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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAPER 2021-2022 CAPER 1 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) City of Aiken Aiken, South Carolina Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report CAPER 2021-2022 City Of Aiken PO Box 1177 111 Chesterfield St, South Aiken, SC 29802 www.cityofaikensc.gov CAPER 2 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes Progress the jurisdiction has made in carrying out its strategic plan and its action plan. 91.520(a) This could be an overview that includes major initiatives and highlights that were proposed and executed throughout the program year. During fiscal year 2021-2022, the City of Aiken received a total of 194,853 in CDBG Entitlement funds to assist low-and-moderate income (LMI) individuals and neighborhoods. The City provided three projects over the past fiscal year utilizing its CDBG Entitlement funds. Two of the projects made an enormous impact for low-and-moderate income families and neighborhoods within the city limits of Aiken and have been a great success over the past several years by keeping communities free of slum and blight. The two projects were the Lot Clean-Up Program and the Demolition Program. The third project was Land Acquisition. The Lot Clean-Up Program has made a tremendous impact on communities within the city limits of Aiken by clearing overgrown, debris filled lots where the property owner does not take immediate action in properly maintaining their yards or vacant lot(s). Once a lot has been cleared, by being cleaned and/or mowed, the property owner is billed for the service. Once the invoice is paid, the funds are returned to the activity as program income. The second program, Demolition, has also been a very successful program. This activity involes demolishing run down vacant or burned houses where the property owner does not take immediate action in having the structure torn down and removed, or boarded up to keep trespassers out. The property owner is charged as well, and funds received are returned to the activity as program income. Over the past fiscal year, a total of 110 lots have been cleaned, two vacant houses boarded up, four houses tested for asbestos, five houses demolished, and one title search completed. CAPER 3 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CAPER 4 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Comparison of the proposed versus actual outcomes for each outcome measure submitted with the consolidated plan and explain, if applicable, why progress was not made toward meeting goals and objectives. 91.520(g) Categories, priority levels, funding sources and amounts, outcomes/objectives, goal outcome indicators, units of measure, targets, actual outcomes/outputs, and percentage completed for each of the grantee’s program year goals. Goal Category Source / Amount Indicator Unit of Measure Expected – Strategic Plan Actual – Strategic Plan Percent Complete Expected – Program Year Actual – Program Year Percent Complete Demolition Program Demolition CDBG: $ Buildings Demolished Buildings 5 5 100.00% 5 5 100.00% General Administration General Administration CDBG: $ Jobs created/retained Jobs 1 1 100.00% 1 1 100.00% Land Acquisition Affordable Housing Non-Housing Community Development Economic Development CDBG: $ Homeowner Housing Added Household Housing Unit 3 0 0.00% 3 0 0.00% Lot Clean Up Program Public Services CDBG: $ Public service activities for Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit Households Assisted 75 110 146.67% 75 110 146.67% Table 1 - Accomplishments – Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date CAPER 5 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Assess how the jurisdiction’s use of funds, particularly CDBG, addresses the priorities and specific objectives identified in the plan, giving special attention to the highest priority activities identified. The Lot Clean-Up Program and the Demolition Program have both been a high priority with great success in low-and-moderate income neighborhoods as well as targeted areas. The Lot Clean-Up Program has been used to clean up overgrown, debris filled yards and vacant lots, freeing the communities of slum and blight. Once a lot has been mowed and cleared of trash and debris, the property owner is charged for the clean-up cost and the funds are returned to the activity as program income. Through the Demolition Program, dilapidated, rundown vacant houses within the city limits of Aiken in low-and-moderate income neighborhoods, as well as, scattered sites are inspected, tested for and abated of asbestos, and then demolished, including uninhabitable houses that have been abandoned or badly burned. Houses that are vacant, but not a point to be torn down, are boarded up to keep out trespassers. Any charges collected are also returned to the activity as program income. CAPER 6 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CDBG LMI map CAPER 7 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of families assisted). 91.520(a) CDBG White 0 Black or African American 0 Asian 0 American Indian or American Native 0 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0 Total 0 Hispanic 0 Not Hispanic 0 Table 2 – Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds Narrative The programs/activities, Lot Clean-Up and Demolition, assisted houses and neighborhoods to rid them of slum and blight as a low-and-moderate income area. Therefore, no individual person was identified, only the address of the property. CAPER 8 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a) Identify the resources made available Source of Funds Source Resources Made Available Amount Expended During Program Year CDBG public - federal 194,853 58,433 Table 3 - Resources Made Available Narrative The City of Aiken utilizes program income as a resource to help assist low-and-moderate income (LMI) neighborhoods through its Lot Clean-Up Program and Demolition Program. Once an overgrown, debris filled lot is cleared, the property owner is charged for the clean-up cost and the funds are returned to the activity as program income. Also, when an involuntary action is taken against the owner of an uninhabitable, vacant or burned house the City takes the necessary steps to have the structure demolished. The property owner is charged and funds received are returned to the activity as program income. The funds collected for these two activities has helped them continue successfully. There is other non-CDBG income in three revolving loan funds from prior years, which could be utilized that include: Housing Rehabilitation ($3,783.76), Homeownership ($1.96), and a Non-Revolving Loan Fund ($6,397.70). The City is a member of the local Consortium and serves as a gateway to allow partnering community development corporations to apply for HOME funds. The City also utilizes other federal dollars and local tax payer support. The City has been approved for a Section 108 Loan this past fiscal year in the amount of $999,000. Funds will be used for an infrastructure and streetscape project on the 100 block of Williamsburg Street, in a low-and-moderate income area. The City is a member of the Orangeburg County Consortium through the Lower Savannah Council of Governments to assist its partnering community development coprorations in applying for grant opportunities such as HOME funds. The City also utilizes other federal dollars and local tax payer supports as a leverage. CAPER 9 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Target Area Planned Percentage of Allocation Actual Percentage of Allocation Narrative Description Northside of Aiken 90 90 The City of Aiken utilizes program income as a resource to help assist low-and-moderate income (LMI) Table 4 – Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments Narrative The City of Aiken is made up of four different quadrants, north, south, east and west, where substandard conditions, and slum and blight can be found in all of these areas. Unfortunately, the northern area of Aiken, being the original grid of town, contains the most seen slum and blight where many LMI neighborhoods are located. The Lot Clean-Up Program and Demolition Program have been a great success over the years providing assistance in low-and-moderate income neighborhoods, as well as, spotted areas by having the overgrown grass cut, removing trash and debris from the property and freeing the neighborhood of slum and blight. Very-low income citizens will receive primary attention, although assistance for all LMI neighborhoods are assisted as well. Currently, the City has 13 neighborhood associations that are considered low-and-moderate income that are located within the north and east side of Aiken. CAPER 10 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Leveraging Explain how federal funds leveraged additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements were satisfied, as well as how any publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that were used to address the needs identified in the plan. The City of Aiken continues to seek additional funding to meet the needs of its low-and-moderate income citizens within the city limits. To help leverage CDBG funding, there is other non-CDBG income in three revolving loan funds from prior years that could be utilized which are: Housing Rehabilitation, Homeownership, and a Non-Revolving Loan Fund. The City will continue to seek funding opportunities to leverage CDBG funds through other grant opportunities. The City has been approved for a Section 108 Loan this past fiscal year. Funds will be used for an infrastructure and streetscape project on the 100 block of Williamsburg Street, in a low-and-moderate income neighborhood. To assist its partnering community development corporations in applying for grant opportunities such as HOME funds, the City joined the Orangeburg County Consortium through the Lower Savannah Council of Governments. The City also utilizes other federal dollars and local tax payer supports as a leverage. CAPER 11 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-20 - Affordable Housing 91.520(b) Evaluation of the jurisdiction's progress in providing affordable housing, including the number and types of families served, the number of extremely low -income, low-income, moderate-income, and middle-income persons served. One-Year Goal Actual Number of Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Number of Non-Homeless households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Number of Special-Needs households to be provided affordable housing units 0 0 Total 0 0 Table 5 – Number of Households One-Year Goal Actual Number of households supported through Rental Assistance 0 0 Number of households supported through The Production of New Units 0 0 Number of households supported through Rehab of Existing Units 0 0 Number of households supported through Acquisition of Existing Units 0 0 Total 0 0 Table 6 – Number of Households Supported Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting these goals. The City of Aiken’s goals are always to ensure its citizens have a safe, decent and affordable place to live. Unfortunately, the City does not receive funds to construct any housing opportunities nor provide CDBG funding to agencies that provide housing opportunities. However, when there is an opportunity, the City does donate available land that it owns to its partnering agencies such as Second Baptist Church Community Development Corporation (Second Baptist CDC), and the Aiken Corporation in their efforts to build affordable housing within the city limits of Aiken. CAPER 12 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans. The Second Baptist Church Community Development Corporation (Second Baptist CDC) completed four affordable, single-family homes on the 500 block of Abbeville Ave in an LMI area in Aiken during the past fiscal year. They are contemplating designing and developing an additional three, affordable, single- family homes during the present fiscal year on the 400 block of Abbeville Ave. The City of Aiken will continue its partnership in collaborating with the Aiken Corporation. Over the past fiscal year, 24-acres of land was dontated to the Aiken Corporation to develop future affordable housing opportunities, in which community development block grant funds will be used to assist in the infrastructure process of land development. The Aiken County Habitat for Humanity accepted and approved five homeowner applicantions this past fiscal year. The applicants will assist in the construction of building their home. Include the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons served by each activity where information on income by family size i s required to determine the eligibility of the activity. Number of Households Served CDBG Actual HOME Actual Extremely Low-income 0 0 Low-income 0 0 Moderate-income 0 0 Total 0 0 Table 7 – Number of Households Served Narrative Information The City of Aiken contacted several entities including the Aiken Housing Authority, Aiken County Habitat for Humanity, and Aiken Board of Realtors to assist in the planning process to address housing services. In addition, various non-profit organizations that provide services to the homeless, youth and seniors, and services to people with special needs were also consulted such as the Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH), Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Tri-Development Center, Mental Health Center, Senior Life Services, and Helping Hands. The City will continue coordinating a circle of support by sharing ideas and activities with various agencies to assist one another and citizens in need of affordable housing services. The activities may involve community meetings with non-profits and promotion of agencies’ efforts in the community. CAPER 13 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320(d, e); 91.520(c) Evaluate the jurisdiction’s progress in meeting its specific o bjectives for reducing and ending homelessness through: Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs The City of Aiken does not have any programs that serve the homeless nor provide CDBG funds to assist the homeless. Individuals and families that are homeless can have their needs met through several different agencies within Aiken. The City will continue coordinating a circle of support by sharing ideas and activities with various agencies to assist one another and citizens in need of particular services. The Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH) is a 14-county coalition that serves as the local body in the Midlands, that includes Aiken, to provide a bridge between the homeless population and the community through education, planning, advocacy, and services. The City of Aiken supports MACH in its HUD Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance program and certifies that its activities/projects are consistent with the jurisdiction's current, approved Consolidated Plan. The City continues to update its Community Resource Directory, as a means to serve requests for a general list of resources such as food, clothing, shelter, utility relief, employment agencies, healthcare, and education for adults, youth, seniors and families in Aiken. More than 500 Community Resource Directories have been copied and distributed in 26 local Blessing Boxes, placed in the City Municipal Building lobby area, provided at meetings, and given to those by request. The Community Resource Directory can be found on the City’s website at https://www.cityofaikensc.gov under Community Resources and Development. Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons The City of Aiken does not receive ESG funding and unfortunately, there are no emergency shelters in Aiken. There are two transitional housing facilities in Aiken. Oxford House Viola (transitionalhousing.org) and Stand at the Crossroads Ministries (crossroadsaiken.com), which are listed in the City's Community Resource Directory. However, the City does support the Continuum of Care in its efforts to provide emergency shelter to the homeless. The City also refers families in emergency situations to the Salvation Army and Red Cross. Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: likely to become homeless after being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as heal th care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); and, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that CAPER 14 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs The City of Aiken does not have any programs that serve extremely low-income or low-income individuals and families to avoid becoming homeless after being discharged from a publicly funded institution and system of care. Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center (ABMHC) provides a variety of services to individuals seeking help for mental health problems or mental health and addiction problems. ABMHC provides for 36 housing placements in Aiken via rent-guarantee payments. Over the past fiscal year, ABMHC provided services to 3,565 persons. Tri-Development Center of Aiken County serves residents who have the disabilities of autism, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disabilities, and related disabilities. Tri-Development provides a variety of services that include: residential services, transition services, vocational services to include job placement, self-advocacy, and behavioral support services. Tri-Development provides residential services to approximately 186 individuals in a variety of settings and have several rental units scattered across Aiken County, which are 25 group homes, a 20-unit apartment complex, four intermediate care facilities, and two community residential care facilities. Over the past fiscal year, Tri-Development served over 355 individuals with disabilities. The City of Aiken will continue working with local service agencies that assist low-income individuals and families to address their needs, as well as, provide assistance and services for citizens through various programs and activities to include: * Hard to reach families that receive support from social service agencies; * Working with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in continuing to eliminate lead-based paint hazards and educating families and staff; * Continuing to coordinate with Aiken County government agencies through referrals and supportive services; and * Collaboration with public, private and social services agencies in offering readiness programs for affordable homeownership, maintaining safe and decent housing, and strengthen communities through neighborhood leaders. The City of Aiken will also continue its partnerships with a vast amount of support by sharing ideas and activities with service providers and other agencies to assist one another, as well as, citizens in need of particular services. Local service agencies and the general public can receive a City of Aiken Community Resource Directory, which provides information for a list of resources such as food, clothing, shelter, utility relief, employment agencies, healthcare, and education for adults, youth, seniors and families in Aiken. CAPER 15 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 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 The City of Aiken does not provide CDBG funding to those agencies that serve the homeless. However, the City will continue to provide referrals to agencies that serve the homeless. The City also provides a Community Resource Directory that lists various affordable housing opportunities and other avenues to assist in making the transition from homeless to permanent housing and independent living obtainable. CAPER 16 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j) Actions taken to address the needs of public housing The Housing Authority of the City of Aiken administers a public housing program that manages four developments in Aiken County. This past fiscal year, the Housing Authority demolished Hahn Village, one of three remaining public housing complexes within the city limits of Aiken. Hahn Village once contained 100 units and housed over 246 residents, which were given a Housing Choice Voucher to relocate. The Aiken Housing Authority also administers a total of 875 vouchers in the Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Aiken is to assist low-income families with safe, decent, and affordable housing opportunities in a non-discriminatory manner as they strive to achieve self-sufficiency and improve the quality of their lives. The Housing Authority is also committed to operating in an efficient, ethical, and professional manner. Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership The Aiken Housing Authority operates a Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. The FSS Program is a HUD program that allows residents of HCV and public housing to build financial assets as the household increases earned-income from wages. Participation generally lasts five (5) years, during which participants identify educational, professional and personal goals including: transitioning out of subsidized housing and homeownership. The FSS program involves goal setting, mentoring and financial incentives to empower families in making positive life changes. As a part of Aiken Housing Authority's FSS program, participants work with the HCV department staff to develop a plan that outlines specific activities needed to achieve their economic self-sufficiency goals. Throughout the program, the staff monitors participants' progress and helps them move toward self- sufficiency. The Aiken Housing Authority's FSS services are in coordination with the Workforce Investment Act, also known as the (WIA) program. As participants achieve employment goals and increase household income from wages, their rent increases. An amount equitable to the monthly rent increase is set aside each month into an escrow savings account. When participants meet all of their goals and graduate from the program, they are eligible to receive a payout of the escrow accrued during their participation. Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs The Aiken Housing Authority is not designated as a troubled PHA. There are no plans by the City of Aiken to provide financial assistance. CAPER 17 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j) Actions taken 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. 91.220 (j); 91.320 (i) The City of Aiken’s Community Development Committee is a group of concerned citizens who have been appointed by City Council to examine current housing-related challenges and conditions, assess existing housing resources and programs, explore new housing resources, and propose objectives and strategies that will set the direction of the City of Aiken’s housing policies and programs. The Planning Commission adopted amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to allow higher residential density in the downtown area. The City’s Zoning Ordinance regulates zoning in the City of Aiken. The ordinance is intended to ensure that development is compatible with existing and future needs of the community, while promoting public health, safety, convenience, order, appearance, prosperity, and general welfare, in accordance with the purposes provided in Section 6-29-710, Code of Laws of South Carolina. The Commission will continue to evaluate other amendments to encourage innovative housing development in the city limits of Aiken. The Building Inspection Division is responsible for Property Code Enforcement in the City of Aiken. The City enforces the International Property Maintenance Code and the Aiken City Codes that govern the general maintenance of the interior and the exterior of any structure, and the overall general maintenance of the property area. The codes also cover structures that are substandard for living conditions or structures that are dilapidated and need to be demolished. The City of Aiken continues its Rental Registration Program in which landlords that own one or more rental properties within the city limits must register with the City. This program is intended to be used as a contact list in case of an emergency or if substandard conditions and city code violations have been discovered. Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City of Aiken will continue working with local service agencies that assist low-income individuals and those that are considered to be underserved to address their needs, as well as, provide assistance and services for citizens through various programs and activities. Underserved individuals, local service agencies and the general public can receive a City of Aiken Community Resource Directory, which provides information for a list of resources such as food, clothing, shelter, utility relief, employment agencies, healthcare, and education for adults, youth, seniors and families in Aiken. CAPER 18 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City of Aiken will comply with the stricter lead-based paint guidelines. The City is aware of the guidelines implemented by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in ensuring contractors are certified renovators and in compliance with the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Final Rule (40 CFR 745) requirements. The City provides the "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home" brochure to families before they receive emergency repair assistance. The "Lead Safe Housing Requirements Screening Worksheet" is also completed before any rehab work is conducted to a home. The City will also continue to work diligently to identify and abate asbestos in houses before they are renovated or demolished with the assistance of a certified abatement agency. Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City of Aiken continues its efforts in reducing poverty by collaborating with local agencies that offer assistance to low income families such as ACTS, which offers numerous services. ACTS serves Aiken County residents, individuals and families, which fall into the income levels of 150% or less of the poverty guidelines. Over the past fiscal year, ACTS provided 11,826 services to 18,680 individuals. The Aiken County Department of Social Services (DSS) offers several services that include: a Supplement Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Program - formerly known as the Food Stamp Program; the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program; Child Protective Services; clothing allowance; and assistance through an independent living program for youth age 13 and older. Over the past fiscal year, DSS provided SNAP benefits to 52,513,928 individuals, TANF assistance to 889,217 individuals, direct client services and needs to 10,019 individuals, clothing allowance to 72,282 individuals, and assistance for independent living to 9,917 youth. Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City of Aiken continues to work with the neighborhood associations and their leaders to strengthen its internal organization so the groups can become a strong advocate for their neighborhood. The City will continue to partner with other agencies and local universities to provide seminars and workshops to its citizens. The City will continue to collaborate with USCA, Aiken Technical College, and other public education partners to provide educational and engagement workshops, and events to youth. Neighborhood programs are conducted by the Aiken Public Safety Department’s Community Services Division through its Safe Communities Initiative. This initiative is a unified, proactive community approach to engage, educate and encourage recurring offenders to change their behavior and make healthy life choices. Its aim is to reduce high levels of crime and recidivism in the community and under the City’s original grid of Aiken’s Northside Revitalization. CAPER 19 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) An Asset-Based Capacity Development (ABCD) series is also offered through the Community Services Division of Public Safety. ABCD has been used as a tool to develop community-driven solutions in public health, community and economic development, education, and public safety. Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies. 91.220(k); 91.320(j) The City will continue collaborating with local agencies by sharing ideas and activities to assist one another and citizens in need of particular services. The activities may involve community meetings with non-profits, promotion of agencies’ efforts in the community, as well as, private developers. The City of Aiken created its Economic Development Department in January, 2020, and established the Aiken Municipal Development Commission. Through this partnership, the City plans to focus on economic development activities, to include planning, land acquisition, housing, improvements to public infrastructure, and workforce development. Plans are to create a program for placement of low-and- moderate income applicants for employment opportunities generated by CDBG-eligible economic development activities. Also, through its partnership with the Aiken Municipal Development Commission and a local minority developer, using private funds, plans are to rehab three homes for moderate-income families and construct a multi-family housing complex on the 100 block of Williamsburg St, SE. Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. 91.520(a) Impediment 1: There is a great need for programs to provide information for future home-buyers. Pre- housing counseling services that explain the costs and responsibilities of buying a home, housing counseling for home owners, a greater familiarity with Fair Housing laws for future homeowners, and an education on credit counseling are all needed greatly. Actions to Date: The City is continuing its outreach efforts by partnering with the Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG) and other local agencies to conduct workshops for the public. Due to the continuance of the COVID-19 pandemic, no public workshops were conducted this past fiscal year. However, in recognition of Fair Housing Month, the City of Aiken placed an article on its website in April, 2022, titled "Housing Discrimination-Unmasked!" along with a Fair Housing flyer, distributed Fair Housing flyers received from LSCOG, and a Proclamation was signed by the City of Aiken’s Mayor recognizing April, 2022 as Fair Housing Month. Impediment 2: The City of Aiken has a need for more affordable family housing for first time buyers. Actions to Date: The City of Aiken continues to collaborate with Second Baptist Church Community Development Corporation and the Aiken Corporation to further affordable housing in low-and-moderate income areas of the City to provide additional housing sites. The long-term goal of the City has been CAPER 20 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) improving conditions mainly on the north side of Aiken to provide safe, decent and affordable housing for families within the city limits. The City continues to be a member of the Orangeburg County HOME consortium as a gateway for community development corporations within the city limits to apply for HOME funds for new construction mainly on the north side of Aiken where there is a greater need for affordable housing. The Second Baptist Church Community Development Corporation (Second Baptist CDC) completed four affordable, single-family homes on the 500 block of Abbeville Ave in an LMI area in Aiken during the past fiscal year. They are contemplating designing and developing an additional three, affordable, single- family homes during the present fiscal year on the 400 block of Abbeville Ave. They also have plans to develop 15 vacant lots they own and continue to seek other funding opportunities to significantly impact the redevelopment of the Crosland Park community. The Aiken Municipal Development Commission (AMDC) purchased three lots on the 100 block of Williamsburg St, a low-and-moderate income area, for future construction of multi-family units and economic development. On the same block, a local developer utilized private funds to construct two new homes for sale to qualified moderate-income families this past fiscal year and plan to construct an additioanal ten more within the next two years. CAPER 21 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-40 - Monitoring 91.220 and 91.230 Describe the standards and procedures used to monitor activities carried out in furtherance of the plan and used to ensure long-term compliance with requirements of the programs involved, including minority business outreach and the comprehensive planning requirements City of Aiken staff will continuously monitor programs and activities provided through the assistance of CDBG funding. Those families assisted will provide documentation to prove eligibility described in the program's guidelines. All contractors winning with the lowest bid will follow City and Federal procurement regulations before work is awarded. Once work is completed, City staff will complete an inspection to ensure all work was done in accordance to work write ups and proposals. The City of Aiken will continue to post newspaper ads, utilize the S.C. Business Opportunity (SCBO) bulletin and other means of advertising as an outreach to encourage minority and women businesses. The City is actively working together in collaboration with other agencies such as the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, the Aiken Housing Authority, local churches, banks and other community development corporations to continue to develop creative ways to reach minority and women businesses as well as strengthen and enhance the quality of life for low-to-moderate income families in Aiken. The City of Aiken has provided on its website nondiscrimination information to include a Title IV Plan, LEP Plan, ADA Transition Plan, Nondiscrimination Statement Policy and Complaint Procedures which can be found at www.cityofaikensc.gov/Title IV. Citizen Participation Plan 91.105(d); 91.115(d) Describe the efforts to provide citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment on performance reports. The City of Aiken posts public notices encouraging comments and timeframe on its City Cable Channel 4; its website at www.cityofaikensc.gov; its Facebook page; the local newspaper (Aiken Standard Newspaper); and places flyers in its recreational facilities as well as mail to neighborhood leaders and local churches inviting and encouraging citizens to attend and participate. Mailings, legal advertisements and other outreach efforts may be made to solicit input from a group of organizations that serve minorities, low-and-moderate income persons, as well as persons with disabilities and limited English proficient populations. CAPER 22 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) The City has also provided, on its website, their Public Participation Plan that describes the City's efforts in providing citizens with actions for reasonable notices and avenues for making and/or submitting comments. CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c) Specify the nature of, and reasons for, any changes in the j urisdiction’s program objectives and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its experiences. The City of Aiken was notified in May, 2022 that they would be receiving an additional $61,784 of CDBG- CV (coronavirus) funds of a reallocation authorized by the CARES Act. These funds will be used to for small business PPE, preparation, testing and training. A 5-day comment period was placed in the local newspaper and on the City’s website on July 11, 2022, for the fourth round of funds. Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grants? No [BEDI grantees] Describe accomplishments and program outcomes during the last year. CAPER 23 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) CR-58 – Section 3 Identify the number of individuals assisted and the types of assistance provided Total Labor Hours CDBG HOME ESG HOPWA HTF Table 8 – Total Labor Hours Qualitative Efforts - Number of Activities by Program CDBG HOME ESG HOPWA HTF Table 9 – Qualitative Efforts - Number of Activities by Program Narrative The City of Aiken has not participated in any activity that fell under the guidelines of Section 3.