The Consolidated Plan for Portsmouth includes a budget of $5,098,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $828,000 in HOME Program funds, and $84,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds. In addition, a STOP Weatherization Energy Program involves $30,000 for moderate housing rehabilitation and energy system upgrades for low-income households.
In addition to collaborating with numerous local agencies, departments, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, Portsmouth's Department of Planning, the lead agency on the Consolidated Plan, encouraged citizen participation. A written Citizen Participation Plan detailed how citizens would be involved in the planning, execution and monitoring process. Particular emphasis was placed on participation by persons of low and moderate income and on the input from neighborhood advisory committees. The Citizen Participation Plan presented a dual mechanism of participation on a citywide and neighborhood basis.
The Tidewater Community College provided services to help hearing-impaired and non-English-speaking residents participate in the plan. Additional involvement was solicited through meetings and public forums, newspaper advertisements, and public libraries.
MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.
Portsmouth has a population of 103,907 people composing 38,831 households. Covering an area of 30 square miles, 86 percent of Portsmouth has been developed. Residential land uses account for 49 percent of the city's overall land use; almost all of that consists of single-family housing. Multifamily housing accounts for just over 8 percent.
Approximately half of the residents of Portsmouth are minorities, the majority of which (47 percent) are black. Almost half of all African Americans had very low incomes (31-50 percent of the median family income or MFI). Twenty-eight percent of Hispanic households, 37 percent of Native-American households, 18 percent of white households, and 11 percent of Asian households fit in the same income group. Only 42 percent of the total households in Portsmouth earn more than 95 percent of median family income, which is $28,517.
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.
Overall, 43 percent of Portsmouth households report housing problems. Severe cost burden, overcrowding, and the lack of affordable housing were cited as issues. The Consolidated Plan identified affordable rental housing for the elderly and for both large and small families as the greatest housing need. Both owner and renter minority-headed households with incomes of under 50 percent of the median family income also require assistance.
The number of housing units in Portsmouth increased from 38,611 in 1980 to 44,934 in 1990. Of this number, 38 percent are two-bedroom units and 51 percent are three- or more bedroom units. Between 1983 and 1990, 1,709 single-family units and 2,062 multifamily units were constructed. According to the 1990 census, the mean value of residential structures was $73,134. There was an owner housing vacancy rate of nearly 3 percent and the rental vacancy rate grew to 11 percent.
The majority of owner-occupied units have three or more bedrooms. Only 25 percent are two-bedroom units, and 2 percent one-bedroom units. Fifty-three percent of renters live in 2-bedroom units, 25 percent live in three- or more bedroom units, and 28 percent live in one bedroom units. Median rent in Portsmouth for a one-bedroom unit is $418, 2-bedroom units are $492, and 3-bedroom units are $615.
Extremely low income (0-30 percent MFI). Extremely low-income households rent about 3,100 units of housing. In addition, 625 owner-occupied units have been identified as extremely low-income housing. Seventy- three percent of the renter households and 76 percent of the owner-occupied households are cost burdened, indicating that they spend over 30 percent of their income on housing costs.
Almost 40 percent of all minority-headed rental households have extremely low incomes. All minority households have a disproportionate need for housing assistance.
Very low-income (31-50 percent MFI). Housing stock for very low-income families consists of 7,627 units. About half of these are two-bedroom units. Of the 1,617 vacant rental units available, 83 percent are two-bedroom units. Owner-occupied units include 2,319 units. Census information revealed that 23 percent were severely cost burdened, paying over 50 percent of income on housing, and 74 percent paid more than 30 percent of their income toward housing.
While 19 percent of all minority-headed households combined fall under this income category, Hispanic households are disproportionately represented with 31 percent earning very low incomes.
Other low-income (51-80 percent MFI). Other low-income rental housing stock consists of 16,117 units, again over half of these are two-bedroom units. There are 2,087 vacant units. Although census information found that a small sector of this rental population is severely cost burdened, 41 percent pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing. Owner-occupied units include 11,851 units. Sixty percent of these owners pay between 30 and 50 percent of their income for housing. Of all households, 6 percent are overcrowded, with the greatest demand in renter households with more than five family members. Hispanic rental households show a disproportionate need, as do all minority-headed owner households.
In response to census information indicating that 73 percent of very low-income households were threatened with homelessness, the PARC Place Shelter, one of two organizations providing facilities for the homeless in Portsmouth, conducted a survey in 1994 to prioritize needs. The results of the survey, which emphasized a continuum of care approach, have led to the Supportive Housing Program. This program currently serves 13 families -- 84 percent black, 12 percent white, and 4 percent representing other racial/ethnic origins. The program has four components:
In 1994 PARC Place Shelter provided shelter for 243 individuals, 93 percent of whom were black. The shelter had to turn away 328 homeless persons.
During a year, Help and Emergency Response (HER) provided services for 138 homeless women and 179 children, the majority of whom were black (87 percent). HER also offers two dwelling units for transitional housing and has obtained a new structure to provide for an additional 43 individuals. Together the two programs have 55 beds; 25 of these are reserved for battered women and children.
The city's Community Services Board has one unit with two bedrooms for mentally ill homeless people and coordinates with the Social Services Department to provide housing for 6 mentally ill homeless adults.
Portsmouth has 1,905 public housing units in six developments. There are 380 one-bedroom units, 844 two-bedroom units, and 681 three- or more bedroom units. Five percent of the living units in five of the six housing complexes are handicapped accessible. The sixth development is in the process of modifying units.
In addition the city has 1,179 Section 8 units. Mount Hermon, Effingham Plaza, and Malvern Hill comprise 322 newly constructed elderly units, and there are 430 Section 8 family units in London Oaks and Southside. There are 420 units of existing housing for certificates and vouchers. The waiting list has 307 families.
The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority administers the Public Housing Management Assessment Program (PHMAP) which targets a 5 percent rent delinquency rate maximum. The program monitors resident accounts for early detection of potential delinquency problems, offers counseling and referrals, and monitors rent payment agreements with prompt legal action upon default. The program improves the public housing living environment through increased police security.
A review of local and State land development policies did not reveal any major regulations or procedures that hinder development of affordable housing in Portsmouth. The city uses the State Uniform Building Code and the Building Officials and Code Administrators International Building Codes as standards for residential development. The city also has recently adopted a new zoning ordinance which allows lot sizes as small as 5,000 feet and permits multifamily housing by a group housing permit.
A 1993 Fair Housing study conducted for Portsmouth by the Tidewater Community Housing Resource Board found that none of the individuals surveyed indicated that they had been discriminated against in their efforts to select or purchase a home in a specified location. A Fair Housing Officer monitors and attempts to resolve any complaints and also serves as a member of the Tidewater Community Housing Resource Board.
Of the 44,934 housing units in Portsmouth, 75 percent were constructed prior to 1979 and may have contamination from lead-based paint. Consultation with the Health Department found that many lead-poisoning cases came from areas of the city where houses are older and where low-income families reside. Renters within the very low-income category occupy 7,090 of these houses, which represents 21 percent of the total housing stock. Low-income households occupy an additional 25 percent of the pre-1979 houses.
The Portsmouth Health Department, in coordination with the Redevelopment and Housing Authority, provides limited environmental testing in cases where elevated blood-lead levels are identified. Children under 6 and pregnant women are currently tested through the health department. The city has also initiated a lead-based paint abatement program in the public housing projects and a rehabilitation program in Section 8 units.
The city does not have any specific assisted housing targeted for persons with HIV/AIDS. Melvern Hill, Effingham Plaza, and Mount Hermon apartment complexes house persons with disabilities (Section 202). Other agencies that provide support services to those with HIV/AIDS include the Portsmouth Health Department, Tidewater AIDS Crisis Task Force, Full Circle, and CANDII.
In addition the SEVAMP organization offers a variety of services for 2,000 elderly with self-care limits, and for 1,350 with mobility limits.
The Consolidated Plan identified the following community development needs:
Portsmouth's Consolidated Plan brings needs and resources together in a coordinated housing and community development strategy to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment, and to expand economic opportunities principally for low-, very low-, and extremely low-income residents.
The city adopted principles that will enhance the overall quality of life. In addition to setting specific housing and community development goals, Portsmouth's priority activities pay attention to the following:
The Consolidated Plan identified the following housing priorities:
The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority targeted several areas for redevelopment for commercial purposes. Facade improvement will spur economic development by creating both jobs and small business opportunities. Redevelopment projects in Brighton, Prentis Park, and Hattonsville will implement curb, gutter, sidewalk, and street improvements.
Utilizing principles of self-help and individual community responsibility, Portsmouth's anti-poverty strategy aims to:
Because particular emphasis has been placed on affordable housing as a vital component of addressing urban poverty, the city conducts housing needs assessments to identify those demographic groups that have special housing needs. In addition the city offers housing assistance to families in low-, very low-, and moderate-income brackets to reduce citywide poverty.
The Consolidated Plan for Portsmouth budgeted for $5,098,000 in Community Development Building Grant (CDBG) funds, $828,000 in HOME Program funds, $84,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds and a STOP Weatherization Energy Program Grant for $40,000.
In addition to these funding sources, Portsmouth expects to have access to the following funds annually to carry out its Housing and Community Development Strategy Plan:
Federal Public Housing Comprehensive Grant 2,000,000 Rental Certificate and Vouchers 250,000 Local Rehabilitation Program 200,000 State Virginia Housing Development Authority 150,000 - Urban Infill Private PARC and HER Shelters 84,000 Portsmouth General Hospital Fund 25,000 Portsmouth Community Development Grant 25,000
The city of Portsmouth works closely with a variety of agencies to carry out the Consolidated Plan, including the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Community Services Board, Portsmouth Community Development Corporation, Portsmouth General Hospital Foundation, and local banks and lending institutions. Nonprofit organizations also are involved, including Portsmouth Area Resource Coalition (PARC), Help and Emergency Response (HER), Habitat for Humanity, the Oasis, and Zion Baptist Church.
Portsmouth's Department of Environmental Services, the lead agency for carrying out the HOME purchase and rehabilitation program, prepares specifications, awards contracts, monitors work progress, releases payment, and oversees completion of work. The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority is the lead agency responsible for carrying out the majority of activities of the CDBG, the rental certificate and voucher program, and the Local Rehabilitation program. The city's Finance Department oversees the Emergency Shelter Grant.
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 pojects 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).
Description of Key Projects
The Consolidated Plan for Portsmouth involves the following key projects:
The Crawford Urban Renewal Project:
Hattonsville Redevelopment Project:
Portsmouth Area Resources Coalition provides funds to repair homeless facility to benefit 125 people ($12,000).
Residential Rehabilitation Program offers citywide low-interest loans to assist persons in the rehabilitation of their homes ($206,000).
Acquisition of properties in Brighton, Prentis Park, and Park View for development of 25 housing units ($500,000).
Southside Redevelopment Project is conducting a site analysis that would benefit 25 businesses ($100,000).
Cottage Industry provides training for very low- and low-income persons citywide ($138,000).
Street improvements are being made in low- and moderate-income communities ($400,000).
Economic Development Initiatives to facilitate potential economic growth citywide ($500,000).
To comment on Portsmouth's Consolidated Plan, please contact Ms. Elsie Harris, Assistant Director of Community Development, at 804-399-5261.
