The City of Parma's Action Plan consists of four (4) main objectives:
Over twenty agencies and organizations have participated in the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy and Consolidated Plan development process. The City of Parma, in cooperation with the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission also worked jointly in preparation of the Consolidated Plan.
Citizens were given the opportunity to present their ideas at two public meetings at Parma City Hall. Information was provided on City housing and community development needs and citizens were given the opportunity to present their ideas. To publicize the public meeting, notices were published in local newspapers. Copies were made available in the Mayors Office, Office of City Council, Community Development and local branches of the public library.
The City of Parma is the eighth largest city in Ohio with a population of approximately 88,000. The unemployment rate is 3.6% and poverty rate is 6.1%. The black poverty rate is 6.4 % higher than the white poverty rate and the poverty rate for female head of households is slightly over 7 times greater than for married households. About 5% of children live in poverty.
Family households decreased by 4.2% while non-family households increased by 33.5%. Households for 65 and over increased 44.8%
33% of households in Parma are very low-income (0-50% median) and other low-income (51- 80% median). In contrast, 57% are above 95% median family income. 31.5% of minority households are very low and other low income; and 65% of minority households are above 95% of the median family income. A great percentage of households receive social security and retirement benefits and a small percentage receive public assistance.
Homeownership in Parma is at 77.8%. Parma has a high rate (66.5%) of persons living in the same dwelling unit which shows the stability of the community.
Parma represents a stable housing stock situation.
Elderly, 1 & 2 member households and large family (5+) households that are renting are the largest groups with housing problems in the City of Parma.
Parma totals 35,600 Housing units. The number of units increased by 1,700 or 3.8% from the 1980 Census to the 1990 census. Eighty-three percent of Parma's Housing Stock was built prior to 1969 so there are some lead based paint considerations in an estimated 20,000 units. Within Parma, approximately 76% of all units are owner occupied, 22% renter occupied and 2% vacant. The 1990 census lists 80% of rental units at less than $500 per month and 86% of single family homes at less than $100,000. The medium sale price being $89,000. Parma does not have a pattern of demolition or vacant lots.
Generally the housing stock within Parma is affordable. However, the greatest need remains with renters. Low-income renter households (less than 80% MFI) have the greatest housing cost burden. Rental assistance and affordable housing options are needed.
Based upon available data and other resources presently available in Cuyahoga County, the City of Parma does not anticipate a need to establish homeless facilities or services on its own. If the City of Parma is informed about a homelessness situation with any of its residents, the residents will be referred to the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services. If data developed in the future indicates a previously unidentified homelessness problem involving Parma residents, the City will review its position on the matter.
Parma has one facility considered public housing; as of August, 1995, one vacancy existed. There are 276 subsidy-holders within Parma, representing 3.6% of all renter-occupied units in Parma. In Parma there are two Section 202 facilities; one for persons with physical disabilities (elderly and nonelderly) and one for elderly persons.
Parma works with appropriate federal, state and county agencies for funding and technical assistance on policy-related issues. The City does not have any public policies, such as taxes, land use controls, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, or growth limits that negatively impact the ability to develop, maintain or improve affordable housing.
Parma is currently under Federal Court Order of the U.S. District Court Northern District, Eastern Division to remedy violations of the Fair Housing Act.
The City of Parma actively pursues Fair Housing complaints. The city currently contracts with The Cuyahoga Plan to provide systemic audits and report all violations to the city for prosecution. The city has in place a comprehensive fair housing ordinance which also created a Fair Housing Review Board which gives Parma the power to enforce Federal Fair Housing Laws. Only one other Northeast Ohio community, Shaker Heights has a similar law. Parma schedules two fair housing seminars annually. The Community Development Department through the Parma Ministerial Alliance regularly schedules multi- cultural events that promote diversity. The month of May is designated multi- cultural month. The Parma Department of Community Development participates in all regional fair housing initiatives.
The City of Parma continues to actively work to comply with and exceed the elements of the court order.
There are an estimated 15,664 housing units occupied by low-income households that could contain lead-based paint. Almost 70% of those potential units are occupied by owners. During the period July, 1992 through June, 1993, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health screened 1,063 children under the age of seven and identified 224 new cases of elevated blood lead levels.
The Community Development needs for Parma include Youth Centers, Senior Centers, Parks & Recreation facilities, Flood Drain Improvements, Street Improvements, Sewer Improvements, Sidewalk Improvements, Handicap Services, Crime Awareness, Employment Training, Fair Housing Counseling, Historic Preservation needs, Commercial, Residential Rehabilitation, Energy Efficiency Improvement Technical assistance and other Economic Development considerations.
Other needs identified by the city is the need to increase city, school partnerships. Improving the overall education programs specifically, child care issues, teen pregnancy, single parenting and physical health. The need to address crime and safety issues by helping to coordinate the community policing strategies and seeking funding to purchase new EMS equipment.
The City of Parma fosters coordination among public and private housing and social service agencies through several methods. First, the City allocates CDBG resources to subrecipients who handle a variety of issues, such as fair housing, and landlord/tenant concerns. Second, the City has a formal relationship with a financial institution, through which the City's CDBG funds for housing rehabilitation loans are linked to financial incentives. Third, the Community Development Department and the Parma Public Housing Agency work closely to administer program funding.
The City of Parma has developed three broad goals to reflect changes needed for improvement in the future.
Housing problems in Parma are related to low income and aging housing stock. Housing priorities address these conditions.
Community Development objectives are to revitalize residential and neighborhood commercial areas and to provide economic development opportunities for low and moderate income residents.
Parma like many other cities its age and size is beginning to experience an aging population and housing stock. Income is declining at the same time major systems are beginning to breakdown, thereby increasing cost burdens. Weatherization work through Warm Choice and the counties HWAP programs are two methods the city uses to lower cost burdens to low income residents. The 3% and deferred loan programs also help to defray costs incurred due to aging housing stock its own.
The city has public housing agency and provides Section 8 certificates for residents in need of lower cost housing options. In addition, the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority provides Section 8 certificates for low income individuals.
Rehabilitation of aging housing and commercial structures will remain priority for the Community Development Department. This will be accomplished through financing of below market rate loans. The City of Parma will aggressively pursue additional funding for these programs.
Fair Housing Initiative will be pursued through the Community Development Department. The city monitors Fair Housing complaints and will prosecute all violations. In addition, contracts are maintained with The Cuyahoga Plain and fair housing provider.
The City of Parma intends to concentrate its Anti-Poverty Strategy on economic development activities. Among the topics of prime consideration are zoning, utilization of available land, tax abatement and economic development loans. The primary purpose is the long-range development of existing underdeveloped areas, although a short-term issue of major importance is locating tenants for existing vacant buildings. Tax abatement is an attractive inducement that is used when needed. Other incentives include right-of-way improvements, lighting and utility discounts. The City is committed to expanding its job base through these efforts.
Federal, state, local and private (non-profit and for-profit) resources are available and utilized by the City of Parma.
The Parma Community Service Network, Inc., has been created to provide Parma with the opportunity to compete for grants and programs for which contracting directly with a municipal government is not feasible.
Activities will take place citywide for low- and moderate-income households or in designated slum and blight areas.
During FY 1995, Parma plans to focus its efforts to foster and maintain affordable housing through activities such as below market interest rate rehabilitation loans for owners, weatherization services, and providing services to the elderly to assist them in remaining in their homes.
MAP 1 depicts Parma and its surrounding region, as well as selected points of interest.
MAP 2 depicts the low and moderate income areas within the City.
MAP 3 depicts areas of higher unemployment with the City.
MAP 4 depicts racial distribution in the City.
MAP 5 depicts the project area neighborhood.
Barry Broome, Director
Department of Community Development
6901 West Ridgewood Drive
Parma, Ohio 44129
216-845-8444
