funds will be utilized to provide a 3-day Wilderness Training session to 40 at-risk teens (ages 12-18), utilizing adults and older participants as role models.

     4. Lafayette Youth Conference Committee: The Lafayette Youth Conference Committee (LYCC) focuses its efforts on youth identity and aspirations and provides education, arts, culture, and parenting programs. The completion date for this program is October, 1995. $20,000 in federal (CDBG) funds will be used to cover the costs associated with providing services to program participants.

     5. Lafayette Recreational Summer Program: The Lafayette Recreational Summer Program promotes wholesome recreation for youths within the CDBG Target Area. The completion date for this program is August 4, 1995. $20,000 in federal (CDBG) funds will be available for this program.

     6. Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic: The Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic is a local, nonprofit organization established in 1992 in response to the need for quality health care for low-income residents. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $23,500 in federal (CDBG) funds will be used to provide salary and related expenses for a part-time nurse coordinator and a part-time volunteer coordinator.

     7. City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development Human Services Division - Neighborhood Counseling Services: To provide low- and moderate-income residents assistance in determining housing needs, employment and training opportunities, managing financial resources, and other services which support CDBG activities and facilitate individual self- sufficiency, through the provision of counseling, information and referrals. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $165,724 in federal (CDBG) funding will be available for this program.

     8. City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development Neighborhood Pride Program: The Neighborhood Pride Program is a City of Lafayette Department of Community Development "in-house" program designed to promote neighborhood revitalization throughout the CDBG Target Area. Activities include: the removal of dead trees, broken fences, discarded automobile parts and appliances; exterior painting of numerous homes; provision of fire extinguishers; and the installation of dead-bolt locks for qualified applicants. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $395,200 in federal (CDBG) funds will be available for this program.

  4. Economic Development
     1. Lafayette Neighborhoods' Economic Development Corporation (LNEDC): The City of Lafayette Department of Community Development - Division of Governmental and Business Relation's operates LNEDC as an alternative vehicle for inner-city revitalization. Its activities include a Revolving Investment and Loan Fund which provides below-market rate financing to new and expanding minority/small businesses and technical assistance to loan recipients. LNEDC also manages, on behalf of the City, 32 state- designated Enterprise Zones. Additional capacity is given by the authority to issue bonds and to make equity investments in for-profit ventures. These financial and tax incentive tools enable LNEDC to significantly alter private investment decisions.

        This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $200,602 in federal (CDBG) funds will be used for operation and administration of the program.

     2. National Society of Black Engineers: The Lafayette Alumni Extension Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers will administer a product design program which will introduce local youths to, marketing, quality control, economics, budgeting, finance and advertising. The group will select an item to manufacture and will follow the project through all phases of design, from initial product conception to product drafting/ design, material specification, material acquisition, product manufacturing, product and process development, product testing and product safety. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $36,440 in federal funds (CDBG) funds will be available for this program.

  5. Other Community Development Needs
     1. City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development - Housing Division Code Enforcement Program: The City's Housing Code enforcement program conducts inspections of houses throughout the City, with major emphasis on the City's CDBG Target Area, for compliance with the City's Minimum Housing Code. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $59,915 in federal (CDBG) funds will be available for this program.

     2. City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development - Housing Division's Demolition Program: This City program was designed for the removal of vacant, dilapidated structures (sheds, houses, garages) and small commercial structures. Demolition grants are made to low-income owners of these properties. This program will be ongoing through April, 1996. $35,000 in federal (CDBG) funds will be available for this program.

Locations

All activities funded during 1995 will either occur within the City of Lafayette, CDBG Target Area or will serve low-income residents from or near this area. Physical addresses of key projects are:

• Neighborhood Housing Services: 317 Madeline Ave.

• City of Lafayette, Department Of Community Development - Housing Division's Relocation Program: 1321 S. Magnolia St.; 501 Orchid St.; 1010 Mudd Ave.; 111 Townhomes; 504 Thirteenth St.; 910 S. Magnolia St.; and 319 Macklyn St.

• Domingue Recreational Center Expansion: 901 Mudd Ave.

• Heymann Park Development - Phase I: 1500 S. Orange St.

• Flood Drain Improvements: Buttigig/Sharon Sts.; Conrad/S. Richter/Manor Sts; Rosewood St.; Sixteenth/Choctaw Coulee; Spring St.; Woodrow/Hector Sts.

• Water and Sewer Improvements: Jefferson St.

• Sidewalk Improvements: Newport/James Sts.

• Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Acadiana, Inc.: 105 Westmark Blvd.

• Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana, Inc. (Granberry Unit): 121 S. Washington St.

• Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic: 132 Jomela St.

• City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development - Human Services Division; Jessie L. Taylor Neighborhood Services Center: 142 Park Ave.

Lead Agencies

The lead agencies in the implementation of CDBG eligible housing and community development activities during program year 1995/96 are:

• City of Lafayette, Department of Community Development: (homeowner and rental housing rehabilitation; neighborhood revitalization (Neighborhood Pride Program); economic development (LNEDC); first-time homebuyers program; Neighborhood Counseling Services, CDBG Administration, Code Enforcement, Demolition, and Planning);

• City of Lafayette, Department of Public Works: (parks and recreational facilities; flood drain improvements; sidewalk improvements);

• City of Lafayette, Department of Utilities: (water improvements, sewer improvements);

• Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.: (owner-occupied housing rehabilitation, low- interest loans in tandem with City of Lafayette housing rehabilitation);

• Faith House: (battered women's shelter);

• City of Lafayette, Office of Substance Abuse, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Acadiana, Inc., Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana, Inc., Lafayette Youth Conference Committee: (youth development programs)

• Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic: (Low-income medical services)

• National Society of Black Engineers: (youth/economic development program)

Housing Goals

During the 1995 Consolidated Plan program year, the City of Lafayette's anticipates reducing the cost burdens and physical housing problems of 20 low-income renters, and 34 homeowners. The City also anticipates assisting a minimum of three (3) moderate-income, first-time homebuyers.

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).