18-2092 Adopting CDBG Block Grant Program 2018 Action PlanCITY OF MERIDIAN RESOLUTION NO. / 8 -20 12—
BY THE CITY COUNCIL: BERNT, BORTON, CAVENER, MILAM,
LITTLE ROBERTS, PALMER
A RESOLUTION APPROVING ADOPTION OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM YEAR 2018 ACTION PLAN AND SUBMISSION TO THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT;
AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AND ATTEST THE
SAME ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, it is necessary that an annual action be submitted to the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") in order to receive Community
Development Block Grant ("CDBG") funding for the Program Year 2018; and
WHEREAS, the City held a public hearing on the Program Year 2018 Action Plan on July
17, 2018, and held a public comment period on the draft application materials from June 15, 2018
to July 24, 2018;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN, IDAHO:
Section 1. That the Program Year 2018 Action Plan, and its certification documents,
copies of which are attached hereto as EXHIBIT A and incorporated herein by reference, be, and
the same hereby are, adopted as to both form and content.
Section 2. That the CDBG Administrator be, and hereby is, authorized to submit such
Program Year 2018 Action Plan to HUD.
Section 3. That the Mayor and the City Clerk be, and they hereby are, authorized to
respectively execute and attest the certifying documents for the Program Year 2018 Action Plan for
and on behalf of the City of Meridian.
Section 4. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its
adoption and approval.
ADOPTED by the City Council of City of Meridian, Idaho this r day of
SU&'/ , 2018.
APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this a� Iday of
UC1 , 2018.
APPROVED: 0 y °f " TTEST:
IDI6-
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1
Mayor Tam e Weerd °may, maw C. ay Coles, &4 Clerk
RESOLUTION ADOPTING CDBG DOCUMENTS Page I OF 1
CDBG Program Year 2018:
Public Hearing on 2018 Action Plan
Public Comments
Received
Revisions made to PY2018 Action Plan
Changes to plan since June 15, 2018:
•Language added to finalize back-up projects
•Attached background information on “alternate” projects as
appendices
•Summary of comments received through July 23, 2018 added
•Errors corrected in regard to project addresses
•Public outreach efforts over the last 39 days were included in the
plan
•Attached required certifications and documents as appendices
•Executive Summary section updated to reflect these changes and
correct spelling and grammatical errors
Public Hearing
Program Year 2018 CDBG Action Plan
Public Service
•Boys & Girls Club Scholarship Program - $13,000
•Meridian Food Bank Hunger Relief Program - $30,000
•West Ada School District’s Housing + High School = Success - $10,000
•Jesse Tree Emergency Rental Assistance Program - $10,000
Public Facilities
•City of Meridian E. Chateau Streetlights - $61,178
CDBG Redevelopment Area
•Meridian Development Corporation E. 3 rd St. Improvements - $180,000
Other Projects
•Meridian Library District ADA Bathroom Upgrade - $77,970
•Ada County Housing Authority Homebuyer Assistance Program - $30,000
Administration and Planning
•City of Meridian Grant Administration and Fair Housing Activities - $35,000
Adoption of Plan
Resolution No. 18-2092
A Resolution Approving Adoption Of The Community Development Block Grant
Program Year 2018 Action Plan And Submission To The United States Department Of
Housing And Urban Development; Authorizing The Mayor And City Clerk To Execute
And Attest The Same On Behalf Of The City Of Meridian; And Providing An Effective
Date.
Annual Action Plan
2018
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Executive Summary
AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b)
1. Introduction
The City of Meridian is a designated entitlement community by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD). This designation allows the City to receive funds from HUD’s Community
Development Block Grant (CBDG) Program. The 2018 program year will mark the City’s twelfth year as
an entitlement community.
In accordance with the overarching goals of the CDBG program, as set forth in 24 CFR § 91.1(a)(1), the
City’s mission is to utilize CDBG funding to develop a viable urban community by providing decent
housing, providing a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities principally for
low/moderate income (LMI) persons. The City’s primary means toward this end shall be to extend and
strengthen partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector, including for-profit and
non-profit organizations.
Federal regulations (24 CFR § 91.200(a) and 91.220) require the City to submit an action plan each year
that describes how CDBG funds will be invested in the community. The 2018 Action Plan was developed
with a strong emphasis on community input and follows the Citizen Participation Plan set forth in
Meridian’s 2017 – 2021 Consolidated Plan. Through this planning effort, the City has prepared
strategies, which will guide program expenditures over the next Program Year (PY); October 1, 2018,
through September 30, 2019.
A consolidated plan must be submitted every three to five years to receive federal CDBG funds. The
Consolidated Plan typically results from a collaborative process where a community can scrutinize its
current situation and establish a unified vision for community development actions. The City of
Meridian’s Consolidated Plan spans program years 2017 through 2021 and addresses the community’s
most critical housing and community development needs. The PY2017 Action Plan represented the first
year using the 2017 – 2021 Consolidated Plan; the PY2018 Action Plan is the second year under the
current Consolidated Plan. The current Consolidated Plan may be found here on the City of Meridian
Website.
For every year identified in the Consolidated Plan, the City of Meridian is required to prepare a one-year
Action Plan to notify citizens and HUD officials of the City’s intended actions to occur during that specific
year. The PY2018 Action Plan identifies the objectives the City hopes to achieve from October 1, 2018,
through September 30, 2019, and outlines the activities the City will undertake to achieve those
objectives.
At the end of each program year, the City of Meridian prepares a Consolidated Annual Performance and
Evaluation Report (CAPER) to provide information to its constituents and HUD about that year’s
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accomplishments. This information allows HUD, city officials, and the general public to evaluate the
City’s performance and determine whether the activities undertaken during the year helped to (1) meet
the City’s five-year goals and (2) address priority needs identified in the Consolidated Plan and the
Annual Action Plan. This annual performance report, prepared with public review and comment, is
submitted to HUD annually no later than December 31.
In compliance with 24 CFR § 91.15(a), and to maintain continuity in its program and provide
accountability to citizens, the City shall submit this action plan no later than August 16, 2018. The City
shall submit on an annual basis a summary of its citizen participation and consultation process, an
annual action plan, and all required certifications. At least every five years, the City shall submit a
housing and homeless needs assessment, market analysis, and strategic plan.
2. Summarize the objectives and outcomes identified in the Plan
This could be a restatement of items or a table listed elsewhere in the plan or a reference to
another location. It may also contain any essential items from the housing and homeless needs
assessment, the housing market analysis or the strategic plan.
The City is focusing its activities and funding on 1) improving accessibility, 2) enhancing homeownership
opportunities, and 3)providing social services to Meridian LMI residents during PY2018.
The City will undergo nine different activities to support over 2,175 eligible individuals and households
during PY2018 through the following projects:
Administration & Planning
• Administration, Fair Housing & Planning Activities - $35,000
Public Facilities
• Meridian Development Corporation & City of Meridian – E 3rd Street Right of Way Improvements -
$180,000
• Meridian Library District – ADA Upgrade to Facility Bathrooms - $77,970
• City of Meridian – Streetlight Installation - $61,178 ($25,000 from prior PY)
Public Service
• Meridian Food Bank - Hunger Relief Program - $30,000
• Boys & Girls Club - Scholarship Program - $13,000
• The Jesse Tree of Idaho - Homelessness Prevention - $10,000
• Education Foundation of West Ada School District – Housing + High School = Success Program -
$10,000
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Affordable Housing
• Ada County Housing Authority - Homebuyer Assistance Program - $30,000
The City does not anticipate any obstacles to allocating these funds.
Please refer to sections AP-20 and AP-35 of this report for more details on the City's goals and projects.
3. Evaluation of past performance
This is an evaluation of past performance that helped lead the grantee to choose its goals or
projects.
Since 2007, Meridian has successfully managed over $3.5 million in resources from its annual CDBG
allocation. Over these 11 years, the City’s expenditures from its CDBG allocation have focused on
supporting social service provider operations (Meridian Food Bank), improving community facilities
(Boys and Girls Club, Meridian Development Corporation), addressing accessibility barriers (parks and
trails, Meridian Library, sidewalk projects), preventing homelessness with emergency assistance (Jesse
Tree of Idaho, West Ada School District), and assisting with homeownership attainment for low- and
moderate-income buyers (Ada County Housing Authority).
The City successfully produced Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports (CAPERs) for
all previous program years—for the period beginning October 1, 2007, and ending September 30, 2017.
The CAPERs demonstrated that over 90 percent of the funds expended during the previous program
years were invested into activities benefiting low to moderate-income individuals and families, well over
the 70 percent statutory minimum requirement. Aside from 2016, the City has met its expenditure of
grant funds deadlines imposed by HUD each year.
All of the prior program years’ activities meet critical needs in Meridian. The primary challenges
encountered during the last Consolidated Plan period were timing- and contact-related. To address
these challenges, the City intends to have more stringent requirements for grant recipients, particularly
in meeting expected schedules. But over the last 18 months, the City has done an effective job at
organizing, streamlining, and managing its CDBG processes to provide the most benefit for each CDBG
dollar granted while complying with federal timeliness requirements.
4. Summary of Citizen Participation Process and consultation process
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Summary from citizen participation section of plan.
The City of Meridian employs a comprehensive citizen participation process for all CDBG projects and
activities. The City solicits input from Meridian residents in all phases of its Community Development
efforts, from the initial planning and project/program implementation to reporting and assessing
accomplishments/outcomes. This process fosters the open and inclusive identification of needs and
delivery of services to City residents. It also helps to ensure that the overall direction of the CDBG
program is (1) consistent with residents’ expectations and (2) responsive to neighborhood and
stakeholder concerns.
The City consulted with several organizations to inform the Action Plan. In March the CDBG invited the
county housing authority, non-profit homeless and social service providers, housing specialists, for-
profit developers of affordable housing, the urban renewal agency, the senior center, local city planners,
neighboring municipalities and any interested citizen or agency to be a part of the planning process via a
CDBG program workshop. As a result, 15 attendees from those groups attended the workshop which
discussed the action planning strategies for the coming year.
Additionally, as a member of the Boise City/Ada County Continuum of Care (CoC), the Community
Development Program Coordinator solicited potential projects and input on the draft plan from all
members of the CoC. Some members of the CoC include: Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise City/Ada
County Housing Authority; Boise School District; Boise State University; CATCH, Inc; City of Boise; City of
Meridian; Corpus Christi; El-Ada; Formerly Homeless Advocate; Good Samaritan House; Health and
Welfare; Idaho Department of Labor; Idaho Housing and Finance Association;Terry Reilly Health
Services; Veteran Affairs; and Women’s and Children’s Alliance.
The City works with non-profit organizations to encourage the participation of program beneficiaries,
including low- and moderate-income residents. Bi-lingual services and additional assistance for persons
with disabilities are available upon request. As the city is not a recipient of HOPWA funds, the city did
not actively seek out agencies for that purpose. However, Idaho Housing and Finance Association does
collaborate on HOPWA issues and is the entity the City would contact for this purpose. Lead-based paint
information is always located on the City’s website; no entities were contacted directly about lead-
based paint.
Meridian went through an extensive citizen participation process for the development of the 2017-2021
Consolidated Plan. That process yielded valuable results and greatly shaped the formation of the City’s
five-year plan for utilization of the grant funds.
The citizen participation process for the 2018 Action Plan followed the process identified in the City’s
Citizen Participation Plan, adopted with the 2017-2021 Consolidated Plan. The process consisted of the
following a 39-day public comment period with a formal public hearing during that comment period.
The City published legal notices in two local newspapers (Idaho Statesman and Meridian Press) and
posted the drafted action plan on the City’s website on June 15, 2018. The City also did some social
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media outreach to inform the public about the public comment period and the public hearing. All
comments that were received were reviewed, acknowledged, and included as an attachment to this
plan. The city closed the public comment period on July 24, 2018, and held a formal public hearing on
the draft version of this PY2018 Action Plan on July 17, 2018.
The City views these processes and opportunities for public comment to be adequate outreach and
opportunity for public involvement and consultation. See section AP-12 of this plan for more details of
the City’s citizen participation efforts.
5. Summary of public comments
This could be a brief narrative summary or reference an attached document from the Citizen
Participation section of the Con Plan.
To this point, the City has not received any public comments on this plan or the City’s CDBG operations.
But the City has not yet opened its public comment period or held a public hearing on the plan. Upon
the reception of public comments as part of these processes, the comment will be included here.
6. Summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons for not accepting them
The City of Meridian generally accepts all comments received, but there have been none received thus
far. Upon reception of comments that are not accepted, the comment and rational for rejection will be
input here.
7. Summary
Please see above.
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PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies – 91.200(b)
1. Agency/entity responsible for preparing/administering the Consolidated Plan
Describe the agency/entity responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant
program and funding source.
Agency Role Name Department/Agency
CDBG Administrator MERIDIAN Planning Division, Community Development Dept
Table 1 – Responsible Agencies
Narrative (optional)
Consolidated Plan Public Contact Information
Caleb Hood, Division Manager
Planning Division, Community Development Department
City of Meridian | 33 E. Broadway Avenue| Meridian, ID 83642
208-884-5533 | 208-489-0572 fax
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AP-10 Consultation – 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l)
1. Introduction
This section of the Action Plan describes how the City worked with stakeholders and public and private
partners to develop allocation priorities—and how this consultation and coordination will continue
through the planning period. Section AP-85 also provide information on institutional structure and
program delivery.
The City has relied heavily on the research and extensive consultation during 2017 when the City was
developing its 2017-2021 Consolidated plan to inform the direction, goals, priorities, and needs of the
community and how CDBG will be used to assist. Comparatively, the development of the PY2018 Annual
Action Plan did not see as near a robust or intensive outreach or consultation effort as the prior year
provided great, still-relevant information.
Provide a concise summary of the jurisdiction’s activities to enhance coordination between
public and assisted housing providers and private and governmental health, mental health
and service agencies (91.215(l))
The Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority (BCACHA) was interviewed as part of the Consolidated
Planning process to help the City better understand BCACHA’s resources and needs. While there are no
public housing units in Meridian, an estimated 200 Section 8 vouchers are currently used in Meridian—
about 10 percent of the housing authority’s total voucher supply.
The City is regularly engaged in the Boise City/Ada County Continuum of Care (CoC) where City staff sit
on the groups Executive Committee, Housing Committee, Planning and Development Committee, Fair
Housing Sub-Committee, and Coordinating Team. The City regularly hosts CoC meetings at Meridian City
Hall where City staff plays an active role in facilitating meetings and coordinating collaborative efforts
amongst regional and local housing providers (public, nonprofit, and private) and health and social
service agencies (including many mental, governmental, emergency, and other health groups). The City’s
efforts with the CoC has been instrumental in helping to further the work to end homelessness in Ada
County as well as identify and coordinate with partners to meet the needs of LMI residents of Meridian.
In addition, the City is undertaking efforts as part of its internal strategic plan work to develop a
socioeconomic profile of Meridian that will identify gaps in service, partnership, and need. The City is
dedicated to extending further support to organizations that helps meet the specifically defined needs in
the community. One need that is readily apparent is the need for affordable housing and rental support.
Meridian is dedicated to increasing its affordable housing inventory to ensure residents of all income
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levels can find housing in Meridian—and to providing needed supportive services. To this end, City staff
will continue to stay engaged with the affordable housing and supportive service community to ensure
the City provides important tools and resources to affordable housing developers and supportive service
providers.
Describe coordination with the Continuum of Care and efforts to address the needs of
homeless persons (particularly chronically homeless individuals and families, families with
children, veterans, and unaccompanied youth) and persons at risk of homelessness.
As noted above, the City is a regular and involved participant in the CoC. Not only do City staff
participate in the noted committees, staff also act as Chair of the Housing Committee and Fair Housing
Sub-Committee. Thus, the City is leading the efforts of these groups to eradicate homelessness through
work to decrease housing discrimination, increase affordable housing inventory, improve landlord
involvement in homeless groups and activities, provide resources to enhance the ease of landlord-
tenant communications, explore opportunities for changes in local and state housing policies, and other
activities. Meridian’s membership in the CoC’s Executive Committee also denotes the City’s involvement
in helping coordinate all local and regional efforts of the CoC.
In addition, with 2018 CDBG funds, the City is working with the CoC and the West Ada School District to
begin to address the needs of unaccompanied youth in Meridian through housing services grants, while
also funding with Jesse Tree to assist those who are not youth but are at immediate risk of
homelessness.
Describe consultation with the Continuum(s) of Care that serves the jurisdiction's area in
determining how to allocate ESG funds, develop performance standards for and evaluate
outcomes of projects and activities assisted by ESG funds, and develop funding, policies and
procedures for the operation and administration of HMIS
IHFA oversees the allocation of ESG for the State of Idaho, including Meridian. Allocation of ESG is
discussed at the CoC meetings, which Meridian staff attend. Meridian’s lack of emergency shelters and
demonstrated experience with rapid rehousing programs puts the City at a disadvantage for ESG funds.
However, as a member of the CoC Executive Committee, City staff are involved in the current planning
efforts to better coordinate and utilize ESG funds in the region and state.
Over the last year, the City has also been involved in the planning and implementation efforts of the
CoC’s new HMIS data collection, coordination, and dashboard systems. Prior to 2017, there was no real
effort to effectively coordinate or aggregate HMIS systems and data in the region. With the help of the
City of Boise and other Executive Committee members, the City of Meridian assisted in the reworking of
HMIS user agreements that shifted control of Ada County’s HMIS from IHFA to a third party consultant,
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ICA. The City has been an active member of the team that coordinated and carried out that systematic
shift and has supported the work of getting all HMIS users in the county to sign new collaborative and
data-sharing agreements to enhance data quality and standards. With work with ICA, the City has also
helped in creating a data dashboard which aggregates and visualizes the HMIS data. These services and
resources were not around before this last year.
The City continues its work with the Executive and Data and Performance Management Committees of
the CoC to provide feedback on changes to the HMIS and data management process of the CoC.
2. Describe Agencies, groups, organizations and others who participated in the process
and describe the jurisdiction’s consultations with housing, social service agencies and other
entities
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Table 2 – Agencies, groups, organizations who participated
1 Agency/Group/Organization Boise City/Ada County Continuum of Care
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-homeless
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homeless Needs - Families with children
Homelessness Needs - Veterans
Homelessness Needs - Unaccompanied youth
Homelessness Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The CoC was consulted to as part of the 2017 Consolidated Planning efforts as well
as during the 2018 action planning efforts. The groups are particularly influential
in helping the City to understand the needs of the community as it relates to
housing, homelessness, and fair housing. This consultation was effective in helping
the City develop funding recommendations to address youth homelessness,
homelessness prevention, and fair housing activities for PY2018.
2 Agency/Group/Organization Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority (BCACHA)
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
PHA
Services - Housing
Regional organization
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What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homeless Needs - Families with children
Homelessness Needs - Veterans
Homelessness Needs - Unaccompanied youth
Homelessness Strategy
Non-Homeless Special Needs
HOPWA Strategy
Market Analysis
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
BCACHA was contacted by the City to discuss the viability of its homebuyer
assistance program in the midst of a difficult housing market. Conversations were
had and feedback shared that helped the City to develop its funding
recommendation for continuing to provide CDBG dollars to BCACHA for
downpayment assistance during PY2018. This consultation also led to a discussion
about housing development and policy that may change how the City interacts
and funds this organization and these kinds of efforts in the future.
3 Agency/Group/Organization West Ada School District No.2
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-homeless
Services-Health
Services-Education
Publicly Funded Institution/System of Care
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homeless Needs - Families with children
Homelessness Needs - Unaccompanied youth
Homelessness Strategy
Non-Homeless Special Needs
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Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The City regularly discussed the needs of homeless and unaccompanied youth in
Meridian's public education system with the West Ada School District.
Conversations led the City's understanding of a large number of unaccompanied
youth in the school system and the relatively limited resources and services
available to these students. The City strategized with the organization about how
to create new programs or partnerships that could ultimately help meet the needs
of homeless students and families with children in Meridian. These conversations
led to the West Ada School District submitting three applications for funding, one
of which will be funded through CDBG during PY2018 and focus primarily on the
supplement of housing assistance to unaccompanied youth in Meridian schools.
4 Agency/Group/Organization CATCH, INC.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-homeless
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homeless Needs - Families with children
Homelessness Needs - Veterans
Homelessness Needs - Unaccompanied youth
Homelessness Strategy
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The City meets often with CATCH to discuss the state of homelessness in
Meridian. CATCH currently houses the coordinated entry efforts of the County and
is tracking data about Meridian's homeless population. These consultations clarify
the need for certain support in Meridian and helping to develop a short- and long-
term strategy to meet the needs of homeless individuals in Meridian and across
the County.
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5 Agency/Group/Organization City of Meridian
Agency/Group/Organization Type Other government - Local
Planning organization
Civic Leaders
Grantee Department
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Market Analysis
Economic Development
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The City regularly consults internally with the Mayor's Office, Department of
Community Development, Planning Division, Economic Development officials,
Finance Department, Public Works Department, and law enforcement officials to
explore and operationalize the needs of community members in Meridian. Much
of the conversation during the consultations surrounding this PY2018 Action Plan
deals with the housing needs, wage growth, vacancy and affordability rates of
housing, and work to address poverty in the community. Many of these
conversations are still in their preliminary stage and have not directly created
outcomes or improved coordination, but work continues to plan and strategize to
develop 1) incentives for affordable housing development, 2) partnerships to
address service gaps in Meridian, 3) a clear plan/strategy to increase workforce
housing developments, 4) a new City Comprehensive Plan and better-addresses
and plans for the needs of the homeless and other LMI residents, and 5) a
socioeconomic profile of the City. All of these will offer insight, strategy, and
structure to the City's communtiy development efforts in the coming years.
6 Agency/Group/Organization THE JESSE TREE OF IDAHO, INC.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing
Services-homeless
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What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
This organization was consulted to discuss the possibility to expand their
emergency rental assistance program in Meridian. They provided insights and
clarity into the need for their program in lieu of continually rising rents across the
City. This consultation contributed to an expansion of CDBG funding that will be
given to this organization for homeless prevention services during PY2018.
7 Agency/Group/Organization MERIDIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Agency/Group/Organization Type Publicly Funded Institution/System of Care
Other government - Local
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Slum and Blight Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The local urban redevelopment agency was consulted regarding the priority slum
and blight needs in the City's redevelopment areas. These consultations helped
inform the priorities and decisions for funding given to slum and blight projects for
PY2018.
8 Agency/Group/Organization UNITED WAY OF TREASURE VALLEY
Agency/Group/Organization Type Planning organization
Foundation
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The United Way was consulted in efforts to create a Socioeconomic Profile of
Meridian in an effort to better understand the housing, transportation, health,
food, financial, and education needs of Meridian's residents. This partnership is
ongoing and will likely result in funding provided to the City by this organization to
conduct research and create plans to understand and meet these needs.
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9 Agency/Group/Organization NAMPA
Agency/Group/Organization Type Other government - Local
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homelessness Strategy
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Market Analysis
Economic Development
Anti-poverty Strategy
Administrative
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The City regularly consults with the City of Nampa to ensure that funding
recommendations, administrative practices, and other activities are compliant
with federal regulations. The coordination also reflects a shared goal to ensure
that all activities undertaken with CDBG funds work to meet regional needs as
well as local needs.
10 Agency/Group/Organization Neighborworks Boise
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing
Service-Fair Housing
Major Employer
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homelessness Strategy
Non-Homeless Special Needs
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Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The City worked with NeighborWorks Boise to discuss the viability of down
payment assistance and homebuyer education programs in Meridian. These
consultations led the City to prioritize homebuyer education activities over down
payment assistance activities in the review of its grant applications for PY2018,
although not homebuyer education activities were ultimately funded due to
eligibility reasons. The City expects these consultations to help inform future
funding decisions and efforts to improve housing options and education for LMI
and homeless residents in Meridian.
11 Agency/Group/Organization Idaho Fair Housing Forum
Agency/Group/Organization Type Service-Fair Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Fair Housing
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The City meets regularly with this group to consult on how to advance the fair
housing work of the City and region. These consultations have brought to fruition
multiple fair housing trainings and conferences educating over 1000 people about
fair housing law and practice. These meetings also inform how the City will
implement its strategies to affirmatively further fair housing.
12 Agency/Group/Organization Neighbors United Collaborative
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing
Services-Health
Services-Education
Services-Employment
Service-Fair Housing
Services - Refugees
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Fair Housing
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Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The City regularly consults with this group to know how to address the needs of
LMI refugees in Meridian. Much of the discussion leading up to the development
of this PY2018 Annual Action Plan has been around fair housing and language
access services in the community. The City is working with this and other groups
to develop resources and materials that can better educate about fair housing
best practices while providing refugees and others facing housing discrimination
support to overcome negative situations.
13 Agency/Group/Organization Idaho Apartment Association
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing
Business Leaders
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Fair Housing
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The City consults, as needed, with this organization to get the private-sector
perspective on micro and macro issues in the world of housing and fair housing.
These consultations have often informed the conversations and decisions taken to
and made by Neighbors United, Idaho Fair Housing Forum, and the CoC's Fair
Housing Subcommittee.
Identify any Agency Types not consulted and provide rationale for not consulting
All relevant organizations, agencies, and stakeholders were invited to participate in the development of the Consolidated Plan, Action Plan, and
AI in 2017. During 2018, the City continues to use the findings of that initial consultation to inform its collaborative and funding efforts.
The City would like to improve its coordination with housing developers, particularly those developers who specialize in the development of
workforce and affordable housing. Increased efforts were not made this year to reach out to these groups as the City is still working to develop
internal strategies and plans about how it wants to address the affordable housing needs in the community and how to engage developers in
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that process. The City is also just starting a new Comprehensive Plan process that will bring in consultants to do some of the consultations in the
coming months. The decision was made to couple the needed consultation efforts of these Community Development activities with these
upcoming comprehensive planning consultation activities.
Other local/regional/state/federal planning efforts considered when preparing the Plan
Name of Plan Lead Organization How do the goals of your Strategic Plan overlap with the goals of each plan?
Continuum of Care
Idaho Housing and
Finance Association, Ada
County, City of Boise
Meridian goals of improving economic outcomes of low income residents, providing
emergency rental assistance, and improving housing options and social and supportive
services for people including but not limited to people with special needs and
individuals/families leaving domestic violence situations. These will contribute to the CoC
objective of Ending Chronic Homelessness by preventing Meridian residents from falling into
homelessness.
State of Idaho
Analysis of
Impediments
Idaho Housing and
Finance Association;
Idaho Department of
Commerce
The fair housing strategies established for Meridian considered opportunities to collaborate
with the State. The City regularly involves representatives from IHFA, City of Nampa, City of
Caldwell, and Idaho Department of Commerce in the planning, funding, and implementation
efforts of fair housing activities in the region and state.
Meridian
Comprehensive Plan
Meridian Planning
Division
The City Comprehensive Plan was consulted during preparation of the Consolidated Plan to
ensure goals were consistent with the needs and desires of the community. Land use and
zoning regulations were reviewed to assess barriers to housing choice.
BCACHA Policies and
Procedures BCACHA The housing authority policies and procedures were reviewed to ensure they support
housing choice and address the greatest needs of low income residents.
Table 3 – Other local / regional / federal planning efforts
Narrative (optional)
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AP-12 Participation – 91.105, 91.200(c)
1. Summary of citizen participation process/Efforts made to broaden citizen participation
Summarize citizen participation process and how it impacted goal-setting
In 2017, the City completed an extensive citizen participation procedure to gain public guidance and information for the 2017-2021 Consolidated
Plan. The findings of those efforts have informed the priorities, needs, and goals entirely. During the consolidated planning process, the
feedback received from public surveys, stakeholder interviews, and other public feedback created the framework for which all CDBG goals and
action plans will be based on. The City has the goal to use the public feedback from consolidated plan to inform funding decisions proposed in
this and subsequent annual action plans.
In addition to the consolidated plan citizen participation processes, the City has undergone all required citizen participation requirements for this
action plan. These include a 39-day public comment period with a formal public hearing during that comment period. The City published legal
notices in two local newspapers (Idaho Statesman and Meridian Press) and posted the drafted action plan on the City’s website. The City also did
some minimal social media outreach to inform the public about the public comment period and the public hearing. All comments that were
received were reviewed, acknowledged, and included as an attachment to this plan.
The City also included key public stakeholders in its Grant Scoring Committee who had the responsibility to review all of the grant applications
and develop the final recommendations for funding included in this action plan.
Details of each of these activities are noted below.
(As this plan is a draft plan, no comments have yet been received. As comments are received as part of the public review processes, those
comments will be added to this section according.)
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Citizen Participation Outreach
Sort Order Mode of Outreach Target of Outreach Summary of
response/attendance
Summary of
comments received
Summary of comments
not accepted
and reasons
URL (If
applicable)
Table 4 – Citizen Participation Outreach
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Expected Resources
AP-15 Expected Resources – 91.220(c)(1,2)
Introduction
This section shows the amount of CDBG funding that the City of Meridian is expecting to receive for PY2018. How federal funds will be leveraged
is also outlined.
Anticipated Resources
Program Source of
Funds
Uses of Funds Expected Amount Available Year 1 Expected
Amount
Available
Remainder
of ConPlan
$
Narrative Description
Annual
Allocation:
$
Program
Income: $
Prior Year
Resources:
$
Total:
$
CDBG public -
federal
Acquisition
Admin and Planning
Economic
Development
Housing
Public Improvements
Public Services 422,148 0 25,000 447,148 974,156
Table 5 - Expected Resources – Priority Table
Explain how federal funds will leverage those additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how
matching requirements will be satisfied
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The City of Meridian receives CDBG funds directly through its annual entitlement; this is the only HUD funding that the City directs toward
projects. Non-profit organizations utilize other federal, state, and private grant funds. Public Housing programs including Family Self-Sufficiency,
Section 8, and Public Housing Comprehensive Grants provide additional funding. For example, BCACHA has historically leveraged CDBG funds
from Meridian with CDBG funds from other communities and HUD funding from their Family Self Sufficiency and Housing Choice Voucher
Programs. Meridian Food Bank receives almost $100,000 of private donations and other grants on an annual basis to couple with their CDBG
allocations. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County receive funding from the USDA through the Department of Education and leverage those funds
with the CDBG funding received from Meridian to help support their programs and projects. Jesse Tree partners with local banks, foundations,
and or institutions and cities to help fund their rental assistance and other programs. The Meridian CDBG dollars would allow them to be able to
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If appropriate, describe publically owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that
may be used to address the needs identified in the plan
There are currently no publically owned lands within Meridian that have been identified to specifically
address needs of the plan. Except for Parks, Fire Stations and other properties containing municipal
buildings like City Hall, the City does not own lands that could be donated.
Discussion
Please see above.
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Annual Goals and Objectives
AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives
Goals Summary Information
Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
1 Improve Accessibility 2017 2021 Non-
Homeless
Special Needs
Better Accessibility in
Meridian
Improve Accessibility in
Meridian
CDBG:
$319,148
Public Facility or Infrastructure
Activities other than
Low/Moderate Income Housing
Benefit: 200 Persons Assisted
2 Enhance
Homeownership
Opportunities
2017 2021 Affordable
Housing
Homeownership
Opportunities: 80-120
Percent of AMI
Down Payment
Assistance
Opportunities
CDBG:
$30,000
Direct Financial Assistance to
Homebuyers: 3 Households
Assisted
3 Administration and
Fair Housing
Activities
2017 2021 Admin CDBG:
$35,000
Other: 0 Other
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Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
4 Provide Social
Services
2017 2021 Non-
Homeless
Special Needs
Low income
services
Improvements in
Economic Stability
Homeownership
Opportunities: 80-120
Percent of AMI
Rental Assistance and
Affordable Rental Units
Improved Housing
Options and Supportive
Services
Rental Assistance
Programs and Rental
Units
Service Programs - Low
Income and Special
Needs
CDBG:
$63,000
Public service activities other than
Low/Moderate Income Housing
Benefit: 2050 Persons Assisted
Public service activities for
Low/Moderate Income Housing
Benefit: 25 Households Assisted
Homelessness Prevention: 25
Persons Assisted
Table 6 – Goals Summary
Goal Descriptions
1 Goal Name Improve Accessibility
Goal Description
2 Goal Name Enhance Homeownership Opportunities
Goal Description
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3 Goal Name Administration and Fair Housing Activities
Goal Description
4 Goal Name Provide Social Services
Goal Description
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Projects
AP-35 Projects – 91.220(d)
Introduction
During PY2018, CDBG will fund the following activities to address high priority needs of providing
emergency services to low-income residents to prevent homelessness, helping low and moderate
income residents achieve homeownership, and improving accessibility through ADA improvements and
new streetlights. The expected program allocation and outcomes will include the projects listed below.
Administration & Planning
• Administration, Fair Housing & Planning Activities - $35,000
Public Facility
• Meridian Development Corporation & City of Meridian – E 3rd Street Right of Way Improvements -
$180,000
• Meridian Library District – ADA Upgrade to Facility Bathrooms - $77,970
• City of Meridian – Streetlight Installation - $61,178 ($25,000 from prior PY)
Public Service
• Meridian Food Bank - Hunger Relief Program - $30,000
• Boys & Girls Club - Scholarship Program - $13,000
• The Jesse Tree of Idaho - Homelessness Prevention - $10,000
• Education Foundation of West Ada School District – Housing + High School = Success Program -
$10,000
Affordable Housing
• Ada County Housing Authority - Homebuyer Assistance Program - $30,000
The City does not anticipate any obstacles to allocating these funds.
Projects
# Project Name
1 Administration
2 Public Services
3 Public Facilities
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# Project Name
4 Housing
Table 7 - Project Information
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Describe the reasons for allocation priorities and any obstacles to addressing underserved
needs
The following allocation priorities were determined by the housing market analysis conducted for the
last Consolidated Plan, stakeholder and resident input, and the review of fair housing barriers:
Allocation to accessibility improvements: Persons with disabilities interviewed and surveyed for the last
consolidated plan prioritized accessibility improvements, particularly public infrastructure. Community
access for persons with disabilities was identified as a barrier in reference to lack of/poor sidewalks and
access to handicapped parking. In addition, the Meridian Library District was recently found to be in
noncompliance with ADA for their restroom facilities.
See AP-50 for more details on the rationale for priorities for the noted streetlights and right of way
improvement projects that aim to affect geographic areas than specific clientele.
Allocation to down payment assistance was influenced by the 2017 Consolidated Plan survey that found
nearly 90 percent of renters expressed an interest in homeownership. Not having enough money for a
down payment (40% of renters who want to buy) and poor credit (16%) were the top reasons these
renters had not achieved homeownership.
Allocation to emergency rental assistance: The last Consolidated Plan identified a shortage of 1,077
rental units to serve Meridian households earning $25,000 and less (rents of $625 and less, including
utilities). This gap increased in the past 5 years to 1,348 units. The increase was largely due to additional
households falling below the poverty line.
Funding to support scholarships at the Boys and Girls Club was related to the finding in the 2017-2021 AI
that lower income children, particularly those living in Census tracts with a high density of residents with
a national origin other than the United States, have lower access to proficient schools.
Funding for the Meridian Food Bank is related to growth in demand for food support. The recession
affected many Meridian residents, and some low-income residents have not fully recovered from job
and housing losses. Investing in the food bank helps level the playing field for low-income residents,
especially children, who perform better in school when they have adequate nutrition.
The primary obstacles to fully addressing residents’ needs are 1) Limited supply of affordable units, and
2) Limited funding. The City has allocated funding to both address needs within the limitations of
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funding.
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AP-38 Project Summary
Project Summary Information
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1 Project Name Administration
Target Area
Goals Supported Administration and Fair Housing Activities
Needs Addressed
Funding CDBG: $35,000
Description This project will have activities that relate to the administrative,
planning, and fair housing processes of the CDBG program
during PY2018.
Target Date 9/30/2019
Estimate the number and type of
families that will benefit from the
proposed activities
0
Location Description The work under this project will be carried out by the City of
Meridian's Community Development Program Coordinator at
Meridian City Hall located at 33 E. Broadway Avenue.
Planned Activities Administration and Planning - $25,000
Fair Housing - $10,000
2 Project Name Public Services
Target Area
Goals Supported Enhance Homeownership Opportunities
Provide Social Services
Needs Addressed Improvements in Economic Stability
Homeownership Opportunities: 80-120 Percent of AMI
Rental Assistance and Affordable Rental Units
Improved Housing Options and Supportive Services
Rental Assistance Programs and Rental Units
Service Programs - Low Income and Special Needs
Funding CDBG: $63,000
Description This project will focus on providing needed public, human, and
social service programs to eligible clientele facing special needs
in Meridian.
Target Date 9/30/2019
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Estimate the number and type of
families that will benefit from the
proposed activities
2175
Location Description Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County - 911 N Meridian Rd,
Meridian, ID 83642
Jesse Tree of Idaho - various locations across Meridian as
clientele needs dictate
Education Foundation for West Ada School District - various
locations across Meridian as clientele needs dictate
Meridian Food Bank - 133 W Broadway Ave, Meridian, ID 83642
Planned Activities • Meridian Food Bank - Hunger Relief Program - $30,000
• Boys & Girls Club - Scholarship Program - $13,000
• The Jesse Tree of Idaho - Homelessness Prevention - $10,000
• Education Foundation of West Ada School District – Housing +
High School = Success Program - $10,000
3 Project Name Public Facilities
Target Area
Goals Supported Improve Accessibility
Needs Addressed Better Accessibility in Meridian
Improve Accessibility in Meridian
Funding CDBG: $319,148
Description This project focuses on the development of new or improved
public facilities that meet the needs of LMI individuals in
Meridian.
Target Date 12/31/2019
Estimate the number and type of
families that will benefit from the
proposed activities
200
Location Description Meridian Library District ADA Improvements -
MDC Right of Way Improvements - E 3rd St (Slum and Blight
Redevelopment Area)
City of Meridian Streetlight Installation - E Chateau St in Block
Group 1, Census Tract 103.33
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Planned Activities • Meridian Development Corporation & City of Meridian – E 3rd
Street Right of Way Improvements - $180,000
• Meridian Library District – ADA Upgrade to Facility Bathrooms
- $77,970
• City of Meridian – Streetlight Installation - $61,178 ($25,000
from prior PY)
4 Project Name Housing
Target Area
Goals Supported
Needs Addressed Homeownership Opportunities: 80-120 Percent of AMI
Down Payment Assistance Opportunities
Funding CDBG: $30,000
Description This project addresses housing-related needs for residents in
Meridian, including down-payment assistance programs.
Target Date 9/30/2019
Estimate the number and type of
families that will benefit from the
proposed activities
3
Location Description Location is dependent on where the eligible client can find a
home in their price range.
Planned Activities • Ada County Housing Authority - Homebuyer Assistance
Program - $30,000
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AP-50 Geographic Distribution – 91.220(f)
Description of the geographic areas of the entitlement (including areas of low-income and
minority concentration) where assistance will be directed
The following are the areas that will have programs and projects ongoing during PY2018 that are
assisted with CDBG funds:
-Meridian Development Corporation and City of Meridian’s Right of Way Improvements to the E 3rd
Street in the City’s Slum and Blight Redevelopment Area is focused on eradicated some of the most
apparent contributing conditions to the areas slum and blight features including a lack of sidewalk and
public infrastructure, as well as an open waterway running through the property and neighborhood.
CDBG funds will be used to remedy these factors to increase the safety and usability of this area of the
City’s Redevelopment Area.
-The City of Meridian’s Public Works Department is focusing on Block Group 1, Census Tract 103.33 to
develop and install new streetlights in an area where there is none. This area along E. Chateau Drive is a
key pathway to school for students at Chief Joseph Elementary School. These newly installed lights will
provide lighting in the mornings to kids walking to school when there previously was no lighting while
also providing improved visibility and safety for travelers at night.
Geographic Distribution
Target Area Percentage of Funds
Table 8 - Geographic Distribution
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Rationale for the priorities for allocating investments geographically
These two projects are geographically benefiting LMI populations and economic opportunities where
there has been a defined need and priority. The MDC project is happening in conjunction with two other
economic development activities (unassisted by and unrelated to CDBG) that are bringing many more
jobs to the block and streets directly around this property that will see these improvements. Because of
these eventual increases to road and foot traffic to the area, and to better foster economic
development and the eradication of slum and blight in this area, particularly along this one street, these
funds are being provided.
The Streetlights project has been a key priority for the public works department and the Meridian City
Council primarily because of its proximity to education centers for local students. Thus this project was
prioritized over other streetlight projects that CDBG could have been used for.
Discussion
Please see above.
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Affordable Housing
AP-55 Affordable Housing – 91.220(g)
Introduction
Below are the goals of the City of Meridian as they relate to affordable housing for PY2018. These goals
are dependent on the activities funded using the PY2018 CDBG grant.
One Year Goals for the Number of Households to be Supported
Homeless 0
Non-Homeless 13
Special-Needs 15
Total 28
Table 9 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Requirement
One Year Goals for the Number of Households Supported Through
Rental Assistance 25
The Production of New Units 0
Rehab of Existing Units 0
Acquisition of Existing Units 3
Total 28
Table 10 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Type
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Discussion
Table 6:
It is difficult to determine the housing status of those households supported through PY17 CDBG
partnerships. However, it is presumed that a minimum of 3 non-homeless households will be supported
through the programs at ACHA with another 10 or so non-homeless families expected to be served by
Jesse Tree. It is also estimated that CDBG support to the Education Foundation of West Ada School
District’s Housing + High School = Success will assist 15 unaccompanied homeless/special needs youth.
Because the School District tracks their homeless data using a different definition of "homelessness"
than HUD, these individuals will be included in the Special-Needs category rather than the "Homeless"
category though many of these clients are likely to be considered homeless under both definitions.
There is also an estimated 2100 households will be helped by Meridian Food Bank and the Boys & Girls
Club of Ada County which help individuals with special needs. Some of these 2100 households would
likely be considered “Homeless” but neither organization tracks the housing status of their clients. Thus
we can’t substantiate the housing status of these estimated 2100 clients to be served and their numbers
are not included in this table.
Table7:
Jesse Tree works to prevent homelessness and we anticipate around 10 households being supported by
their services through our PY18 CDBG funds. In addition, the Education Foundation of West Ada School
District will provide housing stipends and other housing assistance to around 15 homeless youth during
PY18. Also, our partnership with AACHA will serve 3 families to help them find housing in Meridian and
assist in supplementing down payment and closing costs for those homes.
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AP-60 Public Housing – 91.220(h)
Introduction
This section is not applicable as Meridian does not have a local housing authority or public housing units.
Instead, Meridian is served by the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority which provides vouchers to
qualifying residents in Meridian. The greatest need for low-to-moderate income renters in Meridian is
rental housing with rents at or below the Fair Market Rent.
Actions planned during the next year to address the needs to public housing
N/A
Actions to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and
participate in homeownership
N/A
If the PHA is designated as troubled, describe the manner in which financial assistance will be
provided or other assistance
N/A
Discussion
Please see “Introduction” of this section.
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AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities – 91.220(i)
Introduction
This section discusses how the City of Meridian will address the needs of persons at risk of and
experiencing homelessness in the City during PY18.
Describe the jurisdictions one-year goals and actions for reducing and ending homelessness
including
Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their
individual needs
The City of Meridian has been an active member of the Ada County Continuum of Care (CoC) for the last
four years. City representatives have been particularly involved in the CoC’s Executive and Housing
Committees with the hops of better understanding and coordinating the needs that Meridian’s
homeless individuals face and how to better serve them. In addition, City representatives are frequently
involved in public discussions, presentations, and meetings with citizens, other governmental officials,
and local service providers including West Ada School District, Jesse Tree, and CATCH to provide
support, understanding, and outreach to the homeless in Meridian.
The City has also worked with Boise State University, the City of Boise, and the CoC to better implement
a data collection protocol that can exist countywide. This data system is able to track where Meridian’s
homeless population came from and the reasons for their homelessness. This data and information will
better inform strategies and partnerships that the City can implement in the future. During PY18, the
City is committed to further exploring these data and strive to come to a better understanding of the
who, what, when, where, and why of Meridian’s homeless population.
The City is also committed to furthering its commitment serving the individual needs of Meridian’s
homeless population, particularly homeless youth, though CDBG funding support to the Education
Foundation of West Ada School District’s Housing + High School = Success. The City intends to continue
to use its partners to identify, understand, and support homeless individuals (especially unsheltered
persons) in Meridian.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons
As noted, the City of Meridian is regularly in contact with case management and support services
organizations like CATCH and Jesse Tree to assess and address the emergency and transitional housing
needs of homeless persons in Meridian. In 2017, Jesse Tree was funded through Meridian’s CDBG
program to help provide emergency rental assistance to Meridian residents at risk of losing housing. In
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the City’s PY2017 Annual Action Plan, the City said it would consider grant applications for similar
projects that would meet emergency and transitional housing needs in Meridian. Although PY2018 will
not be funding any of these types of projects, the City is working with a few partners, Mentor Works and
Our Path Home, to get a better idea of future transitional and emergency shelter needs and projects in
the near future.
The City is also part of coordinated conversations with CATCH, the CoC, and Idaho Housing and Finance
Association, as well as other state housing providers, to better discuss and plan current and future
transitional and emergency housing needs in the region and the state. The City is hopeful that a
transitional housing provider will locate in the City limits within the coming 3-5 years.
Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families
with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to
permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that
individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals
and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were
recently homeless from becoming homeless again
Through City’s CDBG program, Meridian has funded organizations like NeighborWorks Boise and Ada
County Housing Authority to help provide down payment and closing cost assistance to low-to-
moderate income residents of Meridian. In addition, Meridian’s work with Jesse Tree and CATCH in
previous and future years has helped proved rental and case management services aimed at preventing
and resolving needs for homeless and near-homeless families and individuals in Meridian. Also,
Meridian’s work with the CoC are indicators of the efforts the City has made to help explore and address
the needs of Meridian’s homeless population.
In PY2017, the City helped plan and conduct the CoC’s annual Point in Time count, assisted Boise State
University researchers conduct research on the number of homeless youth in the City, served on a
planning committee to build a new Permanent Supportive Housing development located in Boise, and
regularly coordinated with partners and residents to better understand and address needs of the
homeless population in Meridian and across the region.
The partnerships that the City has with local committees, organizations, and networks in evaluating,
understanding, and addressing the many needs of Meridian’s homeless population include Meridian
Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, City of Boise, City of Nampa, City of Caldwell, Women’s
and Children’s Alliance, Astegos, Jesse Tree, Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County, West Ada School District,
CATCH, Ada County Housing Authority, Local HUD office, Ada County Continuum of Care, Meridian Food
Bank, United Way, NeighborWorks Boise, IHFA, Terry Riley, El-Ada Community Action, Our Path Home,
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and many others. These partnerships are extensive and ongoing in order to help address and prevent
homelessness in Meridian.
These efforts, particularly coordination and participation with CATCH and the local CoC are designed to
assist local service providers in helping homeless persons make the transition to permanent housing and
independent living while shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience
homelessness. Specifically, the City participates in the CoC’s Data and Performance Measurement
Committee which supports the Our Path Home coordinated entry system. A main goal of this activity to
identify needs and set goals that the City can achieve to meet given targets.
In addition, the City's current and future funding relationship with NeighborWorks Boise, Boise City/Ada
County Housing Authority, Education Foundation of West Ada School District, and Jesse Tree are aimed
to develop activities through the CDBG program aimed at facilitating access for homeless individuals and
families to affordable housing unit while also preventing individuals and families from becoming
homeless.
Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely
low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly
funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities,
foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving
assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services,
employment, education, or youth needs.
Meridian’s CDBG Program currently funds Jesse Tree to provide emergency rental assistance to LMI
residents who are at risk of becoming homeless. During PY2018 the City will continue to provide funding
to Jesse Tree, as well as the Education Foundation of West Ada School District which provides housing
stipends and assistance to homeless, unaccompanied youth in Meridian. Both of these organization are
working to keep families, individuals, and children off of the streets and in some sort of stable housing.
Meridian also partners with other organizations like Meridian Food Bank and CATCH to assess needs and
provide services for those at risk of becoming homeless. Please refer to the previous explanation for a
list of the partnerships Meridian has to help prevent and address the homelessness needs of LMI
individuals in the City.
However, Meridian currently does not have any planned activities to address the housing needs of those
who are, specifically, being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care or who are
receiving public or other assistance outside of the details specified. Work is being done to expand the
City's role in the Continuum of Care's Coordinated Entry and other committees to help address any
needs being faced in the community.
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Discussion
Much of the work that is being funded through the City's CDBG program is aimed toward homelessness
prevention among the LMI population in the community. Answers to the questions in this section
specify many of the different services and activities that Meridian is exerting energy and resources
toward to help the local homeless and nearly-homeless populations. Development of public
transportation opportunities for seniors, ADA compliance improvements to public facilities, and public
facility improvements such as sidewalk and streetlight improvements in LMI areas are focused, outside
of those already noted, to meet the needs of persons who are and who are not homeless in the
community.
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AP-75 Barriers to affordable housing – 91.220(j)
Introduction:
Section V, a supplement to the City’s 2017-2021 Consolidated Plan, analyzes public and private barriers
to housing choice in Meridian. Stakeholders were also interviewed about housing barriers. Barriers
associated with tax policies, land use controls and zoning, building codes, fees and charges, growth
limits, and policies affecting the return on residential investment were not identified as barriers. On the
contrary, the review found a favorable environment for development and a migration toward more
diverse housing types.
As such, the actions summarized below do NOT address the negative effects of public policies that serve
as barriers to affordable housing (policies, procedures, processes). Instead, they focus on actions that
address other types of identified barriers.
Actions it planned to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve
as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning
ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the
return on residential investment
The City has recently expressed a commitment to creating more diverse housing types through its
redevelopment plan for downtown. The plan states that creating diverse housing opportunities for
different housing needs and life-cycles in downtown Meridian is important to support new businesses
and activity. A healthy housing mix will also help to draw people downtown and ensure 24-7 activity.
Housing created or redeveloped as part of the downtown plan is expected to include apartments,
townhomes, condominiums, duplexes, and single-family homes. The City has helped facilitate the recent
RFP for a large portion of the publicly-owned properties in downtown meridian with a priority being
given to those proposals that will development mixed use and high-density housing developments.
In 2017, to evaluate potential fair housing concerns within the City’s zoning code, the City had BBC
Consulting utilize a “Review of Public Policies and Practices (Zoning and Planning Codes)” form recently
circulated by the Los Angeles fair housing office of HUD. The research did not reveal any negative effects
of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing. This includes land use controls, tax policies
affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies
affecting returns on residential investment.
In addition, over the next few program years, the City intends to undergo a review of potential policy
and code changes that will incentivize the future development of multi-family and affordable housing
units in Meridian.
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Discussion:
Please see the Grantee Unique Appendices attached to the City’s 2017-2021 Consolidated Plan for
details (Section V, pages 9 through 11).
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AP-85 Other Actions – 91.220(k)
Introduction:
This section discusses the Other Actions the City will take to address the needs of low-income residents.
Actions planned to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs
The City will continue to engage in the regional dialogue with neighboring communities and service
providers to identify and address underserved needs, maintain affordable housing, and reduce the
number of families living in poverty.
The City has made steps this year to address the underserved needs of unaccompanied youth and the
physically disabled in Meridian through CDBG funding being allocated to projects that would exclusively
support both populations.
Actions planned to foster and maintain affordable housing
The City intends to partner with local service providers to provide emergency assistance to families who
are at risk of eviction and homelessness. The City will also explore additional partnerships—including
partnerships with mission-driven and private developers—to bring more workforce housing into
downtown and underutilized land parcels. Finally, the city will partner with local service providers to
provide down payment assistance to help renter households become homeowners.
Actions planned to reduce lead-based paint hazards
Over the course of the upcoming program year, the City will maintain information on lead-based paint
hazards in order to (1) educate the public, (2) gauge the prevalence of lead paint contamination, and (3)
start to address the issue within the City. There is a wealth of information already available from HUD,
the State, neighboring communities, and various organizations that staff will gather and make available
at City Hall, on the City’s website, and at other locations throughout the community.
Actions planned to reduce the number of poverty-level families
Please see above. The City believes this should be a regional effort and will take more of a leadership
role in addressing the needs of families living in poverty. Meridian's CDBG program intends to fund
programs that provide emergency assistance to families who are at risk of homelessness, provide food
supplies to those individuals in need, provide housing cost assistance for residents unable to cover the
full costs of home purchases, among other activities. The City's local strategic plan also plans to address
poverty-based issues through the expansion of needed public services as well as the ever-strong focus of
Meridian on economic development and the expansion of quality employment opportunities for the
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jurisdiction’s LMI population.
The City is currently working on an in-depth socioeconomic profile of the City to help identify the needs
of community members as it pertains to Housing, Finances, Food, Education, Health Care, and
Transportation. Completing this research will allow us better understand the factors in the community
that are contributing factors to those residents who are facing poverty in meridian, as well as help
define solutions that could help mitigate those factors. The City’s hope is that this research will provide
long-term insights and strategies to help reduce the number of poverty-level families in Meridian.
Actions planned to develop institutional structure
There are few capacity issues related to institutional structure in Meridian and the surrounding area.
However, the City will be making the CDBG Administrator position a full-time position that is fully
funded out of the City’s general fund. This institutional change is designed to provide more time to run
effectively and efficiently the CDBG program as well as provide flexibility for the position to expand
efforts into economic and other areas that can help meet the community development needs of the
City. Staff will continue to work to attain relevant and appropriate professional development trainings
during the program year to learn and address current and future institutional problems. Discussions will
continue about the expansion and opportunities to add new program staff to assist in this community
development work.
External to the City, the City has been involved in the institutional restructuring of the Ada County CoC
as well as the implementation of new HMIS and Coordinated Entry standards for service providers in the
County. These activities have dramatically altered the institutional framework of housing and other
service providers in the region and has improved the efficiency and transparency of the coordinated
work being done to address these needs. The City hopes to identify new institutional structures that can
be developed, reformed or changed to better support the needs of those most at risk in the region (e.g.
transitional and emergency housing networks).
Actions planned to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social
service agencies
There are few capacity issues related to coordination between public and private organizations in
Meridian and the surrounding area. However, the City's partnership and funding relationship with local
housing services organizations including NeighborWorks Boise, Jesse Tree, Boise City/Ada County
Housing Authority, and Education Foundation of West Ada School District will continue to expand in this
program year. In addition, coordination with other organizations like CATCH, Astegos, Boise Rescue
Mission, Interfaith Sanctuary, Terry Riley, El-Ada Community Action, Janus, Idaho Office for Refugees,
Agency for New Americans, Women’s and Children’s Alliance, and all members associated with the local
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Continuum of Care (including private housing developers) will continue to be built upon to improve
networks, coordination, and problem solving in the jurisdiction. Meridian's participation in the local
continuum of care, housing and homelessness roundtables, and other regional coordination efforts
outlines the City's continued action plan for enhancing the networking and coordination between public
and private housing and social service agencies.
Discussion:
Please see above.
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Program Specific Requirements
AP-90 Program Specific Requirements – 91.220(l)(1,2,4)
Introduction:
Below is a description of the program requirements for Meridian's CDBG program and its commitment
to meet those requirements.
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
Reference 24 CFR 91.220(l)(1)
Projects planned with all CDBG funds expected to be available during the year are identified in the
Projects Table. The following identifies program income that is available for use that is included in
projects to be carried out.
1. The total amount of program income that will have been received before the start of the next
program year and that has not yet been reprogrammed 0
2. The amount of proceeds from section 108 loan guarantees that will be used during the year to
address the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the grantee's strategic plan. 0
3. The amount of surplus funds from urban renewal settlements 0
4. The amount of any grant funds returned to the line of credit for which the planned use has not
been included in a prior statement or plan 0
5. The amount of income from float-funded activities 0
Total Program Income: 0
Other CDBG Requirements
1. The amount of urgent need activities 0
2. The estimated percentage of CDBG funds that will be used for activities that benefit
persons of low and moderate income.Overall Benefit - A consecutive period of one,
two or three years may be used to determine that a minimum overall benefit of 70%
of CDBG funds is used to benefit persons of low and moderate income. Specify the
years covered that include this Annual Action Plan. 53.51%
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This City's certification period includes program years 2018, 2019, and 2020. The City commits to meet
the 70% LMI benefit requirement of the federal CDBG program over the span of that three year
certification period.
With that said, during Program Year 2018, the City has allocated 53.51% of its funding to LMI-benefit
projects. The City commits to ensure that, in the 2019 and 2020 program years, the City will allocate
more than 70% of its funds to LMI-benefit projects in order to meet the requirement for the cumulative
certification period.
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