The City of Edmond, Oklahoma is primarily a suburban city, located along the northern border of Oklahoma City. The entire corporate limits are within northern Oklahoma County. Interstate Highway 35 passes through the center of the city as the primary transportation route to the north from Metropolitan Oklahoma City. The eastern part of the city is gently rolling hills with a large percentage of woodland areas. Arcadia Lake, a 5,312 acre lake is located in the wooded hills just east of Interstate 35 and south of State Highway 66. The western portions of the city are more typical of the prairie region of Western Oklahoma. Generally, the winters are mild and the summers are hot.
There have been significant population increases in Edmond in the last 30 years. According to the recent Federal census counts, Edmond has had some of the largest numerical population increases in this state. Edmond is also one of the leading cities in the state in the construction of new single-family detached residential dwelling units. It also accounts for a high percentage of the Oklahoma City MSA's new single-family residential construction.
The City of Edmond is required to prepare a Consolidated Plan as a recipient of direct assistance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. The document is a comprehensive planning document that identifies Edmond's overall needs for affordable and supportive housing, community development and services, and outlines a five year strategy to address those needs.
The only resources that will be provided to the City of Edmond in FY 95-96 are Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The City of Edmond is expected to receive funds in the amount of $472,000. In addition, there will be approximately $246,093 in unexpended funds from FY 94-95, that will be reprogrammed into the FY 95-96 program. This creates a total budget of available funding of $718,093. Only those needs, and goals and objectives that can be met by utilizing the CDBG funds will be achieved for the purposes of the consolidated plan. Priority was determined by funding limitations, and the reasonable expectations for meeting the housing and nonhousing community development needs, in accordance with the statutory goals of providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate incomes.
The general public was informed of the City of Edmond's 1995 Consolidated Plan (CP) process. During the early stages of this planning process, available information and guidance from HUD was included. Throughout the planning process, the City of Edmond endeavored to confer with various agencies, groups, and organizations to accomplish the required goals. Agencies were consulted that provide social services, health services, housing assistance, and educational services, to name a few. In addition, various public and private agencies were consulted to determine housing concerns and non-housing needs.
The City of Edmond made every effort to broaden existing participation in
the consolidated plan process, by mailing, and posting notices and agendas of
meetings at various locations. All notices, including those seeking public
comment, were also placed in the legal section of the Edmond Evening Sun
Newspaper. Public hearings were held after being publicized in the local
newspaper. There was also a 30-day comment period, where draft copies of the
Consolidated Plan were made available for public review and comment. The plan
was approved and adopted by the Edmond City Council on July 24, 1995.
The City of Edmond, Oklahoma has an area of over 90 square miles, and a 1990 Census population of 52,315. The current (1995) estimated population for the City of Edmond is 63,600. The projected population for the year 2000 is 66,685. The 1990 Census showed a population gain of 17,678 persons over the 1980 count of 34,637. This population gain established Edmond as Oklahoma's sixth largest city. The total number of housing units in 1990 was 20,524. The 1990 group quarters population was 1,431. The largest amount of the population growth occurred in the areas west of Interstate 35. The 1990 per capita income for Edmond was $17,215, the sixth highest in the State. In addition, the median family income was $43,970, and the median household income was $37,644.
The 1990 Census identified 7.33 percent of the total Edmond population; 758 families, or 5.24 percent of the total families in Edmond; and 1,683 households, or 8.91 percent of Edmond's total households, below the poverty level. The lowest incomes and the highest percentages below the poverty level were found in the "Central City", primarily in the census tracts surrounding the University of Central Oklahoma campus. This area contains several apartment complexes and small residential rental properties, and is assumed to have a high university student population. These same census tracts exceeded the 51 percent level of low- and moderate-income persons in the area (those persons whose incomes are less than 80 percent of the median income for Edmond).
The Census also identified a 50 percent increase in minority population
since the 1980 Census; Black - 46 percent (1,621 or 3.1 percent of present
total population); American Indian - 48 percent (1,317 or 2.52 percent of
present total population); Asian or Pacific Islander - 46 percent (1,056 or 2.02
percent of present total population); and Other - 68 percent (316 or .60 percent
of present total population). There were no census tracts/block groups
identified which had a high minority population/concentration. However, there
was one block group identified with 46.6 percent of minority individuals below
the poverty level (Per Capita Income of $9,775); 7.74 percent Black; 2.68
percent American Indian; and 30.65 percent Asian or Pacific Islander. This is
also the area surrounding the University of Central Oklahoma campus, as
mentioned above.
The major employment centers inside the city limits of Edmond are the University of Central Oklahoma, the Edmond Public Schools, and Edmond Regional Medical Center. Commercial businesses are concentrated in the Central Business District and along South Broadway and East Second Street for the most part. There is some light manufacturing and wholesale/warehousing primarily in the southwest part of the City. The largest percentage of the work force commutes by automobile to work places in Oklahoma City and other metropolitan locations.
The identified housing needs were based on a variety of information sources, including consultations with social service agencies, review of available Census data, and input received at public hearings concerning the Consolidated Plan document. Some of the main conclusions drawn from these areas are the shortage of apartment rental units, based on continued population growth; the lack of affordable housing units; the need to preserve the older existing housing stock in the "Central City"; and the continued assistance of referring individuals or families to shelters and programs located outside the city limits (due to the lack of availability of these services in Edmond).
Rental Units (especially houses) are considered to be a tight market in Edmond. Most of the apartment complexes have the largest number of units available to small households, so there is usually a shortage of 3- and 4-bedroom units. The highest incidence of overcrowded households for renters are the large related households. Home ownership for large family low income households will also find the most affordable units in the Central city. Overall, there are more renter and owner units available in Edmond to those persons with incomes below 50 percent MFI. There appears to be no single income group, or minority status, that has a disproportional need over any other group.
The 1990 Census has identified 20,598 total housing units in the City of Edmond. Of the 18,756 occupied units, 12,715 (61.73 percent) are owner-occupied and 6,041 units (29.33 percent) are renter-occupied units. Noting that with some minor changes due to residential conversions, demolitions, and the location of mobile home units in the city's Mobile Home Parks or acreages, the 1995 total number of housing units in Edmond was approximately 22,900. (There are 311 multi-family units presently under construction in Edmond). The distribution of housing types in Edmond is 81 percent single family residential (attached and detached), 17 percent multi-family residential, and 2 percent mobile homes.
The trend in the last six years is a steady increase in annual permits for single family units. During the time of the census enumeration there were 3,057 building permits issued for new single family detached units and no permits issued for multi-family construction. The City of Edmond is expected to see continued population growth, along with abundant single family residential construction. The selling price of these new homes will, for the most part, be well above the affordable level. The average selling price for new homes in Edmond is one of the highest in the state. This average price fluctuates on a periodic basis, but is generally well above the $150,000 mark, and are in strong demand.
Local economies and the housing market in Edmond are primarily focused on the construction of new, larger, single family homes in an affluent suburban setting. Based on the high cost of land and the market demand for larger, more expensive single family homes, the residential construction industry is almost dominated by the construction of these non-affordable units. The development of rental multi-family residential property is entirely in the hands of the private sector and the present market conditions. There is ample land available that is zoned for multi-family construction, however the cost of developing this land and the timetable to do so is entirely in the hands of the private sector.
For affordable single family home ownership, the "Central City" offers the largest supply of existing units available to low income households. There are scattered vacant lots in the "Central City" where new residential construction occurs on a limited basis. For the most part, the construction industry is responding to market demands, which is higher priced single family units in outlying areas from the "Central City".
Of the total number of 6,041 renter households within the Edmond City Limits, 57% have incomes less than 80 percent of the area median family income (MFI). In comparison, of the 13,181 owner households within the city limits, 13.3 percent have incomes less than 80 percent of the area MFI. Of those households with incomes less than 80 percent of the area MFI, 41 percent of the renter households, and 16 percent of the owner households reported housing problems. In addition, those households with incomes at or below 50 percent of the area MFI showed the greatest number with housing cost burdens (those households paying more than 30 or 50 percent of their income toward housing costs).
These groups need the continued availability of subsidized housing (including rental assistance, and reduction in housing costs), code enforcement efforts, homeless prevention programs and energy efficiency improvement programs, housing rehabilitation activities, emergency repair programs, first-time homebuyer assistance programs, and mortgage refinancing programs. With the assistance of some of these programs, homeowners should be able to maintain their homes, as well as, have the ability to continue living in the home. In addition, with the aid of the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program, affordable housing stock can be maintained.
There is no reliable data available that provides the number, or accurately addresses the number of homeless persons in Edmond. The 1990 Census indicated that there were no homeless individuals/families in Edmond. It is assumed, however, that a portion of Edmond's residents are at risk of becoming homeless. This would be considered the families earning 0-30 percent MFI. Many of these individuals are most likely to be receiving public assistance, and are potential victims of homelessness. There are no homeless shelters in Edmond. At the present time, referrals are made to other shelters in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The HOPE Center provides vouchers to homeless persons/families which allow them the opportunity to stay overnight at a local motel.
The City of Edmond does not have any funding that is specifically used to address homeless issues, or that could supply a direct benefit in this area of need. However, this group needs continued availability of subsidized housing (including rental assistance, and reduction in housing costs), and homeless prevention programs, to name a few.
There are no public housing units in Edmond, and no anticipated construction of public housing units in the near future. There were approximately 400 units identified as receiving Section 8 rental assistance in Edmond. A review of these locations indicated that the majority of assistance is to households in the extremely-low (0-30 percent MFI) and low (31-50 percent MFI) income groups. The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) provides the housing assistance to the citizens of Edmond, and currently manage tenant based certificates and vouchers. There are also two apartment residential communities that offer units with Section 202 assistance. These units specifically house the elderly.
There is no information available on the extent of the supportive housing needs of the Special Needs Populations. These population groups include the elderly, the frail elderly, persons with disabilities (mental, physical, and developmental), persons with alcohol or drug addiction, and persons with AIDS and related diseases. Metro area agencies and shelters have been contacted in order to assess the availability of space. Edmond residents in these population groups will continue to rely on referrals to these Metro area locations. There are no local or state agency plans that are available to assess the specific numbers and needs of Edmond residents in these Special Needs Populations.
According to the 1990 Census, there was a reported 3,672 persons residing in Edmond who were 65 years of age or older. They represent only 7 percent of the total reported population. The Census also identified that there were 2,728 elderly households (65 years and older) with at least 500 estimated to be considered the "frail elderly." With these numbers, and the realization that many of these people are on fixed incomes, it has been determined that there is a continued need for supportive housing for the elderly.
The Edmond Association of Retarded Citizens (EARC) and the NOVA Center are facilities based in Edmond that supply a limited amount of housing for individuals who are developmentally disabled. The facilities receive Medicaid funds (Title 19). They are both at 100% occupancy. There is no available data concerning the supportive housing needs of mentally/physically handicapped individuals, or persons with AIDS, in Edmond. After consultations with various agencies, it was found that there is a major need for group homes for mentally and physically handicapped persons, statewide. There is limited funding available for living expenses, however, there are no funds available for supportive housing. It was also determined that persons with AIDS used facilities outside of the Edmond city limits (Oklahoma City Metro, or State and County facilities).
The City of Edmond does not have any funding that is specifically used to address supportive housing issues, or that could supply a direct benefit in this area of need. However, the City will support and cooperate in the development of housing and social service programs that assist the developmentally disabled, mentally/physically handicapped, persons with AIDS, and all other special needs groups with supportive housing needs.
The City of Edmond has not identified any public policies that would be considered barriers to affordable housing; therefore, there are no actions anticipated or proposed for the coming year. The City of Edmond will fund an "impediments to fair housing" study which will be completed no later than February 1996. If there are any unidentified barriers found in this study, it will enable the city to remove or ameliorate the negative effects.
The City of Edmond will continue to contract services from a qualified fair housing organization to provide educational presentations, outreach, research, counseling, and general information to Edmond residents, in relation to fair housing. This is to promote and support fair housing and equal opportunity in all housing programs. It may also assist in providing decent and affordable housing to all citizens. The City of Edmond will fund an "impediments to fair housing" study that will be completed no later than February 1996.
The City of Edmond has found that there is no significant problems that exist in regards to lead-based paint in Edmond. There were also no other environmental hazards identified that could affect residential housing in Edmond. In conclusion, there are no known reported problems in Edmond. When regulations are developed for implementing Title X of the Community Development Act of 1992, part of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, the City of Edmond will immediately incorporate the regulations into existing housing policies and programs. In the meantime, the City of Edmond will continue to follow 24 CFR Part 35 in addressing the evaluation and reduction of lead-based paint hazards in Edmond's housing policies and programs.
The City of Edmond consulted with and gathered information from various agencies and groups to determine the community development needs of Edmond. The community development needs indicated were, the continued support to expand economic opportunities for its citizens; additional health care services; emergency repair programs; day care centers for low income children; parenting skills; transportation for the elderly; creation of additional jobs for low/mod income persons; additional housing assistance for elderly and low- income persons; youth employment training; educational services for low- income persons; increased clothing supply/distribution to low income children; educational services for low income preschool age children (Head Start); and youth centers.
The City of Edmond undertook activities that enhanced coordination between
public and assisted housing providers, and private and government health, mental
health, and service agencies. Cooperation and coordination with other community
agencies were also emphasized in order to further identify and meet the housing
needs of the community.
The primary focus of the City of Edmond in regard to affordable housing has been, to stabilize its older residential neighborhoods, and to upgrade the city's existing housing stock. This strategy preserves the greatest number of affordable housing units in Edmond. Areas that have been explored are the necessity for shelters (youth, homeless), and/or supportive housing. It has been determined that based on the number of persons that have received assistance, that any type of shelter or supportive housing would not be cost effective at this time. County-wide agencies will continue to be relied upon to provide shelter or supportive housing for persons in emergency situations, or for those persons in the other special needs groups other than homeless. The City of Edmond's priorities in relationship to housing and non-housing community development needs parallel the community housing and development objectives set out by the city in its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and Edmond's Master-Plan. The City of Edmond's community development objectives are to, revitalize the existing housing stock in the City's older residential neighborhoods or CDBG Entitlement Area. (This preserves and increases the supply of standard, decent and affordable housing units in Edmond); address infrastructure and public improvement needs of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods; reduce the slum and blighting influences of dilapidated and deteriorating structures throughout the community; assist in meeting the emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs of pre-school children of low-income families; meet the social service and clothing needs of low-income children ages 3 to 10 years of age; support the expansion of economic opportunities for persons of low- and moderate-income; and promote equal opportunity, fair housing, and meaningful citizen participation in all consolidated plan activities.
Based on the economics and market conditions found in Edmond, the city will continue to utilize a portion of its CDBG funds to rehabilitate the older (owner) housing stock in the "Central City." This strategy will target those limited funds to the "Central City," which is identified as the area where the greatest number of affordable housing units exist, and is the only significant opportunity to maintain affordable units in the community. This priority takes precedence over other housing issues. Due to limited funding, homeless, nor special needs activities will be addressed at this time. However, it will support and cooperate in the development of housing and social service programs to assist the homeless, elderly, mentally/physically handicapped, the developmentally disabled, and persons with AIDS. The City of Edmond will also encourage access to social service agencies, rental assistance, and state assistance programs (this will assist the at-risk persons and families). Some assistance will still be available through the HOPE Center and any other previously mentioned agency.
The non-housing community development priorities have been identified as the following: Infrastructure Improvements (sewer, water, storm sewer construction); Public Services (fair housing counseling, bus tokens, senior services - share-a-fair, clothing distribution to low- mod children); and, Economic Development Activities (offering loans to businesses that meet the need or job creation requirements). The City of Edmond will also support applications from other entities for activities which meet priority needs and specific objectives that benefit its low- and moderate-income citizens.
The City of Edmond recognizes the needs of its citizens whose incomes fall below the poverty line; however, the only program directly administered by the City of Edmond that can assist in addressing this problem is the CDBG Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program, which assists in bringing properties up to city code standards. The CDBG program also funds other activities that benefit those persons who fall within the low to moderate income levels. With the limited amount of funding that the City of Edmond receives, it is unlikely that there will be a notable impact on poverty level families to the point where they are no longer dependent on other assistance (housing, rental, etc.) However, with the utilization of CDBG funds in conjunction with other assistance programs (not available through the city), it may help reduce the number of poverty level families in Edmond.
There are social service agencies in Edmond and Oklahoma County that presently assist the homeless population and persons/households who are below the poverty line. The primary social service agency that serves Edmond is The HOPE Center of Edmond. The City of Edmond will continue to network with other service providers and community organizations, in the hope that strategies can be identified that will assist in improving affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons and families, and expand economic opportunities; and will also continue to encourage rental assistance, homeless prevention, and other associated programs.
The only resources that will be provided to the City of Edmond in FY 95-96 are Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The City of Edmond will also utilize all program income that is available and generated through the revolving loan fund administered by the Edmond Economic Development Authority.
The gap in the number of housing activities available or implemented, in relation to the housing needs of the City is wide, and makes only a small impact on the overall housing needs. The City of Edmond will, however, continue to coordinate with other governmental, private, or non-profit agencies to examine ways to consolidate future housing efforts.
The City of Edmond is responsible for implementing and managing all of the
activities and programs described in the Consolidated Plan and is responsible
for formulating all housing related activities as directed by the U. S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and its Community Development
Block Grant (Grant) program. The city will deliver and manage the specific
housing assistance programs as identified in the Consolidated Plan; and has
formulated housing related programs and activities by using Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Activities are presented to the CDBG
Citizens Participation Committee for review, and a recommendation is made to the
Edmond City Council for acceptance.
The City of Edmond is expected to receive funds in the amount of $472,000. In addition, there will be approximately $246,093 in unexpended funds from FY 94-95, that will be reprogrammed into the FY 95-96 program. This creates a total budget of available funding of $718,093. This is the following:
| Housing Rehabilitation Program | $ 138,193.00 |
| Sewer Line Replacement | $ 300,000.00 |
| UR Special Ministries, Inc. | $ 15,400.00 |
| Share-A-Fare | $ 1,000.00 |
| General (payroll, benefits, equipment, operating expenses) | $ 65,500.00 |
| Fair Housing Services/Activities | $ 14,000.00 |
| Storm Sewer Construction | $ 120,000.00 |
| Economic Development | $ 60,000.00 |
| TOTAL BUDGET: | $ 718,093.00 |
|---|
Community Development Block Grant funds are allocated primarily in designated census tracts with families of low- to moderate-income levels (CDBG Entitlement (Target) Area).
CDBG AREA - The Community Development Block Grant area encompasses the following description: an area bounded on the north by Danforth Boulevard and the west by Fretz, the south line of Meadowlakes Addition, thence west to Kelly Avenue, south to Edmond Road, thence east to State Street, thence south to 7th Street, thence east to Fretz Street, thence south to 9th Street, thence east to the railroad track, thence south to 15th Street. The area is bounded on the south by 15th Street to Rankin Avenue, thence north to 2nd Avenue to Bryant. The area is bounded on the east by Bryant Avenue to Ayers Street, thence west to Blackwelder, thence north to Danforth. This area represents the oldest part of Edmond of which the City of Edmond wants to continue to improve and preserve.
The Community Development Block Grant Department (CDBG) of the City of Edmond is the designated agency responsible for the development and submission of the Consolidated Plan. Throughout the planning process, the City of Edmond endeavored to confer with various agencies, groups, and organizations to accomplish the required goals. Agencies were consulted that provide social services, health services, housing assistance, and educational services, to name a few. In order to determine housing concerns and non- housing needs, the City of Edmond consulted with various public and private agencies.
The city proposes to meet the identified physical rehabilitation housing needs addressed in the Consolidated Plan. As units are completed, it is expected that some of the standard units may have deteriorated to substandard units which need rehabilitation. It is anticipated that approximately 65 homes will be rehabilitated over the next five years (approximately 10 homes in the coming year). This will assist in maintaining the affordable housing stock in Edmond. Due to the limited amount of funds that the City of Edmond receives, all housing efforts will continue to be focused on the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program.
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.
