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
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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
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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.
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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.