The Consolidated Plan for Hickory has a budget of $368,000, including $320,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $48,000 in program income.
During the development of the Consolidated Plan, Hickory encouraged citizen participation, especially among residents in the low-income Ridgeview community. Comments were solicited from citizens, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies during neighborhood meetings and formal public hearings.
During the past decade, Hickory's population increased, rising from 20,757 in 1980 to 28,301 in 1990. Of the total 11,800 households, 9,990 were white; 1,682 were African American; and 128 were other minority groups. The percentage of African-American residents decreased from 19 percent in 1980 to 17 percent in 1990, while the number of elderly persons increased by 65 percent.
Hickory is a fast-growing city at the center of the Hickory metropolitan statistical area. Much of the city's rapid growth and ability to attract industry has resulted from its location on the I-40 corridor and its abundant water supplies. In 1994 Hickory's unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, versus 4.4 percent for the State. In 1995 the median family income (MFI) was $35,800.
In 1990 Hickory had 12,690 housing units, and these units were equally divided among renter and owner households. The city estimated that 20 percent of the housing units were substandard, with 60 percent of these units being suitable for rehabilitation. In 1990 Hickory's vacancy rate was 4.9 percent.
The construction of new multifamily housing units has continued to outpace the number of new single-family units by a margin of four units to one. This trend reflects the competitive demands of the local real estate market, which have led to escalating land costs and higher density residential development. The average cost of a new single-family home was $224,000.
Between 1980 and 1990, median home values increased by 68.5 percent. During this same period, the city's median rent increased at a rate that was lower than the rate of inflation. Overall, the cost of a rental dwelling was more affordable than the cost of an owner dwelling when compared to the Consumer Price Index.
The 1990 census reported that 4,426 households (38 percent) -- composed of renters and owners -- were low income (earning less than 80 percent of MFI). An analysis of this figure revealed that 9,944 persons were white, 1,665 were African American, and 187 were other minority groups. Approximately 57 percent of low-income renters, particularly small families, and 29 percent of low-income owners were cost-burdened, paying more than 30 percent of their gross income for housing expenses.
Although the average household size decreased between 1980 and 1990, the number of households experiencing overcrowding increased. In 1990, 275 households reported overcrowded conditions.
Ironically, Hickory's low unemployment rate has contributed to the growing homeless population because the prospect for employment within the region has attracted individuals and families from many economically depressed areas. Many of the homeless who have come to Hickory with hopes of finding employment opportunities have placed additional demands on transitional housing and emergency shelter facilities.
In 1995 there were 362 homeless persons in Hickory, with the majority being single adults. Among homeless persons with special needs, two-thirds had alcohol and drug abuse problems, while only 1.1 percent were victims of domestic violence or persons with severe mental illness. None of the homeless were persons with HIV/AIDS or persons with both substance addictions and severe mental illness.
Service providers reported that the demand for services for the homeless has increased. In 1994 the Salvation Army reported that services for the homeless increased by 36 percent. This increase is expected to continue, creating three primary needs:
Service providers include: Family Care Center, Family Guidance Center, Catawba County Social Service Agencies, Department of Social Services of Catawba County, Hickory Soup Kitchen, Salvation Army, Cooperative Christian Ministries, Nutrition Project for the Elderly, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Emergency Assistance, Energy Crisis Intervention, Catawba Prison Ministries, and Habitat for Humanity.
The Hickory Public Housing Authority managed 608 rental housing units, which represent 11 percent of the city's renter-occupied dwellings. This stock includes 311 public housing units scattered among 7 developments located in the southern part of Hickory.
In addition to 46 units of Section 8 project-based housing for the elderly, 141 tenant-based Section 8 certificates, and 110 Section 8 vouchers, the agency administers 67 units of Section 202 housing for the elderly. Currently, 11 Section 202 units are vacant. The majority of the assisted housing units have one or two bedrooms, and only a few are efficiency or four- and five-bedroom units.
The Hickory Public Housing Authority reported a 6-month waiting list for its public housing units and a 2-year waiting list for its Section 8 certificates and vouchers. Because of insufficient funding, the agency does not operate an assisted housing or a Section 8 Family Self-Sufficiency Program. However, the agency is working with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to implement citywide and countywide programs in the future.
Hickory's Consolidated Plan identifies State building code amendments and updates to the city's zoning ordinance as barriers to affordable housing.
The Council of American Building Officials (CABO) residential building code, which requires more expensive building foundations, approved window-unit types and increased load-bearing strength for roofs. The CABO code also has more restrictive insulation requirements and stringent measures to ensure that attached garages and interior living spaces have proper fire separation. The upgraded standards have added material, labor, and inspection expenses, increasing the cost of housing construction.
Revisions to the city's zoning ordinance require that manufactured housing complies with additional criteria -- such as minimum dimensions, brick underpinning, and single-wide mobile home restrictions -- which have affected affordable housing options.
Having completed an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice, Hickory, in conjunction with the Inter-Faith Housing Corporation, continues to promote fair housing through a downpayment assistance program, which gives priority to low-income families. The city also accepts complaints about violations in fair housing practices, referring complaints to the State of North Carolina for investigation.
Hickory estimates that 2,505 low-income rental units and 1,950 low-income owner-occupied units contain lead-based paint. Throughout Catawba County public clinics have annually screened approximately 150 children under age 6 for lead poisoning. Since January 1992 only one case of childhood lead poisoning has been documented.
The city has continued to identify at-risk children through blood screenings at the Health Department, and private clinics have been advised to report cases of at-risk children to the Health Department. As part of the city's assisted housing rehabilitation projects, Hickory will use CDBG funds to assist low-income families who have lead-based paint abatement concerns.
Hickory identifies the following community development needs:
Hickory identifies the following housing priorities:
Hickory identifies the following community development priorities:
The city's antipoverty strategy encourages the development of programs that foster individual and family self-esteem and that promote self-sufficiency to create productive community members. Transitional housing opportunities and programs directed at self-sufficiency are crucial to the success of this strategy.
In addition to the HOME funds that Hickory will receive as part of a consortium with nearby counties, the city will also receive State-administered HOME funds to assist in new construction, to offer homebuyer assistance, and to assist in the rehabilitation of housing for low-income families.
Hickory will identify city-owned properties that may be suitable for recreational, residential, commercial, or other forms of development. Homebuyer assistance will be provided through the Employer Assisted Housing Program.
The city added an economic development planner to its staff to cultivate private-sector relationships that will enhance and extend the city's resources for community development needs. Currently, some area banks offer low-interest loans to low-income persons for housing and business opportunities.
Hickory also collaborates with numerous nonprofit organizations.
Hickory's Community Development Department will collaborate with public and private agencies to implement the Consolidated Plan.
Hickory will allocate funds to the following key citywide projects:
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.
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 projects within another of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.
