Stark County is an entitlement urban county under the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Within Stark County, which is located in northeastern Ohio, there are three (3) additional entitlement cities: Canton, Alliance, and Massillon. The County has joined with the cities of Alliance and Massillon to form a consortium for the purposes of the HOME program. In addition to the Consortium PJ (Participating Jurisdiction), the City of Canton is also a PJ under the HOME program. The preparation of the Consolidated Plan was a coordinated effort of all of the entitlement communities within Stark County.

Each of the city members of the Consortium were responsible for the preparation of a consolidated plan which included non-housing community development needs. As the lead agency in the Consortium, the County was responsible for the submission of the entire Consolidated Plan. This Plan includes all of the housing needs information for the entire County (minus the City of Canton), and the non-housing community development needs for the County's CDBG program area. The County's CDBG program area includes all of the County with the exception of the entitlement cities, and the Villages of Hartville and Hills and Dales.

Action Plan

Under the FY 1995 Action Plan, the County will be receiving $1,787,000 in CDBG funds and $1,086,000 in HOME funding. Of the HOME funds, 19% ($206,340) is allocated directly to the City of Massillon for housing activities and 18% ($195,480) to the City of Alliance. Each of the cities determines the activities to be undertaken, including funding to any CHDO (Community Housing Development Organizations) or other non-profit organizations. All of the HOME funds are administered by Stark County as well as the CDBG funds. The Board of Stark County Commissioners contracts with the Stark County Regional Planning Commission (RPC) for the administration of these two programs. Activities to be undertaken include a program of housing assistance (rehabilitation, rental assistance, special needs housing), public facilities and improvements, public services, economic development, historic restoration, planning and administration.

Citizen Participation

There was a truly comprehensive approach to the preparation of the Consolidated Plan. Although the City of Canton was required to submit a complete Consolidated Plan as was the County, a coordinated effort was launched to prepare the two documents. The major premise for this was that needs and goals don't change with the City boundary. The Consolidated Planning Task Force, which helped in the preparation of the Consolidated Plan was comprised of persons who served on the CHAS Task Force. This included individuals from the cities of Canton, Massillon and Alliance, Stark County, Canton YWCA, Stark County Community Support Consortium, Catholic Services League, Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority (SMHA), Stark County Community Action Agency and United Bank. This task force is a subcommittee of the Stark County Housing Task Force. This task force met monthly and also assisted in the development of a comprehensive Citizens Participation Plan which encompasses all of the CDBG entitlement Communities within Stark County. In addition to the Citizen's Participation Plan, the Task Force provided the County and Cities' representatives with input into the Consolidated Plan.

The Consolidated Planning process has created a greater opportunity for citizens' input into the CDBG and HOME programs than was available in the past. The County held four neighborhood meetings to allow for input and ideas into the planning for the expenditure of CDBG and HOME funds. These four neighborhood meetings were held in four different quadrants of the County. Although the meetings were not as well attended as was hoped, the input provided by the participants was valuable to the RPC staff in the evaluation of CDBG and HOME applications.

In addition to the four neighborhood meetings, a survey form was developed and mailed to approximately 250 persons and agencies county wide to assist in determining the needs and priorities. Although the needs expressed by individuals and agencies show their perception of need, they are don't always coincide with staff and county officials' evaluation of needs.

Stark County is located in Northeastern Ohio and had a total population of 367,585 in 1990. This includes political units which do not participate in the County's CDBG or HOME programs. The County's CDBG program area has a population of 226,713 which is a decrease of 13% between 1980 and 1990. The County's HOME program area has a total 1990 population of 282,096. This includes the CDBG program area plus the cities of Massillon (31,007) and Alliance (23,376).

Within the County, the racial/ethnic makeup of the consortium population is relatively small - 4.7% overall. Blacks make up a major proportion (82%) of the racial/ethnic population. Within the consortium there are racial/ethnic concentrations within the cities of Alliance and Massillon, and in Canton, Perry, Lexington and Sandy Townships. Other ethnic groups tend to be widely scattered with no significant concentrations.

Low income concentrations are found in the cities of Alliance and Massillon and in more rural townships such as Lexington and Sandy townships.

The number of dwelling units within the entire County has increased from 143,147 in 1980 to 146,910 in 1990. Within the consortium area the number of dwelling units increased from 103,759 in 1980 to 109,435 in 1990. Within the CDBG program area the increase was from 81,710 in 1980 to 99,866 in 1990.

Conditions

According to the 1990 census, Stark County has a total of 146,910 dwelling units. Within the Consortium area there is a total of 109,435 dwelling units.

For the consortium as a whole, 92% of the housing stock is in good (standard) condition with a strong bias toward homeownership. The vacancy rate is relatively low, 3.9% of all units with less than half being available for rent or sale. Thus, the "true" vacancy rate for the consortium is approximately 1.9%.

Housing Needs

The Consolidated Plan provides an area-wide assessment of housing needs summarized below as follows:

Very Low-Income Households (0-30% MFI) - 47% owners, 53% renters. Of these total homeowners, 57% are elderly. Of the renter households, 45% are small family related, 27% are elderly, and 7% are large family related. 73% of the homeowners and 78% of the renters pay more than 30% of their income on housing and are considered cost burdened. 45% of the homeowners and 63% of the renters pay more than 50% of their income on housing and are considered severely cost burdened.

Other Very Low-Income Households (31-50% MFI) - 61% owners, 39% renters. Of the owners, 67% are elderly. Of the renters, 36% are elderly, 33% are small family related and 7% are large family related. 34% of the homeowners and 75% of the renters are considered cost burdened, while 12% of the owners and 30% of the renters are considered severely cost burdened.

Low-Income Households (51-80% MFI) - 64% owners, 36% renters. Of the owners, 48% are elderly. Of the renters, 42% are small family related, 20% are elderly, and 10% are large family related. 19% of the homeowners and 32% of the renters are considered cost burdened, while 4% of the owners and 2% of the renters are considered severely cost burdened.

Among these income categories, the largest numbers with housing needs are elderly homeowners, followed by small related family renters. The group with the highest percentage in need of housing assistance is elderly renters.

Housing Market Conditions

For the consortium as a whole, 92% of the housing stock is in good (standard) condition with a strong bias toward homeownership. 74% of the total occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The vacancy rate is relatively low, 3.9% of all units, with less than half being available for rent or sale. Thus, the "true" vacancy rate for the consortium is approximately 1.9%.

A large majority of the housing stock is in larger units. 60% of the occupied housing units are 3 or more bedroom owner occupied.

Affordable Housing Needs

With the very low vacancy rate within the County, and the majority of housing being owner-occupied housing, there is a continued need for housing rehabilitation of the current units to keep them in standard or good condition.

The high percentage of renters and homeowners who are low-income and either severely cost burdened or severely cost burdened with respect to housing demonstrates a need for more affordable housing units, both rental and owner housing.

Homeless Needs

The Stark County HOME Consortium has estimated the area's homeless population as follows: Sheltered Homeless - 296; Unsheltered Homeless - 44; Precariously Housed - 751.

Within the County, there are a total of 10 homeless facilities with a total of 227 units providing some type of emergency shelter. Existing homeless shelters are operating at maximum capacity. The largest segment of the population with homeless needs is women and women with children. In addition, more and longer term transitional housing facilities are needed to allow people to get re-established and prepared to re- enter the normal housing market. Those groups being under served by existing facilities include those with severe mental illness, alcohol/drug addiction problems, victims of domestic violence, homeless youths, and AIDS/HIV diagnosed persons.

The Homeless Services Collaborative, which is a subcommittee of the Stark County Housing Task Force, has initiated a cooperative plan, including a 24 hour hot line to coordinate the various homeless service providers and attempt to provide a continuum of care approach of outreach, shelter assistance, and supportive services for the County's homeless population.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

SMHA owns and operates 2,529 public housing units in Stark County (which also includes within the City of Canton). 913 of these units are for elderly and single persons and 1,616 are for families.

SMHA administers another 1,401 assisted units, including Section 8 certificates, housing vouchers, and moderate rehab units. The housing authority is also contract administrator for another 365 new construction, Section 202 housing units.

Presently, SMHA has a total waiting list of 2,340, including 1,756 families, 224 elderly, 332 disabled, and 28 handicapped. This long waiting list indicates a high need for additional resources for both public housing and Section 8 assistance.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

The Consolidated Plan for the Stark County Consortium indicates that, in order to address the need to remove barriers to affordable housing, local zoning codes should be reviewed. Large minimum lot requirements, along with the lack of suitable infrastructure (water, sewer, roads) can increase the cost of housing. These factors tend to restrict the opportunities for low income residents to live in many areas of the County, impose higher costs of home ownership and maintenance, and reduce the range of housing types and choices in many suburban neighborhoods. Strategies to reduce these negative policy effects include improved community support services, job opportunities closer to home and fair housing programs.

Fair Housing

There are two fair housing programs currently being administered within the Consortium - the City of Massillon Fair Housing Department; the Stark County Regional Planning Commission Fair Housing Department which covers the County's CDBG program area and the City of Alliance. These programs are designed to improve and promote housing opportunities in the County, including education and outreach, monitoring and evaluation, and administration of fair housing laws. Periodic workshops and seminars are put on by the various departments.

All of the fair housing programs within the County, including the City of Canton are cooperating to undertake an analysis to identify impediments to fair housing choice within the area. This study will lead to a series of recommended actions to overcome the effects of any identified impediments.

Lead-Based Paint

It is estimated that there are 18,432 low income housing units within Stark County that over 50 years old that have lead-based paint problems. The Consortium has further estimated that for very low and low income households, 15, 892 renter and 34,844 owner households in Stark County have lead-based paint present in their dwellings.

All members of the consortium currently contract with the City of Canton Health Department to provide lead hazard inspections when needed under the various housing rehabilitation programs. In addition, the Consortium is working on a strategy to develop technical capacity with regard to lead-based paint issues, improve coordination of prevention efforts, and better integration of lead hazard evaluation and reduction activities into existing housing programs.

Other issues

The Stark County Consortium has identified several classes of the population with special needs. Those groups have been identified as needing supportive housing include: elderly persons with severe mental illnesses, developmentally disabled persons, persons with AIDS and related diseases, and persons with alcohol and other drug addictions.

Community Development Needs

Stark County has identified its community development needs through the public meetings and needs survey previously mentioned. The identified needs include:

• Public facilities and improvement projects in low income neighborhoods to improve the quality of life for residents of these areas. These types of projects include: water improvements and water line extensions, storm sewer and drainage improvements, and sanitary sewer improvements.
• Housing rehabilitation assistance to low and very low income households (owner occupied) to provide and ensure decent, safe and sanitary living conditions for persons.
• Public service activities to meet the social, health and educational needs of low income persons, including the homeless and those threatened with homelessness.
• Economic development programs to provide employment opportunities for low and moderate income persons within the County.

Coordination

Through the planning efforts of the Consolidated Plan process, all members of the Consortium work closely together to provide an area-wide approach to housing and community development issues. All members of the Consortium participate in the Stark County Housing Task Force, an association of banking, governmental, social service providers, non-profit housing providers, realtors, SMHA and legal aid. The Task Force meets monthly to discuss relevant housing issues. Subcommittees of the Task Force have assisted in the preparation and review of both the CHAS and the Consolidated Plan.

Vision for Change

The Consortium's housing strategy and the County's community development strategy includes an assessment of the Consortium's housing and homeless needs, and the County's public facilities, infrastructure improvements, public services, accessibility, historic preservation economic development and planning needs. These strategies were developed through two methods.

1. A county-wide regional approach for housing needs which included the study and analysis of housing needs, goals, and objectives on an area- wide basis. Through work with the Consolidated Plan Task Force, other local agencies and service providers were contacted and participated in the planning process. Through this effort, the Stark County HOME Consortium Consolidated Plan was developed.
2. A county-wide approach through various neighborhood meetings and surveys to determine the Non-Housing Community Development Needs and formulate the three-year funding program for the expenditure of CDBG funding.

Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities

The housing and community development strategy has been developed in consultation with citizens, governmental officials (representatives of the County's participating CDBG jurisdictions) and local organizations in order to coordinate resources and address the national goals of the CDBG and HOME programs including:

• The provision of decent housing that is affordable to low and very low income households.
• The provision of suitable living environment, improving the safety and livability of neighborhoods, increasing access to quality facilities and services, improving housing opportunities, and revitalizing deteriorated neighborhoods.
• The expansion of economic opportunities, creating jobs that promote long term economic and social viability and that are accessible to low and very low income persons.

Housing Priorities

• Upgrade the existing housing stock through rehabilitation efforts to meet the needs of both existing homeowners and renters.

• Increase the supply of available and affordable housing for very low income owner and renter households, including assistance for low income homebuyers.
• Increase the supply of suitable owner and renter housing to meet the needs of the elderly and other groups with special housing needs.
• Increase the supply and availability of rental assistance to both very low income persons and homeless persons through tenant based rental assistance programs.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

• Improvements to public facilities and infrastructure - Funding aimed at improving living conditions for low and moderate income neighborhoods through improvements to such facilities and infrastructure as water line extensions, sanitary sewers, storm sewer and drainage improvements.
• Economic Development - Provide a program to promote the hiring and retention of jobs for low income persons by businesses with emphasis on permanent employment and training opportunities.
• Public services - Provide programs to improve the services available to low income persons for health, social, educational and housing purposes.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

The Consortium and the County will continue to utilize federal resources and encourage the use of federal resources to operate programs which enable low and very low income households to remain in their homes and to keep these dwellings in decent, safe, and sanitary condition, while also enabling these households to use their limited resources for other necessary living expenses, such as food and clothing. The Consortium will continue to work with other area housing and social service providers in carrying out its anti-poverty strategy.

Housing and Community Development Resources

Stark County will receive $1,787,000 in FY 1995 CDBG funds to carry out its community development strategy and part of the housing strategy. In addition, the Consortium will receive $1,086,000 in HOME funding to address the housing strategy. Of this amount, 19% is allocated to the City of Massillon, and 18% to the City of Alliance to undertake eligible activities. SMHA, local non-profit organizations, and other service providers also utilize a variety of Federal, state, and local funding in carrying out their activities.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

Coordination between all of the entitlement cities and the County is achieved by the make up of the Consolidated Plan Task Force. Representatives of each of the entitlements, the housing authority, and other housing and service providers have cooperated in the planning and implementation of the housing and community development strategy. In addition, the Stark County Housing Task Force provides an area-wide forum, bring together local public and private sector housing agencies to review and discuss housing concerns and issues.

Description of Key Projects

Community Development

The County's One-Year Action Plan proposes to utilize $1,787,000 in CDBG funding to carry out the following types of projects:

• Public facility and infrastructure improvements - $848,600 is allocated for various types of improvements including: Millvale Storm Sewer, Klotz Ave. Water Connection, Juilliard Sr. Center Renovations, Nist Fire Alarm System, Meyers Lake N. Park Sanitary Sewer, Waynesburg Water Well Replacement, and Fairless Community Center Air Conditioning.
• Rehabilitation Activities - $435,000 is allocated for housing rehabilitation of owner occupied housing units; $25,000 for historic preservation; and $60,000 for fair housing activities.
• Public Services - $50,000 is the total allocation for public service activities exclusive of homeless programs. $5,000 for the Canton Negro Oldtimers Athletic Association's Senior Service Activities, and $45,000 for the Hospice of Stark County for their Care for Terminally Ill.
• Homeless Services - $141,000 has been allocated to address homeless issues. $85,000 is awarded to the Homeless Services Continuum program, and $56,000 to the Domestic Violence Shelter for renovations to their facility.
• Planning and Administration - $297,400 is allotted for the overall administration and planning associated with carrying out the County's federal Community Development Block Grant program.

HOME

The Consortium will receive a total of $1,086,000 in federal HOME funding. These funds are broken down to the following types of activities:

• Homeowner Assistance Programs - $482,400 will be utilized by various agencies and non-profits for carrying out homeowner assistance programs. The agencies and non-profits to receive funding include: the City of Massillon, Neighborhood Housing Services (Massillon), Development Alliance (Alliance), ABCD, Inc. the County.
• Rehabilitation Activities - $265,000 is allocated to the City of Alliance and the County for carrying out housing rehabilitation activities.
• Special Needs Housing - $80,000 will be utilized by the Stark County Community Support Consortium for the construction of a "basic accommodations" complex. These funds will be utilized in conjunction with various other funding sources.
• Tenant Assistance - $150,000 is allocated to the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority to provide tenant based rental assistance to homeless persons through the Homeless Continuum of Care program.
• Administration - $108,600 will be utilized by the County for the overall administration of the HOME program as well as payment to the SMHA for the oversight of the tenant based rental assistance programs.

Locations

All HOME projects will be undertaken basically County-wide (except in the City of Canton). CDBG funded projects will be undertaken in participating political units of the County's CDBG program. Housing Rehabilitation can be undertaken in any of the CDBG program areas, as will the public service activities. Public facility improvements will be in the following areas: Millvale Storm Sewer - Plain Township; Klotz Ave. Water Connections - Osnaburg Township; Juilliard Sr. Center Renovations - Louisville; Nist Fire Alarm System - Nimishillen Township; Meyers Lake N. Park Sanitary Sewer - Meyers Lake; Waynesburg Water Well Replacement - Waynesburg; and Fairless Community Center - Sugarcreek Township.

Lead Agencies

The Stark County Regional Planning Commission, which is under contract to the Board of Stark County Commissioners for the administration of the CDBG and HOME programs, will be the lead agency for both the HOME and CDBG programs. Subrecipients will be receiving funding to carry out various activities and include: City of Alliance, City of Massillon, Neighborhood Housing Services, Development Alliance, ABCD, Inc., Canton YWCA, Crisis Intervention Center, Canton Negro Oldtimers Athletic Association, and the Hospice of Stark County.

Housing Goals

According to the Consolidated Plan, total housing goals for the Consortium Programs include: rehabilitation of 55 units, assistance to 40 households in the purchase of housing, assistance to 24 persons for special needs housing, and rental assistance to 30 homeless persons.

Maps

MAP 2 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and project funding sources.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and project funding sources.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, minority concentration levels, and project funding sources.

MAP 5 depicts Louisville area streets with proposed HUD funded projects.

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

Mr. Gerald L. Bixler
Director, Stark County
Regional Planning Commission
201 Third Street, NE., Suite 201
Canton, OH 44702-2298
Ph: (216) 438-0387