Action Plan

Citizen Participation

The City of Annapolis used a number of techniques to encourage citizen to participation in the development of the Annapolis Consolidated Plan. Three successful initiatives were resident survey, collaboration with the Systems Reform Initiative and the Clay Street Revitalization Committee. On-going efforts include membership to groups such as the Affordable Housing Coalition and direct accountability to the Housing and Community Development Committee (HCDC). This committee held a public hearing to review applications for proposed CDBG activities and the Consolidated Plan on March 22, 1995.

COMMUNITY PROFILE

For demographic purposes Annapolis is considered to be a part of the Baltimore region. Located in Anne Arundel County, this six square mile city had a 1990 population of 33,187, which was a slight increase over 1980. This represents almost 8% of the total county population. Annapolis has little vacant land available for development and therefore is growing at a slower rate than the county. Three segments of the City's population which have doubled in the period between 1980 and 1990, are persons over 65 years of age which rose from 2,270 to 4,060, persons of Hispanic heritage which rose from 200 to 483 and homeless persons which is estimated to be less than 100. The percentage of Annapolitans who were African Americans or Blacks decreased slightly to 33% during the period.

There is a certain dichotomy in Annapolis. While the citywide median household income increased, it fell in older stable neighborhoods but rose in areas that experienced development. The median household income in 1989, in Annapolis was $35,516, approximately $10,000 less than the county's median. At $18,358, the per capita income was almost as high as the county's. The percent of persons below the poverty level fell to 12% in 1990, this is 3 times higher than the poverty level of Anne Arundel County.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

Unlike similar small cities throughout the State and the nation, the population in Annapolis increased during the 1980's, although at a much slower rate than predicted. Housing construction increased at a rapid rate over the past ten years but a significant decrease in household size limited the overall population growth. The bulk of the construction activity during the period was in attached units; townhouses, condominiums and garden apartments.

The demand for services and other types of assistance continues to grow. The average wait for applicants requesting assistance from the Annapolis Housing Rehabilitation Program has grown from one to two years to two to three years. The waiting time for rental assistance has also increased.

Community Profile

Annapolis has a stable population and a sound housing stock. Some consider Annapolis a microcosm of larger cities because it has:

• a clearly identified urban core;
• a large number of subsidized housing projects;
• an increasing Hispanic population;
• an increasing homeless population;
• a large number of very low and high income families;
• a day-time population that exceeds the night time or permanent population and;
• an economy that is becoming more dependent on tourist dollars.

Unfortunately, the City's size prevents it from having the economic influence of a central city. Annapolis is a diverse City. It has an even mix of stable owner occupied neighborhoods and areas dominated by rental units.

Market Conditions

Annapolis has an older housing stock. Most of the housing units were built prior to 1970 and the room size and the number of rooms per unit are smaller than average. Almost half of all of the subsidized housing units found in Anne Arundel County are located in Annapolis. These families rely on the City's traditional social service support network. Annapolis has an identity that expands beyond the legal municipal boundaries. Many people who live outside the incorporated limits of the City identify themselves as Annapolis residents.

Over half of the rental units are located in small structures with less than 10 units per building. Because the City requires that all rental units be licensed and inspected on an annual basis, most of the 8000 rental units are in relatively good repair. HUD and the Annapolis Housing Authority inspect the public housing projects. All Section 8 properties receive a dual inspection.

Housing and Race

Map 2 shows the areas of Annapolis that are considered to be over 51% Low/Moderate Income areas. Map 3 shows areas where there is a high concentration of minorities and Map 4 shows areas of high unemployment. When combined to create one map these three maps identify the ten neighborhoods that have been identified as priority areas. Most of these communities are identified (referred to) by the subsidized housing complexes located in the area. The only neighborhood identified on these maps that is predominately single family owner occupied homes is Parole.

Historically one third of the population in Annapolis has been African American/Black. Hispanics and other minorities had not relocated to this city. There are three areas of Annapolis where the Hispanic population exceeds the city average of 3%. In Annapolis the Median Household income for Blacks is $20,199 which is half of the white income of $42,101. Hispanics tend to do slightly better than Blacks with an income of $30,789.

Public Housing and Assisted Housing

The Annapolis Housing Authority is one of the oldest in the country, with 1104 units in 10 communities or 7 sites throughout the City. The Annapolis Housing Authority is in the process of implementing a five year Comprehensive Improvement Program (CIAP) which will upgrade many of the units to include handicapped access and features that will support those individuals with special needs. Housing Authority communities and those large apartment complexes that accept and in some cases manage their own Section 8 vouchers are identified on Map 1 with diamonds and triangles respectively. A survey of rental units in the City shows that the average market rents for a two bedroom apartment runs $50 to $150 higher than the rent allowed under the Section 8 program.

The Annapolis Housing Authority maintains a waiting list of individuals applying for Section 8 assistance and individuals applying to rent an Annapolis Housing Authority Unit. This list is updated annually. The average family must wait over a year or more before a housing request is granted. There are more families on the waiting list than the Housing Authority has units. The 1994 Annapolis Apartment Survey included at the end of this section shows both a stabilization in apartment rents and a willingness of private management to accept Section 8 Certificates.

Homeless Needs

The number of homeless individuals is on the rise, the length of stay in a homeless shelter has increased from 22 nights to 35 nights in a two year period and the demographic profile of these individuals is shifting from older single males to younger women with children. Although homeless records are not maintained for the City of Annapolis (the City's homeless population is included in the county estimates) demographic and economic trends indicate that the homeless population in Annapolis is also on the rise. The total homeless population in Annapolis is estimated to be less than 100 persons.

Special Needs Population

Once seen as the center of Anne Arundel County, Annapolis was the focal point for all social services. The demand for special housing and social services remains high within the City limits. A segment of the City's population that requires additional assistance is the elderly. This segment of the population doubled between 1980 and 1990 and is expected to experience a similar increase over the next ten years. Currently over 600 of the 4060 persons over 65 years of age have a disability that requires some form of assistance. Special accommodations are required at homeless shelters for handicapped and HIV positive clients.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

A number of factors are working against the goal that the City has set to provide affordable housing for all residents. The price of housing has more than doubled in the past ten years; and second, the available housing stock has decreased over the same period. The average price of a home was $66,800 in 1980 and $138,500 by 1990. The average rent per month increased at an even faster rate. The rent in 1980 was $238 and by 1990 rents had jumped to $533. Cost of living increases have not kept pace with these housing costs.

Fair Housing

Annapolis has a stated policy of encouraging fair housing. A strategy of empowering the minority population will help to equalize the income disparity and provide minorities with a greater selection of housing options. The Annapolis Housing Authority is rehabilitating structures for handicapped access. Housing Rehabilitations funds have also been used for this purpose.

Lead-Based Paint Needs

Over 80% of the housing units built in the City were built prior to 1979. Those units built prior to 1940 are at the highest risk of containing lead based paint and other hazards such as asbestos flooring or roofing. The incidents of reported lead poisoning in children is surprisingly low. Only two cases have been reported in the last five years. In both of these cases the lead based contamination was generated from a source not related to chipping or peeling paint in the home.

Community Development Needs

The Clay Street Revitalization Strategy was developed as a prototype to assist the CDBG staff in the delivery of community development services. This strategy includes five major elements. These are economic empowerment, public safety, housing, physical improvements and family services.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

Annapolis is beginning its tenth year as a CDBG entitlement jurisdiction. This is the only HUD program managed directly by Annapolis. The Fiscal Year 1996 allocation is $444,000. General funds and other innovative programs such as payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) are used to support affordable housing initiatives and other programs designed to assist low-income families. Additional resource are provided through both public and private sources.

The Annapolis Housing Authority manages ten communities and over 800 Section 8 certificates. There are also a number of project based Section 8 communities scattered throughout the City. Anne Arundel County or the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development assist private corporations in Annapolis-based developments through local and Federal loan programs.

Non-profit service providers continue to provide a wealth of services to the Annapolis community. Although most of these providers do receive some form of assistance through the CDBG program or the general funds, most of these organizations are supported through a combination of funding sources. The benefits provided by these non-profit organizations far outweigh the funds provided by the City.

Housing Priorities

Provide a decent home and ensure a safe and healthy neighborhood for City residents regardless of age, income, ethnic background or special needs.

1. Rehabilitation of Existing Owner Occupied units.
2. Rehabilitation of Existing Rental units.
3. Assist First-time Homebuyers through Construction and Counseling.
4. Housing Counseling and Subsidies to Individuals and Families to Prevent Homelessness.

Homeless Needs

Expand the capacity of local homeless shelters and service providers to meet the needs of persons at risk and the projected homeless population in the City.

Support the development of the following:

1. Transitional Housing
2. Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
3. Provide Facilities for AIDS and HIV-Positive patients.
4. Provide Housing Counseling

Community Development Needs Non-housing Priorities

Reinforce and revitalize existing neighborhoods emphasizing maintenance or reuse of existing resources while eliminating slum and blight.

Ongoing support, technical assistance and encouragement of resident-led neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

The Clay Street Initiative recognizes the advantages of comprehensive, neighborhood based community development and that the most successful programs are likely to be those that are initiated and conducted by neighborhood residents themselves. The restoration of a community's social and economic fabric relies heavily upon that community's residents renewed confidence in their ability personally impact their communities.

1. Expansion of prevention and intervention programs that discourage drug use and increase self-esteem of low-income youth.
2. Creation of non-profit public/private partnerships in the areas of housing and/or economic development strategy to include entities such as the: City and County Economic Development Offices, City and County Chambers of Commerce, the Business and Work-force Development Center of Anne Arundel County.

Antipoverty Strategy

Raise community expectations and provide opportunities to increase employment opportunities for all Annapolis residents.

Activities that are designed to prevent poverty and assist low-income households to increase self sufficiency and/or improve their earning potential include:

1. Continued support for job training programs such as the ones offered by the Opportunities Industrial Center and the Providence Center.
2. Support programs offering vocational assessment, job search counseling, life skills and remedial training, and industry-linked training to differing levels of skill and experience are a valuable resource in Annapolis. These programs, along with the Business and Work-force Development Center as well as an array of local GED programs, provide an adequate safety net for the jobless in Annapolis.
3. Increased bus service to Baltimore, Washington D.C. and other job markets outside of the City as well as intracity transportation. Clearly the lack of transportation relates to the ability of residents to find and keep a job. Anne Arundel County as a whole lacks sufficient public transportation and this limits people seeking employment to jobs on the available bus routes. This lack of transportation affects not only employment opportunities but the ability to access job training, day care, health care, and housing opportunities throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan Region.

ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

Description of Key Projects

Locations

All of the proposed projects will serve low and very low income families. Most projects are in residential areas and approximately one third of the proposed projects are located in the Clay Street area. All activities including housing are scattered throughout the City of Annapolis. Refer to Maps 1,2 and 5 for the location of proposed activities.

Housing Goals

During the up-coming year Annapolis will work towards the completion of two owner occupied affordable housing units, and will support large projects for both owner occupied and rental designed to meet the special needs of seniors and handicapped persons. At least 10 owner occupied homes will be rehabilitated and 100 families will be referred to other resources.

Maps

MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.

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).