City and county growth rates have been strong and parallel in that over 70 percent of the county's population lives within the city of Clarksville. In addition, Clarksville has pursued a continuing annexation practice of bringing urbanizing areas into the city limits. The city's growth rate has held steady at approximately 2 percent per year and the population grew from 54,777 in 1980 to 74,598 people in 1990.
For 1995, Clarksville proposes to use $333,545 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation and $500,000 of Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) to provide loans for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation citywide.
The city has encouraged citizens to participate in the development of the Consolidated Plan. Public meetings were held in affected CDBG target areas. Notice of public hearings were posted at the Clarksville Housing Authority to encourage participation by public housing residents.
An initial hearing was held March 7, 1995 to inform the public about the amount of assistance the city expects to receive and the range of activities that may be undertaken. A second hearing on April 11, 1995 explained the availability of the draft consolidated plan and the one-year action program. Clarksville anticipates sponsoring a third hearing in
MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.
The population of Montgomery County grew 21 percent from 83,342 in 1980 to 100,498 in 1990. During that same period, Clarksville increased from 54,777 to 75,494. The racial composition of Clarksville did not change appreciably from 1980 to 1990. Whites were 73 percent of the population (55,153) in 1990, blacks comprised 21 percent (15,504 people), and other minorities were 5 percent. All components of the population grew during the decade with whites increasing 35 percent increase and blacks 37 percent. The small numbers of other minorities had large percentage increases.
Median income was $27,557 in 1990. Of the 25,464 Clarksville households 4,074 (16 percent) fell into the very low-income category (0 to 50 percent of the median family income). Another 4,074 households (16 percent) in the city that were classified as "other low-income" with incomes between 51 and 80 percent of median. Moderate income households (80 to 95 percent of median) constituted 8 percent.
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.
Two of Clarksville's major housing needs are available affordable housing and housing rehabilitation. Housing affordability needs are directly related to income. Housing condition is related to income, but also to the condition of the neighborhood in which the dwelling is located. In addition to rental assistance and housing rehabilitation, other needs includeprograms to encourage and promote home ownership, and support facilities and services.
Clarksville had 29,347 year-round housing units in 1990,of which 25,442 were occupied an 87 percent occupancy rate. Occupancy rates are not a very reliable indicator of the housing market in Clarksville because of the effect of Fort Campbell troop movements. Rates can fluctuate widely and are usually far less than the 13 percent shown in the 1990 census.
Residential construction has been strong in the city and county after a decrease in production during 1990, being particularly strong from 1991 to 1993. Multifamily construction has been limited but did show an increase in 1993, particularly in three- and four-family dwelling units.
Increased demand and subsequent increases in rents and housing prices have made housing less affordable in Clarksville. Only a limited number of vacant rental and owner housing are affordable to low- and moderate-income households are available. More rental units exist In the zero- to two-bedroom size. Owner units are more likely to have three bedrooms.
Fair market rents in Clarksville as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are $313 for an efficiency, $352 for a one-bedroom unit, $411 for a two-bedroom unit, and $560 for a three-bedroom unit, including utilities. Rents affordable at 30 percent of income for families at 50 percent of median income are $264 for one person, $301 for a family of two, $339 for a family of three, $376 for four persons in a family, and $406 for a family of five.
The greatest housing need for very low-income households is for affordable rental housing and rental assistance. Now 1,770 households experience some housing problem and 1,356 carry a cost burden of greater than 50 percent of their income.
At any one time, Clarksville may have 42 homeless people. Of that number, 5 are unsheltered, 35 are sheltered, and 2 are in transitional housing. Several agencies serve the homeless in Clarksville. They include the Salvation Army (an emergency shelter of 21 beds) which assisted 600 people in 1994 and Safehouse Shelter (an emergency shelter with 16 beds) which assisted 261 people in 1994.
The Community Action Agency provides outreach to individuals and families to secure a more stable living arrangement. Between July 1994 and June 1995 it assisted 974 people. The United Methodist Urban Ministries' Safehouse provides outreach and assessment to homeless and battered women and children, and helped 324 people during the year. The Loaves and Fishes Kitchen serves about 160 lunches a day for a total of 58,400 meals a year.
No transitional housing exists in Clarksville. The Salvation Army has designated transitional housing as a future priority. The city does not have permanent housing for homeless with disabilities, with the exception of handicapped accessible units at various assisted housing sites.
There are 510 public housing units in Clarksville at four locations: Lincoln Homes, Summit Heights, Edmondson Ferry Road, and Chapel Street. Of that inventory, 66 are 0- and 1-bedroom units, 198 are 2-bedroom units, and 246 are 3-bedroom units. Twenty are handicapped units, but 119 disabled persons have received public housing. Currently 461 families are being served by public housing, including 656 children under 18 years and 11 elderly who are 65 years or older. There are 178 people on the waiting list for public housing.
The Section 8 program is administered by the Highland Rim Economic Corporation. It has awarded 375 certificates and vouchers. There are 499 people on the waiting list for the Section 8 program.
The Regional Planning Commission will continue to assess local zoning and subdivision regulations for barriers to affordable housing. The city will update and revise local building codes as necessary. These regulations now are not perceived to present barriers.
Clarksville plans to do a study of impediments to fair housing. The city has assembled data for the study and anticipates completing it by December, 1995. In addition the city will continue with its Fair Housing Board.
Older housing units may present a health hazard because they contain lead-based paint. Of the 29,347 housing units within the city, 16,772 were constructed before 1980, 11,303 were constructed between 1960 and 1979, 4,536 were constructed between 1940 and 1959, and 1,203 units were built before 1940. The Clarksville Housing Authority has been aware of lead hazards for some time and has been working on an abatement program in conjunction with its modernization program for public housing.
The Regional Planning Commission will continue to assess the need for lead-based paint hazard abatement case-by-case as it processes housing rehabilitation cases. Activities will also be coordinated with the Montgomery County Health Department. All lead-based paint abatement activities at Clarksville Housing Authority properties are complete.
Priority needs within Community Development Block Grant-funded neighborhoods have historically involved the provision of adequate infrastructure including streets, water, and sewer service. It is anticipated that action will need to be taken both in the short-term and over the longer span of this plan to eliminate small pockets where service does not exist, particularly for sanitary sewer service.
There is a continuing need within CDBG neighborhoods for improved recreation facilities.
The most immediate need is to renovate Merricourt Park. Other recreation and community
center projects are anticipated over the course of the Consolidated Plan.
Clarksville establishes priorities for nonhousing community development needs on an annual basis through the preparation of a five-year Capital Budget and Public Improvements Program. This planning process and document addresses needs for both the city and the county. The following priorities have been identified:
A number of local, State, and Federal agencies offer programs and assistance that attempt to reduce the number of families in poverty. The city has encouraged such efforts through its Community Development program by funding innovative programs. The proposed Private Industry Council AmeriCorps project is this year's new effort to reduce poverty. Proposed reform of the existing welfare system may have an effect upon those households below the poverty line and upon the type of services needed by extremely low-income residents. Participation in coordinating organizations such as the Community Services Organization and the Community Development Partnership of Clarksville also assist these efforts.
To carry out its plan, Clarksville will use entitlement grants from CDBG and HOME. Although the city qualified for direct allocation for HOME, the amount was not enough for the $500,000 threshold. Therefore, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency agreed to add the $144,000 needed to reach that threshold. The city and four nonprofit organizations will receive ESG funds.
The Regional Planning Commission is the responsible agency to administer the two primary programs in the plan, CDBG and HOME. The city will continue its efforts to coordinate program and service delivery through participation in the Community Development Partnership of Clarksville. This organization assists in coordination among local government, local financial institutions, and the minority community.
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; as well as, provides a table with information about the project(s).
Housing activities predominate in the 50 action projects planned for the coming year. Some examples are:
Within the framework of serving eligible low-and moderate-income families, eliminating blight, and providing for urgent needs, Clarksville has targeted a large portion of its CDBG and HOME funds to specific neighborhoods and areas to take a comprehensive approach.
