Manchester's one year plan reflects $3,139,459.00 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, HOME funds and program income for housing and community development activities. Besides this federal funding, an additional $28 million in other funding sources will be used in the implementation of the City's Community Improvement Program.
Manchester has a history and a long New England tradition of citizen inclusion in its government and Manchester citizens were no less involved in the development of the consolidated plan, beginning with public hearings a four different locations in the City. Two of these were held at the City's two public housing complexes. Notifications were made to human service agencies, local businesses and public/private housing agencies with 1248 notices sent to Public Housing residents alone. Mailings were also made to the Latin American Center and the Alliance for the Progress of Hispanic Americans. Staff from these two organizations attended the hearings.
Additionally, the City conducted interviews with human and social service providers as part of its solicitation for citizen comment. Information on the plan's process was distributed at each hearing. A brief outline of the plan was discussed at the hearings followed by a question and answer period. Citizens were also provided with the opportunity to submit their comments on a form provided at the hearings.
After reviewing citizens'comments of the draft consolidated plan received at
the May 1995 public hearing, the City determined that no amendments to the plan
were needed. The City has developed a process to allow the continuation of
citizen participation in amending the plan. For example, the City will hold at
least two public hearings each year on the plan.
Manchester is the State's largest City and the primary center for rental housing. There are 44,361 units of housing in the City with 91% occupied. Fifty-four percent of the available housing units are rental properties.
Similar to the rest of the State, Manchester's population is 98% white, but has a rapidly growing number of Afro-Americans, Hispanics and Asians. During the past ten years, the populations of Afro-Americans grew by 192%, Hispanics by 120% and Asians by 292%. Despite this growth, the City has no areas of significant racial/ethnic concentration.
Only two of the City's twenty-eight census tracts have populations with more
than 20% of the residents with incomes below the poverty level with 16 of the
tracts having no greater than 10% of the population with incomes below poverty.
For purposes of the consolidated plan, Manchester defines low income
concentration where at least 51% of the census tract population has incomes less
than 80% of the median income for the City, as identified in the 1990 Census.
The median income for a family of four is $37,850.
In addition to census data, input from citizens, public/private agencies and organizations was used in the City's housing needs assessment. For the purposes of this analysis, households with housing needs were identified as having any of 3 housing problems of overcrowding, excessive cost burden and physical inadequacy. In 1990, Manchester had 12,883 households (both renter and owner) experiencing at least one of these 3 problems. Manchester concluded that renters are overall more likely to experience a housing problem than owners with 40% of renters compared to 23% of owners identified as having at least one of the 3 housing problems. For renter households, the extremely low and very low income households account for 67% of the households with housing problems.
While homeowners in total are shown to be experiencing housing problems to a lesser degree than renters, the experiences of those owners with extremely low incomes are comparable; and, in fact, are slightly greater with 77% of owners versus 76% of rental households experiencing some form of housing problem.
As previously mentioned, there are 44,361 units of housing in the City with an overall vacancy rate of just under 10% Of the 15,169 units built before 1940, 62% are renter occupied. Low and very low income individuals occupy 97% of the units. In the 1940-1959 class only 32% are rentals with 93% being utilized by low and very low income renters. 55% of the units built between 1960-1979 are renter occupied, while 94% are low/very low income individuals.
Manchester estimates that 18.5% or 4,028 units of its rental stock is physically inadequate or substandard and 1% or 247 units of its owner housing stock is in need of rehabilitation.
Manchester has 5,609 extremely low income households and 4,194 low income households, which together at 9,803 households represents a quarter of the total number of households in the City. These households are significantly affected by some type of housing problem, with affordability the primary issue. Over 70% for both renter and owner have cost burdens, which is defined as housing costs that exceed 30% of their incomes, with 58% of the very low income and 23% of the low income experiencing severe cost burdens, which is defined as housing costs that exceed 50% of their incomes.
Large family households face more housing problems than any other group. For the extremely low income large family renter 97% are experiencing cost burdens with 80% having severe housing cost burdens.
Manchester's three emergency shelters served 1,84l persons during 1994. Two of the shelters serve families with children and the remaining shelter is a traditional housing facility. Additionally, there are 5 agencies providing services to the homeless. Providers state that the problem goes far beyond those who use the City's shelters. Many clients simply choose not to use a shelter, with many families who live with friends or other family members because they do not have a place of their own. One provider reported giving services to 202 homeless families and children and also listed 424 persons on their case load as being at risk of homelessness. The most common reason for seeking assistance through this particular provider was homelessness (40%) followed by high rent (36%) and problems with current living situation (24%).
While there is a need for additional facilities, the City believes that many homeless or at risk families may be better severed by providing intensive services prior to losing their homes. Other special needs groups include the elderly of which there are an estimated 1,768 frail elderly needing supportive housing and that population continues to grow. The Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority currently provides Congregate Housing Services to approximately 82 frail elderly. Additionally, the Authority received HUD approval to open an additional site at the Kalivas apartments.
Manchester has 3,876 units of project and tenant based assisted housing administered or funded primarily through the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority. 1,814 of these units are occupied by families, 1,972 by the elderly and the remaining 90 units for severely mentally ill and physically handicapped. Of the 1,345 units of Section 8, 728 are for one bedroom units, 439 for two bedroom units, 168 for three bedroom units and 10 for four bedroom units. As of January 1, 1995, the Authority had a Section 8 waiting list of 2,235 applicants made up of 864 elderly/disabled and 1,371 families.
Manchester is the regional center for southern New Hampshire and has established a network of services available to the population suffering from alcohol and drug dependencies. The City estimates that there are 4,963 physically disabled residents with over 8,000 of its residents suffering from some form of mental illness and alcohol and other drug abuse. On an annual basis, Manchester's Mental Health Center provides services to approximately 5,210 individuals. The Center states that 232 of its clientele received housing assistance during 1994, representing an increase of 84 recipients over the previous reporting period. The Center also states that additional units are needed for the population that it serves.
Manchester's New Hampshire AIDS foundation provided services to 110 people during 1994 and states that the waiting lists for Section 8 and other affordable housing is among its most pressing problems. The waiting lists for these housing programs averages 24-28 months.
Manchester lists the challenges to affordable housing as policies, standards and requirements placed on communities by state and federal governments, such as lead paint hazard reduction and historic preservation rules. Also listed are local requirements including zoning, life safety code compliance and local taxation policies.
Per Federal requirements, Manchester states that it has undertaken an analysis to identify any impediments to fair housing that may exist in the City's Housing and Community Development program. The city has concluded that satisfactory actions have been -and will continue to be- taken to affirmatively further fair housing and increase housing choice in the City. These actions include the ongoing review of pertinent policies and a plan of action to eliminate conditions that limit fair housing choice.
Manchester has approximately 25,823 housing units with lead based paint and of that number approximately 13,948 are occupied by low and moderate income persons.
Manchester Health Department indicates that over half of the lead poisoning cases in the State occur in Manchester. In 1994, the Department identified 50 children with lead poisoning. The Department provided services to 300 children each year and inspects about 30 properties annually.
Manchester lists its needs as rebuilding and upgrading its streets and
bridge system; repairing its sewer and storm drainage systems; improving its
school system; repairing its school facilities; rehabilitating and making
accessible to the handicapped city offices; installing a new computer and
communication system and upgrading its park/recreational facilities.
Manchester lists its 4 key strategies as:
The City lists an additional 3 strategies for Anti-Poverty, Affordable Housing and Homeless Needs. These 7 strategies will be used to address the City's identified needs and will be carried out through a variety of funding sources, including HUD funding.
The housing strategies focus on the City's need for 2 and 3 bedroom rental units to accommodate larger families and on a program to foster homeownership , particularly for the poorer residents of the community. Factors, such as decline in real estate values and the downturn in the economy, resulted in significant deterioration of the housing stock in the City's older neighborhoods. Manchester responds to these conditions through the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plan to advance actions for arresting the deterioration and ultimately improving these neighborhoods.
Manchester will use CDBG funds for homeownership programs that provide downpayment and closing cost assistance for up to $5000 and will also provide financial assistance for purchased properties requiring rehabilitation. The City strategy for more affordable rental housing includes the use of HOME and CDBG funds for rehabilitation and construction of rental properties. The strategy also includes efforts to increase the number of affordable and decent larger two and three bedroom units.
Tenant based rental assistance in the form of security deposits is also part of the City's strategy to provide affordable housing. The City focuses on the elimination of lead based paint hazards and has allocated $75,000 to a project that will eliminate lead based paint hazards in older pre-1950 housing. This project is expected to benefit 15 extremely low to moderate low income households.
Activities for promoting and expanding economic development within the City include job training, incubator and micro-enterprise programs to assist the development of new and emerging businesses and the possible expansion of the University of New Hampshire's continued development of U.S. First program and exploration of a Civic Center.
Manchester overall approach to improving handicap accessibility in public facilities is to maximize the limited amount of funds for accessibility projects through cooperative efforts between the various City departments and through a needs prioritization program.
To meet its neighborhood revitalization objective, Manchester will fund not only housing and job training activities but will also provide health, social service and youth programs to those low and moderate income families and individuals, who otherwise would not have access to such services. Manchester will also institute activities to insure a safe environment through crime prevention and police enforcement programs.
Manchester aims to increase extremely low and very low income residents ability to earn liveable wages through job training and education and through the provision of day care and transportation to work. Historically, the City has sought to address poverty through funding assistance made available in the Community Improvement Program ( both City cash and CDBG). Examples of existing programs that are part of the City's anti-poverty strategy are: VNA administered Day Care program which allows parents to work or receive employment training; Youth Recreation Programs which provide latchkey children with a safe after school environment including nutritional snacks; and, operational and project assistance to the City's two Hispanic Organizations that provide English Language classes and job training skills.
Some of the key agencies involved in the implementation of the consolidated plan are the New Hampshire Department of Mental Health and Developmental Services along with other local agencies who work with the City to meet the needs of the homeless and disabled. The Manchester Health Department has lead the way in developing methods and procedures for eliminating lead based paint hazards. The City's Planning Department has works closely with the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority which administers certain HOME and CDBG housing resources. The revitalization of the housing stock in Manchester's low income neighborhoods has been assisted by Manchester's local nonprofit housing agencies, which are the Manchester Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Manchester Area Housing Trust and the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
The primary Federal resources include CDBG, HOME, Section 8, public housing and Supportive Housing Programs.
The City through its Planning Department serves as the lead agency responsible for coordinating the consolidated planning and submission process. The coordination of effort between the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the administrator of the HOME and CDBG housing resources, the local nonprofits/mental health organizations are widespread. Representatives of these organizations are active in the Low Income Housing Network, Greater Manchester Association of Social Service Agencies and other groups.
The City interacts with these agencies and other providers on a regular
basis and provides funding for a project entitled "Information and Referral"
a directory of Social Services for the Greater Manchester area.
Manchester One-Year Action Plan outlines the proposed use of about $ 3.1 million in CDBG, HOME and an additional $194,459.00 in program income. The following are examples of the housing and community development activities assisted with these funds:
Activities planned for targeted inner city neighborhoods as well as citywide, such as the Homeowner Rehabilitation Program.
Manchester's housing goal for the first year is to increase the supply of affordable and decent housing for 193 households through rehabilitation for both rental and owner properties, downpayment/closing cost assistance, tenant based rental assistance and lead based paint abatement. Moreover, 625 homeless will be served with the funds spent on insurance coverage and by providing additional bed space for the homeless and battered and abused spouses.
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 depicts Neighborhood Segments, streets, and proposed HUD funded projects.
TABLE (without associated map) depicts additional information about the project(s).
