The Consolidated Plan is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that larger cities and all states must prepare in order to receive federal monetary assistance from HUD programs. The Plan is a comprehensive strategy developed by the community addressing the affordable housing and community development needs present within the community. Ultimately, the Plan will be used to implement the following HUD grant programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).

As mandated by HUD, The Consolidated Plan must contain the following elements.

1. Needs/Market Conditions, including an assessment of the community's affordable housing needs, public housing needs, homeless needs, lead-based paint concerns, fair housing concerns, identification of barriers to affordable housing, and community and economic development needs.

2. Housing and Community Development Priorities and Strategies, present statistical and analytical information that provides an overall picture of the housing and community development needs of the community. Once gathered, this information will help to establish priorities for assistance and the allocation of resources.

3. One Year Action Plan, list the activities the community will undertake to address priority needs and local objectives with anticipated program income and funds received during the next program year under the HOME, CDBG, ESG, HOPWA, Public Housing Comprehensive Grant, and other HUD programs for meeting housing and community development objectives.

Guiding Principals in the Consolidated Plan Planning Process

On Thursday, April 27, 1995, the City of Lima convened a public hearing to get citizen input on how the city should "involve" citizens in the preparation of a citizen participation plan. At that meeting it was agreed that at least four public hearings would be convened to apprise citizens of the contents of the Consolidated Plan as it evolves. In addition, three neighborhood meetings will be convened. Furthermore, it was agreed that an "oversight" committee identified as the Lima Consolidated Planning Committee (LCPC) made up of providers and extremely low, very low and low income neighborhood consumers from the city be established to oversee the Consolidated Plan's development. The group also agreed that a focus group of LCPC members be conducted "prior to" strategy development in order to get direct, structured input into the plan. Finally, the citizens felt that surveys should be taken of both providers and consumers in order to determine program/service needs and strategies to address those needs.

The approach taken by the City of Lima regarding the development of the Consolidated Plan was guided by two leading principles:

• Customer Service: Focus program efforts to the most critical needs, i.e. those of extremely low income households.
• Comprehensive Approach:The Consolidated Plan's objective is to achieve empowerment of individuals and families and ensure long-term economic independence.

These two principals are of major importance to the Plan. However, inherent in these two principals is extensive, relevant, and ongoing citizen participation. The City of Lima believes it is very important to have widespread, substantive participation throughout the planning process to ensure community "ownership" of the plan. A variety of techniques, including focus groups, public hearings, workshops, etc., were used to achieve this end. A Consolidated Plan Committee (CPC) consisting of key stakeholders in the Consolidated Plan was formed at the start of the process. In addition, the City and the CPC facilitated the creation of partnerships among stakeholders that were critical for implementation of the Consolidated Plan.

The City of Lima's Consolidated Plan consists of six sections; Section 1 is the Citizens Participation Plan, Section 2 is a Needs/Market Profile, Section 3 is a Five Year Strategic Plan, Section 4 is a One Year Action Plan, Section 5 is a Three Year Action Plan, Section 6 contains Attachments.

The Citizens Participation Plan outlines how the City of Lima solicited citizen input into the development of the Consolidated Plan process and citizen participation in the Plan's development. A major element of the plan was the identification of the Lima Consolidated Plan Committee (LCPC). The group met four times to review the Consolidated Plan's development from needs, to strategies to action plans. In addition, four public hearings were held at convenient and accessible locations.

The Needs/Market Profile identified the city's affordable housing, community and economic development needs by income, household type, program, service needs. Primary sources of information used were HUD census data, community interviews, focus group sessions.

A Five Year Strategy was developed and involved identifying housing and community development resources, housing and community and economic development objectives and projects rated on a priority housing (including Homeless Needs, Other Special Population Needs, Public Housing needs) community/economic development basis. Other areas covered included lead based paint issues, institutional structure, reduction of barriers, and coordination.

A One Year Action Plan was developed which provided a description of strategies undertaken, their priority, HUD code, funding source and amounts, CDBG national objective documentation, accomplishments, location, beneficiaries, timing and administration. The Three Year Action Plan identifies "additional" activities to be undertaken in 1996 and 1997. Also included are monitoring processes to be followed and a description of anti poverty and coordination activities the Plan intends to accomplish. Finally, the Action Plan addresses the City's CDBG program income and special HOME submission requirements.

Attachments to the Plan include LCPC composition, HUD Certifications, LCPC and public hearing minutes, focus group and neighborhood meeting results, samples of the survey instruments, HUD Table 2 methodology, resource list, citizen comments.

The following information was gathered from focus groups with the LCPC, interviews with city officials and housing/community service providers, 1980-1990 Census data and the Lima CHAS.

CT = Census Tract
LCPC= Lima Consolidated Planning Committee
LMI= Low to Moderate Income

Population

• Lima's population decreased by 1,832 (3.9%) from 47,381 to 45,549 during the 1980s. During the 1970s, the population decreased by 11.8%, or 6,353 persons.
• The proportion of the population under 18 years old declined from 32.8% (15,562 persons) to 29.2% (13,282 persons) from 1980 to 1990.
• The proportion of the population that is elderly increased from 12.6% (5,962 persons) to 13.4% (6,100 persons) from 1980 to 1990.
• In 1990, the minority population of Lima represented 25.5% of the total population. The minority population increased by 14.4% during the 1980s from 10,139 to 11,600 persons.
• The CTs containing the highest proportion of minorities are 138 (90.9%), 117pt (79.5%), 137 (60.9%), 111 (51.7%) and 133 (49.9%). Three of these CTs are in the CDBG Target Area (area containing at least 51% LMI households)

Household Population

• The number of female-headed families with no husband present increased from 2,285 to 2,840 (24.3%) during the 1980s. Overall, the number of families decreased by 1,106 (9.1%) during this decade.
• The number of households decreased from 17,481 to 16,175 (7.5%), slightly less than the number of families.
• The number of persons living in Non-family households increased slightly during the 1980s.

Income

• The 1989 median family income for the City of Lima was $25,775, well below that of Allen County ($32,513) and the national median ($35,939). The median household income was $21,061 and the median non-family income was only $12,471.
• In 1989, one quarter (25.01%, 4,044 households) of all households earned under $10,000.
• The Lima CHAS reported that 34% of all households had incomes under 50% of the Allen County Median in 1990 (very low income). Another 19% had incomes between 51-80% of the median (low income), and 9% had incomes between 81- 95% of the median (moderate income). For the Black population, the proportion of low and moderate-income households is 70%, while in the Hispanic population it is 35% and in the Native American population is 53%. The Asian population has the lowest percentage of low and moderate income households, at 11 percent.
• The CDBG Target Area includes CTs 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137 and 138. In these tracts, BGs with 65% or more LMI families include CT 124, BG 3 (69.2.5%); CT 125, BG 2 (68.5%), CT 128, BG 1 (86.6%), BG 2 (86.3%) and BG 3 (76.1%), CT 133, BG 1 (73%); CT 134, BG 1 (67.8%); CT 135 BG 1 (92.1%) and BG 2 (94%); CT 136 BG 1 (65.5%); and CT 138 BG 2 (94.8%), BG 3 (67.5%) and BG 5 (68.1%).

Poverty Status of the Population

• In 1989, 21.6% (9,016 persons) of Lima's population lived in poverty. Poverty rates are much higher for female-headed households (53.9%), unrelated individuals in family households (52.4%), nonrelative households (41.3%) and those living in group quarters (74.6%).
• The poverty rate in 1979 was 16.9%. Thus the poverty rate increased by 27.8% during the 1980s. The poverty rate for families increased by 35.8% from 13.7% to 18.6%.
• The elderly poverty rate was 14.6% in 1989.
• Of the 9,016 persons in poverty, 5,353 (59.4%) were white, 3,587 (39.8%) were black and 76 (.8%) were in of other races. While 16.8% of the White population lives in poverty, this figure is 37.6% for the Black population and 15.9% for other races.
• Of all persons in poverty, 53.4% (4,814 persons) were in female-headed households with no husband present and 20.2% (1,823 persons) were in married-couple families.
• The poverty rate for female-headed families was 49.3% in 1989.
• Poverty rates were highest in CTs 128 (45.5%), 135 (60%), 136 (42.7%) and 138 (40.9%), all of which are in the CDBG Target Area.

Housing Market/Development Issues

• The number of housing units in Lima decreased from 19,042 to 18,666 (376 units, 2%) during the 1980s. The largest decrease was among single-family homes, followed by five+ family structures and duplexes.
• There appears to be many available, affordable housing units in Lima. However, most of these units are undesirable because they are in need of substantial rehabilitation and are perceived to be in unsafe, high-crime areas.
• In 1990, 68.9% (12,853 units) were 40 or more years old. Older housing is most likely to need rehabilitation. Only 7.3% (1,370) units were constructed from 1980 to March, 1990.
• In 1990 there were 2,355 vacant housing units in Lima (vacancy rate 12.6%). Of these, 74.6% (1,758 units) were 40 or more years old. There were 1,034 vacant units for rent and 209 vacant units for sale in 1990. The majority (68%, 12,668 units) of vacant units are single-family homes.
• In 1980, 1,572 units were vacant (vacancy rate 8.3%).
• There is a strong need to rehabilitate or demolish vacant units.
• Most new development is taking place outside the City limits, and consists of middle and upper income single-family housing.
• New development outside the City is perceived as safer and more spacious.

Rental Housing Market Conditions

• There are 6,678 renter-occupied housing units in Lima. The 1990 median gross rent was $329. Median gross rents were lowest in Census Tracts 117pt ($131), 122 ($182) and 135 ($188) and highest in Tracts 109pt ($446) and 110 ($440).
• HUD data reports that of 6,632 low and moderate-income renter households, 2,795 (42.1%) have cost burden over 30% and 1,522 (22.9%) have cost burden over 50%.
• The current vacancy rate in the rental market is very high, at 15.5%.
• Code enforcement needs to be strengthened to induce landlords to maintain their properties.
• There is a need for low interest loans for landlords to help them maintain their rental units.
• Home maintenance and budgeting classes should be made available to renter households.

Owner Housing Market Conditions

• In 1990, 59% of Lima's occupied housing stock was owner-occupied and 41% was renter-occupied. The highest percentages of renter-occupied housing were found in Census Tracts 110pt. (66%), 117pt. (60%), 128 (76.6%), 129 (58.1%), 133 (57.35%) and 135 (82%).
• In 1990 there were 9,633 owner-occupied housing units in Lima. The median value of owner-occupied housing was $38,800, while that of Allen County was $52,100. Lima's median has increased only 29.3% since 1980. Census Tracts with the lowest median values were 117pt. ($24,200), 125 ($21,000), 127 ($20,000), 134 ($23,100), 135 ($16,100), 136 ($22,700), 137pt. ($25,500) and 138 ($22,300).
• HUD data reports that of 9,543 owner households, 1,054 (11%) have cost burden over 30% and (3.4%) have cost burden over 50%.
• The ability to save for a downpayment and poor credit history are cited as barriers to homeownership for LMI households. More funds are needed for downpayment assistance.
• Another barrier to LMI homeownership is the quality of the available, affordable housing. The Lima Lenders Group "Good Neighbor" program offers low downpayments to LMI buyers and works with Project Rehab to repair the homes. There is also a new "no closing cost" loan program available, which could be enhanced if funds were available. The Lenders Advisory Committee offers reduced downpayments and less stringent credit ratings.
• There is a need for educational services for first time owners to help them properly maintain their homes. The Lenders Advisory Committee provides information to first time buyers on how to purchase a home.

Homeless Needs

• There were 4,044 households in Lima earning less than $10,000 annually in 1989. Such households are most likely to be at risk of homelessness.

• The Safe Harbor Runaway and Homeless Shelter served 147 runaway/ and or homeless youths in 1994.

• Last year, the Samaritan House for homeless women and children provided emergency shelter and referral services to 456 persons (287 households).
• The Lima Rescue Home provides shelter and meals for up to 28 men, and also rents private rooms to men in need. Drug and alcohol abuse was cited as the biggest obstacle to addressing the needs of the Rescue Home's clients.
• During the past 5-10 years the number of homeless families appears to have increased.
• There is a need for transitional housing for formerly homeless families and victims of domestic violence.
• The Allen Metropolitan Housing Authority documented a need for single-room occupancy housing in Lima and is currently developing 66 units (Lima CHAS).
• The 1990 "Rural Homelessness in Ohio" survey, which included Allen County, reported that the most common reasons for homelessness included problems paying rent and/or eviction, family conflicts, unemployment, alcohol and drug problems and deinstitutionalization (Lima CHAS).

Public Housing Needs

• There is a need for increased funding for small home repairs which would allow the elderly to remain in their homes.
• There is a need for smaller units, possibly group homes, for the elderly
• The Northwest Center for Human Resources provides housing and supportive services to 100 chronically mentally ill individuals. There is a waiting list of 36 persons.
• Deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill has increased the demand for special needs housing and supportive services during the past 5-10 years. Many mentally ill individuals suffer from housing cost burden.
• The Crossroads Crisis Center reports that the number of domestic violence victims has increased significantly during the past five years, while the availability of affordable and decent housing has decreased. Last year, 598 persons were served by the organization.
• The Lima CHAS estimated that 2,823 handicapped persons reside in Lima. The City estimates that all households with handicapped persons are LMI.
• There is a need for housing and public facilities (i.e. parks and city building) that are accessible to the disabled.

Economic Development Needs

• Over half of all persons 16 and over participate in the labor force (19,122 persons, 56.1%). The 1990 unemployment rate was 12.8%, which is much higher than that of Allen County (8.2%) or the State of Ohio (6.6%). The 1980 unemployment rate was also 12.8%.
• The largest sources of employment in 1990 were manufacturing and retail trade, which employed 21.7% and 21.6% of all employed persons in Lima, respectively. While most manufacturing jobs offer decent wages, retail jobs generally do not pay well. The remainder of the labor force was relatively evenly distributed across economic sectors.
• Bringing new and diversified industry and jobs to Lima and providing job training/education to LMI individuals are identified as important priorities for Lima.
• Newly created jobs must pay enough to support a family.
• Only 13% of Lima's population over 25 had a college degree in 1990. While another 40% were high school graduates, 31% did not have a high school diploma.
• Education levels were lowest in CTs 117pt, 125, 127, 128, 134, 135 and 138. All but one of these CTs are in the CDBG Target Area.

Community Development Needs

• There is much concern about safety and drug trafficking in LMI neighborhoods.
• Safe, affordable and reliable transportation to jobs and community service providers was cited as an important need in LMI neighborhoods.
• Only 1.3% of all workers 16 and over reported taking the bus to work in 1990, while 79.8% drove alone.
• Many elderly persons have limited access to grocery stores, etc. because of lack of transportation.
• There is a need for affordable 24-hour day care. Almost two-thirds (60.3%) of females with children under 6 participated in the labor force in 1990, and 61% of children in families and subfamilies had all parents in the labor force.
• There is a need for neighborhood empowerment to develop pride in the community. Neighborhoods need to be informed and involved in the implementation of the Consolidated Plan.
• There is a strong feeling that Lima should examine a "metro" form of government.
• Nonprofit organizations should be fully funded and included in all community and economic development activities.
• There is a need to centralize social service delivery, possible by development a "one- stop shop."

1. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

   Strategy: To retain and expand safe and affordable housing for extremely low, very low, low and moderate income households.

   Activities:

   1. : Rehabilitation

      Goal: To improve the condition of existing housing stock by providing rehabilitation assistance to 350 units.

   2. New Construction

      Goal: To encourage the development of new housing opportunities for all income ranges by developing new units of housing dispersed through out the City of Lima.

   3. Weatherization

      Goal: To provide energy efficient units by supplying weatherization.

   4. Ownership

      Goal: To increase the affordability of housing for very low, low and moderate income households by maintaining and expanding existing home ownership opportunities to 100 very low, low and moderate income households.

   5. Code Enforcement

      Goal: To improve the condition of the existing housing stock by carrying out code area, code enforcement, especially sidewalks/streets/curbs, publicize properties that aren't maintained, codes not maintained because people can't afford upkeep (especially elderly), there is no mechanism for demolition of vacant buildings, just securing them.

   6. Demolition/Clearance

      Goal: To reduce "blighting influences in neighborhoods by demolishing dilapidated structures.

   7. Support Services

      Goal: To provide assistance for landlords, extremely low, very low, low and moderate income tenants and homeowners, At Risk homeless and housing opportunities for Special Needs households by providing information, referral, counseling and a "Continuum of Care" with appropriate support services for these households.

   8. Rent Supplement

      Goal: To provide rent supplement (including extension of current assistance) for public housing residents, At Risk homeless and housing opportunities for Special Needs by providing a "Continuum of Care" with appropriate support services for these households.

   9. Fair Housing

      Goal: To ensure that all residents regardless of income shall have housing choices regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, familial, national origin, handicap, financial status.

   10. Planning/Administration

       Goal: To cooperate and coordinate with public and private affordable housing providers in order to provide effective and efficient housing opportunities and support services for extremely low, very low, low and moderate income households, At Risk Homeless, public housing residents and other persons with Special Needs.

2. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

   Strategy: Establish healthy neighborhoods through balanced, diverse development of public facilities, infrastructure, housing, commercial, recreational, and safety activities.

   Activities:

   1. Infrastructure

      Goal: Repair, replace and upgrade the infrastructure in Lima's neighborhoods and provide infrastructure in other areas to ensure "balanced" development.

   2. Public Services

      Goal: To provide public services to complement and supplement existing city and community wide efforts to provide a diverse and balanced development of neighborhoods.

   3. Environmental Services

      Goal: To provide for a clean and healthy environment for all Lima neighborhoods.

   4. Public Facilities (including Recreational Services)

      Goal: To provide for an appropriate level of public facilities in order to enhance the quality of life for Lima's households.

   5. Transportation

      Goal: To ensure the public transportation needs of the City of Lima's extremely low, very low, low, moderate income households, At Risk Homeless and Other People with Special Needs are met.

   6. Public Safety

      Goal: To ensure that Lima's neighborhoods are safe, decent, viable environments that are drug free.

   7. Neighborhood Empowerment

      Goal: To provide technical resource assistance in order for residents to play a greater role in community leadership and self empowerment.

3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

   Strategy: Retain and expand employment and business opportunities for City residents.

   Activities:

   1. One Stop Business Enterprise Center

      Goal: Provide coordinated marketing, job training, job placement and other employment opportunities that include one stop information and referral services.

   2. Regional Employment Consortium

      Goal: Link businesses operating in the older part of the city with those operating in the broader, regional economy to provide transportation and support services in order to increase job opportunities for all Lima residents.

   3. Small Business Incubator

      Goal: Assist individual, small minority and women owned businesses to grow through a variety of public/private financing and technical assistance tools.

   4. Coordinated Job Training/Job Placement

      Goal: Provide work force development through coordinated job training and job placement, especially for youth.

   5. Downtown Revitalization

      Goal: Create incentives for businesses to re-invest in the Central Business District (CBD) by providing planning, financial, and technical assistance.

   6. Neighborhood Revitalization

      Goal: Identify neighborhoods committed to substantial revitalization by providing technical and financial assistance in the areas of housing, community and economic development.

   7. Inter-Governmental Cooperation

      Goal: To coordinate and cooperate with public and private sectors in order to retain and expand employment opportunities for extremely low, very low, low and moderate income households.

Description of Annual Funding Plan

This section of the Consolidated Plan outlines the City of Lima's description of the eligible programs, policies and activities to be undertaken with funds made available and their relationship to the priority housing, homelessness, community and economic development needs. The City of Lima is the primary funder for affordable housing, community and economic development activities in the city. Below is a summary and budget of the City's One Year Action Plan. The total dollars available are $1,944,000.

The preparation of a Consolidated Plan is intended to develop a unified and strategic vision for providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities for low and moderate income households. The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive strategy designed to serve as the basic guide for the allocation of funds to implement the following federally assisted programs: Community development Block grant (CDBG); Home Investment Partnerships (HOME); Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG); and Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). The Consolidated Plan is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funding eligibility under these programs. The Consolidated Plan will also be used by federal and state agencies in determining the need for, and appropriateness of, funding decisions or requests made available through these programs.

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 Neighborhood Segments and proposed HUD funded projects.

TABLE (without associated map) provides information about the project(s).