The City of Charleston, the State Capital, is located on the Kanawha River in South Central West Virginia. It is at the junction of three interstate systems and is served by Yeagher International Airport, only ten minutes from downtown Charleston. Charleston celebrated its bicentennial in 1994. Its economy is based on the chemical industry and is the center for tourism throughout the state.

Action Plan

The City of Charleston, West Virginia has prepared a Consolidated Plan (CP) in order to strategically implement Federal Programs which fund housing, community and economic development activities within the City. The CP, a single consolidated planning and application document to encompass three Federal Grants; namely the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG) and the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), was developed to achieve the goal of strengthening partnerships among all levels of government, the private sector, and other jurisdictions to enable them to provide decent housing, establish and maintain a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities for every American.

Citizen Participation

The City of Charleston, through the Mayor's Office Economic and Community Development (MOECD), utilizes the programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, etc., to implement housing and community development related activities. The MOECD Office recognizes that persons affected by public action should have a voice in policy formulation. Although the various housing and community development related activities are designed to have a long-term beneficial effect on the community, these activities may also have an adverse impact on some individuals. Therefore, it is important that citizens know what is being planned and be given an opportunity to present their views. The MOECD staff is involved in citizen participation mechanisms such as the holding of public hearings, the provision of technical assistance when requested by citizen groups and continued involvement not only during program implementation but through the entire program year. MOECD employed strategies to inform and educate citizens on all aspects of the CDBG Consolidated Plan Community Development matters. These activities can be summarized as follows:

• MOECD held two (2) public hearings at neighborhood centers in the community to hear citizens's needs and problems and to provide them with important program information as a part of the planning process for the ongoing Consolidated Plan. Community Development facts were discussed which provided information on Community Development legislative objectives, eligible activities, citizen participation requirements, individual parts of the application, program start up date, target areas, and the City's entitlement amount. The citizens were furnished project request forms on which they could request assistance for projects in their community. City officials and staff were on hand to answer questions regarding the services available to all citizens. An additional public hearing is being held on December 11, 1995 to discuss the progress on the implementation of the 1995 Consolidated Plan. Information available at this public hearing will include a list of all projects funded and the expenditures on each project.
• The City has revised their Citizen Participation Plan to concur with the Consolidated Plan regulations and has incorporated this into the approved Consolidated Plan. Public Notices are published in the two local newspapers allowing for a minimum of 30 days for citizen comments on Consolidated Plan Action Plans and all substantial amendments.
• The Proposed Statement of Community Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds for the coming program year will be presented at a City Finance Committee meeting which is open to the public and presented at a City Council meeting where authorization is given to publish same. A 30-day comment period is then given to citizens in order to respond to the Proposed Statement and Budget.

The total population of the City of Charleston has been decreasing over the past several decades, reaching a low in 1990 of 51,287 residents. The 1990 population represents a loss of over one third of the City's 1960 population. While the City's total population has decreased, the minority population has increased by 6 percent. Non- Hispanic blacks accounted for 89.6 percent of Charleston's minority population, which comprised 14.2 percent of the City's population. Persons of Hispanic origin, who may be of any race, accounted for 3.9 percent of the minority population and less than 1 percent of the City's population. The 1990 median family income (MFI) for the Charleston, Metropolitan Statistical Area was $30,296 for a family of four. In 1993 HUD identified 39.05% of the City's residents as low and moderate income (LMI) with annual incomes of $24,250 or less for a family of four.

Conditions

The City's housing stock is moderately old with close to 50 percent of the units built prior to 1950. Only eight percent of the City's housing stock was completed after 1980. Although the housing stock is moderately old, it is generally in good condition. As reported in the FY 1994 CHAS, 33 percent of all renter households and 10 percent of all owner households reported a housing problem. Housing problems include the following: substandard conditions, overcrowding, and costing more than 30 percent of a household's monthly income.

Housing Needs

Additional housing needs are expected to be at most minimal due to the steady decrease in population since 1960. Although the City needs few additional housing units, Charleston faces the need for additional owner-occupied housing rehabilitation, the need for new construction/rehabilitation of housing that is affordable to low-to-moderate income persons, and the need to educate the public on all types of available housing and their fair housing rights.

Market Conditions

Between 1980 and 1990, the housing stock of the City of Charleston increased by 84 units or less than one percent to 28,111 units. While the City's Annual Building Permits Report indicates issuance of 1,435 building permits in the City from 1980 to 1991, the net increase in the housing stock was small. The difference can be attributed to planned demolition or destruction by natural disasters such as fire.

The 1990 census bureau reported that 55 percent of the City's housing stock was owner- occupied. According to the CHAS data book, of the City's 28,111 total year-round housing units, 2805 or 9.9 percent were vacant.

Affordable Housing Needs

The FY 1994 CHAS reported that there were 1,316 vacant units for rent in 1990. Of these vacant units, 95 percent were affordable to households with incomes below 80 percent of median, while 73 percent were affordable to households between 30 and 50 percent of the City's median income. Despite the availability of relatively affordable rental housing, the rental vacancy rate was high as evidenced by the Housing Authority's waiting list for rental units. It is expected that the situation of available, affordable rental housing with high vacancy rates is indicative of the lack of quality among the available rental units

Homeless Needs

The City of Charleston has a number of shelters and services that are provided to assist the homeless. Based on the data collected, there does not appear to be a need for additional shelter spaces to service the current homeless population. Service providers for the homeless indicate that the most pressing needs in the community for this population are transitional housing units and affordable permanent rental units possibly made available through provision of additional Section 8 Rental Assistance in the City and the availability of a continuum level of support services to assist individuals and families in maintaining self-sufficiency once it is achieved. In 1990 there were 877 homeless persons in Charleston, of which 340 were persons in homeless families and 537 individuals (over age 18) not in families.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

The Charleston Housing Authority (CHA) ascribes to the federal preference system when determining eligibility for assisted housing. The Federal preferences are for very low income rental households who pay more than 50 percent of their income for rent, live in seriously substandard housing, including the homeless, or have been involuntarily displaced. As of November 1993 there were 281 households on CHA's waiting list for households who wish to rent a housing unit. The waiting list for Section 8 Rental list consists of 163 households. The greatest demand for assisted housing in the City continues to be by small households with 83 percent of the households seeking assisted units classified as small households and 64 percent of the households seeking Section 8 Rental Assistance classified as small households.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

The resources used to provide affordable housing is not sufficient to satisfy the demand and funds are not adequately targeted to areas of the City with the greatest need. In addition, lack of owner-occupied housing rehabilitation, affordable new construction/rehabilitation of housing for to low-to-moderate income persons, and lack of education by the public on all types of available housing and their fair rights are also barriers to affordable housing.

Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Assessment for Charleston was completed in 1993. The Assessment found that the City lacks quality affordable rental units, lack of effective communication between realtors and government agencies at all levels regarding programs that are available and about the placement of individuals in suitable housing units, and lack of education of fair housing rights. In addition, it found that lower incomes and lack of down payments prevent large segments of the population from acquiring housing.

Lead-Based Paint

Of the 28,111 housing units in Charleston, 92% were constructed before 1980. It is estimated that in 62% of homes constructed from 1960-79 lead based paint was used, 80% from 1940-59, and construction before 1940, lead based paint was used in 90%. Of the units built before 1980, 62% were very low or low income households. Since 1992, there a total of 1486 lead tests done. Of those screened, 14 had lead blood levels over 20 mg/dl, while 1379 had blood levels under 10 mg/dl.

Community Development Needs

Community development needs are: infrastructure improvements, public service needs, accessibility needs, historic preservation, and economic development.

Coordination

Organizations dedicated to addressing the housing and community development needs of Charleston are the homeless shelters, lending institutions, social service agencies, the City of Charleston, and other public and private profit and nonprofit organizations.

Vision for Change

The City of Charleston 1995 Consolidated Plan Action Plan illustrates the City of Charleston's Commitment to better our city. The funds we have allocated as part of our CP address the needs and identified barriers within the city.

Housing and Community Development Objectives

Based on the needs determined for the City, the following objectives have been established:

• provide decent, affordable housing for all residents, especially those of very low, low and moderate incomes who are cost burdened or live in substandard or overcrowded housing
• provide housing opportunities for first-time homebuyers

• facilitate and encourage the provision of supportive housing services to help homeless individuals, homeless facilities, and non-homeless persons with special needs to obtain and maintain self-sufficiency

Housing and Community Development Priorities

Priorities for housing and community development are to:

• maintain and increase rental assistance to renter households who are cost burdened
• provide homebuyer assistance for first-time homebuyers
• to provide rehabilitation for single family, owner occupied units to low income households
• to provide rehabilitation for lower income tenant households, including households with special needs
• preserve and expand the supply of affordable housing through acquisition in conjunction with rehabilitation and/or new construction
• provide support to the homeless shelters and transitional living facilities including those that serve special need population

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

In addition to its housing needs, the City of Charleston has identified the following non-housing community development needs which are high priority:

Public Facility Needs:	Infrastructure Improvements:
Child care Centers	Solid Waste Disposal Improvements
Neighborhood Facilities	Flood Drain Improvements
Parks and Rec Facilities	Street/Sidewalk Improvements
Public Service Needs:	Economic Development Needs:
Senior//youth/child care Services	Commercial-Industrial Rehabilitation
Transportation Services	Commercial-Industrial Infrastructure
Substance Abuse Services	Micro-Business
Employment Training	Accessibility Needs
Health Services	Planning Needs
Fair Housing Counseling
Tenant/Landlord Counseling

Anti-Poverty Strategy

Housing and Community Development Resources

Coordination of Strategic Plan

Description of Key Projects

• $98,000 for Homeless shelter operations and maintenance expenses.
• $475,000 for the HOME Program - new construction to provide home ownership opportunities to low to moderate income persons and families.
• $60,000 for the Paint Program to paint houses for low income households and community facilities that serve low to moderate income persons and families.
• $200,000 for rehabilitation of housing for low income homeowners.
• $172,534 for public service activities for a wide range of new services that include employment programs for young adults living in public housing, a learning center for at risk children in a low income neighborhood, meals programs for the homeless and the elderly, transportation services for disabled persons and play equipment for a low income day care service.
• $135,000 of community rehabilitation activities that include a domestic violence shelter, a learning center for at risk youth and a indoor/outdoor Farmers Market.
• $1,080,000 for infrastructure improvements that include sidewalks, paving, streetscapes, slip repair, retaining walls and storm drainage systems.
• $157,000 for acquisition of property to provide housing opportunities for low to moderate income persons and families and to provide a Learning Center for the homeless.
• $10,552 for parks and recreational facilities in low to moderate income neighborhoods.
• $277,755 for neighborhood improvement projects which include a new ambulance and fire truck to serve low income areas and rehabilitation of a facility for a low income daycare service.
• $9,000 for the removal of architectural barriers.
• $100,000 for the demolition of dilapidated structures throughout Charleston.

Listed below are the project descriptions for five projects that are currently underway and illustrate the our commitment to community development.

1. Family Resource Centers (PEW):The City of Charleston awarded $41,000 of CDBG funds to the Community Council of Kanawha Valley to provide match funds for a $120,000 grant for the PEW Foundation to establish and operate three family resource centers in low to moderate income areas in Charleston. Services offered at these three centers include AFDC, family counseling services, reading enrichment, Headstart, early Intervention services, and other needed educational and social services. These centers are staffed with Americorp volunteers.
2. Jobs Academy:CDBG funds were utilized to establish a program to provide employability training for 16-20 year old young adults living in public housing complexes throughout Charleston. To date sixteen youth are involved in the program. All sixteen have been on interviews and nine have been placed in positions with local businesses and government agencies.
3. The Charleston Learning Center: A local nonprofit agency has established a learning center in a low income neighborhood to serve at risk youth ages 7-17 years old. This new program will offer tutoring services, computer training classes, job skill development, recreation and mentoring programs.
4. Farmers Market: The indoor/outdoor Capitol Market is an innovative project that eliminates a slums and blight and creates economic opportunities for local businesses. It will provide a year-round retail outlet for many local producers who might not otherwise have had a consistent outlet for their goods in the Charleston area. The market will provide a supportive environment for farmers, artisans, artists and small business entrepreneurs who are in need of new outlets for their products. The City is participating in the acquisition and renovation of this historic transfer dock and warehouse for the railroad system built in the early 1900s.
5. Mountaineer Habitat Acquisition Project: Mountaineer Habitat is a non-profit organization consisting of mostly volunteers that builds new homes for low income persons and families. Each prospective homeowner must put in a minimum of 400 hours of sweat equity into the construction of these homes in order to qualify for a home of their own. CDBG funds are acquiring property for the construction of these homes.

Locations

Lead Agencies

Charleston Housing Authority
VHDF
Office of Economic Opportunity
local homeless shelters
local lending institutions
social service agencies
private businesses

Housing Goals

1. Rental Rehabilitation - through the MOECD office's rental rehabilitation program, approximately twelve rental units will be rehabilitated assisting 12 households with incomes between 0 percent and 80 percent of median. While large family households may be assisted, it is expected that the program will assist primarily elderly, small family, and other household types. One unit has been completed to date and a number are underway. The city is working to establish a rental rehabilitation program to take the place of the HUD Rental Rehabilitation Program. We are currently working with local lending institutions on establishing the guidelines for this program. Also, the City is in the process of evaluating converting an abandoned high school into seventy (70) plus rental units for senior citizens.

2. Homeowner Rehabilitation - through the MOECD office's residential rehabilitation program, approximately thirty five homeowners with incomes between 0 percent and 80 percent of median. The program assists small, large, and elderly households. Twelve (12) units have been completed since July 1, 1995 or are currently under contract. MOECD has a new Housing Director who is working diligently to increase productivity in the department. Due to his success in expending funds to assist low to moderate income homeowners, the City is in the process of amending additional funds into this program to meet the needs of the community.

3. Modernization of Public Housing Units - the Charleston Housing Authority will utilize Comprehensive Grant Program funding to continue to modernize its public housing stock which will assist elderly, small and large families, families with physically disabled members. The City of Charleston has established a committee consisting of representatives of the City, Charleston Housing Authority, and each public housing complex in Charleston to better understand the needs of those citizens living in public housing.

4. HOME Program - The HOME program has completed two project since July 1, 1995. Nine projects are currently underway and one project is under review.

5. Tenant Based Rental Assistance - the Charleston Housing Authority applied for additional rental vouchers and rental certificates available through the Section 8 Existing Housing Program to assist small, large and elderly households as well as homeless persons.

Maps

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.

MAPS 5a and 5b depict points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and proposed HUD funded projects.