The city of Joplin is located in southeastern Missouri near the Kansas border. The city is a part of Jasper County.

Action Plan

The city of Joplin anticipates that it will receive $1.04 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funds for Fiscal Year 1995. The city is not an entitlement community for any other major U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. Projects that will be implemented in the first year of the Consolidated Plan include housing rehabilitation, community service center renovation, and street and sewer improvements.

Citizen Participation

The city of Joplin utilized the following planning documents as sources of citizen participation for the development of the city's Consolidated Plan:

• Vision Joplin.
• City of Joplin Comprehensive Plan, December 1994.
• Joplin Enterprise Community Strategic Plan, June 1994.

During the course of the planning process, citizens were given three different opportunities to participate in development of the Consolidated Plan. These opportunities included a series of four public meetings, a meeting of the city council and the housing commission, and an open house hosted by the CDBG Program Office.

A total of 40,961 persons were living in Joplin in 1990, a population increase of about 5 percent since 1980. In 1990 there were 19,359 housing units in Joplin, of which 17,474 were occupied. Approximately 60 percent of the units were owner occupied and 40 percent renter occupied.

Joplin defines household income levels relative to median family income (MFI) as follows:

• Extremely low-income -- 0-30 percent of MFI.
• Low-income -- 31-50 percent of MFI.
• Moderate-income -- 51-80 percent of MFI.
• Middle-income -- 81-95 percent of MFI.

Of Joplin's 10,554 households in 1990, 2,129 were extremely low income, 2,293 were low income, and 3,410 were moderate income. Of households with incomes at or below 80 percent of MFI, 44 percent were elderly.

In 1990, 95 percent of the city's residents were white, and 4 percent were African American or Native American. The remaining 1 percent included Asian Americans, Hispanics, and other racial and ethnic minorities.

Joplin's African-American population tends to have disproportionate housing needs in comparison with other minority groups and the community as a whole. Although 25 percent of Joplin households are classified as extremely low income, 47 percent of African-American households and 26 percent of Native-American households fit the category. Other economic and housing condition indicators reveal the magnitude of the overall difference in living conditions between African Americans and the general population of Joplin:

• 37 percent of all households are extremely low income compared with 65 percent of all African-American renters.
• 40 percent of all renter households report housing condition problems compared with 65 percent of all African-American renter households.
• 11 percent of all owner-occupied households report housing condition problems compared with 21 percent of African-American owner-occupied households.
• 74 percent of all extremely low-income renter households report housing problems compared with 91 percent of African-American extremely low- income renter households.
• 34 percent of all extremely low-income, owner-occupied households report housing problems compared with 65 percent of all African-American, low- income owner-occupied households.

Housing Needs

According to the 1990 census, Joplin renters experience more housing problems than do homeowners -- almost 40 percent of renters compared with 11 percent of owners. During the 1980s, the number of single-parent households, minority households, and elderly households increased significantly. Families living below the poverty level and non-traditional households (households consisting of single, unrelated persons) also increased in number. However, large families (five or more persons) are the only group experiencing serious overcrowding problems at this time.

The following housing needs were expressed during the citizen participation process:

• Neighborhood cleanup.
• Rehabilitation of existing housing.
• More funding for housing rehabilitation.
• More single-room occupancy, affordable housing.
• More affordable housing.
• Tenants providing caretaking for their housing.
• Landlord maintenance of housing.
• Accommodation of persons with disabilities.
• Elimination of housing discrimination.
• Agreement on one definition of homelessness.
• Removal of barriers to affordable housing.
• Reduction of costs required to buy a house.
• More rental housing assistance.
• Code enforcement in older neighborhoods.
• Removal of dilapidated buildings.

Market Conditions

From 1980 to 1990, the rate of homeownership in Joplin increased from 1.7 percent to 3 percent. During the same period, the rental vacancy rate increased from 9.3 percent to 9.6 percent. During the 1980s, the number of units available for less than $250 per month decreased by 27 percent, and median rent increased from $174 to $251.

In 1990, 58 percent of owner-occupied units were valued at less than $50,000; 27 percent were valued at between $50,000 and $99,999; and 6 percent were valued at more than $100,000. The number of homes valued at $50,000 or less decreased 24 percent during the decade, and homes valued at more than $50,000 increased well over 100 percent during this period.

Overcrowding, defined as having more than one person per room in a housing unit, appears to be most pronounced among large, very low-income families living in rental units. Of 412 large, related households in all income groups in the city, 130 (31.6 percent) can be described as overcrowded. The problem is most serious for very low-income households. Of 156 very low-income large-family rental households, 43 percent are overcrowded compared with only about 4 percent of owner-occupied households.

It is estimated that about 19 percent of housing units in Joplin are substandard, defined as a structure in which one or more major repairs are needed to make the unit safer, more energy efficient, or more marketable. The majority of these units were constructed before 1960 and located in the city's CDBG target census tracts.

Affordable Housing Needs

Households that spend 30 percent or more of their income on housing include 82 percent of extremely low-income renters, 63 percent of low-income renters, and 37 percent of moderate-income renters. Homeowner households that spend at least 30 percent of their income on housing include 52 percent of extremely low-income homeowners, 21 percent of low-income homeowners, and more than 15 percent of moderate-income homeowners.

Extremely low- and low-income property owners are better off than their renter counterparts. However, elderly, individual, small-family, and large-family low-income property owners often do not have adequate incomes to maintain the older homes and other housing units in which they live. The city must assist these property owners to improve energy efficiency, make emergency repairs, and rehabilitate residential properties.

Homeless Needs

According to local service providers, between 300 and 500 homeless persons are in Joplin. Based on the experience of emergency shelters and transitional housing programs for families with children, it appears that the racial and ethnic makeup of the homeless community is similar to that of the community at large.

The services available from Joplin's seven homeless shelters range from emergency shelter to transitional housing. The shelters have a total of 288 beds for families, single men, single women, victims of domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abusers.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

The Joplin Housing Authority manages 275 subsidized housing units, which are considered to be in excellent condition. During 1992, the housing authority received a HUD award for being one of the 10 best public housing authorities in the country. Except when properties are being rehabilitated, the housing authority vacancy rate is usually zero.

The housing authority manages between 475 and 500 Section 8 existing and voucher units, approximately 15 percent of which need to be upgraded. Participants in the Section 8 program are experiencing increasing difficulty in finding suitable housing. This program has a waiting list of 600 households, including about 100 with elderly or disabled persons.

Joplin has 408 privately owned subsidized housing units. One development with 138 units is undergoing a complete renovation. All other units are considered to be in good to excellent condition.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

Joplin has identified six potential barriers to affordable housing:

• Taxes. The property tax rate is extremely low and has little or no effect on housing development.
• Land use. Joplin is in the process of reviewing its land use policies. Exceptions to land use policies may be granted by the city's Board of Adjustments. Areas under review include street width requirements, density restrictions, and in-fill housing.
• Building codes. Although some persons interpret the codes as excessive when applied to existing structures, safety concerns limit the probability that the city will modify the codes.
• Financing. Loan costs, closing costs, and downpayment requirements can hinder first-time homebuyers. Mortgage lenders, real estate brokers, and builders need information about how to use government loans to offer affordable financing options.
• Land and materials. The prices of residential lots and building materials increase on a monthly basis.
• Fair housing. Lack of financial resources is the most serious barrier to affordable housing facing minority populations in Joplin.

Fair Housing

Joplin has an active Community Housing Resource Board (CHRB). The CHRB and minority religious leaders agree that there is little or no discrimination in residential rental and sales in the city. The local Board of Realtors has aggressively promoted fair housing.

Lead-Based Paint

Based on HUD calculations, approximately 10,544 housing units (54 percent) contain potential lead-based paint hazards. Of these, about 3,740 units (35 percent) are renter- occupied, and 6,804 units (65 percent) are owner-occupied.

Joplin's plan for reducing lead-based paint hazards includes the following activities:

• Lead-based paint hazards have been removed from all subsidized housing projects. The Section 8 program requires removal of lead-based paint hazards before housing units are accepted into the program.
• The health department screens children's blood for lead through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and by request.
• Joplin's residential rehabilitation program inspects each unit proposed for rehabilitation for lead-based paint hazards and provides the homeowner with information regarding lead-based paint hazards.
• Joplin intends to work with the State to create a statewide lead hazard reduction, licensing, and certification program.

In the northwestern part of the city, near the Eagle-Pitcher lead smelter, soil on some residential and other property has been contaminated with lead. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that lead migrated through the air from the smelter into residential soil. Soil sampling indicates that lead concentrations are above action levels for cleanup. The EPA cleanup will target soil at day-care facilities and residences.

Other Issues

A sizable population of non-homeless persons with special needs requires supportive housing. This group includes:

• Elderly and frail elderly persons. Local service providers estimate that 800 elderly persons and 400 frail elderly persons are in need of supportive housing. The housing authority is considering converting a portion of one of its highrises for the elderly to meet the needs of the frail elderly.
• Persons with mental, physical, and developmental disabilities. The city estimates that 125 severely mentally ill persons, 1,475 physically disabled persons, and 200 developmentally disabled persons need supportive housing.
• Persons with alcohol or drug addictions. Approximately 220 persons with substance abuse problems need supportive housing. Ozark Center, Lafayette House, and DARE House, Inc., should have the capacity to meet most of the needs of this population.
• Persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The State estimates that 78 persons with HIV/AIDS need supportive housing. The AIDS Resource Center will conduct a community survey to better determine the impact of AIDS on the community.

Community Development Needs

Residents who were involved in the Consolidated Plan's citizen participation process, especially residents of the targeted census tract neighborhoods, identified the city's greatest non-housing concerns as job and business development, education, environmental quality, public safety, neighborhood infrastructure, transportation, day care, heath care, and personal and family development.

Vision for Change

The following results are anticipated as a result of expenditures during the 5-year Consolidated Plan period:

• Create 450 new jobs.
• Rehabilitate 75 owner-occupied units.
• Complete 75 emergency housing repairs.
• Remove 100 dilapidated structures.
• Provide housing consultation to 250 households.
• Construct 58,00 lineal feet of sanitary sewers.
• Construct 4,000 lineal feet of street.
• Clean up neighborhood areas housing 12,483 persons.
• Allocate up to 15 percent of the annual CDBG allotment to community service providers.
• Develop a nonprofit housing corporation.

Housing Priorities

During the citizen participation process, Joplin residents established the following housing priorities:

• Develop a nonprofit housing corporation.
• Provide funds for the existing housing rehabilitation grant and loan programs, and leverage loan commitments from local banks to expand the program.
• Provide funds for winterization and emergency repairs, and seek funds from new sources to expand the program.
• Develop a homeownership program.
• Continue to support the work of the Habitat for Humanity program in building affordable housing.
• Promote better quality rental housing by using Section 8 vouchers to encourage landlords to improve properties, State rental rehabilitation funds to provide financial incentives for landlords to improve rental properties, and code enforcement staffing options to increase code enforcement.
• Offer housing and homeownership counseling.
• Provide funds to demolish dilapidated structures.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

The following non-housing community development priorities were established as a result of the citizen participation process:

• Target job skill training for specific industries.
• Develop model educational and recreational activities for at-risk students.
• Expand the Head Start program.
• Initiate home-based education classes for adults.
• Hold annual neighborhood fixup/cleanup projects.
• Institute community policing.
• Develop a Neighborhood Watch program.
• Improve street lighting.
• Hold get-acquainted block parties.
• Reline sanitary sewers.
• Replace deteriorated sidewalks.
• Carry out asphalt resurfacing.
• Install handicapped-accessible ramps.
• Build new residential streets.
• Provide slurry seals for streets.
• Improve storm drainage.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Joplin's anti-poverty strategy includes the following components:

• A community vision.
• The city, the chamber of commerce, the electric company, and various volunteers have formed a task force to address economic development needs. The team has been extremely effective in bringing new industries to the area and in assisting with the expansion of local industries and businesses.
• Education is a key element in enabling the low-income members of the community to become more self-sufficient. Work skill and job training will provide low-income adults with the abilities they need to succeed in the workforce.
• Partnerships will be formed throughout the community to ensure that all neighborhoods have the same opportunities to benefit from public and private investment.

Housing and Community Development Resources

The Joplin R-VIII Foundation is leveraging $400,000 to match an estimated $4 million in Joplin R-VIII funds. These funds help to create the optimum ratio of computers to students in two elementary schools where more than 69 percent of the students had low or moderate income.

Coordination of the Strategic Plan

The city will undertake the following activities to enhance coordination between public and assisted-housing providers and private or public health, mental health, and social service agencies:

• Host an annual housing conference for local providers and representatives of the State and county.
• Participate in the local task force for the homeless.
• Develop affordable housing through a nonprofit corporation.
• Meet annually with the housing authority and review the authority's Comprehensive Grant Program.
• Participate in partnerships formed through the Enterprise Community Strategic Plan.

Description of Key Projects

The annual plan addresses the city's needs as follows:

• $152,000 to rehabilitate 15 single-family homes.
• $200,000 to support economic development activities.
• $10,000 to complete renovation of a community service center.
• $403,000 to improve 11,766 feet of water and sewer lines and 833 feet of streets.
• $20,000 to make residential properties accessible to disabled persons.
• $220,500 to carry out housing rehabilitation activities.
• $2,000 to assist in promoting fair housing.
• $70,000 to purchase and install computers in elementary schools.

Locations

Funds for housing rehabilitation and development of economic opportunities will be used throughout the city. Funds to improve environmental quality and infrastructure will be targeted to three census tracts (tracts 101, 108, and 110). Public service providers will target these tracts as well, but will also provide services to low- and moderate-income persons outside these neighborhoods.

Lead Agencies

The four principal entities that will be responsible for carrying out Joplin's Consolidated Plan include:

• The city of Joplin -- overall capacity and fiscal responsibility.
• The community action agency -- capacity building and outreach services.
• Nonprofit and volunteer organizations.
• A committee of neighborhood residents.

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.

MAP 6 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).

Jack Golden
Director of Community Development Department
417-624-6937