Spartanburg is a small city located in northwestern South Carolina. It is part of a growing industrial region in the Greenville-Spartanburg area that includes a recently built BMW automobile manufacturing plant outside of the city.
Spartanburg's Consolidated Plan requests $1.297 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds for 39 projects that will emphasize rehabilitation.
A Consolidated Plan Task Force made up of representatives from government, health, mental health, social service agencies, and nonprofit agencies was formed to help develop the plan. The task force sent letters to churches, local government agencies, hospitals, and women's organizations asking for information about their funding and services.
The City Council held two public hearings on the plan in February 1995. The Planning and Community Development Department then prepared a final draft and made it available for public review for 30 days. The city submitted the Consolidated Plan to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on May 15, 1995.
While Spartanburg's population has remained fairly constant for the past three decades, its racial composition has shifted slightly. The 1990 census reported a population of 43,479, a 1 percent drop from 1980. Whites make up 53 percent of the population, while African Americans make up 45 percent and other minorities make up the other 2 percent of the population. In 1980, whites accounted for 57 percent of the population and African Americans made up 41 percent.
The census reports there are 16,695 households, with an average household size of 2.45 persons. White households are smaller than minority households.
According to the 1990 census, the median family income (MFI) for Spartanburg was $29,304. This median has increased less in the city than in Spartanburg County or the State. Levels and proportion of low- and moderate-income households in Spartanburg were:
African Americans and other minority populations make up a large portion of very low-income households. While 51 percent of African American households have very low incomes, only 21 percent of whites do. Areas with a high concentration of minorities also have high concentrations of low to moderate incomes. These are found in the northern and southern sections of the city.
As is true nationally, the proportion of residents who are 65 years of age or older has increased. The census showed that 15 percent of Spartanburg residents are age 65 or older. The percentage of people under age 18, however, has fallen for three decades. In 1990, 25 percent of the population was under age 18.
Between 1980 and 1990, 769 housing units were added to the city's housing stock, a 4 percent gain. Approximately 700 houses were lost during the same period because the structures were deemed unsafe or land uses changed. The losses occurred in inner-city neighborhoods where most of the low- to moderate-income population resides. Such losses added to the low-income population's difficulty in finding affordable housing.
Since 1990, more structures have been demolished than constructed. Between January 1990 and December 1994, the city issued 301 permits for demolition of residential property. During the same time, it issued 298 construction permits, mostly for single- family dwellings.
Spartanburg's vacancy rate of 6.9 percent is much lower than the rates in the rest of the South, indicating a need for more housing in the city. Fifty-seven percent of the vacant units are for rent, and 13 percent are for sale. Vacancy rates are especially low for efficiency, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.
Approximately 93 percent of the 17,950 housing units are occupied, with the percentage of owner- and renter-occupied units split almost evenly. Nearly half of the year-round housing units have three or more bedrooms, 37 percent contain two bedrooms, and 14.8 percent are efficiencies or one-bedroom units.
The 1990 census reported the city's median home at $57,100, but neighborhood medians ranged from $22,300 to $188,900. There were 76 three-bedroom, 36 two-bedroom, and 32 four-bedroom homes on the market in February 1995. The average asking price for a three-bedroom home was $70,524, for a two-bedroom home the average price was $39,478. A home listed for sale with four or more bedrooms had an average asking price of $205,965.
The majority of available houses are in older neighborhoods and need remodeling. Only 30 percent of the advertised three-bedroom homes are currently priced less than $42,000, the maximum amount that the Spartanburg Residential Development Corporation can lend.
The fair market rent (FMR) is $274 for an efficiency apartment, $332 for a one-bedroom apartment, $391 for a two-bedroom apartment, and $489 for a three-bedroom apartment.
Not surprisingly, extremely low-income renter households have the highest incidence of housing problems. Of this population, 65 percent have housing that is too costly, has physical defects, and/or is overcrowded.
Of the 2,672 extremely low-income renters, 63 percent are considered cost burdened, paying more than 30 percent of their incomes for housing, and 42 percent are severely cost burdened, paying more than 50 percent of their incomes for housing.
About 68 percent of the extremely low-income elderly homeowners have housing problems. Many are severely cost-burdened.
The FMRs for one- and two-bedroom apartments are considered affordable to very low-income households, but three-and four-bedroom apartment rents are unaffordable.
The number of homeless persons in Spartanburg has grown over the past several years. Several social service and nonprofit agencies have responded to this increase.
A comprehensive needs assessment conducted in 1990 found many gaps and barriers in service delivery for the homeless. In response to the study, more than 40 local social service agencies formed the Homeless Coalition, which meets regularly to develop mechanisms for identifying the homeless and the "near homeless."
A 1-day count by the Homeless Coalition on February 27, 1995, found 273 homeless persons, including 60 who were living on the streets. Of this total, 32.6 percent had a severe mental illness; 22.6 percent abused drugs and/or alcohol; 8.3 percent were both mentally ill and abused drugs and/or alcohol; 3.9 percent were victims of domestic violence; and 13.9 percent had HIV/AIDS. Ten percent of the homeless were children.
Although 20 beds were lost during the past year, the city's 7 shelters (with 750 total beds) can accommodate the needs of a diverse homeless population. The City has no housing available for women who are recovering alcohol/drug users. Some shelters, however, serve only certain groups. For example, the Safe Homes Rape Crisis Center houses only women and their children, while two shelters serve men recovering from substance abuse.
A detoxification center in or around Spartanburg is needed because the closest center is in Greenville. The only treatment available in the city is through the Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center, the Spartanburg County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, and the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center's emergency room.
Many other area agencies provide emergency assistance to homeless persons. The services provided include babysitting services for women and grants for emergency assistance.
The Public Housing Authority (PHA) of Spartanburg has 1,480 public housing apartments. Seventeen units are designed for persons with physical disabilities, and 359 are suitable for persons who use wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches. A 150-unit apartment complex that is being modernized will include 8 additional units accessible for persons with physical disabilities and three additional units for persons with visual or hearing impairments. The PHA also owns 336 assisted housing units in the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program. A public housing waiting list has 1,097 applicants.
As of February 17, 1995, PHA was repairing 19 apartments, creating a 1-percent vacancy rate. The cost of repairs necessary for FY 1995 is estimated at $3 million.
The housing authority also manages 550 Section 8 certificates and vouchers, with a waiting list of 1,801 persons. Two out of three of those on the waiting list need one- and two-bedroom units. In addition, they have 336 units in the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation program.
There are 3,905 public and assisted housing units in Spartanburg, including units in public housing, Section 8 units, and those built through other programs such as Sections 202, 236, and 221(d)4. Public and assisted housing makes up 22 percent of the city's housing stock.
The city believes its current practices and policies do not constitute barriers to affordable housing. Its zoning ordinance contains provisions for five different lot sizes. Two residential zoning categories are restricted to single-family units.
For practical purposes, mobile homes are not allowed in the city. Free-standing mobile homes are allowed only if they are annexed into the city. Three zones allow mobile home park developments, but the scarcity of large undeveloped tracts of land make it unlikely that any proposed mobile home development could meet zoning requirements.
In the 1970s neighborhoods were becoming desegregated, but the trend slowed in the 1980s, according to a report from the Spartanburg Community Housing Resource Board. The study found that whites prefer to live in areas with mostly white residents, while African Americans prefer racially balanced neighborhoods. Income plays a role in neighborhood segregation. The higher the household income, the greater the likelihood that it is in a segregated neighborhood.
The board's study recommended establishment of an open housing center that would serve as an advocate for fair housing. The center would provide residents and prospective residents assistance and information about finding affordable housing. The report also suggested passing a local fair housing ordinance and developing a system that would monitor fair housing.
All houses built prior to 1980 are considered at risk of containing lead-based paint hazards. Because of the age of Spartanburg's housing, lead-based paint hazards are considered to be significant. The city estimates that 10,857 housing units, evenly divided among rental and owner units, could contain lead paint.
The Spartanburg County Health Department of Environmental Health has found lead-based paint in homes on 12 streets. If a home or apartment contains lead, the department encourages that family to move to another house, and the owner or landlord is told the house should not be rented until the hazards are removed. The State has the right to bring a homeowner to court if no action is taken, but that has not been necessary in Spartanburg.
Through September 1994, 205 cases of AIDS and 444 cases of HIV have been reported in Spartanburg County. The Garden House, which houses four persons living with AIDS, is the only residential facility for this population. Unstable funding for the home makes its future uncertain.
Spartanburg recognizes that it does not have the resources needed to meet the needs of frail elderly and mentally ill persons. The city estimates that 954 of its elderly residents are frail and unable to live alone without assistance. Of this group, 201 are believed to be extremely low-income. An estimated 325 residents have severe mental illness. A five-room home for persons with mental illness recently opened, and a 14-room single-room occupancy building is expected to open soon.
An estimated 180 persons with developmental disabilities in Spartanburg County also have special housing needs. About 100 need supportive housing.
The Spartanburg City Council established nonhousing community development priorities early in 1994. It concluded that the city's youth were being underserved and agreed to place a greater emphasis on youth centers, neighborhood facilities, child care centers, parks, and recreation facilities. The council saw a need for expanded services for persons with physical disabilities, substance abusers, child care, and crime awareness.
The council also rated street improvements and asbestos removal as high priorities. It also foresees programs to increase economic opportunities, such as funding microbusinesses.
Spartanburg's broad goal is to improve its urban community and expand economic opportunities, especially for low- and moderate-income residents. It hopes to accomplish this by strengthening the partnerships among all levels of government and with the private sector to produce and operate affordable housing.
The city established its objectives and priorities for its 5-year plan, in part, by using the findings from the housing needs and market analyses. Its goals include:
The city has set up several programs designed to reduce the number of persons in poverty. The common link in all of these programs is helping persons or families find their strengths and learn to become economically independent. There are 19 programs included in the city's antipoverty strategy. Almost all of the projects and programs involve collaboration with several agencies and/or the private sector.
A federally funded demonstration grant that began in 1993 illustrates the city's antipoverty strategy. Called the Village Partnership, this 5-year program provides services that will enable families to become more self-sufficient. It links the services of Spartanburg Technical College, South Carolina Department of Social Services, Spartanburg County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, the Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center, and other groups.
In addition to Federal, State, and local public funds, the city plans to use other local resources to meet its objectives. Using diverse sources will enable the programs to reach a wide range of residents.
Local banks and financial institutions will provide up to $1 million in permanent financing for 20 loans in the homeownership program. The banks and financial institutions will also provide between $200,000 and $300,000 for five loans to build affordable housing.
Habitat for Humanity expects to build one house in the Austin Street Redevelopment Project. Valued at $40,000, the house will be offered to an extremely low-income family.
The Spartanburg Development Corporation expects to contribute $8 in private funds for every CDBG dollar spent on economic development projects. This contribution is expected to total $392,000.
The Consolidated Plan Task Force, made up of representatives from public health, mental health, and social service agencies and nonprofit agencies, makes recommendations concerning the Consolidated Plan. While the city is the lead agency for coordinating and implementing the plan, it encourages interagency cooperation to make the plan work.
Key projects among the 39 chosen by Spartanburg for the first year of the plan involve the rehabilitation of existing houses and infrastructure. Funding will include $404,000 from the HOME program, $893,00 of new CDBG funds, and $150,048 of CDBG program income. Projects include:
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 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.
MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.
MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).
