3B Public Hearing 2010 0419 - Laserfiche WebLink

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working on homes built prior to 1978, to demonstrate that they have satisfied the EPA law prior to providing them the City building permits needed. The City's Single Family Rehabilitation Program, which includes low interest loans and minor home repair grants for eligible low-income homeowners, is funded solely with Redevelopment Housing Set-Aside funds. Despite no longer using federal CDBG dollars, the Residential Rehabilitation Program includes lead-based paint awareness and information literature in each application packet. Testing is always performed on homes when there are children ages seven years old and under living in them. The City utilizes lead abatement contractors in addition to general contractors when appropriate to perform the necessary repairs. Similarly, the program now requires EPA certificates from its general contractors certifying their training with regard to lead-based paint. Should the City use federal funds, such as HOME funds, for acquisition and rehabilitation of apartments for preservation or maintenance of affordable housing, it will inform tenants of lead- based paint and comply with both the new EPA law on lead and renovation as well as with applicable HUD lead-based paint hazard reduction guidelines and regulations. ANTI-POVERTY STRATEGY Section 220 of the 1992 Housing and Community Development Act requires jurisdictions to describe the goals, programs, and policies that will reduce the number of households with incomes below the poverty level. One strategy for increasing household income is to improve the employment potential of those who are seeking to break from the cycle of poverty. The City's Community Assistance Grant Program (CAP), which is currently funded with CDBG funds, will continue to support non-profit agencies that provide job assistance and related services to low-income members of the community. The Davis Street Family Resource Center (DSFRC), which has received City CDBG funds for public services, provides case management services to address their clients' financial and social struggles, creating service plans for each client/family. Employment support services and workshops include assistance with resume writing, job search, interview preparation, creating a family budget, and providing clothes for interviews. There are also special career management courses to assist Ca1WORKs clients in transitioning from welfare to self-sufficiency. Moreover, DSFRC and Building Futures with Women and Children (BFWC) work collaboratively to find long-term affordable housing for homeless families who have students in the school district. The City's Office of Business Development actively seeks new commercial office and retail developments that may result in new employment opportunities for residents. The CDBG staff will continue to work closely with the City's Office of Business Development staff to develop eligible projects and programs and promote increased economic development and community job creation and retention. INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE Public agencies, for-profit and non-profit private organizations all play a part in the provision of affordable housing, social services, capital improvements and economic development. The City's Housing Services Division has the primary responsibility for implementation of the Consolidated Plan and the Housing Element. The Division works closely with the Office of Action Plan - FY 2010-2011 City of San Leandro Page 17