PUBLIC NOTICE

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER)

The City of Lakeland prepared the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Reports (CAPER) for the 2022-2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program year. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development must receive the CAPER reports in the Jacksonville area office by December 29, 2023. The public may review and submit comments on the reports prior to submission to HUD.

The CAPER reports contain information on the status of all CDBG and HOME funded projects underway or completed during the program year October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. These reports document the City’s performance in meeting the various requirements for the expenditure of CDBG and HOME funds.

The CAPER and accompanying narrative statements are available for review on the City’s website at http://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/community-economic-development/housing/ Interested parties may also obtain a copy at no charge or receive information about the reports by calling the 863.834.3360. 

Comments should be addressed to: Michael Smith, Housing Programs Manager, Community & Economic Development Department, Housing Division, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33805, on or before Monday, December 21, 2023.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Lakeland has prepared its Annual Performance Reports for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program.  These reports contain information on the status of all SHIP funded projects completed before June 30, 2022.  Included is the SHIP Close Out Report for 2019-2020, SHIP Interim Reports for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.  The Annual Performance Reports shall be submitted to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) in Tallahassee, Florida, to be received by the FHFC on or before September 15, 2022.

The Annual Performance Reports are available for review by contacting the Planning and Housing Division at housing@lakelandgov.net, where interested parties may obtain a free copy or receive information about the reports or SHIP Annual Report.

Anyone wishing to comment on the reports must do do prior to September 5, 2022. Written public comments shall identify the author by name, address, and interest affected.  Comments should be addressed to Michael B. Smith, Housing Programs Manager, Planning and Housing Division, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33805 or housing@lakelandgov.net and to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, Florida, 32301-1329.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs One Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds for 2023 - 2024

The City of Lakeland is seeking public input regarding the City's housing and community development needs prior to the submission the 2023-2024 One-Year Action Plan and Projected use of Funds ("Action Plan" to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME).  These Plans define the use of funds and the community development objectives.

On My 8, 2023, and May 25, 2023, public meetings will be conducted for the purpose of obtaining views on such matters as community development and housing needs and priorities.

On June 19, 2023, City of Lakeland Community & Economic Development, Housing Division staff will present the proposed One-Year Action Plan to the City Commission and will invite public suggestions and Commission direction for refinements to the proposed plan.  The One-Year Plan defines the use of CDBG funds for the 49th program year and HOME funds for the 29th program year.

On July 17, 2023, the City Commission will consider the One-Year Action Plan for the City's 49th CDBG program year and 29th HOME program.  

Officials of the City of Lakeland previously prepared forty-eight (48) annual CDBG applications which have been approved by HUD for a total of $37,571,962 and twenty-eight (28) HOME applications totaling $11,246,039.

The expected allocations for the 49th Year of CDBG at $865,988 and the 29th Year of HOME funds at $434,505.  The Program year runs from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.

Primary Objective: The primary objective of this federal program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate incomes.  Consistent with this primary objective, not less than 70 percent of the City's CDBG funds shall be used for activities which benefit persons of low and moderate incomes.

General Requirements: The primary objective will be achieved through a program in which the projected use of funds is designated to benefit low- and moderate-income families, aid in the prevention of slums or blight, or to meet other community development needs having a particular urgency.

Basic Eligible Activities: Community Development Block Grant funds may be used for activities which include, but are not limited to:

• acquisition and disposition of real property;
• public facilities and improvements;
• clearance and demolition;
• public services (with certain limits);
• relocation assistance;
• rehabilitation of privately owned buildings and improvements;
• code enforcement in deteriorating or deteriorated areas;
• planning activities; and
• payment of reasonable administrative costs.

Ineligible Activities: The following activities may not be carried out using Community Development Block Grant funds:

• acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of buildings for the general conduct of government;
• political activities;
• certain income payments; and
• construction of new housing by units of general local government.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds may be used for activities which include, but are not limited:

• provide home purchase or rehabilitation financing assistance to eligible homeowners and new homebuyers;
• build or rehabilitate housing for rent or ownership;
• payment of reasonable administrative costs; and
• eligible Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) operating expenses and capacity building costs.

The following activities may not be carried out using HOME Investment Partnership Program funds:

• tenant based rental assistance for the special purposes of the existing Section 8 program;
• provide non-federal matching contributions required under any other federal program; 
• pay for the acquisition of property owned by the participating jurisdiction, except for property acquired by the participation jurisdiction with HOME funds, or property acquired in anticipation of carrying out a HOME project; and
• monitoring, servicing, or origination fees in HOME assisted projects.

What a Community Must Do To Secure Funding

Pre-submission requirements:

1. Develop a One-Year Action Plan including the proposed statement of community development objectives and projected use of funds.
2. Furnish citizens with information concerning the amounts of funds expected to be available for community development and housing activities and the range of activities that may be undertaken with those funds.
3. Hold at least two public hearings to obtain the views of citizens on the City's housing and community development needs.  At least one of these hearings must be held for public comment, prior to the publication of the proposed One-Year Action Plan.
4. Publish the proposed One-Year Action Plan to afford affected citizens an opportunity to examine its content and comment. 
5. Prepare and publish a final One-Year Action Plan.

Timetable:

The following is a timeline for the preparation and submission of the City of Lakeland's Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs One-Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds ("Plan"):

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statute, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding, or those requiring language assistance (free of charge) should contact the City of Lakeland ADA Specialist, Jenny Sykes.  Because providing a reasonable accommodation may require outside assistance, organizations, or resources, the City asks that any request be made with as much notice as possible, preferably 72 hours, but no later than 48 hours in advance of the event, at 863.834.8444 or Jenny.Sykes@lakelandgov.net.  If hearing impaired, please contact the TDD numbers: Local - 863.834.8333 or Toll Free at 800.955.8771 (TDD - Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or the Florida Relay Service number is 800.955.8770(VOICE), for assistance.

For more information on the eligible and ineligible activities for CDBG and HOME, please visit Action Plan Draft for 2023-24. Also included on the website are the following documents: Consolidated Plan 2021-2025 which includes the Annual Action Plan 2022-2023 and Annual Report (CAPER 2021-2-22)

Persons wishing to see complete copies of the most recent One-Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds, the 2021-2025 Five-Year Consolidated Plan, the Federal Regulations, applications of CDBG, and applications of HOME, or other information concerning the proposed use of funds, may visit the Community & Economic Development Department, Housing Division at 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida, or call the department at (863) 834-3360.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

BRIAN REWIS, DIRECTOR

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

CITY OF LAKELAND, FLORIDA