Asbury Park's 1995 Consolidated Plan constitutes a vision for housing and community development to help correct problems in the community in need of attention. The purpose of the Consolidated Plan is to streamline the HUD grant application process and to ensure that funding decisions are made in the context of the City's plan. This summary offers city residents a quick overview of Asbury Park's housing and community development needs, the Consolidated Plan, including the Economic Development Element, and the actions necessary for carrying out these goals in 1995.

Action Plan

Asbury Park's 1995 Consolidated Plan contains an Action Plan identifying housing and community development projects to be undertaken in the City in response to community needs. The City was allocated $563,000 in Federal funds for 1995.

Citizen Participation

Citizens, agencies and other interested individuals and entities were involved in the planning process in one or more of the following ways: Meetings with service providers, open public forum, meetings among agencies involved in various levels of government and committee meetings.

Population               16,799 -- Percent on public assistance 22.0
Households                6,797 -- Percent persons in poverty 23.3
Housing units             7,692 -- Percent Vacant  10.7 
Rented                    5,039 -- Median rent $537 
Owner                     1,758 -- Percent owned 26 
Civilians in labor force  8,388 -- Percent unemployed 11.8
Median Household Income $20,754

Conditions

Of the 5,039 rental housing units, 2,267 are substandard and 492 of the 1,758 owner occupied units are substandard. Approximately 585 contain lead based paint. Public housing operates 587 units, 75 of which are vacant. Of the vacant units, 29 are currently undergoing rehabilitation. There are 756 units of assisted housing.

Housing Needs

In the rental housing units, 2,177 of the 2,267 units are suited for rehabilitation

All of the 492 owner occupied are suited for rehab.

Very low income persons occupy 46 percent of the 6,797 total households in Asbury Park, with renter households consisting of 57 percent very low income persons.

Housing Market Conditions

Over an 18 month period, Tax Assessor records revealed that 80 percent of the 356 sales transactions in Asbury Park were some type of distress situation - family transfers, sheriff's sales, bank foreclosures etc. which do not lend themselves to normal resale situations.

Affordable Housing Needs

Some 45 percent of the renter occupied units are substandard. Of that number, 96 percent appear suitable for rehabilitation. Some 28 percent of owner occupied units are substandard and all are suitable for rehabilitation. More than 40 percent of homeowners and 80 percent of the renters in Asbury Park are cost burdened. Of those numbers, 10 percent of the homeowners and 28 percent of the renters are severely cost burdened (pay more than 30 percent and 50 percent of their gross monthly income for shelter costs).

Homeless Needs

Asbury Park has the highest concentration in the State of single-room occupancy and board/care facilities to serve the needs of homeless persons and other special populations. In addition, there are six residential facilities connected to treatment programs. There are more than 1,000 beds for special needs population.

There are a total of 416 homeless identified with 365 being housed in emergency shelters and 40 in transitional housing. Needs tables are included in the Plan for aids, alcohol and other drug abuse, children, developmentally disabled, domestic violence, senior citizens and veterans. Other homeless needs include prevention, mentally ill, emergency shelter/family, emergency shelter/GA population, transitional housing, permanent/permanent supportive housing. The Monmouth County "Homeless Continuum of Care System" is included in the Asbury Park Consolidated Plan.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

Of the 587 public housing units, 75 are vacant. The Public Housing Authority also administers the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program with a total of 217 units. There were 385 persons on the Section 8 waiting list. The State and Monmouth County have a total of 518 additional vouchers.

In a meeting of resident leaders of public housing, they expressed their general approval of the Annual Statement and Five Year Action Plan, but expressed concern that the program be implemented in a timely manner, and that regular maintenance be performed. The Authority indicated that the Comp Grant Program was aimed toward capital improvements but if leftover funds became available, other work could be performed to assist the maintenance operations.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

The Consolidated Plan Committee developed a list of many barriers to affordable housing but at a subsequent public meeting, the public and Asbury Park Community seriously questioned the barriers identified. The Plan identifies the barriers identified.

Fair Housing

Information is to be provided to landlords, tenants and real estate agents. The City is to process complaints, and provide counseling and outreach.

Lead-Based Paint

The age and condition of Asbury Park's housing stock are primary factors contributing to high levels of paint contamination. Approximately 94 percent of the units were constructed prior to 1979 when the use of lead based paint was prevalent. Forty five percent of the units constructed prior to 1979 have been assessed as substandard.

Asbury Park is ranked fourth in New Jersey's list of Priority I Municipalities with 1308 children being at risk of childhood lead poisoning. The State has provided the City with a $200,000 grant for lead based paint abatement in conjunction with its rehabilitation program.

Community Development Needs

The Economic Development Element of the Plan reveals a number of community development needs. They include such items as:

• Improved image of community, including ocean front and downtown improvements and roadway access improvements
• Better security and reduced vandalism
• Employment opportunities and job training
• Improved main street corridor
• Improved business district
• Improved ocean front/tourism

Coordination

• Housing Authority/City
• State Agencies/City - homeownership, homeless

Vision for Change

A primary goal is to assure that all of the citizens of the City of Asbury live in housing that is safe, decent, sanitary and free from hazards.

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

• Allocate investments in geographic areas of greatest need.
• Assign priority to each category of priority need.
• Housing ranked highest among all priority need categories because of the overwhelming concern for the human condition.
• The needs of the homeless ranked also highest, including need for facilities and services. The fact that Asbury Park is doing more than its fair share in this area is recognized. Problems arise when "stop gap" assistance expires with some homeless programs in six months and the subsidized are unable to transition to a level of independence to break from the program.
• Lead based paint abatement
• Infrastructure improvements - planned to coincide with development and redevelopment activities. Neglect of City's infrastructure over the years will require attention.
• Public Service Needs - Priorities vary by type - concerns are

public transportation
substance abuse
accessibility needs

• Economic development concerns - See Economic Development Element in Plan

Housing Priorities

• Stabilize housing stock by decreasing the number of substandard units.
• Increase opportunities for homeownership for moderate income, first time buyers.
• Assist in preventing households from becoming homeless.
• Encourage construction/rehabilitation of single family homes for ownership.
• Develop strategies and programs to assist burdened residents.
• Implement the objectives of the Economic Development Plan.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

Highest priorities include:

• Neighborhood facilities
• Parks, Recreation
• Youth Services
• Transportation Services
• Employment training
• Crime Awareness
• Commercial/industrial rehabilitation
• Micro-business
• Other business
• Technical assistance
• Other economic development
• Lead-based paint hazards
• Code Enforcement

Anti-Poverty Strategy

• Self sufficiency
• Counseling
• Partnerships with private sector
• Participation in Youth Corp/building trades
• Investigate Job Banks Program/Exodus

The City was allocated $563,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds. Major expenditures will involve $181,000 for rehabilitation of 45 substandard housing units and $219,000 to conduct code enforcement. These and other projects are identified below.

Description of Key Projects

• Rehabilitate 45 substandard units.
• Conduct identified homeownership activities.
• Institute on a trial basis the "Relocation Prevention Project".
• Conduct Code Enforcement
• Provide relocation assistance
• Implement first year goals of Economic Development Plan.
• Work closely with the Asbury Park Housing Authority to ready for occupancy units for cost burdened residents.
• Housing Authority activities -

drug free housing and workplace crime and violence prevention program
economic and business empowerment
neighborhood child watch
youth sports program
drug elimination - N.J. Shore Addiction Services
breakfast and lunch programs
employment assistance programs

• Homelessness considerations

avoidance of homelessness
finding and assessing needs
emergency shelter and transitional housing
special needs - AIDS/HIV

• Economic Development - initiate components of 11 goals involving:

ocean front redevelopment
downtown revitalization
main street corridor
industrial zone
neighborhood business district
safe and secure city
job training
anti-harassment
ocean front tourism
business friendly city
economic development program


• Lead-Based Paint Grant - participation in State experimental program.

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.

MAP 6 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects at street level.

Hazel Samuels
Community Development Director Department of Development
1 Municipal Plaza
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
PH: (908) 502-5722