A "Boom Town" of the 80's, Virginia Beach is located in Southeast Virginia, and is a part of the Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News MA. The most populous city in the Commonwealth, Virginia Beach's population is expected to exceed 500,000 by the year 2000. The Consolidated Plan is a key component of the city's continuing process of policy and program planning to accommodated its growth. The Consolidated Plan will assist the city by providing information that will coordinate the efficient delivery of municipal services and housing rehabilitation that will enhance the economic, social and physical quality of the community.
The Consolidated Plan for Virginia Beach includes a budget of $3,447,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $1,090,000 in HOME program funds, and $108,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds. These funds will be used to support 34 housing and community development activities that are outlined in the city's one-year action plan. In addition, the following other HUD resources were also made available: 485 Section 8 Rental Vouchers, $710,000 in HOPE 3 funds, $261,321 in Transitional Housing funds and $457,860 in Shelter Plus Care funds.
As the lead agency, the Virginia Beach Department of Housing and
Neighborhood Preservation (DHNP) is charged with the responsibility for the
coordination and the submission of the Consolidated Plan. In an effort to
fulfill its responsibility, the DHNP revised the Citizen Participation Plan in
order to facilitate full and open dialogue among the general public and special
interest groups. One noteworthy feature of the Citizen Participation Plan is the
formation of three task force committees that focused on the areas of: housing
affordability, homeless needs, needs of minorities and needs of low income
households. Additionally, extensive participation from residents of subsidized
housing and persons living in predominately low and moderate - income
neighborhoods was solicited. The overall effort is well documented by the public notices that appeared in
the local newspaper.
Virginia Beach has a population of 430,317 people comprising 147,409 households. Minorities account for 18 percent of the total households, with African Americans accounting for the largest group at 12 percent. Covering an area of 258 square miles of land and 51 square miles of water, Virginia Beach has ample room for continued growth and economic development. With over 70 percent of its housing units being built since 1970, the majority (79 percent) of the city's housing units were determined to be in compliance with exterior building and maintenance codes. The efficient use of CDBG funds has played a significant role in addressing the problem of dilapidated and substandard structures. Additionally, having one of the nations highest percentage of homeownership (62 percent of occupied units) contributes to the overall quality of the housing stock.
The military presence and the city's image as a "resort city"
have a great impact on the social and economic climate of Virginia Beach. The
city is host to five military bases that have a combined armed services and
civilian work force of 34,233. The military bases include: Oceana Naval Air
Station, Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, Fort Story, Camp Pendleton, and the
Fleet Combat Training Center at Dam Neck. The beach and ocean front hotels
successfully attract over 2.5 million visitors a year making tourism a major
industry.
A population increase of 130,870 from 1980 to 1990 represents a major factor that affects the city's housing and community development needs. Analyses also indicated: a decline in the per capita income (relative to the rest of the state and country); rents being significantly higher than the surrounding areas; and approximately 11,000 vacant houses (including 1000 government-owned FHA foreclosures).
In general, the primary housing needs in Virginia Beach are homeownership opportunities and assistance with affordable rental housing for very low and low-income persons. This group constitutes 27 percent of the city's population. Accordingly, strategies to further homeownership through rehabilitation and rental assistance to decrease the affordability gap for renters are proposed.
The City of Virginia Beach had 147,037 year round housing units in 1990, 92 percent of which were occupied. Of the occupied units, 62 percent were owner-occupied and 38 percent were rental units. It should be noted that, on a national basis, the city has one of the highest homeownership rates. Rents in Virginia Beach were found to be significantly higher than in the surrounding areas. This may explain the 8 percent vacancy rate for rental units. The vacancy rate for homeowners is 4 percent; however, a significant number of the vacant homes (approximately 1000) are government (HUD/FHA or RTC) foreclosures. Eighty percent of all the housing units (owner and renter) in the city were classified as standard.
The outlook for quality affordable rental housing is dependent on tax incentives for investors and increased rental subsidies from HUD. Homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families rely on government assistance .
Housing problems are often associated with the gap that exists between the cost of available decent and safe housing for a household with a given income, and the resources available to obtain and maintain that housing. Federal guidelines use a threshold of 30 percent of household income for housing cost to define affordability. When a household cannot find decent and safe housing for 30 percent of its income, an affordability problem exists. In Virginia Beach 88 percent of all households with a total annual income of $20,000 paid more that 30 percent of their income for housing. Only 2.7 percent of all rental property in the city has a rent of $250 per month or less, which is 30 percent of an annual income of $10,000. There is a definite shortage of housing and/or rental assistance for the very low income population.
The city has been aware of the growing numbers of the homeless. The attractiveness of the resort area results in an increase in the number of homeless individuals during the warm weather months. This situation also results in increases in the numbers of runaways and abandoned youth that come to the city for any number of reasons. Additionally, many of the homeless have conditions, i.e., mental illness, substance abuse , etc., that require special attention. A recent homeless survey disclosed 446 homeless families housed as follows: 112 in emergency shelters, 190 in transitional facilities and 25 with no shelter. A Continuum of Care Strategy has been formally developed and implemented by the city. Specifically, at the direction of the City Council, the City Manager appointed a Homeless Advisory Committee that worked along with staff from the city's Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation to develop the strategy. The city's strategy lays the groundwork for increased coordination of existing services in each component of the continuum, and proposes additional funding for services in the areas of outreach, supportive services, transitional housing and permanent housing.
The City of Virginia Beach is somewhat unique in that it does not have a public housing authority; consequently, there is no public housing in the city. However, the city does administer a Section 8 Certificate/Voucher program. This program provides rental assistance to some 475 low-income families annually. Since there are 3,500 on the Section 8 waiting list, it has been closed and new applications are not accepted. Additionally, there are 17 privately-owned rental developments that have rents and/or mortgages that are federally subsidized. These developments provide 1121 units of affordable housing to the city. Each development is operating at 100 percent occupancy and maintains a waiting list of prospective tenants. In addition to the general needs for affordable housing, there is a need for affordable housing that is accessible for persons with disabilities, including accessibility features throughout the housing unit. Local service providers indicate a current demand for 49 accessible housing units. The future for quality affordable rental housing is dependent on tax incentives for investors and increased rental subsidies from HUD to maintain and expand the current levels of assistance.
Based on citizen input, the following public policies were identified as potential barriers to the development, maintenance or improvement of affordable housing within the city: land use controls, zoning, fees and charges, and growth limits. Since the creation and application of these policies are within the administrative control of the city, any disproportionate hardship to the affordable housing effort can be minimized.
The city is in the process of updating the Fair Housing Analysis of 1993-1994 that was conducted by the Tidewater Community Housing Resource Board (TCHRB). The research will focus on a number of areas critical to the ability of individuals to access a full range of housing options. The analysis will also include a review for impediments in several areas of the housing industry as identified at 24 CFR 570.904(c)(1) of the HUD regulation.
Of the 147,037 housing units in the city, approximately 11 percent may have a lead-based paint hazard. According to the Virginia Beach Health Department, since July 1993, there have been eight cases of elevated blood levels in children 15 years old or younger. Of the eight cases, four were in children who had recently moved to Virginia Beach and were determined to have gotten their lead from sources outside of the city. Ongoing efforts to reduce the exposure of the lead hazard is accomplished through housing rehabilitation and demolition funded under the CDBG program.
The large military presence and its attractiveness as an ocean front resort community provides both positive and negative consequences for the city.
Because Virginia Beach is a large city both in land mass and population, the demands on the infrastructure are constant. The largest portion of the city's Capital Improvement Budget is dedicated to water, sewer, street, coastal and flood drainage maintenance and improvements. Public facilities such as parks, libraries, schools, municipal buildings are also funded by the city are the majority of public services. CDBG funds have been reserved for more specialized projects in low and moderate income areas. By using its CDBG funds to further ongoing and specialized activities, the city is able to maximize the overall development of those areas that have the greatest need.
The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation (DHNP) is
responsible for providing the overall coordination and planning for the city's
housing programs/functions. This responsibility extends to all housing, social
service and homeless activities. The DHNP maintains a range of citizen
involvement committees that meet regularly to identify coordination
opportunities, coordinate use of funds, develop partnerships between agencies,
and eliminate duplication of effort. Coordination with other governmental
agencies, public institutions, non-profit organizations and private industry is
also maintained.
The Strategic Plan of the City of Virginia Beach, has as its primary goals, the provision of decent, safe and sanitary housing; a suitable living environment; and expanded economic opportunities for the low, very low and extremely low income residents of the city.
The housing and community development objectives have been ascertained by a critical analysis (strengths and impediments) of the city's housing resources at the neighborhood level. This analysis has resulted in the identification of the following characteristics: very high rate of homeownership; availability of rental units, albeit at rents higher than in the surrounding areas; and, a homeless population that is greatly influenced by the resort nature of the city. Consequently, the city proposes to undertake activities that will : preserve the value and quality of its housing, particularly for low-income families; assist low-income renters; and, provide housing and services for the homeless through the continuum of care approach.
The city's key priorities for its housing and neighborhood needs are as follows:
In response to its housing needs, the city has selected the following priorities:
Code Enforcement represents the highest non-housing community development need. Code enforcement works towards the correction of violations of the building maintenance code and property maintenance regulations through prompt response to citizen complaints and systematic inspections. Also included under this heading is the elimination of vacant and dilapidated buildings, inoperable vehicles and graffiti. These efforts are intended to prevent blight and decline in neighborhoods that will eventually affect the housing stock.
Participation in the Family Self Sufficiency program provides Section 8 subsidies that are contingent on partaking in job training, job preparation and placement activities that will lead to self supporting employment. Job counseling and training opportunities are an integral component of the homeless and transitional programs that the city funds. Efforts to increase the tax base from 20 percent to 30 percent business will result in hundreds of job opportunities .
The consolidated Plan for Virginia Beach includes the following resources : $3,447,000 in FY 1995 CDBG funds; $1,090,000 in FY 1995 HOME funds; $710,000 FY 1994 HOPE funds will be committed; $457,860 in Shelter Plus Care funds; $108,000 in FY 1995 Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds; and $1,110,000 in related funds from state government. These funds will also be used to leverage private funds and/or serve as a match for other federal and state programs for maximum efficiency.
In order to emphasize coordination and planning, all city housing
functions/programs are located in one agency-the Department of Housing and
Neighborhood Preservation (DHNP). The DHNP oversees a number of citizen advisory
committees that provides advice it on policies and activities. This approach is
also an important feature of the citizen participation process that is required
in conjunction with the development and submission of the Consolidated Plan. The
city has appointed a Homeless Advisory Committee to advise it on the use of
Federal and State funding and to efficiently coordinate homeless activities.
This committee includes representatives of all homeless providers, private
sector representatives, and representatives of religious organizations serving
the homeless, as well as the DHNP and the Department of Social Services. The
committee has been instrumental in the development of the continuum of care
statement, grant applications, and policies regarding the needs for homeless
facilities and services.
The Virginia Beach One-Year Action Plan outlines the proposed use of approximately $4.6 million dollars in CDBG, HOME, ESG funds, and program income. These funds will be spent on a number of activities that will improve housing, aid the homeless, provide homeownership assistance, facilitate code enforcement, and further community services and facilities. A general outline of the funding totals are presented in the following section.
The Consolidated Plan for Virginia Beach includes the following projects/activities:
Housing Rehabilitation:
Over $2.6 million has been allocated to activities that will improve the living conditions of the city's low-income homeowners or renters. A number of different projects provide loans and grants for various housing rehabilitation activities, necessary relocation, emergency repairs, improvements for energy efficiency, and smoke detectors for occupant safety are included.
$488,000 is provided for projects that will assist the homeless in becoming more productive members of society. The various projects are administered by the city, as well as local non-profits, and include emergency, transitional and permanent housing.
Over $500,000 has been reserved for projects that will provide homeownership opportunities for low income families. Funds for downpayment assistance, counseling and financing are administered by the city and local development corporations.
In order to maintain a consistent standard for the overall safety and quality of its housing units, the city uses approximately $200,000 to undertake inspections for code compliance in various target areas.
The majority of the city's funds are focused in CDBG target areas. The target areas have the distinction of having a concentration of low-income persons and/or physical characteristics that can be a source of blight within the area. It is therefore imperative that the city concentrate its resources in these areas in order to keep the situation under control.
As previously indicated, the city's DHNP functions as the lead agency and directly administers the majority of the projects. The following organizations represent the major subrecipients of the city: The Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation (VBCDC), Virginia Mountain Housing (VMH), Virginia Beach Ecumenical Housing and Volunteers of America.
Highlights of the city's goals for the first year include the rehabilitation of 20 rental units and 60 homeowner units, assisting 30 first time homebuyers, conducting 15,000 code enforcement inspections , and assisting over 300 homeless families/individuals. Additionally, the DHNP will monitor all agencies that receive assistance by periodic review for compliance with the contractual agreements with the agency. The monitoring includes on-site visits, financial reviews and program reviews.
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.
Mr. David C. McClees
PH: (804) 426-5732.
