The Five-Year Consolidated Plan is a federal requirement for all U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement cities. The City of Miami Beach is a HUD-designated entitlement city as determined by the decennial census information on population growth lag, over-crowding, age of housing stock, and poverty. The City of Miami Beach has been a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community since 1975. The HOME Program was started in 1992 to provide funding specifically for affordable housing.
As an entitlement community, the City automatically qualifies for an annual allocation of federal funding under HUD’s grant programs. HUD requires each entitlement community to submit an annual One-Year Action Plan describing how it will utilize funding and resources to address priority needs identified in the City’s Consolidated Plan. The One-Year Action Plan is a component of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan filed with HUD.
The City must submit its FY 2022 Action Plan to HUD by August 15, 2022.
ANALYSIS
The allocations for FY 2022 are as follows:
Community Development Block Grant Funds
FY 2022 HUD Entitlement $941,433.00
Less administrative allowance (20%) ($188,286.00)
Less Public Services allowance (15%) ($141,214.00)
Net FY 2021 funds $611,933.00
HOME Funds
FY 2022 HUD Entitlement $676,153.00
Less administrative allowance (10%) ($67,615.00)
Net available for project allocation $608,538.00
On January 24, 2022, the Administration issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for CDBG, HOME and HOME-ARP funds. The submission deadline was February 23, 2022. To ensure clarification and proactively address questions relating to the completion and submission of the application, a pre-submission meeting was held on February 2, 2022 to review the RFP with prospective applicants.
On January 20, 2022 the Mayor and Commission approved resolution 2022-31979 approving the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan as follows:
HOME-ARP Funds
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Total HOME-ARP Allocation
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$2,245,387.00
|
|
Administrative allowance (15%)
|
$336,808.05
|
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Rental Housing
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$1,400,000
|
|
Supportive Services
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$396,309.60
|
|
Non-Profit Capacity Building
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$112,269.35
|
CDBG 2022 Funding
A maximum of 15 percent of the City’s allocation, or $141,214.00, may fund public service activities. Public service activities include meals programs, rent assistance, childcare programs, etc., for income-eligible participants. The City received applications from four public service providers. Two applications were received for affordable housing projects from the Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach (HACMB). The Administration is recommending funding all CDBG applications, with the exception of funding one of the HACMB’s applications using HOME funds instead. The administration is recommending allocating those CDBG funds to property acquisition. This activity can be completed quicker, thus ensuring the City will be in compliance with the CDBG timeliness requirements for the 2022 program year. Below are the recommendations for the CDBG Program.
|
Project
|
LMI Beneficiaries
|
Project Funding
|
|
Public Services
|
|
|
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UNIDAD of Miami Beach - Project Link
|
180
|
$12,000.00
|
|
Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade – Aftercare and Summer Camp
|
320
|
$35,000.00
|
|
Starting Now - Credit counseling
|
10
|
$10,000.00
|
|
Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida - WOW Miami Beach
|
80
|
$75,500.00
|
|
OCS Grocery Program
|
96
|
$8,714.00
|
|
Total Funding
|
$141,214.00
|
|
Affordable Housing
|
|
|
|
Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach - 8127 Crespi Blvd Seawall
|
12
|
$179,875.00
|
|
CMB Property Acquisition
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2
|
$432,058.00
|
|
Total Funding
|
$611,933.00
|
The City’s Grocery Assistance Program will be funded using 2022 CDBG public services funds and prior year unexpended public services funds as detailed below:
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Original Activity
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Funding Source
|
Amount
|
Proposed Activity
|
|
Public Services
|
|
|
|
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UNIDAD of Miami Beach - Project Link
|
CDBG FY 2019
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$4,530.00
|
OCS Grocery Program
|
|
CMB - Grocery Program
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$5,068.19
|
|
CMB - Grocery Program
|
CDBG FY 2020
|
$913.63
|
|
Rain Parents - Childcare Services
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$13,000.00
|
|
Police Athletic League
|
CDBG FY 2021
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$14,000.00
|
|
CMB - Prosperity Initiative
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$28,272.00
|
|
|
CDBG FY 2022
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$8,714.00
|
|
|
Total
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$74,497.82
|
|
Additional unexpended prior year CDBG funds will be allocated to property acquisition as follows:
|
Original Activity
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Funding Source
|
Amount
|
Proposed Activity
|
|
Housing Authority
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CDBG FY 2019
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$200,000.00
|
CMB Property Acquisition
|
|
Miami Beach PAL - Youth Leaders Academy
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CDBG FY 2019
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$2,727.25
|
|
Planning and Administration
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CDBG FY 2016
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$11.68
|
|
Planning and Administration
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CDBG FY 2017
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$1,386.74
|
|
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Total
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$204,125.67
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Below is a summary of each project recommended for CDBG funding:
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UNIDAD of Miami Beach - Project Link
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The program ensures that elderly residents are connected to needed services by providing appropriate information and referrals. Services consist of needs assessments, information/referral to a network of human services providers and case management.
|
|
CMB Office of Housing and Community Services (OCS) - Grocery Assistance Program
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The program provides monthly grocery deliveries to elderly residents. General Funds are leveraged to ensure 96 elderly resident households receive pantry essentials and good nutritional supports critical for a positive quality of life.
|
|
Starting Now – Credit Counseling
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This program will provide low- to moderate-income Miami Beach residents with a financial education and services to repair and improve their credit.
|
|
Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida (NHSSF) - WOW Miami Beach
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NHSSF will provide HUD-Approved Homeownership Classes and Counseling for low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers in the City of Miami Beach. NHSSF’s program addresses an urgent housing crisis and is geared towards mortgage readiness, homeownership, and financial capability to include budgeting and saving.
|
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Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade – Project Learn and Great Futures for Teens
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The programs offer a safe structured environment with evidence-based activities for children and youth from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The activities include: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), literacy, homework assistance, music, arts & crafts, physical fitness, intramural sports, family engagement, enrichment activities, health education, mentoring and college readiness, employability skills, and college visits for older teens.
|
|
Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach (HACMB) – The Egret
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Funding will be used to replace the seawall at 8127 Crespi Boulevard. This site is the location of a future affordable housing project, The Egret, a 12-unit new construction permanent supportive housing development for elderly persons with special needs. All of the units shall be rented to households (person or persons) with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Of the 12-units, three units will be rented to households (person or persons) with incomes at or below 25% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
|
|
City of Miami Beach – Property Acquisition
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Funding will be used to acquire scattered site condominium units. These properties will be added to the City’s affordable housing portfolio to be rented to households earning at or below 80% AMI. Two or three units will be acquired based on funding available.
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In addition to the funding recommendations above, the Administration will contract Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc. (HOPE, Inc.) for the provision of HUD-mandated fair housing services in the amount of $20,000. HOPE, Inc. would continue providing housing education workshops to residents and participate in outreach events citywide. Program administration funds will fund this mandated service. Although not currently funded by the City, HOPE, Inc. also investigates allegations of Fair Housing Act violations on behalf of residents who believe they are victims of discrimination.
HOME 2022 Funding
No applications were received for HOME funds during the RFP process. The Administration is recommending HOME funds be allocated to the HACMB and the balance of funds to homebuyer assistance and homeowner rehabilitation. This use will further leverage funds to increase the number of affordable owner-occupied housing units in the City while promoting homeownership to as many income-eligible applicants on the City’s waitlist in addition to improving existing homeowners’ property conditions. The HOME Program can assist households earning up to 80% AMI and the program can be combined with State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds, upon availability.
Below is a breakdown of the FY 2022 HOME projects:
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Low-Mod Income Beneficiaries
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Project Funding
|
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Affordable Housing
|
|
|
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Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach - Vista Breeze Seawall
|
119
|
$500,000.00
|
|
Homebuyer Assistance & Homeowner Rehabilitation
|
2
|
$74,731.00
|
|
CHDO Operating
|
|
|
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Miami Beach Community Development Corporation
|
|
$33,807.00
|
The HOME Program rules require each entitlement community reserve a minimum of 15% of its annual allocation for activities undertaken by qualified Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO). A CHDO is a private nonprofit, community-based service organization that has identified the development of affordable housing as its primary mission and has the capacity to develop affordable housing. A CHDO must meet certain requirements pertaining to its legal status, organizational structure, capacity and experience. However, please note that HUD has issued a temporary suspension of the CHDO reservation through December 31, 2023.
HOME funds may be used to provide special assistance to CHDOs. Up to five percent of HOME funds may be used to provide general operating assistance to CHDOs.
Below is a summary of each project recommended for HOME funding:
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Community Housing Development Organization Funds
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MBCDC was the only agency to submit an application to the City for CHDO certification during the 2022 RFP cycle. . HOME CHDO funds may be used for operating assistance, which can be utilized for costs associated with capacity building. CHDO’s must apply for re-certification on an annual basis in order to receive set-aside funds or operating funds.
|
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Homebuyer Assistance & Homeowner Rehabilitation
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The high cost of real estate in the City puts homeownership out of reach for many, especially low- to moderate income families. This program helps fill the funding gap, with up to $40,000 for down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. The funds awarded to eligible residents are secured by a lien and restrictive covenant securing the City’s funds that are subsequently forgiven after 15 years. The program also provides assistance to existing homeowners needing repairs to their homesteaded property to maintain a safe, decent and sanitary living environment.
|
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Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach (HACMB) – Vista Breeze
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Funding will be used for seawall replacement and installation of infrastructure at 280-300 South Shore Drive. This vacant site is the location of a future affordable housing project, Vista Breeze, a new construction elderly affordable housing development. All of the units shall be rented to elderly households (person or persons) with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
|
HOME-ARP Funding
The City received two applications for supportive services and one application for rental housing. The Administration is recommending funding all applications as follows:
|
|
Beneficiaries
|
Total Funding
|
|
Affordable Housing
|
|
|
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Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach - The Heron
|
20
|
$1,400,000.00
|
|
Supportive Services
|
|
|
|
Legal Services of Greater Miami - North Beach Homeless Prevention
|
60
|
$46,866.00
|
|
Legal Services of Greater Miami - Eviction Defense Project
|
380
|
$183,801.00
|
The period of performance for the HOME-ARP funding is through 2030. With the award of these applications, a balance of $277,912 will remain to utilize on future projects as needs arise.
Below is a summary of each project recommended for HOME-ARP funding:
|
Legal Services of Greater Miami - North Beach Homeless Prevention
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The North Beach Homelessness Prevention Project will assist individuals and households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations, by providing direct legal services to remove barriers to housing access and stability and reduce homelessness in the City of Miami Beach, with a focus on North Beach (zip code 33141).
|
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Legal Services of Greater Miami - Eviction Defense Project
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This program will assist low to moderate-income individuals citywide by providing legal assistance to (1) tenants in private, public, and subsidized housing who are behind on rent and at risk of eviction and (2) tenants living in public housing who are behind on their utilities and are at risk of losing their subsidized housing. Services will include assistance with public benefits, tax controversies, and consumer issues. In response to the deepening housing crisis this program will provide services citywide, with a focus on tenants’ rights and eviction defense and will place Legal Services staff in the community to conduct intake and client education for greater client access. Services will be available to Miami Beach residents.
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Housing Authority of the City of Miami Beach (HACMB) – The Heron
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Funding will be used toward the construction of The Heron, a 20-unit new construction permanent supportive housing development for elderly persons with special needs. All of the units shall be rented to households (person or persons) with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Of the 20-units, four units will be rented to households (person or persons) with incomes at or below 28% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The project location will be in North Beach (33141). The Heron project is currently in permitting with construction expected to commence in late 2022.
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In accordance with the Citizen Participation Plan, the City advertised a Notice of Public hearing and Public 30-day Comment Period (April 4, 2022 – May 4, 2022) for community development needs. The public hearing was held on April 19, 2022.The City advertised a Notice of a 30-day Public Comment Period and Public Hearing (May 2, 2022 – June 1, 2022) for the draft Action Plan. The Public Hearing was held on May 19, 2022. A final Public Comment Period (June 6, 2022 – July 5, 2022) for the Action Plan was advertised on June 5, 2022.
As of this writing, one comment has been received from HACMB requesting that unallocated HOME-ARP funds be allocated to The Heron project to assist the HACMB in addressing the project funding gap experienced due to increased construction costs.
Public comments received will be included in the submission of the Action Plan to HUD for final review and approval.